FE providers to face Covid security 'spot checks'

Further education providers can expect “spot checks” and “inspections” from the Health and Safety Executive, the Department for Education has said.

In an alert sent to providers, the DfE said the HSE will check that FE providers in England and Wales are following the relevant government guidelines on being Covid-secure. 

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The alert said: “Inspections start this week and will be carried out by calls and visits to colleges to evaluate their knowledge and awareness of the relevant government guidance including Further education Covid-19 operational guidance (England), and Guidance for safe operation of post-16 learning from 12 April 2021 (Wales), and the control measures they have put in place to manage the risk of Covid-19. Where there are concerns, these will be referred to an HSE Inspector to carry out an inspection.”

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During the checks, HSE will provide advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers, customers and visitors. If providers aren’t managing this, the HSE will take “immediate action” in one of the following ways:

• By providing specific advice.
• By stopping certain work practices until they are made safe.
• By issuing enforcement notices.
• By prosecution where a business fails to comply.