Jan 21st, 2022
10 mins
HSE have published the latest information on working safely during the pandemic.
It also provides details of advice from public health bodies and other government departments on requirements that aren’t enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Removal of Plan B measures
The UK government have announced that people are no longer asked to work from home. From 27 January face coverings and the NHS COVID Pass will no longer be required by law in England.
The latest GOV.UK guidance has information on this and other measures that remain.
There is separate guidance for those who live in Scotland and Wales.
Controls to reduce the risk from COVID-19
You must still control the risks and review and update your risk assessment. The following workplace controls remain unchanged:
You must continue to consult your workforce on health and safety matters, talking to workers and their representatives helps to reduce risk.
You can check the latest GOV.UK guidance. There is also information about areas receiving additional support due to rising COVID-19 cases.
There is different guidance in Scotland and Wales.
Reducing contact for workers
You can continue to reduce the risk of transmission during the pandemic by taking measures to limit the number of people your workers are in contact with, so each person works with the same, consistent group.
All businesses should follow the principles set out in the working safely guidance.
Employers still have a legal duty to manage risks to those affected by their business. The way to do this is to carry out a health and safety risk assessment, including the risk of COVID-19, and to take reasonable steps to mitigate the risks you identify. The working safely guidance sets out a range of mitigations employers should consider including:
- identifying poorly ventilated areas in the venue, for example by using a CO2 monitor, and taking steps to improve air flow in these areas
- ensuring that staff and customers who are unwell do not attend the workplace or venue
- providing hand sanitiser to enable staff and customers to clean their hands more frequently, and cleaning surfaces that people touch regularly
- communicating to staff and customers the measures you have put in place
Settings in which face coverings are required must display signage or take other measures to ensure customers are aware of the requirement to wear a face covering on their premises where there is no applicable exemption or reasonable excuse.
Businesses are also encouraged to continue displaying NHS QR codes for attendees wishing to check in using the NHS COVID-19 app so they are alerted if there’s an outbreak and can take action to protect others.
UK government guidance on working safely provides further information and advice on these measures covering a range of different types of work.
You should make sure the measures identified by your risk assessment take account of the public health regulations and guidance for the nation you are working in.
Please refer to your relevant guidance:
Advice from public health bodies and other government departments
The UK government, along with those in Scotland and Wales, has introduced several public health measures to support reducing transmission of coronavirus.
The following guidance from public health bodies and other government departments covers matters that are not enforced by HSE, including:
- vaccinations
- face coverings
- workplace testing
- testing and contact tracing, including updates on COVID-19 variants
Vaccinations
The NHS is currently leading the COVID-19 vaccine programme.
There is Acas advice on getting the coronavirus vaccine for work.
Separate guidance applies for the vaccination rollout programmes by the NHS in Scotland and Wales.
Face coverings
Face coverings are a public health protection measure that can help reduce the transmission risk from COVID-19. They are not classified as personal protective equipment (PPE) and are therefore not covered by health and safety legislation.
We have a page explaining the difference between face coverings and surgical face masks.
For England, read about the latest on face coverings and where to wear one on GOV.UK.
Separate regulations and guidance apply for public and workplace use of face coverings in Scotland and Wales.
Workplace testing
The respective governments’ public health departments lead on workplace testing, HSE is not responsible for producing guidance on testing programmes.
Please refer to your relevant guidance:
- England: Coronavirus (COVID-19): testing guidance for employers
- Scotland: Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested in Scotland
- Wales: COVID-19 workplace testing framework
Businesses should ensure that workplace testing is carried out safely and control measures are in place to manage the risk of COVID transmission during the testing process.
There is Acas advice on testing staff for coronavirus.
Testing and contact tracing
HSE does not have a role in establishing or enforcing the different testing and tracking approaches across the UK.
In England, you can find information on NHS Test and Trace service in the workplace, where there is helpful advice for employers on:
- what to do if any of your workers display symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive
- identifying if any of your workers is a contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
- ensuring your workers self-isolate where necessary
There is information on free testing for anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus to find out if they have the virus.
You can also check the latest updates on COVID-19 variants identified in the UK.
You can find details of how separate information and guidance apply in Scotland and Wales.
This page is reviewed regularly and updated to reflect any changes in the guidance.
Page last reviewed: 19 January 2022
Next review due: 30 January 2022
