Council gives health and safety advice and support to businesses
6th June 2020
The Highland Council is responsible for the ‘policing' the new The Health Protection (Coronavirus)(Scotland) Regulations and coronavirus restrictions such as physical distancing and enhanced hand hygiene controls in a range of business premises including shops, hotels, offices and leisure industry.
The new law was made in response to the serious and imminent threat to public health which is posed by the incident and spread of coronavirus in Scotland and came into force at the end of March 2020.
Officers from our Environmental Health and Trading Standards teams have responded to more than 280 COVID 19 enquiries received from businesses, employees, and the public and have been providing advice on how they can comply with the new coronavirus Regulations and meet with Scottish Government Guidance.
At the end of May, the Scottish Government published its route map to lifting Scotland out of the crisis. Contained in this document is a plan for a phased approach to changing current restrictions which will enable more businesses to resume operations.
In readiness to re-open, all businesses should start to look at their workplace operations and create a plan to implement safe work practices to protect the health, safety and welfare of their staff and the public who may use their services. It is acknowledged that in the lifting of restriction this may present some new challenges to businesses, but it is important to ensure that all workplaces remain safe.
Alan Yates, Environmental Health Manager said "We continue to engage with local businesses during this challenging period, offering advice on the regulations and providing guidance on how they can provide safe work environments to control the risks of disease transmission. In the Highlands, we have seen a high level of compliance and willingness by business to meet with Scottish Government guidance.
"Our team of officers continue to respond to enquiries and investigate complaints of unsafe work practices, and where appropriate, will look to use their enforcement powers under the coronavirus or health and safety legislation to ensure compliance to protect public health.
"I would encourage all businesses to familiarise themselves with the Scottish Governments recently published route map and relevant business sector guidance which can be found at https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/ but would stress that that the publication of these documents does not alter the current lockdown requirements at this time in that business premises must remain closed unless they are deemed essential to the COVID 19 response and permitted to operate. If any business is unsure of their position or requires advice they can contact our Service for further advice on telephone 01349 886603 or email envhealth@highland.gov.uk ."
Links:
Scottish Government routemap out of the crisis
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-framework-decision-making-scotlands-route-map-through-out-crisis/#
Sector Guidance for Easing Lockdown
https://www.gov.scot/news/sector-guidance-for-easing-lockdown/
COVID-19 Business & Social Distancing Guidance
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-phase-1-business-and-physical-distancing-guidance/
HSE Coronavirus News
https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
Households across Scotland have received £4.1 billion in relief since the Council Tax Reduction scheme was introduced in 2013. People on low incomes are eligible for the benefit if they live in Scotland - there is no equivalent in England where most councils require each household to contribute a minimum amount of council tax, irrespective of ability to do so.
The Highland Council is preparing to carry out improvement works in Thurso at Ormlie Road and at The Mall riverside path adjacent to Janet Street. The scope of works on Ormlie Road will include junction improvements between Castlegreen Road and Juniper Drive with new drop kerbs and tactile paving and some surface repairs.
A Highland-wide partnership launched earlier in 2024 to support people on their journey towards, into and within employment is looking forward to a New Year in 2025 full of exciting opportunities designed to help hundreds more people across the Highlands unlock their work potential. Work.
The Highland Council is delighted to share that its Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme has won the Outstanding Project Award at the Scottish Green Energy Awards. Described by Scottish Renewables as a "pioneering clean power scheme", this £7 million project demonstrates the incredible impact that can be achieved through combined public and private sector investment.
The ambitious yet focused ‘Highland Investment Plan' is committed to addressing our asset challenges over the next twenty years. By using a place based approach, to ensure a more integrated community offering through the creation of new community facilities.
Applications to the Inverness Winter Payments Scheme, which is fully funded by the Inverness Common Fund, have already been awarded to 1,035 eligible households within the 7 specified Inverness Wards. Leader of Inverness Area, Councillor Ian Brown said: "Since the Scheme was opened to applications for this winter, already £114,885 has been awarded to people who live in the eligible Wards of Aird and Loch Ness, Inverness West, Inverness Central, Inverness Ness-side, Inverness Millburn, Culloden and Ardersier and Inverness South Wards.
The first Highland-wide virtual jobs fair held last month has proved to be a hit with participants and businesses. The week-long virtual event, which was delivered by the Local Employability Partnership for the West - The Highland Council, Skills Development Scotland, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Department for Work and Pensions, Developing the Young Workforce and UHI North West and Hebrides was timed to coincide with Scottish Careers Week 2024.
