Keep pushing Corona out of the workplace

For more than a year, the staff of the Labour Inspectorate (AI) has been supporting businesses in the Canton of Basel-Stadt with the implementation of and compliance with the behavioural and hygiene regulations recommended by the Federal Office of Health of the Swiss Confederation (BAG). During controls of operations and companies, performed in close cooperation with representatives of the Department of Health (GD) and the Department of Justice and Security (JSD), they routinely encounter – and answer – questions of employees and employers.

How can I make sure that my staff stays healthy at the workplace? When do you have to wear a mask? How can we all, employers and employees alike, contribute to staying healthy while we continue to push out the coronavirus from the workplace?

It is one of the core functions of the Labour Inspectorate’s team to answer these questions and support and consult with both businesses and employees in a courteous, professional manner.  

The good news
By April 2021, the team of the Labour Inspectorate of the Office of Economy and Labour AWA of Basel-Stadt had performed by mandate of the Federal Government a total of 4'293 controls of business operations and of 334 construction sites. Prima facie, the number of 2460 businesses and 191 construction sites with shortcomings may strike some as high. In reality, though, most of the time their mistakes were only minor, ranging from details such as an empty or absent bottle of sanitiser or disinfectant to insufficient distance markers on the floors. These insignificant shortcomings were usually corrected at the time of a follow-up control.

If you are not sure, let us give you advice!
The measures protecting employees from infection with COVID-19 are part of the body of health and safety protection measures as outlined in article «Federal Act on Labour in Industry, Commerce and Trade / Bundesgesetz über die Arbeit in Industrie, Gewerbe und Handel» (ArG). According to the act, its execution is the responsibility of cantonal labour inspectorates. It is their job to make sure that employers are correctly implementing the protective measures.

However, not only is it the Labour Inspectorate’s task to be the controlling authority, its role is also to be available to advise and consult with employer and employees in case of questions.

Please do not hesitate to direct any question you might have about health and safety protection at the workplace to the Labour Inspectorate of the Office of Economy and Labour AWA of the Canton of Basel-Stadt.

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