Statutory Inspections During Covid-19
The Covid-19 pandemic has introduced a range of challenges for businesses with many restrictions on normal operations. This may include difficulty of getting support from contractors in carrying out statutory inspections, examinations and test of plant and equipment or the need to close premises. Failure to carry out a statutory inspection, examination and test would be a breach of legislation, which could lead to a range of potential enforcement actions including prosecution, although some requirements will not apply when premises are not in use. However, failure to maintain some systems, particularly fire sprinkler systems and detection systems may invalidate the insurance for the premises even if the premises are not in use.
Although the Health and Safety Executive is not carrying out any inspections of industries outside of the major hazard sector, they have made clear that the responsibility for ensuring that statutory inspection, examination and testing of plant and equipment remains with the dutyholder (normally the owner or user).
There is a wide range of legislation that requires statutory inspections, examinations and tests. Many of these will apply across all sectors but some will provide more industry specific requirements. Much of this legislation is goal setting, detailing what is to be achieved without being prescriptive on how it is achieved. Compliance with these goals is often achieved by following HSE and industry guidance, British Standards and manufacturer information. While these may set recommended time frames for maintenance, inspection and testing of plant and equipment, they are not strict statutory requirements, and failure to follow them would not necessarily be a breach of legislation. However, there are some statutory requirements for thorough examination and inspection or testing, for plant such as lifts, lifting equipment, pressure systems and local exhaust ventilation, which include a set time frame e.g. Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH).
Key points
Assess which plant and equipment require statutory inspections and examinations and when these are due.
Make an assessment to determine if any plant or equipment is essential for safety or operation of the premises – if plant or equipment is not required, it could be taken out of use.
Liaise with the relevant contractors who carry out statutory inspections and examinations to determine what level of service they can provide (for hospitals, care homes or infrastructure essential to the running of the country, it would be prudent to draw your contractors attention to this).
If a decision is made to continue to use plant or equipment despite it not having had the relevant statutory examination and inspection in order to safeguard life, it is essential that this reasoning is recorded.
Inform your insurance company if any planned inspection and testing is not being completed or if premises or part of the premises are closed.
If closing premises for a period of time, and where it is decided to shut off the power to services such as electrical, gas, water and ventilation systems, plant shutdowns should be undertaken in accordance with manufacturer instructions to ensure that it is done safely. On subsequent restart manufacturer guidance should be followed to ensure that the plant is re-energised safely and to avoid potential damage.
Follow Public Health England recommendations on hygiene and social distancing (maintain two metres between people).
Legal Duties
Construction (Design and management) Regulations 2015 (CDM)
Control of Legionella Bacteria in Water Systems - Approved Code of Practice and Guidance L8 (HSE)
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER)
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR)
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAH)
Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
