Coronavirus: Workplace safety guidance and priority sector list published

17/4/2020 - New guidance, ‘COVID-19: Working Through This Together - A Practical Guide to Making Workplaces Safer’, has been developed to highlight and support safe working practices during the current coronavirus crisis and published on the NI Business Info website.

The guide sets out principles and practical steps for employers and employees to keep themselves and their workplaces safe. It also sets out the necessary steps to be followed if employers and employees are concerned about safety.

Download the guidance document below

This workplace safety guidance is accompanied by a list of priority business sectors. The aim of the sectors list is to clarify what constitutes a priority sector at this time and to support Northern Ireland companies to continue their business operations and protect the incomes of their workforces. 

Download the priority sector list below

The list was drawn up the NI Engagement Forum on COVID-19, which was set up to advise the NI Executive on the list of priority businesses sectors referred to in the Health Protection Regulations. The Forum was also asked to advise on measures required to protect the safety of all workers. 

The Forum is chaired by the Labour Relations Agency (LRA) and consists of representatives from business organisations, trade unions, local councils, government, the Health and Safety Executive NI, Public Health Agency and Food Standards Agency.

The priority sectors list is published for advisory purposes to allow companies to make their own decisions and the guidance aims to have practical application in the workplace.