Protect staff and customers from coronavirus with good ventilation

Good ventilation in enclosed workspaces has always been a requirement under health and safety regulations. This has taken on further importance in the current pandemic as good ventilation helps prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Employers must review or conduct a risk assessment of the current Covid-19 controls they have in place to ensure they are relevant and effective in reducing the risk of infection.

You must consider ventilation when reviewing or conducting a risk assessment.

Good air flow can be achieved by:

• natural ventilation - fresh air comes in through open windows, doors or air vents. This is also known as ‘passive airflow’.
• mechanical ventilation - fans and ducts bring in fresh air from outside.

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) website provides guidance on risk assessment and a ventilation toolkit, which has been produced to help determine the best control measures for your business. It also includes examples of how to improve ventilation in different workplaces.

Any control measures you identify in your risk assessment should take account of the current government guidance. You should also liaise with staff and any workplace representatives.

If you have any questions about Covid-19, risk assessment, or ventilation, email the council’s Food & Safety Team ehealth@easthants.gov.uk