COVID-19: Health & Safety

Health & Safety in our workplaces

PCS Home Office Merseyside Branch has been working where we can with local management, the accommodation team and Home Office H&S to try to ensure adequate control measures are implemented for those carrying out duties in the workplace.

There is no historical data regarding COVID-19 so no information we can use as an indicator for best practice. However, standard H&S practice for conducting Risk Assessments (RA) and carrying out H&S inspections is still relevant: recognise the hazard, evaluate the risks, introduce control measures to reduce risks; in this case reducing the risk of spreading and contracting Coronavirus.

The employer reduced the risk of spreading the virus by sending staff home and implementing homeworking for most members who could work from home. Unfortunately not all members can work from home and as the lockdown eases the employer intends to increase the number of staff in the office, initially to 20%, further increasing to 25%. It is therefore imperative that the employer adds additional control measures to make the office as safe as possible for staff who must attend the office.

Safety measures

In addition to the reduced workforce within the office, measures implemented include, safe social distancing of 2 metres, signage reminding staff of this, additional hand-sanitising products, tannoy announcements and extra cleaning. Also, limiting the volume of staff in kitchen/breakout areas and toilets based on the 2 metre guidance and making more use of the stairs to reduce lift occupancy.

Most of the safety measures have been agreed and are welcomed apart from a difference of opinion around the number of staff who should be allowed in the lifts at any one time. PCS believe it should be limited to one person but currently the signage indicates 2 people. Discussions are ongoing regarding this matter.

Having attended the building several times the branch health & safety lead has witnessed some staff not observing social distancing. It is imperative that the 2 metre rule is followed by everybody in order to reduce any risk of spreading or contracting the virus and we must all respect the control measures that have been implemented for staff safety so follow the guidance. The branch will continue to work with the employer with your safety in mind.

Can you work from home?

Remember that the government still want you to work from home if you can and there are different rules depending on which at risk category you and household members fall within. If managers ask you to return to your workplace and you do not believe that there is a justification for doing so check the Q&A on Horizon and question it with your manager. If you still feel as though you should not be returning to your workplace click here to contact PCS Home Office Merseyside Branch. Tell us where you work, your job role, why you have been asked to go back into your workplace and why you think this work should be done at home.