The second year of living with COVID-19

The year has again been about COVID-19 and trying to deal with the issues caused by the virus. The PCS Home Office Merseyside Branch Health & Safety lead, Dean Barron looks back at the events of 2021.

The previous 2 years has been all about COVID-19, dealing with the challenges and issues caused by the virus, and working with the employer to ensure the best control measures possible are in place in order to keep members who have to attend the office as safe as possible.

Most of this work was completed and control measures implemented in 2020 as reported in last year’s annual H&S report. There have been some changes to Risk Assessments (RA) when the office occupancy percentage changed from 30% to 50%, then back again when Omicron appeared. When we entered to the different phases each change was reflected within the Risk Assessments which are fluid documents and must be reviewed each time there are changes within, or to, the working environment.

There are Risk Assessments for most areas of the branch and PCS locally have been involved and had input into these.

PCS Home Office Merseyside Branch have been consulted and involved at each stage. We have also met the employer regularly and attend any H&S/accommodation meetings that have taken place to ensure we are fully briefed and able to provide input.

There haven’t been any substantive changes throughout 2021 regarding control measures as the measures were already in place. In addition most members have continued to work from home.

Aside from COVID-19 we did have one major incident when two members of the public entered the building as part of a prank that they recorded then posted online. Obviously this caused some concern and highlighted flaws within the security of the building. The incident was investigated and improved security arrangements and systems were implemented including adding extra security guards. Hopefully these extra precautions will reduce the risk of such a breach happening again.

Looking forward it has been announced that all Risk Assessments will be reviewed within the next few weeks due to the recent government announcement that all COVID-19 restrictions will be removed. Regardless of this announcement COVID-19 is still here. Infection rates remain high, hospitalisations continue and many are still dying each week. With this in mind PCS Home Office Merseyside Branch will continue to press for control measures to remain in place. It is even more important now given the “work from home” instruction no longer applies. With the imminent increase in staff attending the office PCS believe Risk Assessments need to be as robust as they have been throughout the pandemic until there is a significant decrease in the infection rate.

The Branch will continue to work closely with the employer and provide assistance. When staffing levels in the office do increase it will be important to monitor the impact of reducing or removing existing control measures. PCS have advised the employer to take a cautious approach when considering lifting the current measures.

Let us hope our fears are unfounded and there is no detrimental impact on the health and safety of staff if the restrictions are completely lifted.

Remember. Health & Safety is an issue for all of us. If you see something that you think is wrong bring it to the attention of your line manager in the first instance. If you are unable to get the matter resolved let us know about it.

Dean Barron (Branch Health & Safety lead)