A BOROUGH has employed more staff to carry out unannounced checks on the coronavirus security arrangements of local firms.

Hyndburn Borough Council has teamed up with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contact businesses to help tackle Covid-19.

It has boosted it team dealing with the issue and will be carrying out unannounced inspections on workplaces and shops.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said: “Our team, which we’re boosting with some newly-appointed Business Information Officers, are talking to local businesses and inspecting sites in and around Hyndburn to understand how they are managing risks in line with their specific business activity.

"Being Covid-secure needs to be the priority for all our Hyndburn businesses.

"They have a legal duty to protect their workers and others from harm and to follow the government guidance on working safely.

"The council can help and recommends that employers to work with their employees when implementing changes, to help increase confidence with workers, customers and the local community.”

Across the country, HSE and local authority inspectors are finding some common issues including failing to provide arrangements for monitoring, supervising and maintaining social distancing, and failing to introduce an adequate cleaning regime particularly at busy times of the day.