Minister Heather Humphreys has published Protocol to help businesses and workers to return to work safely following closures, to be overseen by the Health and Safety Authority.
The Protocol sets out the steps and processes that businesses must take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Minister Humphreys commented:
“This Protocol is a critical component of the Government’s Roadmap for reopening the economy as we gradually lift the COVID-19 restrictions. It very clearly sets out the steps that businesses and workers should take to ensure that they can return to work safely.
“Collaboration between employers and workers will be central to the success of our return to work. That’s why we have specified in the Protocol that they should have regular engagement about the preventative measures in the workplace.
“The Protocol is mandatory and it applies to all workplaces right across the economy.” The following requirements, among others, are included:
➡️Each workplace will appoint at least one lead worker representative to ensure that COVID19 measures are strictly adhered to
➡️Before a workplace reopens, there will be COVID-19 induction training for all workers
➡️Employers will issue a pre-return to work form for workers