THE TUC said today that the government’s proposed post-lockdown workplace rules were too weak to prevent a second wave of the coronavirus.

The guidance from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) includes reduced hot-desking, closure of lifts and canteens, social distancing measures and public-facing staff members such as cashiers to work behind plastic screens. 

BEIS may also suggest continued home working and staggered shifts.

The department insisted that the guidelines for when the Covid-19 lockdown is eased listed in seven documents were drawn up after consultation with executives, trade bodies and unions.

But TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Throughout this crisis the TUC has sought to engage constructively with ministers. But we cannot support the government’s back-to-work plans as they stand. 

“We want new binding rules for employers to publish their risk assessment and action plan. We want clear guidance to set out the minimum standards that employers must meet in order to protect public safety. And we want ministers to outline a new tough approach to enforcement. 

“Unless the government significantly strengthens its plans, safe working will not be guaranteed. The current proposals fail to provide clear direction to those employers who want to act responsibly.

“And they are an open goal for rogue employers, who will cut corners and put their workers — and the wider community — at risk.”

Ms O’Grady told Sky News that the weak guidelines, with no guarantee of robust enforcement, would risk a second spread of the infection.

She also said that there was a “great big empty space” in the guidance where rules should be on personal protective equipment, Covid-19 testing and safe transport to work.

Ms O’Grady criticised the amount of discretion that employers will have in following the guidance, pointing out that bosses have been told that they can decide whether to provide even soap and hand sanitiser at work.

She pointed out that there were now fewer inspectors working for local authorities and the Health & Safety Executive than there were 10 years ago.

Back-to-work workplace risk assessments should be published so that they can be scrutinised, she said.

Acting general secretary of the GMB union, John Phillips, said that the guidance appeared to have been “thrown together in a hurry.”

“They cannot just flick a switch, say it’s safe to work within two metres of other people without PPE and expect them to head merrily off to work,” he said.