You can find our arb-specific coronavirus resources including posters and risk assessments in the Help for Arborists area.
Help for Arborists
Update on Government guidance issued Sunday 10th, Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th May 2020
Furlough scheme update
The Chancellor announced that the furlough scheme will remain in place until the end of October 2020. Until the end of July, it will continue in its current form. However, from August to October the scheme will change, giving greater flexibility to support the transition back to work. Employers using the scheme during that time will be able to bring furloughed employees back part-time.
Full details will be given by the end of May on those new arrangements.
Summary of government guidance for all workplaces – England
Links to guidance for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can be found at the foot of this article.
1. Work from home, if you can
All reasonable steps should be taken by employers to help people work from home. But for those who cannot work from home and whose workplace has not been told to close, you can go to work. Staff should speak to their employer about when their workplace will open.
2. Carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment, in consultation with workers or trade unions
This guidance operates within current health and safety employment and equalities legislation and employers will need to carry out COVID-19 risk assessments in consultation with their workers or trade unions, to establish what guidelines to put in place. If possible, employers should publish the results of their risk assessments on their website and government expect all businesses with over 50 employees to do so.
3. Maintain 2 metres social distancing, wherever possible
Employers should re-design workspaces to maintain 2 metre distances between people by staggering start times, creating one way walk-throughs, opening more entrances and exits, or changing seating layouts in break rooms.
4. Where people cannot be 2 metres apart, manage transmission risk
Employers should look into putting barriers in shared spaces, creating workplace shift patterns or fixed teams minimising the number of people in contact with one another, or ensuring colleagues are facing away from each other.
5. Reinforcing cleaning processes
Workplaces, tools and vehicles should be cleaned more frequently, paying close attention to high-contact objects including such things like door handles and keyboards. Employers should provide handwashing facilities or hand sanitisers at all entry and exit points and at all places of work.
Here are links to some of the recently updated government for specific work types: a full list of all government guidance can be found at www.gov.uk
The Association will continue to signpost members to the appropriate government guidance via regular updates.
Please note – devolved governments may have different requirements please refer to the links below for further information.
Welsh Government advice
Scottish Government advice
Northern Irish Government advice