Working safely during COVID-19

This guidance is for people who work in or run outdoor working environments.
Working outdoors includes people in:

• construction
• energy and utilities
• farming and agriculture (including seasonal labour)
• forestry
• waste management and other infrastructure
• railway services
• street and highway services.

The document is to help employers, employees and the self-employed in the UK understand how to work safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping as many people as possible 2 metres apart from those they do not live with.
It is stressed that the government is clear that workers should not be forced into an unsafe workplace.
The guidance
The document sets out guidance on how to work safely. It gives practical considerations of how this can be applied in the workplace. It is advised that each business will need to translate this into the specific actions it needs to take depending on the nature of their business, including the size and type of business, how it is organised, operated, managed and regulated.
The guidance does not supersede any legal obligations relating to health and safety, employment or equalities and it is important that businesses or employers continue to comply with existing obligations, including those relating to individuals with protected characteristics. It contains non-statutory guidance to take into account when complying with these existing obligations. When considering how to apply this guidance, take into account agency workers, contractors and other people, as well as your employees.
To help decide on which actions to take, an appropriate COVID-19 risk assessment must be carried out, just as you would for other health and safety related hazards. This risk assessment must be done in consultation with unions or workers.
The sections of this guidance cover the following:

1. Thinking about risk: Managing risk; Sharing the results of your risk assessment.
2. Who should go to work: Protecting people who are at higher risk; People who need to self-isolate; Equality in the workplace.
3. Social distancing at work: Coming to work and leaving work; Moving around buildings and worksites; Making the main workplace safe for people who work statically; Meetings; Common areas; Accidents, security and other incidents.
4. Managing your customers, visitors and contractors: Manage contacts; Providing and explaining available guidance.
5. Cleaning and sanitising the workplace: Before reopening; Keeping your workplace clean; Hygiene - handwashing, sanitation facilities and toilets; Changing rooms and showers; Handling equipment, materials, waste, and onsite vehicles.
6. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and face coverings: Face coverings.
7. Managing your workforce: Shift patterns and working groups; Work-related travel; Communications and training.
8. Inbound and outbound goods: Maintain social distancing and avoid surface transmission when goods enter and leave the site especially in high volume situations, for example builders’ yard or despatch areas.