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

Bellway to build 183 high quality new homes Royal Bowland Park street scene NEW.jpg.jpg

Bellway to build 183 high quality new homes

29 Oct 2025

2

University of Lancashire recognised for entrepreneurship and supporting business growth - Representatives from the University's Business School, local SMEs and the IOEE

University of Lancashire recognised for entrepreneurship and supporting business growth

29 Oct 2025

3

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire BAE Typhoon ECRS Mk2 Radar

£8bn Typhoon order is great news for Lancashire

28 Oct 2025

4

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold The Mill at Conder Green

Award-winning Lancashire wedding venue and hotel is sold

28 Oct 2025

5

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm PM+M promotions

PM+M announces another 19 promotions across the firm

27 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
November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event
Holiday Inn Hotel
Networking
28 Oct 2025 - 18 Nov 2025

November / December 2025 Magazine Launch Event

Holiday Inn, Blackpool

16:46 - 16:45

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

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

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The AI Lab: E-commerce
Ai Lab ecommerce (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

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