Health and Safety at Work
| Office Matters - Useful Office Articles
|
Essential Checklist
When starting a business, you need to know what the laws are regarding Health and Safety. Health and Safety law applies to all businesses, regardless of size, and covers both full and part-time employees.
As an employer you have a duty to protect your employees and keep them informed about health and safety. Their health, safety and welfare at work are protected by law. You are also responsible for any customers, suppliers or members of the general public that come to your premises.
Here are some pointers and a checklist to help you on your way. According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), you must ensure that, in general;
The workplace is safe and without risk to health
Machinery is safe and that safe systems of work are followed
Articles and substances are stored, used and moved safely
Provide adequate welfare facilities
Provide information, training and supervision necessary for health and safety
In particular you must ensure that you;
Assess the risks to employees health and safety
Make arrangements for implementing health and safety measures
If you have five or more employees, you need to record the significant findings of the risk assessment and arrangements for health and safety measures and draw up a health and safety policy statement.
Appoint someone to assist with health and safety responsibilities
Co-operate on health and safety with other employers sharing the same workplace
Set up emergency procedures
Provide adequate first-aid facilities
Make sure that work equipment is suitable for its intended use, and that it is properly maintained.
Take precautions against danger from flammable or explosive hazards, electrical equipment, noise and radiation.
Avoid hazardous manual handling operations.
Provide health surveillance as appropriate
Ensure that appropriate safety signs are provided and maintained
Besides being a legal obligation, ensuring they are healthy and safe will help to foster good will and trust amongst your employees and contribute to a happier and more productive work environment.
