In the hustle and bustle of daily work, it can be easy to forget to implement basic Health and Safety procedures or shrug off best practice for easier, quicker methods. However, failing to follow the Health and Safety at Work Act, could result in injury to an employee or member of the public, as well as leaving you liable to claims or Prosecution. Avoid disaster with these simple workplace Health and Safety improvements:
1. Invest in heavy lifting equipment
Many jobs require heavy lifting and having the right equipment to do so is crucial. Hoists, excavators and loaders, fitted with heavy duty castors if needed, will make sure cumbersome objects are lifted and moved safely, as well as will ensuring staff members do not try to lift them without the proper equipment which could cause injury. Undertaking a manual handling risk assessment should help you to understand this.
2. Signpost your activities
Remember that to comply with Health and Safety regulations, you must put up easily visible warning signs if there is a significant risk to employees and others, in addition to putting in place all other relevant measures. Be it ‘mind the step’, ‘wet floor’ or ‘low roof’ signage, think about which dangers – seen or unseen – might pose a risk to members of the public or employees.
3. Provide PPE
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required to be supplied to all employees and visitors to your workplace where appropriate. From masks, gloves and overalls in a manufacturing environment to hard hats and steel toe cap boots on building sites, identify what risks your staff and visitors are exposed to and make sure these are worn by everyone before they set foot on site.
4. Carry out that risk assessment
Though they may have become the butt of many a Health & Safety joke, completing a full risk assessment is not just a formality or red tape – identifying all possible threats to employees, visitors or the public could well raise previously undiscovered issues and avoid accidents or potential pitfalls. Identifying risk means you can put measures in place, from start-up procedures, maintenance of plant and machinery, to notifying employees of corrective measures following mistakes or near misses.
5. Consider a HSE fire risk assessment
A consideration for all businesses, no matter what your trade or industry, the occupier of the premises is responsible for the safety of its employees. Appoint a competent person as fire safety officer specifically to take charge of this area and undertake out a regularly reviewed HSE fire risk assessment, put fire Health and Safety measures in place and organise regular emergency training and drills.
We offer various training courses which you can find here on HSE Fire Risk Assessment and Fire Warden Training, Manual Handling including Manual Handling Risk Assessment, Risk Assessment Training and Construction Design and Management Regulations Training.
In Summary
Making sure you have the correct Health and Safety at Work procedures in place for your business should help reduce workplace accidents which can save you from stress in the future, not to mention legal fees and compensation costs. Why not speak to one of the BC Risk Management team by contacting 01444 228 156 today to review your current arrangements?