Hull City Council has been working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local public health authorities to contact businesses in Hull and check they have adequate COVID-secure measures in place.
The authorities are just starting a second stage of these checks, visiting premises that have been under lockdown until recently.
During the checks, the council and partners provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors.
Where businesses are not managing this, the council will take action. This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution.
Being COVID-secure means that 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, businesses and managers should read the government guidance.
Public information, social distancing markers and other materials are also being provided to city centre businesses and those in neighbourhood shopping areas. More information is available online at Visit Hull.
Rachel Stephenson, Head of Public Protection at Hull City Council, said: “We are talking to local businesses, and visiting and inspecting sites in Hull to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.
“Becoming COVID-secure needs to be the priority for all businesses in Hull. We advise employers to work with their employees when implementing changes, to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the local community.”
“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 economy.”
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 regimes, particularly at busy times of the day.
For the latest information and safer business guidance visit www.gov.uk.
Businesses are encouraged to contact Hull City Council if they require extra support or advice. They can contact the council here.
Anyone who believes that a business is failing to implement appropriate measures, or act responsibly, can contact the council’s Public Protection Team here.
Businesses are reminded to ask anyone visiting their premises for their ID, prior to allowing them to enter their premises. All legitimate inspectors will carry ID and will be happy to show it.
