Existing legal requirements continue to apply under the Health and Safety at Work Act, including the duty of employers to ensure the health and safety of all employees, so far as is reasonably practicable.
The risk of transmission of coronavirus by employees carrying out their general duties may be increased during normal working activities. Therefore, employers have a duty to identify and implement control measures to mitigate the risk.
This includes risk assessments for vulnerable people, including pregnant employees, employees with underlying health conditions, and employees working beyond normal retirement age.
Employees reporting sick with COVID-19 symptoms must not report for work, and are advised to follow the NHS’ self-isolation guidelines.
Additionally, since 3rd April 2020, you must report any case of COVID-19 under RIDDOR regulations, if it is believed an employee has been exposed through an unintended incident at work. This must be reported as a dangerous occurrence.
Equally, if an employee is diagnosed as having COVID-19 and there is reasonable evidence that it was caused by an exposure in the workplace, this must be reported as a case of disease.
To ensure the HSE continues to respond to fatalities and serious issues, although routine inspections are currently suspended in line with government advice around coronavirus.
We want to bring this guidance to your attention, to ensure you are aware of the requirements regarding reporting of COVID-19 under RIDDOR.
If you have any queries relating to this matter, please contact riskmanagement@bollington.com.
