Business owners warned of return to work checks

By Napthens

06 May 2020

Website
chris-walker-offers-advice-for-businesses-on-checking-the-safety-of-their-workplace.jpg

 

North West business owners should check the safety of their work environment before thinking about reintroducing staff, according to a leading health and safety expert.

Chris Walker, from ATG Health and Safety, part of the Napthens Group, has been advising clients on key checks and modifications that they should be making the workplace before staff return to work.

To advise businesses in the region, he has laid out five essential steps they should check before reopening, from complying with public health advice and carrying out essential checks and tests through to advising staff on commuting in to work.

Chris, Head of ATG Health and Safety, said: “Firstly, all businesses need to be able to comply with the government’s public health advice as it changes. This could include spreading out desks in an office, rearranging them to face away from each other, or staggering arrival and departure times to stop a queue of people coming in and out of the workplace at the same time. However, people should be wary of whether these could create unintended safety issues and react accordingly.

“If some workers are returning and others are still working from home, then it is essential to reassess whether you have cover for essential key safety roles such as fire marshals or first aiders. You may need to train more staff or require important personnel to come in to work.

“Buildings that have remained idle for six weeks may have developed safety issues. Flushing out the water system to reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease, carrying out fire alarm checks, inspecting potential leaks or property damage should be part of the first checks.

“For some workplaces, some regular inspections may have been missed while it has been closed. Essential checks such as gas safety and lift equipment checks should be certified before they are operated again.

“For staff preparing to start commuting back in to work, it is important to check that travel can be kept safe. Drivers who haven’t moved their car for six weeks should run a quick check of tyres, lights and brakes the day before they set off, while public transport methods may well operate differently than before.”

In addition to advising on the health and safety or returning to work, Napthens has also launched a home worker service, designed to helps employers keep their staff safe while working from home.

Napthens has been offering advice to navigate the coronavirus pandemic and beyond with a specially assembled team, offering advice on employment, health and safety, business support and Wills and Estate planning.

For more information on the support available, visit the Napthens website.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Napthens

Latest news

1

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m Velocity Composites Has Announced Its Entry Into The Us Market

Velocity seals Airbus extension worth up to $54m

08 Oct 2025

2

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day Dave Walker with Richard Slater at Lancashire Business Day

First speakers confirmed for Lancashire Business Day

08 Oct 2025

3

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors Craig Hemmings

Hemmings steps down as PNE chairman as hunt begins for new investors

08 Oct 2025

4

Chamber calls for three council county Lancashire County Council County Hall

Chamber calls for three council county

08 Oct 2025

5

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance Victorian Plumbing Leyland

Victorian Plumbing reports strong financial performance

07 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West
Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West event
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering Franchise Growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors, Sceptre Way, Walton Summit Centre, PR5 6AW, PR6 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Empowering franchise growth in the North West
TFA Event - Empowering Franchise Growth.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Oct 2025 - 09 Oct 2025

Empowering franchise growth in the North West

Forbes Solicitors Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre , Preston, PR5 6AW

08:00 - 10:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th
Ai 10.10.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Oct 2025 - 10 Oct 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – Oct 10th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

Unlocking major project opportunities in the North West

Strathmore Hotel, Morecambe, LA4 5AP

08:00 - 10:00

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials
EventBrite NORi - 15th Oct 2025 Webinar.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
15 Oct 2025 - 15 Oct 2025

The New Employee Rights Landscape: Day One Compliance Essentials

Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Teams, PR253XH

13:30 - 15:00

October Freelancer Meet-Up
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

October Freelancer Meet-Up

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine
LBV Advert_Autumn Reset 1200 x 630px.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Autumn Re set - pour me a wine

The Artistry House , Preston , PR1 3JJ

17:30 - 19:30

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (26).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Oct 2025 - 16 Oct 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin