Get your health and safety regs in order
Mar 16 2009 by Colin Grimston, The Journal
EMPLOYERS have a legal responsibility for the health and safety of their employees while in the workplace, as well as anyone else who may be affected by their business and its activities.
Health and safety regulations exist to prevent people from being harmed at work by taking the right precautions and providing a safe working environment.
Implementing good health and safety practices will help you comply with the law.
Conducting a thorough assessment of the risks your staff and stakeholders face is vital. Businesses must have a health and safety policy, and for businesses employing five or more people, this policy must be in writing.
It is imperative that businesses take their responsibility towards employees seriously. Not only is it good practice to have strong health and safety policies, but there are also certain specific legal requirements.
Recording and reporting accidents, consulting employees – or their safety representatives – on health and safety matters and ensuring employees understand and carry out their health and safety responsibilities are all legal requirements for any employer.
Business Link has a useful guide to health and safety for employers, available at www.businesslink.co.uk/ northeast
Generally, you should ensure your employees enjoy a healthy working environment and good working practices.
This may be achieved through implementation of policies to prevent bullying and harassment, for example, or even by remaining compliant with the smoking ban in the workplace – an important health and safety consideration for any employer.
Your approach is likely to include providing some occupational health support and advice.
You also need to include appropriate rules in your discipline and grievance procedures to deal with any harassment or bullying that takes place.
Health and safety covers a large number of things, so it is important that any employer takes time to learn and deliver, their responsibilities.
For more information about your health and safety obligation to employees, or to assess your business’s performance using an online health and safety indicator, visit www.businesslink.gov.uk/northeast or call 0845 600 9 006.
Colin Grimston is with Business Link
