The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) says it is working with the Welsh Government to get more clarification on workplace policies for businesses working in the meat and food sector during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Government has expanded the physical distancing requirements in legislation because of concerns that some employers who could take steps to keep staff further apart have not done so.
The BMPA says that this guidance does not provide exhaustive advice of what should be done in every eventuality and it is working with the Welsh Government to get more clarification. A statement on the BMPA website said that the updated guidance: “…is another example of the growing lack of consistency across the devolved Governments.”
The guidance published on the Welsh Government website states: “In any other workplace that remains open, the person responsible for the work must take all reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of 2 metres is maintained between person on the premises and waiting to enter the premises.”
However, it acknowledges that in working environments, including food production, where physical distancing is not possible, there may be circumstances where few or even no reasonable measures can be taken.
In these instances, the Government is asking employers to take reasonable measures to ensure that a distance of 2 metres is maintained between people.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
