From a health & safety perspective, bringing employees back into the workplace after months of working from home presents employers with some new challenges and risks that could, if not managed correctly, cause an increase in workplace accidents.
Just as it took some time for workers to adjust to working from home at the beginning of the pandemic, employers should anticipate that returning to work will mean that workers will need to re-familiarise themselves with their working environment, work processes and importantly, the protocols they need to follow to keep them safe and well. In some respects, returnees will face the same challenges and health and safety risks as new employees, who, according to the HSE, are as likely to have an accident in the first six months in a new workplace as during the whole of the rest of their working life.
These extra risks for new employees arise due to:
- lack of experience of working in a new industry or workplace
- lack of familiarity with the job and the work environment
- reluctance to raise concerns (or not knowing how to)
- eagerness to impress workmates and managers
This means workers new to a site:
- may not recognise hazards as a potential source of danger
- may not understand ‘obvious’ rules for use of equipment
- may be unfamiliar with site layout – especially where site hazards may change from day to day
- may ignore warning signs and rules or cut corners.
As well as the challenges associated with employees refamiliarising themselves with their workplaces, the mental health and emotional impacts bought on by the pandemic could also increase the risk of workplace accidents. Covid has driven a significant increase in anxiety, stress, feelings of isolation and financial worries – and these in turn can lead to increased exposure to safety risk, bought about by fatigue, lack of concentration and distraction.
So, what can employers do to mitigate these risks and safely reintegrate employees back into the workplace? Below are 5 key areas that should be addressed:
- Review and update return to work policies
- Dedicate time for workers to refamiliarise themselves with health and safety protocols – and in particular, ensure all relevant training is reviewed and carried out
- Provide specific support for workers suffering from Long Covid
- Update and act upon health and safety risk assessments, including Covid 19
- Implement mental health and wellbeing awareness and support programmes
Whilst there are yet no official statistics to indicate whether accidents are increasing as a result of employees returning to the workplace, recognising and mitigating the increased risks is crucial for businesses to discharge their statutory responsibilities and do all they can to protect their people from harm whilst at work.
