We have all heard about instances of health & safety gone mad in recent years, but this doesn’t mean to say it’s a subject that should be taken lightly, especially at work. In fact, it is an employer’s legal obligation to protect staff from ever-present dangers and reduce the risk of accidents from occurring.
This is actually a serious matter so let’s delve a little deeper today!
Where to find what needs to be done
Businesses unsure about what they should be doing must refer to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for detailed information on duties and responsibilities.
Having said all that, the following top 10 tips really should give you a solid foundation, improving everyone’s health & safety at work!
- Start by identifying the risks
First of all, you will need to carry out a risk assessment to identify the potential threats your members of staff face. From there, you can prioritise them in order of severity and make informed decisions on how to take action.
- Always record your preventative measures
Write down and keep a record of the preventative measures you are taking in regards to health & safety. This should also include an accident book, which details any workplace incidents as well as near misses.
- Train your staff
From informal training sessions on how to lift heavy objects to more comprehensive health & safety workshops, it makes perfect sense to train your staff about the most pressing issues.
- Get employees involved with health & safety policy
Chances are your employees will have identified or experienced potentially dangerous situations in the past. So, ask for their input, gather ideas, and use this information to produce a company health & safety policy.
- Come up with a schedule for maintenance and testing
If the equipment your employees use is not regularly tested for damage or disrepair, it could pose a threat to their safety. Therefore, you will need to come up with a schedule for maintenance in addition to ongoing user checks and visual inspections.
- Keep the workplace tidy
It is so simple to avoid, but numerous workplace accidents occur because staff do not clean up after themselves. Therefore, ensure your office or industrial setting is always tidy.
- Stage regular fire drills
Each and every member of staff needs to know what is required of them in the event of a fire. The best way to do this is to stage regular fire drills, ideally at least once a year.
- Try to reduce stress among staff
In addition to taking time off work, stress can also be the reason behind workplace accidents, as staff aren’t necessarily thinking clearly or coherently. So, come up with ways to reduce stress among staff and try to establish a relaxed working environment.
- Prioritise first aid
First aid kits at work should be stocked with essential items at all times. On top of that, you should also have members of staff trained in first aid to administer medical assistance when required.
- Help vulnerable workers
Older employees and pregnant members of staff may be more vulnerable than others. Although this should be identified in a risk assessment, it is also a good idea to help at risk workers whenever possible.
Get in touch if you need more help!
Should you need any more help and advice regarding better health and safety in the workplace, or at home, get in touch with Instrotech at www.instrotech.com
You will find a repository of useful information and details regarding further training courses and education from knowledgeable staff available to you and your team!
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