Health and safety advice

As an employer you have a legal ‘duty of care’ for the health, safety and welfare of your employees while at work, as well as that of any visitors to your premises. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that appropriate measures are in place.

Health and Safety legislation

The main piece of legislation covering work-related health and safety in the UK is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. As well as setting out employers’ responsibilities for health and safety at work, it also puts an onus on employees not to put themselves or others in danger.
Health and safety legislation applies to all businesses, regardless of size, and also to the self-employed. Factories, farms and building sites are inspected by the HSE, whereas Local Authorities enforce the law for offices, shops, hotels, restaurants and leisure activities.

Workplace safety advice

Every year over 200 people are killed at work, mostly from accidental falls from a height or being hit by vehicles. Thousands more are seriously injured from slips and trips or suffer ill health, such as back problems and stress.
Common sense rules and procedures are fundamental to improving employee safety at work and reducing the number of ‘sick’ days. Basic health and safety advice includes:

• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Use the right tools for the job
• Keep working areas clean and free of potential hazards
• Dispose of waste properly
• Put equipment away once it is no longer required

Good housekeeping practices will go a long way to improving workplace safety and preventing accidents. For additional practical advice and effective solutions, contact us today.