Re-opening your Premises
At present, many organisations are considering when and how to re-open their premises. Before you do, you should:
- carry out a risk assessment
- consult with your workers
- share the results of the risk assessment with your workforce and on your website
You must not reopen until the government rules allow you to. Check the up-to-date list of venues that must remain closed.
The government advice continues to be that everyone should work from home, unless they cannot work from home. If your organisation is able to continue to operate remotely, you may, as a result of carrying out your risk assessment, delay returning staff and volunteers to your premises and/or opening them to the public.
The purpose of carrying out a risk assessment is to reduce risk to the lowest reasonably practicable level by taking preventative measures. To carry out a Covid Secure risk assessment, you should read through and consider the government guidance for the type of premises you use. You may need to use more than one guide, because your workplace covers more that one type of use.
There is an introduction and links to specific guidance in the government document working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19).
It’s important to write down your risk assessment so that you can share it with your workforce and on your website. You may find this template helpful.
(Click here to download a working copy of this document.)
Some extra information that may be useful to you:
- Legionella advice: If your building was closed or has reduced occupancy during the coronavirus outbreak, water system stagnation can occur due to lack of use, increasing the risks of Legionnaires’ disease as well as poor drinking water quality. There’s some guidance from HSE to help you review your risk assessment and manage the legionella risks to protect people when the water system is returned to use. This links to more detailed guidance from Legionella Control Association.
- Other specific coronavirus guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- WHO guidance on facemasks
Please contact us if, having considered the information above, you are still unsure of what to do.