Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Health and Safety Executive proactively inspects workplaces where employees are known to be at heightened risk from covid-19.

Following the Government’s announcement that additional funds are being made available to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to support their work, and the publication of guidance by the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy on 11th May 2020 on working safely during the coronavirus pandemic, inspectors are visiting workplaces to follow up any reports or concerns about safety in the workplace and on the spot inspections are expected to resume imminently.

HSE takes a risk-based approach when identifying workplaces to inspect. In addition, HSE continues to address reported workplace concerns with employers, including those relating to employees with a heightened risk from Covid-19.