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THREAD. Inspectors and scientists at the Health & Safety Executive have published a strong statement, via their union @ProspectUnion, calling for change after it was revealed that Covid has not been classified as a "serious" workplace risk by the body. https://prospect.org.uk/news/health-and-safety-in-first-half-of-2021/
This classification removes their ability to issue 'Prohibition Notices', which force workplaces to close.
"the decision to categorise Covid predominantly as a ‘significant’ rather than ‘serious’ workplace issue does unnecessarily limit the options open to Inspectors."
"the decision to categorise Covid predominantly as a ‘significant’ rather than ‘serious’ workplace issue does unnecessarily limit the options open to Inspectors."
"the risks associated with Covid should be re-categorised from ‘significant’ to ‘serious’ to remove the shackles preventing inspectors from using enforcement to bring an activity to an immediate stop where their opinion supports such action"
On aerosol spread and the need for effective ventilation...
"The government has failed to effectively communicate the risks associated with aerosol transmission" ... "The government must do much more to put ventilation on an equal footing to other Covid risks"
"The government has failed to effectively communicate the risks associated with aerosol transmission" ... "The government must do much more to put ventilation on an equal footing to other Covid risks"
"we will support members using section 44 to leave, or not attend, a workplace where they apprehend that there is serious and imminent danger."
