Covid checks for businesses in Ashby and Coalville

North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) has joined forces with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to make sure business premises in North West Leicestershire are following the current government guidelines.

Spot checks will be carried out to provide businesses with advice and guidance to help tackle the spread of Coronavirus (Covid-19) and protect workers, customers and visitors.

In the event where businesses are not following guidelines, immediate action will be taken which could include providing advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, they could face prosecution.

To ensure premises are Covid-secure, businesses need to put adjustments in place to manage the risk and protect workers and others from coronavirus. For further information on how to manage the risk of coronavirus in different business sectors please read the government guidance.

The district council will also work with the HSE to support the understanding of any patterns in confirmed coronavirus cases in North West Leicestershire.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, Portfolio Holder for community services at NWLDC said: “We are talking to local businesses and inspecting sites in and around North West Leicestershire to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.

“Being Covid-secure needs to be the priority for all businesses in the district - it is a legal duty to protect workers and others from harm and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risk and protect people from coronavirus. We advise employers to work with their employees when implementing changes, to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the local community.”

HSE and local authority inspectors are finding some common issues across a range of sectors that include 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.

Councillor Woodman 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.”

For the latest information and safer business guidance, see www.gov.uk