Covid-19 and the challenge it presents in our working environment and daily life will be with us all for some time to come, with this sobering fact in mind it is critical that all employees and their families feel safe and convinced that any additional risk presented by Covid-19 in the workplace is recognised and that correct safe working procedures are in place and action-ed.

Employers have a duty of care not only to their own staff but also to their customers and any individuals their employees may interact with during the course of their work such as Burial Authority and Funeral Directors staff who in turn have a duty of care obligation towards their own employees. 

Duty of care is enforceable and inspectors will be visiting places of work to ensure correct procedures are in place. If any employee considers their health or the health of others to be put at risk due to a lack of safe working procedures being implemented they should not be afraid to report or complain to their employer or organisations such as a Trade Association or Local Authority or HSE.

To help enable a safe working environment The National Association of Memorial Masons has provided a Covid-19 risk assessment which contains general risk assessment guidance plus examples of additional risk  in relation to Covid-19 and an editable download (Covid-19 G.R.A. RQMF.docx) which can be used to produce individual risk assessments.

Some Burial Authorities are additionally requesting a site specific risk assessment which needs to be completed for each project undertaken, a downloadable example and blank SSRA document is provided under downloads and can be adjusted to meet individual circumstances.