With the UK on the brink of a recession, most businesses are facing imminent challenges. With such challenges on the horizon, thinking about health and safety might not be on the top of your to-do list.
However, in challenging times, it’s never been more important to ensure you’re compliant to avoid hefty lawsuits. If you’re wondering whether you’re compliant, the good news is that we’ve done all the hard work for you below.
Why is it important to follow health and safety regulations?
Firstly, why are health and safety regulations so important?
Well, to start with, they guarantee the safety of your employees. According to data from HSE England, each year 441,000 workers are injured at work. Although it’s easy to think it won’t happen to you, if you don’t take health and safety seriously, it’s more likely than you’d think!
By following the appropriate health and safety laws, you can reduce sickness, injury and lawsuits while simultaneously boosting your efficiency and productivity.
What are the laws in the UK?
Health and safety in the UK are governed by the Health and Safety at Work act 1974. As a business in the England, you must follow the guidelines laid out in this legislation.
The laws in the UK apply to most businesses and cover things such as:
- The duties employers have towards employees and the public
- The duties employees have to themselves and their colleagues
- How self-employed individuals should behave towards themselves and others
How can I remain compliant?
??? 1. Providing (and wearing!) appropriate PPE
For any employees working in dangerous or potentially hazardous environments, PPE is essential. Workers handling hot or dangerous materials should always use protective work gloves like the ones from RS to protect their hands from injury.
Workers should also wear eye protection when working with hazardous chemicals.
As PPE requirements changes between sectors, it’s a good idea to thoroughly research PPE in your industry so you can be sure you’re providing the right equipment for the job. For example, PPE necessary on a building site will be significantly different from that in a laboratory.
??? 2. Appoint a health and safety officer
To ensure your workforce is sticking to the health and safety guidelines, you’ll need to appoint a health and safety officer to enforce the rules. By awarding this position to a senior employee, you’ll have a central person that you can trust to take all the necessary precautions.
??? 3. Create a list of rules and risk assessments
You will also need to create a list of the workplace rules and regulations. As well as keeping your workplace policies up to date, you are obliged to conduct thorough risk assessments to confirm that there are no new hazards in your workplace.
It’s also imperative that you record every accident that occurs.
The bottom line?
Managing health and safety requirements may seem like a long and tedious process but it’s simple when you break it down into manageable steps. Whether you’re a new business or you’ve been trading for years, it’s well worth taking the time to get your health and safety strategy right.
