Health and Safety in the workplace is often something disregarded as unimportant. However, this shouldn’t be the case. Every business should provide a safe workplace for every employee. Also providing a safe space for anyone affected by the work process. But what are the signs that a business needs health and safety support?
What are the laws surrounding Health & Safety?
There are many laws and regulations that should be adhered to when making sure the workplace is adequately safe. The main legislation that covers health and safety at work, is the Health and Safety At Work etc Act 1974. Alongside this act, there are many other regulations that need to be followed.
The problem with keeping up to date on these regulations is that it can be very time consuming, as well as mentally tasking. There is a wide range of health and safety regulations and guidance to consider.
Many businesses believe health and safety to be fairly unimportant, however, this isn’t the case. For one, having no health and safety procedures and provisions in place can lead to injuries or even fatalities. This could lead to large fines and even imprisonment for those responsible. There are complicated regulations surrounding almost every aspect of the workplace – this could be something as small as abrasive wheels on a shopping cart, to the reporting of fatal accidents.
Even if no injuries or accidents were to occur, you could receive a visit from the HSE (Health and Safety Executive). The assessors can fine you for not having sufficient health and safety provisions in place.
Of course, there are many businesses that try to be proactive in their health and safety and attempt to put provisions in place. Unfortunately, it is sometimes the case that either the business just doesn’t have the time and facilities to implement the adequate health and safety provisions, or that they attempt to implement provisions but they are insufficient due to the lack of health and safety knowledge. This leaves businesses wide open to damages and fines. It is also a waste of time and resources putting insufficient provisions in place.
If your business is currently experiencing any of the situations above, then acquiring additional health and safety support is perfect for you!
What is included with Health and Safety Support?
When getting health and safety support from an external provider, for example, you will get all the benefits of an in-house health and safety expert, but in a more cost-effective way.
Health and Safety consultants are experts in the field of health and safety. Therefore, you can rest assured that any recommendations and suggestions made will be sufficient and in line with the relevant health and safety legislation. These health and safety consultants will be able to spot any safety breaches where less experienced members of staff would not.
It is a very time-consuming process as it requires a large amount of attention and evaluation. Bringing in health and safety support from an external provider allows for all of this time-consuming work to be outsourced, freeing you up to focus on other parts of your business. This will help ensure that the health and safety work is undertaken sufficiently, rather than being rushed in-house.
Finally, there is the cost. As mentioned, if you don’t have sufficient provision in place, you leave yourself vulnerable to being fined by the HSE and more. Additionally, employing someone in house to undertake your health and safety work can be very costly due to the level of expertise needed. Instead of employing someone full time in-house, it is a lot more cost-effective to outsource the work to an external health and safety provider, such as Wurkplace Ltd. and you have access to a full team of experts!
Conclusion:
If you are struggling to find the time and resources to work on your health and safety, or if you just don’t know what is required and where to start, then it would be highly beneficial to seek additional health and safety support.
Wurkplace provide great number of training courses for Health & Safety, including subjects like Personal Safety, Autism Awareness, Workplace H&S, Electrical Safety, Safe Handling of Medicines, and Stroke Awareness.
As a Managing Director at Wurkplace since May 2010, Karen has extensive HR, employment law and health and Safety experience from working within the private sector.
She also boasts experience of working in the public sector including local authority, fire service, police, schools, colleges, charities, NHS.