What is the COVID-SAFER UK Standard?
COVID-SAFER UK is a robust health and safety assurance standard developed by environmental health experts in the field of infection control and legal compliance.
To use the quality mark, organisations do not require lengthy documented procedures but they must prove that they have implemented strict controls on site to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Safer Assured Auditors and Mentors are highly qualified health and safety practitioners and members of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health.
Primary Authority Assured
Safer Assured and Milton Keynes Council have a primary authority co-ordinated partnership which is recognised in law and Government approved. The Management Pack, and COVID-SAFER UK Standard have been examined by their environmental health managers who confirmed they represent a correct interpretation of health and safety legislation.
Any Safer Assured Members that achieve COVID-SAFER UK Approval, will benefit from more consistent enforcement from environmental health officers throughout the country, and assistance from Milton Keynes Council via Safer Assured if any disagree with their advice.
If you are conforming to the COVID-SAFER UK Standard and enforcers want you to change your procedures, they must first liaise with Milton Keynes Council. This does not apply however if urgent enforcement action is required e.g. a prohibition notice, to sites not in England or to sites enforced by HSE.
How can we obtain the Quality Mark quickly and easily?
Members can download free resources such as a comprehensive COVID-19 Management System which includes model risk assessments, control measures, standard operating procedures, daily checklists, health screening forms, team member and visitor guidelines, sanitising schedules, and site signage. It is not compulsory to use this management system, but it can be a useful tool to develop or extend your own procedures. Get in touch if you require assistance and would like us to arrange a telephone advice session with a mentor before the inspection.
When and how are assessments carried out?
Once you are confident that a site has the necessary procedures required by the standard and that these are being implemented, you will need to make an online application for an inspection. An auditor will be in touch to book an appointment for the inspection, which will be via video link. This will be carried out with your appointed manager who will need access to all parts of the site in order to show the auditor that all controls are in place on site.
When will we receive the COVID-SAFER Quality Mark?
Following the inspection, you will receive a report and determination of approval, conditional approval (based on satisfactory completion of action plan) or refusal. Once approved you will receive a certificate, window sticker and digital quality mark to use on marketing materials for one year.