Spot checks and inspections on businesses are taking place in Manchester

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working with Manchester City Council to carry out spot check calls, visits and inspections on businesses in Manchester city centre to check they have COVID-secure measures in place.

To protect workers, visitors and customers, businesses must make sure they have put measures in place and everyone is following them to manage the risk from coronavirus.

HSE will be calling and visiting businesses from all different sectors in the area to check they are following the government guidelines, this will be starting on Monday 22 March.

These inspections will focus on office workspaces in the centre of Manchester. HSE will work alongside local authority health and safety officers, to effectively assess the COVID-secure measures in place to protect workers.

Manchester City Councillor, Councillor Bev Craig, Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing, said: “We will be talking to local businesses and visiting and inspecting sites across Manchester to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.

“All business should have COVID-secure measures in place. It is a legal duty for businesses to protect their workers and others from harm and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risk and protect people from coronavirus.

“This means making business adjustments to be COVID-secure. We advise employers to work with their employees when implementing changes, to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the local community.

“As changes come throughout the next few months and businesses reopen, our responsibility is to make sure that all measures continue to be taken to keep workers safe as they return to the workplace. Following the government roadmap, we can see how Manchester can and will reopen safely.”

Being COVID-secure means businesses need to keep up-to-date with the latest guidance and put measures in place to manage the risk and protect workers, visitors and customers.

During the calls and visits, HSE provides advice and guidance, but where businesses are not managing the risk, immediate action will be taken.

Angela Storey, Director of Transformation and Operational Services at HSE, said: “Across the country we are working with local authorities, like Manchester City Council, to check businesses are COVID-secure and providing guidance and advice where needed.

“Our spot checks and inspections support the cross-government work in helping employers and employees at work during the pandemic.

“All workplaces are in scope for spot checks which means businesses of any size, in any sector can receive an unannounced check from HSE or an inspection from the local authority, to check they are COVID-secure.

“If you are contacted by the HSE or your local authority, please engage with us.

“By making sure that businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of local communities as well as support the local and national UK economy.”

Please ensure your workplace is safe by following the guidance on being COVID-secure. Further information on  is available on our website.