Managing health and safety doesn’t have to be complicated, costly or time consuming. In fact, it’s easier than you think.

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For many businesses, all that’s required is a basic series of practical steps that protect people from harm and at the same time protect the future success of your business or organisation.

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In general, health and safety laws apply to all businesses in the UK. As an employer, or a self-employed person, you are responsible for health and safety within your business or organisation (Duty of Care). Health and safety laws are there to protect you, your employees and the public from workplace dangers.

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The approach you take should be proportionate to the size of your business or organisation and the nature of that business and its activities. For most SME’s and low-risk businesses the steps you need to take should be simple and straightforward. If you have fewer than five employees, you don’t have to write down your risk assessment or your health and safety policy. If your business has more than five employers then you must have the appropriate written documentation e.g. a health and safety policy, a health and safety statements, appropriate risk assessments etc...

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As an employer you have a statutory legal obligation to comply with:

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• The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSWA)

• Management of Health and Safety Working Regulations 1999 (MHSWR)

• The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) 

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Depending on the type or business you operate and the tasks undertaken by your employees, you may also have to comply with certain technical working regulations, and ensure that you as the employer, as well as your employees understand and work within them correctly. 

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For Example:

• Manual Handling Regulations 1992

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

• Working at Heights Regulations 2005

• Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)

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Failing to fully understand Health an Safety and comply with legislation, or written guidance could lead to;

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• Injury or death of a person(s)

• Damage to business reputation 

• Financial penalties, compensation costs or imprisonment

• Legal action (Civil or Criminal)

 

Who will help you with your health and safety duties?

 

As an employer, you must appoint a ‘competent person’ to help you meet your health and safety duties. This is someone with the necessary skills, knowledge, qualifications and experience to manage health and safety.

 

If you run a low-risk business, health and safety is something you can manage without needing to buy in expert help. Here you could appoint yourself as a competent person or one or more of your workers.

 

However, if you are not confident of your ability to manage all health and safety in-house, or if you are a higher-risk business, you may need some external support or advice.

 

Deciding what help you need is very important. Unless you are clear about what you want, you probably won’t get the help you need.

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For a friendly, informal chat about your business requirements and my services in more detail, get in touch today. 07425 142 821