Training partner - June 21

LIVING IN Spain, I have been able to enjoy the last six months in a warmer climate because like many I have been exclusively working from home. But the lack of social interaction with colleagues has been a challenge to the point I am almost missing the morning trek around the M25. However, as per current government plans, we can soon all return to the normality of the office. 

We are also seeing rekindled demand for classroom courses and the excitement of the imminent return of in person events. Exciting and just a bit scary as we will have to leave the relative safety of our home and venture back into the new post-Covid world. But it is not really post-Covid, the virus has not gone away and from what I can see remains an ongoing risk to us all, vaccinated or not. 

Just to reiterate a few points missed too often by most of the UK Media, vaccines do not stop people catching the disease, just reduce the impact, and viruses are very good at mutating in an attempt to thrive and get around your immune system’s defences. These are important points to note especially when looking at the safety and wellbeing of family, employees and customers.

The mask debate in the UK is tiresome with the vocal, and I suggest ignorant, few seeking political gain or personal self-promotion in urging us not to wear masks or “exercising individual freedom”. The virus is airborne, quoting the rather late acknowledgement from the WHO,“Current evidence suggests that the virus spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with each other, typically within 1 metre (short-range). A person can be infected when aerosols or droplets containing the virus are inhaled or come directly into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth. The virus can also spread in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor settings, where people tend to spend longer periods of time. This is because aerosols remain suspended in the air or travel farther than 1 metre (long-range).” Pretty conclusive that masks have a role to play in reducing risk of infection, but as with all PPE it is the last line of defence. Here in Spain, where not wearing a mask outside gets you a EUR 600 fine, the vast majority wear them as a part of their everyday dress. Colleagues tell me that masks are now being widely used in the UK, despite the media's obsession with the overly vocal minority of anti-maskers. This is a significant and positive change that will help the UK return to relative normality quickly and in a sustainable manner, thus avoiding lockdown 3 and many more thousands of premature deaths.

How do we approach the “Post Lockdown 2” world? The boring answer is sensible risk management. There are risks to all who venture outside the safety of their home and, being in the health and safety business, we have a duty to lead by example. A Covid outbreak resulting from our failures is not good for business or reputation.

So yes, we need to get back to the office, but limit the numbers. Let 50% of the staff attend on any day. We are all used to working at home so a few days a week at home won't provide any major challenges. I do not subscribe to the misplaced argument that the staff can't be trusted to work from home; poor management will never get the best out of people whether in the office or not. But back to the point - fewer staff and more space, or social distancing as it is known, means less chance of any infected person spreading the virus to others. Add good ventilation, hand sanitising, mask wearing, to and from the office at least, minimal use of crowded public transport and we have a reasonable basis for a safe return to the office and that much needed physical interaction with colleagues.

For classroom courses, the same basic principles plus a bit more care with catering. Trade shows are more challenging. Looking at probable visitor numbers there is a reasonable probability of some infected people attending the event. Mitigation measures will need to be stronger, so design the stand to encourage reasonable social distancing, no brochure/giveaways, minimal staffing, compulsory masks for our team plus lots of sanitising products for stand, hands, laptops etc. 

This probably sounds a bit extreme but I do care about my own, my teams and my customers wellbeing; a little bit of thought and a little inconvenience can have a significant impact and avoid the boredom you would suffer if I have to recycle this article for “Post Lockdown 3”.

Gary Fallaize is managing director at RRC. For more information, visit www.rrc.co.uk