FIRMS are being urged to continue making workplaces safe for staff to return without the risk of coronavirus spreading.

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called on businesses “not to let their guard down,” especially with schools reopening after the summer break and more workers planning to return to offices.

Employers are advised to continue to have robust measures in place to prevent transmission and to review their effectiveness.

Ruth Wilkinson, IOSH’s head of health and safety said: “This virus hasn’t gone away — many thousands are being infected daily in the UK alone, and many of these cases are leading to people becoming seriously ill.

“Since lockdown restrictions were eased, many businesses have continued to operate or have reopened and gradually returned to their workplaces or to work activities successfully, with measures in place to prevent and reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

“But now is not a time to be complacent, so we are urging businesses to not let their guard down, as Covid-19 remains a hazard within the workplace.”