We have written in the recent past about the need to get the economy moving and how to get people back to work safely during the ongoing fight against COVID-19
In essence the situation has not yet significantly changed. We will all need to keep socially distanced, think about routes around offices, minimise the incidence of customers and/or clients coming into workplaces, ensure the safe availability of welfare facilities, common areas and so on.
But things will change. Even as I write this I’m hearing that the government has announced a review of the 2m social distance rule, reportedly with the anticipation of reducing it to 1m. This should be taken into consideration as the guidelines change.
VARTAN has already assisted a wide range of organisations and individuals in getting back to work safely, for example:
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- An Executive Assistant working for a London-based German Bank
- The offices of a large accountancy practice
- The gradual reopening of one of the oldest golf clubs in the UK
We have a flexible and adaptable approach to our clients which can be applied across a wide range of industries and occupations.
We would stress that for all employers there is a need to be aware of your employees’ readiness to work. Although most people will be refreshed after being furloughed at home for 8 weeks, in many ways they will not be in ‘work mode’. They have been eating, drinking and undertaking a lot of sedentary activities; people’s brains and bodies need to be ‘trained’ to get back into shape so as not to incur injury or mental stress.
Amy Hope, Chief Ergonomist and Osteopath from Soter Analytics explained in the SHP on-line magazine: “This is particularly relevant for the returning manual handling worker. Muscle strength can fall after just two weeks of inactivity, and those with more muscle strength to begin with will lose more.” *
If you’re an employer looking for guidance on returning to work during the pandemic, we have produced a Return to Work Risk Assessment Package, which consists of a comprehensive risk assessment document together with a handy checklist to ensure the key risks are covered. The risk assessment and checklist are applicable across all workplaces.
If you would like a more bespoke approach, or simply to be reassured that your approach and return to work arrangements are optimal, please contact us so we can discuss this.
* Reference https://www.shponline.co.uk/common-workplace-hazards/return-to-work-after-covid-19-safety-managers-urged-to-act-now-to-prevent-injuries/