Businesses across North Lanarkshire are receiving spot-check inspections to ensure their premises and practices are Covid-secure.
Officers from the council’s environmental health and trading standards teams are working alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and public health officials in the bid to “help tackle coronavirus in the area”.
More than 7000 visits have been carried out to date, with 1149 complaints being actioned more than 500 requests made for business advice.
The visits can lead to “immediate action [including] provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices [and] stopping certain work practices until they are made safe” – with the council adding: “Where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution.”
North Lanarkshire officials add: “Inspectors are finding some common issues across a range of sectors, including failing to provide arrangements for monitoring, supervising and maintaining social distancing, and failing to introduce an adequate cleaning regime, particularly at busy times of day.”
Chief executive Des Murray said: “All businesses are in scope for spot checks, which means businesses of any size, in any sector can receive an unannounced check to ensure they are Covid-secure.
“We are talking to local businesses and visiting and inspecting sites to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.
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“Becoming Covid-secure needs to be the priority for all businesses in North Lanarkshire – it is a legal duty to protect workers and others from harm, and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risk and protect people from coronavirus, and this means making adjustments.
“The majority of businesses have responded well to our enforcement policy to engage, explain and encourage, with escalation to formal enforcement on only a very small number of occasions.”
Spot checks include issuing advice and guidance to ensure businesses are managing risk and protecting staff and visitors; while officers are also working alongside public health authorities to understand any patterns in confirmed coronavirus cases.
Mr Murray added: “We caution now is not the time for employers to become complacent, and urge them to work with employees when implementing changes to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the community.
“We encourage employers to make use of the asymptomatic testing centre at Airdrie leisure centre and three mobile sites in Wishaw, Newmains and Bellshill.
“Our partnership with the HSE will assist to make sure that businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of the local community as well as support the local and national economy.”
Coronavirus information and workplace guidance are available online.
Meanwhile, Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today that the lockdown “stay at home” rule is to be lifted on Friday, to be replaced by “stay local” advice; and that hairdressers, garden centres, click and collect services and homeware stores can reopen from Monday.
A “significant” easing of lockdown is then expected on April 26, including the reopening of all shops for the first time this year, along with gyms and some outdoor hospitality.
