As many businesses are starting to return to work in their premises, we thought it might be useful to share some tips and advice to help support you in this transition period.

There are many rules and protocols for different industries and business types depending on how your business operates and the interactions with the public. Our guidance in this piece is designed as general advice and you should consult the latest full HSE guidance for your particular sector.

Risk assessment

It is important to do a full walk-around of your business and look for potential risks and how you can mitigate these risks by putting in place new processes, procedures, room layouts or signage.

Conducting a risk assessment is the first crucial step that will help you plan for the return of your staff and opening up your business to the public if applicable. A risk assessment will enable you to determine the level of risk and help you decide what steps you should take. It is useful to share the risk assessment to get further input and insight.

Protecting staff

It is important to protect your workforce and you should think about what needs to be put in place for them. This could include:

• Continuing to allow staff to work from home if possible, to minimise their risk and the number of people on your premises.
• Staggering the times that people arrive at your premises.
• Flexible hours so that staff can avoid peak travelling times if they use public transport.
• Cleaning rotas, type of cleaning and who does the cleaning. This should include frequent cleaning of shared spaces or contact areas such as kitchens and doors, as well as protective equipment for those doing the cleaning.
• Social distancing – how will you ensure staff can remain 2 metres apart.
• Creating small bubbles of staff that work consistently together so that it minimises contact within the business.
• Minimise contact with shared items.
• Hand cleaning stations.
• Provide easy access to bins with non-touch lids for disposing of personal waste including tissues.
• Company vehicles and travelling together.
• Steps you would take if a staff member becomes ill with potential or confirmed Coronavirus symptoms.

Protecting your customers

If you have customers/visitors entering your premises, try to minimise the number of people where possible and ensure they clearly know about the processes you have in place to reduce transmission and social distancing. This can include:

• Signage at entrances which could include the number of people allowed inside.
• Communications to customers via email and on your website.
• Floor markings to help guide them on social distancing and direction of flow if applicable.
• Protection at customer points – screens, contactless payments, card payments only, minimising the exchanges between staff and customers.
• Separate entrances and exits.

Communication

Communication is essential in letting everyone concerned know about what is happening at your business, giving them reassurance that you have put all possible steps in place to protect staff and customers, and what expectations you have on them as individuals.