Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
‘RETURN TO WORK’ SERVICE
TO HELP BUSINESSES RESTART
POST-LOCKDOWN OPERATIONS
As businesses plan their return to work following months of
coronavirus restrictions, Bureau Veritas has launched a new
service to help construction firms meet the robust health and
safety standards required to safely restart their operations.
It comes as the UK government prepares
to end the coronavirus lockdown by drawing up
guidelines for the safe return of employees to different
working environments. According to latest reports1,
the guidance, which has yet to be published,
will differ according to each company’s operating
environment. It will, however, seek to maintain
social distancing, variable shift patterns, encouragement
of continued homeworking and strict hygiene
practices.
Bureau Veritas’ ‘Return To Work Assurance’
provides a voluntary, independent assessment of a
firm’s COVID-19 readiness to re-open their business
premises, with a statement of assurance issued on
completion that can be displayed on its website and
at its properties.
The scheme covers best practice measures required
by firms to meet the local and international
standards on managing coronavirus risks in the
workplace. These include hygiene, disinfection and
cleaning assessment, social distancing best practice,
personal protection equipment requirements as well
as employee specific risk assessment.
Ken Smith, UK Chief Executive at Bureau Veritas
UK, said: “As we emerge from lockdown, for almost
all businesses across the UK, the urgent priority will
be how to get back to work as quickly as possible
and with appropriate health, safety and hygiene
measures in place to protect their employees and
their clients.
“Safely restarting business amid the ongoing
coronavirus pandemic remains unchartered territory
for many, especially construction sites. That’s
why, we’ve created our Return To Work Assurance
solution to aid business owners, property managers
and employers to put in place hygiene, safety,
maintenance and regulatory processes that will
ensure a safe working and trading environment.”
One of the key challenges for firms planning
on resuming operations, says Bureau Veritas, has
been deciphering conflicting advice on appropriate
health and safety measures required in the workplace,
which is impacting organisations operating
across multiple countries in particular.
Ken adds: “With many nations across the world
having their own policies, regulations and standards
on managing coronavirus risks, this can leave
many multinational organisations confused as
to the correct action to take. Luckily, as a global
leader in compliance operating in more than 140
countries, our Return To Work assurance scheme
can provide solutions tailored for specific sector
and geographical needs. We’d urge all our new and
existing client to make use of this fantastic new
service.”
To find out more about Bureau Veritas’
Return To Work Assurance Solution, call
0345 600 1828 or visit: https://share.hsforms.
com/1tTRe4h7IQZOBHtRBmdDDfg2z02a
JUNE 2020 | 45
Skills
THE POLICE CRIME
PREVENTION ACADEMY
DELIVERS ON
DESIGNING OUT CRIME
Seven police forces, two local
authorities and an NHS Trust are the
latest organisations from across the UK
to be represented at the latest national
delivery of an accredited designing
out crime qualification by the Police
Crime Prevention Academy - the only
ProQual approved centre with the
exclusive link to Secured by Design.
The Academy has been delivering
the nationally recognised
generation of ProQual approved
and OFQUAL accredited qualifications
in crime prevention
and designing out crime since
September 2018, with its links to
the Police Service ensuring that
the qualifications are constantly
adapted to keep pace with
changing patterns of criminal
behaviour.
Speaking on behalf of the
Police Crime Prevention Academy,
the Head of Academy Guy
Collyer said, “Using Birmingham
for the delivery of this qualification
provides a central base
with a wealth of relevant and
current material for the delegates
to utilise, as well as access
to professionals involved at the
forefront of designing out crime.
Our speakers include a renowned
local architect, and senior officers
from Birmingham City Council
where all new housing stock is
now built to the Secured by Design
standard.”
The content for the Level 5
Diploma in Crime Prevention –
Designing Out Crime, includes
Crime Prevention Through Environmental
Design (CPTED) principles
and practice; understanding
the planning process, laws
and procedures; roles involved in
the planning and design process;
analysis of the built environment
products, their standards and
use; evaluation of the key elements
that prevent and promote
crime opportunities; and making
effective recommendations for
changes to the built or planned
environment.
www.crimepreventionacademy.
com