Claudia Calder provides a document to support employers in implementing return to work guidance, with emphasis on physical distancing, inductions and cleaning.

In this document, I provide a short 5-step induction process for returning to work. Covered in the document is the 5 steps you need to take to ensure that return to work is effective and the risk of infection is reduced.

This can be used as part of the Prevent approach to the Prepare, Inform, Prevent, Recover strategy for returning to work. The strategy works to simplify the return to work process and provides 4 distinct areas of focus. Each is broken down into the actions you need to take to ensure that your strategy is robust, that behavioural outcomes are met, and that your business is on the path to recovery. You can learn about it by clicking here.

Similarly, the 5-step induction is a quick reminder of the basis of that approach, but focuses only on those practical elements in inducting people back into the workplace. It does not, for example, address the communications requirement, or the wider business risk, that the full PIPR strategy provides.

What's Included in the 5 Step Induction Process Download:

These are the 5 steps covered in this short download. Expanded information can be found in the download.

1. Carry Out A COVID-19 Risk Assessment

Prior to bringing staff back you'll need to consult workers and unions, create and carry out risk assessments and ensure that those results are shared with colleagues.

2. Develop Cleaning, Handwashing and Hygiene Procedures

Look at your cleaning practices and develop handwashing and hygiene procedures to reduce the risk of infection.

3. Help People to Work from Home

Where staff can, they should stay at home. This will require internal discussion and collaboration across teams.

4. Maintain 2m Physical Distancing Where Possible

The safest distance is still 2m, where possible ensure that the 2m rule is in place. Local and regional guidance may vary.

5. Manage the Transmission Risk if 2m Physical Distancing is not Possible

It is not always possible to stay 2m apart. So what can you do to manage the transmission risk? There are plenty of things to consider.

How to Use the 5 Step Induction Process

The 5-step induction process for returning to work is a useful reminder of many of the mitigating activities and health and safety procedures you can implement and utilise. It attempts to help you understand the many risks of returning to work and set out procedures that can be used to mitigate those risks, such as keeping activity time short when people are working in close proximity, or staggering arrival times to ensure that there are fewer people in direct contact.

Of course, you'll have to look at this document in the context of your own workplace, but hopefully it'll allow you to see possibilities in workplace safety, allowing you to benefit from more people working collaboratively in the work environment again without putting them at increased risk.

Download the 5 Step Induction Process document below. If you have any questions or would like further support in your workplace, you can get in touch here.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 5 STEP INDUCTION PROCESS