Do you worry about Health and Safety in your workplace?
In the latest Health and Safety report that came out earlier in the year, a total of 142 workers were killed between 2019-2020. A further 441,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury and 51,211 employees were recorded under RIDDOR. So ‘who is responsible for health and safety for my staff’ in the workplace to reduce these statistics?
The truth is, everyone that works within the company’s building is responsible for health and safety. We forget that visitors and outside contractors such as cleaners all have a responsibility. Not only employers but includes employees.
Managing health and safety is an important aspect of running a successful company. In return it will reduce accidents, unexpected visits from Health and Safety Executive HSE or even fines. To run a successful company or business the employers or senior management will need to undertake risk assessments, implement safety measures and appointment competent persons. Taking on training such as Health and Safety, Manual Handling or Fire Safety will help understand the risks. Training will assist employees understand the risks and what regulations they must follow, but it will also help them avoid incidents.
Did you know?
It is law to display the HSE-approved poster or provide a leaflet to their staff or when it is requested.
The Health and safety law poster tells workers what they and their employers need to do in simple terms. This should be displayed within an accessible area where all employees and visitors are able to read and access. The poster explains British health and safety laws and lists what workers and their employers should do. Details of any employee safety representatives or health and safety contacts are added.
Is your poster displayed and easily accessible?
Health and Safety Policy
To continue with the starting question – who is responsible for health and safety for my staff. The basics of health and safety is having the right stepping stones in place. This includes; the law poster, relevant policies and suitable training. If the business employs five employees or more the health and safety policy must be written down and accessible to all staff.
The policy must include:
- The statement of general policy on Health and Safety at work sets out their commitment to managing Health and Safety effectively, and what they want to achieve
- The responsibility section sets out who is responsible for specific actions
- The arrangements section contains the detail of what they are going to do in practice to achieve the aims set out in their statement of Health and Safety policy
Employer’s Responsibilities
Employers will need to undertake a risk assessment to find out the risks in their workplace, put sensible measures in place to control them and make sure they stay controlled. When monitoring and assessing Health and Safety, they must take into account the dangers that exist in their workplace. A good guide to follow is ‘Plan, Do, Check and Act’ approach:
- Plan; Describe how you manage health and safety in your business (your legally required policy) and plan to make it happen in practice.
- Do; Prioritise and control your risks – consult your employees and provide training and information.
- Check; Measure how you are doing.
- Act; Learn from your experience.
Employee’s Responsibilities
The employees are the eyes and ears of the employer. It is critical that they report anything they see or hear that indicates there is a problem. Employees must follow the training they have received and implement it safely and according to any work items they use. They need to take reasonable care of their own and other people’s Health and Safety. Co-operate with their employer on Health and Safety. Tell someone (their employer, supervisor, or Health and Safety representative) if they think the work or inadequate precautions are putting anyone’s Health and Safety at serious risk.
Who is responsible for health and safety for my staff
There can be significant rewards if everyone behaves responsibly for the health and safety of all employees. Some benefits include;
- Reduced costs
- Reduced risks
- Lower employee absence and turnover rates
- Fewer accidents
- Lessened threat of legal action
- Improved standing among suppliers and partners
- Better reputation for corporate responsibility among investors, customers and communities
- Increased productivity, because employees are healthier, happier and better motivated
Importance of Training
Having correct training within the workplace can be important in many ways. Having up to date, relevant training will keep employees knowledgeable of the risks and hazards. But also with the up to date current guidelines and regulations. Training helps reduce the risk of ‘skill fade’, reduce incidents and accidents and ensuring the safety and welfare of all employees at work..
Providing Health and Safety information and training helps employers to:
- Ensure that people who work for them know how to work safely and without risks to health
- Develop a positive Health and Safety culture, where safe and healthy working becomes second nature to everyone
- Meet their legal duty to protect the Health and Safety of their employees
Our Health and Safety Courses
Are an excellent introduction to health and safety in the workplace and will benefit all employees, particularly those who may be accepting a health and safety role, such as a safety representative within their organisation. Even if you are a small company, understanding the safety risks will not only comply with legislations, it will keep you, your staff or customers safe.
Depending which course you undertake will depend on the length of courses. Our level one course is half a day – 4 hours, and our level two course is one day – 7 hours.
Our two courses will cover a range of subjects is covered including:
- Roles and responsibilities for health, safety and welfare in the workplace.
- The value and process of risk assessments.
- The identification and control of workplace hazards.
- How to respond to workplace incidents and accidents
- Subjects include;
- PPE
- Electricity
- Fire
- Manual Handling
- Hazardous Substances
- Display Screen Equipment
- Workplace Safety Signs
- First Aid
- Accident Reporting
- RIDDOR
Attending our Health and Safety courses will give you an insight into Fire training and Manual Handling training.
You can complete your course at our training room in Brownhills, Walsall or we can come to you. Alternatively we can deliver these training courses over video meeting just like you are in a classroom.
For more information about our Health and Safety Courses view here;
https://www.hmbtrainingservices.co.uk/latest-news/offer/faa-level-2-award-health-safety-workplace-qcf
We are available on 01543 453338 or info@hmbtrainingservices.co.uk
