BUSINESSES in the district are being contacted by Craven District Council and the Health and Safety Executive to ensure they have Covid-secure measures in place as further restrictions begin to be lifted.

The council is also working alongside local public health authorities to support the understanding of any patterns in confirmed coronavirus cases in the area.

During the checks, officers provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors. If businesses are not managing risk adequately, officers can take action.

This can range from giving advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution.

Being Covid-secure means that businesses need to put adjustments in place to manage the risk and protect workers and others from coronavirus.

Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council, said: “We know the vast majority of local businesses have been doing everything they can to operate as safely as possible in these very difficult times.

“As more local businesses start to open up, we will be talking to them, and visiting and inspecting sites in Craven to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.

“It’s important that employees are safe too - there is a legal duty for businesses to protect their workers and others from harm and this includes taking reasonable steps to control the risk and protect people from coronavirus. This means making business adjustments to become Covid-secure.

“We are advising employers to work with their employees when implementing changes, to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the local community.

“Businesses of any size could receive an unannounced check. By making sure that businesses have measures in place to manage the risks, we can benefit the health of the local community as well as support the local and national UK economy.”