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 Does your business comply?
IF IT DOESN’T, YOUR BUSINESS WILL SUFFER.
As an employer, you have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety of both your staff and everyone connected with your businesses’ activities, be it customers, suppliers, casual visitors or tradesmen. A failure to do so can result is fines or even a prison sentence and in more extreme circumstances, your business could be closed down.
Health and safety at work is a vital yet complex aspect of your business, and there is far more information you will need to know than is available here, but this will give you an overview of what you need to do.
From the 6th April 2009, most new businesses no longer need to register with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), although if you work with hazardous substances, or in industries such as construction or diving, you may need to apply for a license.
Generally speaking, an employer must –
- Ensure the workplace is safe, and eliminate or control risks to people’s health
- Ensure plant and machinery is safe, and that safe systems are set and followed
- Ensure articles and substances are moved, used and stored safely
- Provide adequate welfare facilities
- Give workers the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for their health and safety
- Consult workers on health and safety matters and issues
Effective health and safety measures go a long way to enhance your reputation with staff, customers and regulators.
Stage 1 – Most employers need up-to-date Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance, and the certificate should be displayed where it can be seen. This insurance essentially covers you for compensation claims made against you or your company by staff that may have been injured or fallen ill because of their work for you.
Stage 2 – You need to appoint a competent person to help you fulfil your health and safety obligations. It can be you, one or more of your staff, or even someone from outside the business.
Stage 3 – A written health and safety policy (legal if you have five or more employees) outlines your objectives and the measures you’ve taken to ensure the health and safety of those involved with your business. It demonstrates your commitment and should describe how your policies are implemented. It must be reviewed on a regular basis.
Stage 4 – The assessment and management of your businesses’ health and safety risks are a legal requirement. A risk assessment will uncover what could potentially cause harm to people in your place of work and will highlight if you have taken the necessary precautions or whether you need to do more to prevent injury, or worse.
Stage 5 – You need to take into account the welfare and environmental facilities required by your employees, including facilities for the disabled, toilets and washing, drinking water, lighting and heating.
Stage 6 – Your workforce need to be trained to work safely and without risk. All training seminars should be during working hours and free to all staff, including the self-employed. Training records must be kept and regular consultations with employees or their representatives should take place to ensure training is effective and relevant, and to allow them to raise issues and concerns.
Stage 7 – You need to display the HSEs health and safety law poster in a visible place and in a readable condition.
Stage 8 – If an accident or unforeseen incident happens, you need to report it. RIDDOR, or The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1955 says that you have a legal duty to report accidents and illness at work to the HSE.
Stage 9 – By keeping up-to-date with news, events and regulations in your industry, your health and safety policies and risk assessments will be accurate, relevant and effective.
For more information and advice on these issues and for your upcoming summer recruitment needs, please call the specialists at Forties People on 020 7329 4044, or visit us online at www.fortiespeople.com.
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