Spot Checks To Take Place At Harborough Businesses To Ensure They Are Covid-Secure
Written by HFM News on 16th September 2020
Spot checks are to be carried out at businesses across the Harborough District to ensure they are complying with Covid-19 guidelines.
Unannounced visits will take place at firms of all sizes and in all sectors and any found not to be following the rules could face prosecution.
Harborough District Council is one of the first in the country to join forces with the Health and Safety Executive to conduct the checks.
Council Leader Phil King said: “Becoming Covid-secure needs to be the priority for all businesses in Harborough district, it is a legal duty for businesses to protect their workers and others from harm and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risk and protect people from coronavirus.
“This means making business adjustments to become Covid-secure. We advise employers to work with their employees when implementing changes, to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the local community.”
Common issues being found during inspections elsewhere have included failing to provide arrangements for monitoring, supervising and maintaining social distancing, and failing to introduce an adequate cleaning regime, particularly at busy times of the day.
Cllr King added: “All businesses are in scope for spot checks which means businesses of any size, in any sector, can receive an unannounced check to ensure they are Covid-secure. By making sure that businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of the local community as well as support the local and national UK economy.”
Where businesses are found to be breaching guidelines, further action will be taken, from giving advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, prosecution.
