Spot checks help to control coronavirus in Bognor Regis area

Arun District Council has been working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contact businesses to make sure they are Covid-secure and to help tackle coronavirus in the area.
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The latest round of spot checks began on April 19, targeting around 800 businesses, initially by phone, with follow-ups in person for those that fail, or won’t engage with the process.

This follows Step 2 of the Roadmap out of Lockdown and the re-opening of many businesses.

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Nearly 84 per cent of businesses contacted in the second round of spot checks, in February, have already passed their check. Now many more businesses are open and striving for Covid-secure status.

Arun District Council is carrying out business spot checksArun District Council is carrying out business spot checks
Arun District Council is carrying out business spot checks

During the checks advice is provided to manage risks and protect workers, customers and visitors but where some businesses are not managing this, further action will be taken.

This can range from the provision of specific advice and guidance, carrying out follow up inspections and, in serious cases, taking enforcement action or stopping certain work practices until they are made safe. Where businesses fail to comply, this can lead to prosecution.

Being Covid-secure means businesses need to put measures in place to manage risks and protect workers and others from coronavirus.

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Karl Roberts, director of place, said: “With the recent change in restrictions it is vital those businesses opening up for the first time in many months are safe to operate, within Covid guidelines. We are talking to local businesses and inspecting sites in the area to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.

“Being Covid-secure needs to be the priority for all businesses. It is a legal duty for businesses to protect their workers and others from harm and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risks 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.”

HSE and local authority inspectors are finding some common issues across a range of sectors that include: 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.

For safer business guidance, see www.gov.uk