Chesterfield businesses to receive unannounced spot checks to check premises are Covid secure

Chesterfield Borough Council said they are working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contact businesses to offer support and check they have Covid-secure measures in place, to help tackle the spread of the virus locally.

Advice and guidance will be provided to businesses to manage risk and protect workers and the public but in cases where organisations do not have sufficient measures in place, the council vows they will take ‘immediate action’.

The HSE and local authority inspectors have found issues where businesses across a range of sectors are 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.

Chesterfield Borough Council has the power to issue enforcement notices and stop certain work practices until they are made safe and businesses which fail to comply could face prosecution.

To prevent the spread of coronavirus, businesses need to have clear floor markings, be ensuring social distancing and making sure staff, who are not exempt for health reasons, are wearing face coverings.

Chesterfield Borough Council’s service director for leisure, culture and community wellbeing Ian Waller commented: “We are talking to local businesses, visiting and inspecting sites in and around Chesterfield to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.

“Becoming Covid-secure is a requirement for businesses in Chesterfield, it is a legal duty for businesses to protect their 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.

“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 help to protect the health of the local community at the same time as supporting the local economy.”

For more information visit www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

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