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HSE eBulletin: Coronavirus (COVID-19) – latest advice and information

An update on the latest information for employers and employees in the construction industry, including guidance on working safely (being COVID secure) during the coronavirus outbreak.

Check the HSE website daily for the latest updates.

Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak

Our new guidance will help you keep workers safe (COVID secure) during the outbreak.

It covers the steps you should take to protect workers and others, in line with your normal legal duties in managing risk and risk assessment at work.

The following guides will help you manage the risk from coronavirus in your business during this time:

• Working safely during the coronavirus outbreak - a short guide This guide covers who should work, protecting those at higher risk, getting into and leaving work, organising work areas, and good hygiene.
• Talking with your workers about working safely during the coronavirus outbreak Guidance on consulting your workers and measures to prevent coronavirus in your workplace and to make it COVID secure.

Government guidance published

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) has published guidance to help employers keep  their workplaces operating safely during this time.

The latest guidance covers eight workplace settings including: 

• construction sites
• other people's homes
• vehicles
• offices

Social distancing guidelines

HSE has guidelines on how businesses must maintain social distancing and protect workers.

The guidance explains what employers must do in order to protect workers and keep their businesses open. It covers:

• social distancing (employers who have people in their offices or onsite should ensure that employees are able, where possible, to follow the appropriate regulations and/or guidance for England, Scotland and Wales on social distancing)
• essential and non-essential work
• safe in-work activity

The construction industry has come together to show how it has been interpreting and applying government guidance in responding to Covid-19 by providing practical examples of how it is safeguarding its workforce while operating sites.

Many examples have been built on the Construction Leadership Council’s ‘Site Operating Procedures (v3) – Protecting Your Workforce During Coronavirus (Covid-19)’ guidance and its hierarchy of controls, which can be downloaded here.

Work equipment – examinations and testing

It is important to ensure that equipment is safe to use before it is used, which remains a legal requirement. 

Complying with social distancing measures in the workplace should not be a barrier to carrying out statutory inspections, such as for scaffolding or excavations, or thorough examination and testing, such as for lifting equipment.

Construction businesses and inspection bodies should cooperate to ensure access to plant and equipment continues to schedule. However, HSE recognises there may be problems in availability for some inspection/testing and will adopt a pragmatic and proportionate approach towards enforcement action for non-compliance with statutory requirements which are directly attributable to the Covid-19 outbreak – available to download here.

Stay up to date with the latest advice

Ensure you are up to date with the UK government response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The HSE website has the latest guidance and information for employers and workers. This includes HSE's regulatory approach to supporting a safe return to work across Great Britain.

PHE has developed guidance specifically for employers and businesses regarding coronavirus. 

In Scotland you will find up to date information and advice about COVID-19 from the Scottish Government.

In Wales, up-to-date information is provided by the Welsh Government.