Blackburn business served coronavirus improvement notice

A Blackburn-based business has been served a notice to improve after a visit from the Health and Safety Executive to check on its covid-19 controls.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is working closely with HSE in workplaces where clusters of covid-19 are reported.

Businesses are required by law to provide adequate welfare facilities for their employees including suitable toilet, hand washing facilities and rest areas. This is especially important for businesses to be able to adequately protect employees from covid-19 risks at work.

The local business, which can’t be named, was handed formal improvement notices after a HSE inspection found no warm running water in its toilets and no rest area, as well as insufficient practices around social distancing, sanitiser provision and its cleaning regime.

Its owners now have to make the required improvements to comply with the enforcement notice. Failure to comply is a criminal offence which could result in imprisonment or a fine.

Councillor Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said:

We take covid-19 compliance very seriously and take a hard line on any businesses flouting the rules. Where failings are found formal improvement notices can be served. The notice requires improvements to be made within in a set timescale. I hope the business in question will heed the warning and make the necessary improvements for the safety of its staff and customers, or else they risk facing tougher sanctions.

For more information on HSE covid-compliance for businesses visit the HSE website.