This week's digest contains the latest advice and guidance on protecting workers from coronavirus (COVID-19) and links to the latest government advice now national lockdown rules have been applied.

There are also links to new rules and procedures that must be followed now that the UK has left the EU, details of recent enforcement activity, links to online health and safety training courses, and HSE's latest job vacancies.

For all the latest updates visit our website.

Employers should consider the risk to workers who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19) and put controls in place to reduce that risk.

Our page on how to protect vulnerable workers during the pandemic has been updated to reflect the new national restrictions. From 5 January the government says that anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable should not attend work and should only work from home, as coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country.

You can find guidance on who is clinically extremely vulnerable and what further support may be available from Public Health England, Health Protection Scotland and Public Health Wales.

 Our page on protecting vulnerable workers during the pandemic also includes advice on:

• supporting workers in higher-risk groups
• accessing COVID-secure precautions
• pregnant workers

The transition period has ended and the UK has left the EU, so new rules are here. Act now to keep your business moving.

Rules and procedures have changed for some industries but your responsibility to protect the health and safety of people affected by your work activities remain.

There are some new rules and procedures you must follow to continue to place chemicals, civil explosives and work equipment and machinery on our domestic market.

You can also visit GOV.UK where you can use the checker tool to quickly identify the actions that your business needs to take.