Health and Safety for Businesses during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 Outbreak

Risk assessing your business during COVID19

If you employ people, then you should review your risk assessments based on the most up to date information provided by the Public Health Agency (PHA) and take appropriate action. 

In Northern Ireland the Public Health Agency (PHA) are taking the lead and co-ordinating all advice and information. Its website can be accessed via the link below and should contain the most up to date local information and guidance: 

COVID-19 (coronavirus) | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)

Example risk assessment for COVID-19 in workplaces

HSENI has produced an example risk assessment that shows the kind of approach a small business or workplace is expected to take when carrying out a risk assessment for COVID-19 in the workplace. 

Download an 'Example Risk Assessment Template' here - Example COVID-19 workplace risk assessment template | Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland (hseni.gov.uk)

Use it as a guide to think about: 

• The additional hazard that COVID 19 introduces into your business   
• The steps you need to take to control the risks. 

Don't just copy it and put your company name to it as that would not satisfy the law - and would not protect your employees. Every business is different - you need to think about the hazards and control measures your business needs to take to keep workers safe and healthy.  The control measures you adopt may have to be different from those in the example to meet the particular conditions in your workplace.  

Remember: A risk assessment is only effective if you and your staff act on it. You must follow through with any actions required and review it on a regular basis. 

You should ensure that you follow any current Public Health Agency advice as per the link above and further information for different business sectors is available at the following link and should be incorporated into your risk assessment as applicable. 

Coronavirus: Working safely in different business settings (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)

​In addition to these guides for practical advice, local businesses can also refer to: 

Coronavirus: Workplace safety guidelines (nibusinessinfo.co.uk)

Coronavirus: Ventilation and air conditioning in the workplace | nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Health and Safety for Businesses during the Coronavirus/COVID19 Outbreak

Advice that was prepared by the Council to assist businesses operating or re-opening during the current pandemic may be accessed by downloading the documents at the bottom of this page; 

Covid-19 Business H&S Checklist
Covid-19 Building Re-opening H&S Checklist
Covid-19 H&S Advice for Businesses
Covid-19 Small Retailers Social Distancing and Hygiene Advice