Health and safety may not always seem to be the most important topic for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Business owners will often focus on growth, customer satisfaction and profitability. Health and safety can often be overlooked or an afterthought because it’s seen as complicated, confusion, time-consuming, obstructive, and so on.
However, it is important to get the basics right and ensure strong foundations to support future growth. By prioritising the safety and well-being of employees, businesses can protect their most important asset…. their people.
Good health and safety arrangements can also enhance reputation and create a more productive workplace.
In this blog, we introduce the health and safety basics needed to set the foundations for a safe and thriving workplace.
Basic Health and Safety Requirements
1. Appoint a competent person.
One of the key requirements is to appoint a competent person responsible for health and safety. This individual should have the knowledge, training, skills and experience necessary to identify and address potential hazards in your workplace. They will play a crucial role in implementing and maintaining your health and safety arrangements. For SME’s you may need to consult with an expert to assist the appointed person.
2. Create a Health and Safety Policy
If you have 5 or more employees, you should have a written health and safety policy that outlines your commitment to providing a safe working environment. and should include specific guidelines and procedures for identifying and managing potential hazards, as well as protocols for responding to accidents or emergencies. It's important to regularly review and update your policy to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Make sure all employees have access to this policy and understand its contents.
3. Risk Assessment
Risk assessments are an essential part of maintaining a safe working environment. By identifying potential hazards and taking steps to eliminate or reduce them, businesses can reduce the likelihood of accidents and incidents. Risk assessments should not be a one-time event. They should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that any new hazards are identified and addressed. Involve employees in the risk assessment process, as they often have valuable insights and knowledge of potential hazards in their work activities.
4. Employee Training
Providing training to employees is essential to ensure their awareness of potential hazards and any controls in place to protect them. Training should cover topics such as fire safety, first aid, manual handling, and the proper use of equipment and machinery. Make sure that new employees receive induction training and provide ongoing training and refresher courses as needed. By prioritising the development of a well-trained workforce, you are investing in both their safety and the long-term success of your business.
5. Emergency Preparedness:
Emergencies can happen, and your employees need to know what to do in such situations. Develop clear and concise emergency procedures that cover fire evacuations, first aid response, and other critical situations. Regular drills should be conducted to ensure that everyone knows how to respond in an emergency. Having well-practiced procedures in place can save lives and minimise damage in critical situations.
6. Regular Inspections and Maintenance:
Regular inspections and a scheduled maintenance plan ensure that potential hazards are identified and addressed promptly, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries. By conducting routine inspections, you can find issues before they escalate and ensure the equipment, including safety mechanisms, work properly. This may include general inspections of the workplace, machinery and equipment checks and fire safety checks. Scheduled maintenance also prolongs the lifespan of your assets and avoids costly breakdowns and repairs.
7. Hazard Reporting
Implementing an effective employee reporting system for health and safety concerns sends a powerful message to your workforce—that their well-being matters. It encourages a culture where employees are not only aware of potential hazards but are also actively engaged in mitigating them. No matter how diligent your safety measures are, potential hazards can still lurk beneath the surface. Your employees are your eyes and ears on the ground, and they may spot risks that might go unnoticed relying on inspection, maintenance and other channels alone. By providing a straightforward way for them to report concerns, you gain valuable insights into areas that require attention, preventing accidents before they happen. This can include online reporting forms, dedicated email addresses, suggestion boxes, or having a designated person.
Conclusion
Investing in health and safety measures may require some initial resources, but the long-term benefits are well worth it. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure the safety of your employees and others who could be affected by your business’s activities. By creating robust and resilient health and safety arrangements, you can create a positive and thriving work environment that benefits everyone involved.
The Author
Fadela Kerflani is a Health and Safety Consultant at Orchard Safety Ltd. Fadela started her career in facilities management where she was actively involved in health and safety. Transitioning across into a full-time health and safety role provided experience in a number of industries including social housing, construction, manufacturing, leisure and care.
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