The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the professional body for health and safety professionals, has reminded companies that it is too early to let their guard down regarding maintaining workplace safety in light of Covid. Companies should try to sustain preventative measures to restrict the spread of the virus.
Ruth Wilkinson, head of health and safety at IOSH, reminded firms that the virus had not gone away. “Thousands [of people are] being infected daily in the UK alone and many of these cases [lead] to people becoming seriously ill,” she said.
“Since lockdown restrictions were eased, many businesses have continued to operate or have reopened and gradually returned to their workplaces or to work activities successfully, with measures in place to prevent and reduce the risk of the virus spreading.
“But now is not a time to be complacent so we are urging businesses to not let their guard down, as Covid-19 remains a hazard within the workplace,” said Ruth.
“[A risk assessment] can help to identify the risks of transmission, persons at higher risk, and importantly the proportionate controls to protect workers, clients, consumers and communities,” said Ruth.
People’s health and wellbeing, and stringent measures to prevent the virus from spreading, should still be at the heart of every employer’s response.
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