The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has complied a range of workplace advice on gas safety, air conditioning and ventilation, and other guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may be useful during this next recovery phase.

Air conditioning and ventilation

The HSE states that the risk of air conditioning spreading COVID-19 in the workplace is extremely low, and that most types of air conditioning system can be used as normal.

However, it is recommended that, when using centralised ventilation systems that remove and circulate air to different rooms, recirculation is turned off and a fresh air supply used.

Good ventilation can help reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, so focus should be on improving general ventilation, preferably through fresh air or mechanical systems. Where possible, consider ways to increase the supply of fresh air, for example, by opening windows and doors (unless fire doors).

The risk of transmission through the use of ceiling and desk fans is extremely low.

Additional information on air conditioning and general ventilation is available on the HSE website.

Gas safety during the COVID-19 pandemic

HSE has published guidance on gas safety for:

landlords (whose legal duty is still in place regarding repair and maintenance, but who should assess and balance the safety risk to their tenants and the public presented by the gas system, with the risk to tenants from COVID-19)
gas engineers
clinically vulnerable (shielded) tenants

Further guidance is available on their dedicated gas microsite., including information on domestic gas, gas supplies and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

Additional information:

HSE has a range of guidance and advice on workplace safety during COVID-19, including:

Display Screen Equipment (DSE): advice to help reduce DSE risks, including a short video showing how to achieve a reasonable posture while working at home (part of their “Protect Home Workers” guidance)
using face coverings and face masks in the workplace, which they advise should be supported
“Working Safely During the Coronavirus Outbreak”: guidance to help manage the risk associated with restarting or running a business, across a number of topics

For further information and advice, please visit the HSE COVID-19 microsite.