by Matt Trinder
Industrial Reporter

ESSENTIAL workers are being put at risk by outdated Covid-19 safety rules, the TUC said today.

Scientific understanding of how the virus spreads has changed since official guidance was first published last March and new more contagious strains have recently emerged in Britain and South Africa, but the rules have not been updated.

Coronavirus is now thought to be mainly spread not by touch but by tiny droplets suspended in the air, meaning that current protective measures are not robust enough to protect workers, according to the TUC.

General secretary Frances O’Grady said: “With new strains of coronavirus spreading like wildfire, workplace safety rules must catch up.

“Too many workers are still in indoor spaces without adequate ventilation or proper social distancing from other staff or customers.

“The government must update the rules on ventilation, masks, limits on numbers and social distancing in workplaces.

“Employers must redo their risk assessments now and make sure all workers and customers are following the rules to keep everyone safe.

“And ministers should take a stronger lead on ensuring employers do the right thing to protect workers and control the virus.

“Nearly a year into this pandemic, it’s time for the government to stop letting bad bosses get away with it.”

The union confederation called for a return to the “gold standard” of two-metre social distancing where possible, the adoption of World Health Organisation guidance on face coverings with three protective layers and a communications campaign to help reduce the risk to people who are unable to work from home.