HEALTH AND SAFETY SYSTEMS
In many companies health and safety policies and procedures get forgotten or side-lined – until something happens. Unfortunately something always does happen and under UK legislation if the correct procedures have not been followed the consequences can vary from unpleasant to disastrous.
For ethical and financial reasons, the owners and directors of companies owe it to the public, their employees and to themselves to take all aspects of health and safety very seriously.
Dealing with major health and safety hazards, risks and incidents obviously needs urgent attention. However, it is often basic incidents or issues such as unsafe flooring or shelving, faulty steps, slip and trip hazards, loose cables, inadequate ventilation or poor lighting which cause serious harm to employees, visitors or members of the public.
For any serious injury or near-miss a report needs to be filed under RIDDOR (the Reporting Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations) to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive). But as well as the persons affected it is very likely that your local council, “no win, no fee” claims lawyers and your insurance company will all want to investigate whether you have acted in accordance with your legal duty of providing a reasonable standard of care.
Claims for compensation can be made for up to three years after an injury and it is now very easy for employees to make such claims and get some sort of compensation unless companies can show that they have fully complied with their legal duties.
What is required is a good set of policies, procedures and a safety management system that all ensure the application of good practices and the creation of a culture that ensures everyone in your company treats health and safety as equally important as any other part of their daily activities.
We will provide you with a comprehensive system that will take account of your interaction with the public, your employees’ work activities and the management of your premises:
- A company health and safety statement from the Directors
- Health and safety polices in accordance with your legal requirements
- An online health and safety management system
- Regular six-monthly risk assessments of the workplace and employee activities
- Ad hoc risk assessments for irregular events and activities
- Required or suggested actions needed to reduce or eliminate risks
- Ongoing advice on how to implement such actions
- A training program for your employees
- An online process for employees to report hazards or make comments
- Advice or help in investigating all health and safety incidents
- Routine checklists for preventing hazards in the workplace
- Regular reviews of all parts of the system
Clear and effective health and safety policies and procedures are a legal duty but also protect your company, the public and your employees and demonstrate to everyone you interact with that you are a responsible employer and that you will look after them in an appropriate manner.