Over the last 13 weeks, I have seen workers adapt to a new way of working, but I have also seen managers and workers ignore established safety policies and procedures.

When questioned, their excuse was because of protecting workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

New measures are important.

Social distancing is essential and has legislation to support its implementation. Still, the government have not told people or businesses to include new COVID-19 control measures which would then jeopardise other safety rules and regulations.

COVID-19 new control measures need to work alongside the vital health and safety management and systems you currently have in place.

What I’ve seen.

My first recall of a company implementing new control measures while jeopardising existing policies and procedures was when collecting some electrical equipment from a large industrial retailer.

I arrived at the store to collect the pre-ordered equipment and got in the queue. While in the line, I could see a temporary pay station/counter ahead, I could hear the store assistant at the back of the store asking the customer name and address to search out the order. The representative then asked the person purchasing equipment to step back while he placed the card payment machine on the counter; he then proceeded to move back.

The customer approached the temporary counter and completed the payment, back at the rear of the store, the shop assistant asked the customer for his email to send him the receipt.

While in the queue, I heard people names, postcodes and emails shouted out. This company allowed data protection procedures to fall below the required standard while implementing control measures for managing COVID-19.

Another observation of a company falling below the required standard was evident when I was completing a site investigation.

On arrival, I asked the duty manager if I could see the briefings and induction records for the workers’ on-site? He stated, “we haven’t been doing them due to the coronavirus, we can’t get workers together while complying with social distancing rules, and my workers’ safety is paramount.”

I proceeded to let him know there are suitable and sufficient ways in managing workers’ health and safety as legislation requires while working through this unprecedented period. Hoping nothing goes wrong is not a control measure.

Another occurrence of an existing health and safety standard being compromised.

I met a senior manager who failed to issue an electrical permit to work (PTW). His excuse for not meeting the relevant electrical safety standards that were in place was due to the risk of transferring the virus.

My final observation is that I have seen multiple workers’ exceeding safe working hours which are clearly detailed in the company policies and also clarified under the Working Time Regulations.

The manager who has control over workers’ hours are putting the work before the worker’s health and safety.

I suspect the jeopardy is because there is a backlog of work and the workers’ are looking to make up the last 8-9 weeks of reduced wages.

Unsafe practices will lead to severe accidents.

All these scenarios are easily manageable, ensuring the body corporate and individual directors are still delivering health and safety standards as per health and safety regulations.
It is imperative to implement and follow any new control measures and rules due to this outbreak, but under no circumstances should you compromise current policies and procedures which have been put in place to prevent harm.
Reduce the risk, implement new control measures while maintaining robust standards in all areas of health, safety and wellbeing.

Robust Solution

One of the best solutions for getting everyone back to work and managing your business through this COVID-19 outbreak is to deliver health and safety robustly.

By putting in place suitable and sufficient control measures reducing the risk of contracting and spreading the virus, then not only will you be meeting your legal obligations but also encouraging a better interaction with health and safety and also putting your workers’ and contractors’ mind at ease.

Technology is your go-to tool helping you decrease risk across all departments, ultimately proving you are doing everything so far as is reasonably practicable to prevent harm to your employees, contractors and those affected by your operations.

Warm Regards, Karl Spencer