WONDERING what your business needs when it comes to health and safety provisions? Read on to find out more.
Health and safety is a critical aspect of running a small business. Provisions need to be in place to safeguard employees, customers, and the public. A lack of provision in the workplace could mean as an employer you’re liable for any injuries that occur.
For small businesses, the legal and financial implications of work injury claims could be a crippling. Therefore, it’s best to have all bases covered when it comes to health and safety, not only for employees but for the future of the business.
Neglecting to implement the right health and safety measures can also result in harm to the reputation of the business. In this article, we will delve into ten essential health and safety provisions that every small business should have.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
The provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a must in many industries. This equipment serves as a barrier between the worker and any hazardous substances they may encounter. PPE includes gloves, masks, goggles, and ear protection. It is crucial to ensure that employees have access to appropriate PPE and that it is properly maintained to keep them safe.
Risk and Hazard Assessments
In the workplace there could be many potential different risks and hazards, depending on the workplace itself. Some can cause injury, some could even cause death therefore they all have to be managed efficiently and correctly.
Risk and hazard assessments are critical in identifying potential dangers in the workplace. This allows you to take the necessary steps to either eliminate or control the risks, thus creating a safer working environment and reducing the likelihood of accidents or injuries. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all arrangements are in place for such assessments to happen.
Insurance
Every business should have the necessary insurance in place as it doesn’t just protect the business but those who work within and those linked to it. Insurance is a vital aspect of health and safety. It provides financial protection in the event of an accident or injury. This could include liability insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, and property insurance.
It is essential to have insurance coverage in all necessary areas and to ensure that it is always up-to-date.
First Aid
Having a well-stocked first-aid kit and trained first-aiders on-site can be crucial in an emergency. It is important to regularly check and update first-aid kits and to provide first-aid training to employees. This will equip them to deal with any potential emergencies and help to ensure that injuries are managed promptly.
There should be the right number of people trained in relation to the number of staff that work for the business, this will ensure that the business is adequately protected.
Appointing a Responsible Person
Appointing a responsible person who is in charge of health and safety in the workplace is important. This person should be responsible for enforcing health and safety policies, conducting risk assessments, and implementing any necessary changes. It is recommended that you have more than one person in this role so there is still cover available during illness or holidays.
This responsible person will be important to work with for any accident at work claims. Legal experts like Mooneerams can investigate accident at work claims to establish if there are reasonable prospects of making a successful claim. Employers are under a duty to ensure they are protecting workers from anything that may cause them harm. It is crucial for employees to be aware of their rights and to understand the procedures that need to be followed in the event of a workplace accident. The expertise of legal professionals in this field is essential in guiding individuals through the intricate processes and ensuring that all necessary legal protocols are adhered to. This guidance is vital in securing a fair outcome and holding employers accountable for maintaining a safe working environment.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is an integral aspect of health and safety in the workplace. Fire safety provisions should include fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and clearly marked fire exits. It is important to ensure that employees know how to use fire safety equipment and to have a fire evacuation plan in place.
Furthermore, you should also have fire officers in the building. They should be responsible for helping people to evacuate and should be able to carry out further fire safety actions and procedures.
Training
Health and safety training for employees is essential in ensuring that they work safely. This could include manual handling training, fire safety training, and first-aid training. Regular training should be provided to employees to reinforce the importance of following health and safety procedures. This not only adds security for employees but also any customers or visitors on site who may need first aid.
Signage
Signage plays an important role in health and safety in the workplace. It provides information to employees and visitors about potential dangers and emergency procedures. It is essential to ensure that signage is easily visible, regularly checked, and updated.
All signage has to be correct and have to adhere to the relevant regulations such as the health and safety regulations and fire regulations.
Emergency Procedures
An emergency can arise at any time in the workplace and the right procedures will help to reduce the risk of work injury claims. This could include fire evacuation procedures, first-aid procedures, and procedures for managing accidents and injuries. It is crucial to ensure that employees know the emergency procedures and that they are regularly reviewed and updated.
Record Keeping
Everything that happens in the workplace in relation to health and safety has to be recorded. This must be done for legal and insurance purposes and for monitoring the effectiveness of health and safety provisions.
It is necessary to keep records of health and safety procedures, risk assessments, and accidents and incidents, and to regularly review them to identify any necessary changes.
All accidents, near misses and injuries need to be reported under Riddor. RIDDOR stands for Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations in the UK. It is a legal requirement for employers to report certain types of workplace accidents, incidents, and diseases to the relevant enforcing authority, such as the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the local authority.
The purpose of RIDDOR is to provide information to the enforcing authorities on the nature and extent of workplace hazards and to assist in their investigation of serious accidents and incidents. Employers are required to report incidents such as work-related deaths, major injuries, and dangerous occurrences.
The information collected under RIDDOR is used to inform health and safety policy and to improve health and safety standards in the workplace.
Health and Safety in the Workplace
In conclusion, having the right health and safety provisions in place is vital for the protection of employees, customers, and the public. By following the ten essential provisions outlined in this article, small businesses can ensure a safe and secure working environment
