The HSE has issued advice within a document titled: Social Distancing, Keeping Businesses Open and In-work Activities during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak. It covers guidance on social distancing, essential and non- essential work, and in-work activity.
Also released is guidance covering RIDDOR, first aid and chemicals:
RIDDOR reporting of COVID-19 – Regulation 7 Schedule 2
What to report?
- Dangerous occurrences: if something happens at work which results in (or could result in) the release or escape of coronavirus you must report this as a dangerous occurrence.
- Cases of disease: exposure to a biological agent: if there is reasonable evidence that someone diagnosed with COVID-19 was likely exposed because of their work you must report this as an exposure to a biological agent using the case of disease report.
- First aid cover and qualifications during coronavirus (COVID-19): If first aid cover for a business is reduced because of coronavirus or the first aid training needed is not available, this advice points out that there are some things that can be done to still comply with the law.
- Arrangements for regulation of chemicals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak: The HSE has made some administrative changes in the provision of services for regulating chemicals during the coronavirus outbreak. These are set out for each chemical regime, with updated details on how to contact the HSE.
- Online isolation notes launched: People unable to work for more than seven days because of coronavirus (COVID-19) can obtain an isolation note through a new online service. Isolation notes will provide employees with evidence for their employers that they have been advised to self-isolate due to coronavirus, either because they have symptoms or they live with someone who has symptoms, and so cannot work. As isolation notes can be obtained without contacting a doctor, this will reduce the pressure on GP surgeries and prevent people needing to leave their homes. For the first seven days off work, employees can self-certify so they don’t need any evidence for their employer. After that, employers may ask for evidence of sickness absence. Where this is related to having symptoms of coronavirus or living with someone who has symptoms, the isolation note can be used to provide evidence of the advice to self-isolate.People who need to claim Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance because of coronavirus will not be required to produce a fit note or an isolation note. The notes can be accessed through the NHS website and NHS 111 online.