Complying with key health and safety rules
August 2008
Health and safety is about preventing people from being harmed at work or becoming ill by taking the right precautions and providing a satisfactory working environment. You have a legal responsibility for the health and safety of your employees and anyone else, e.g. customers, who may be affected by your business and its activities.
This includes:
- employees working at your premises, from home, or at another site
- visitors to your premises such as customers or subcontractors
- people at other premises where you're working, such as a construction site
- members of the public - even if they're outside your premises
- anyone affected by products and services you design, produce or supply
You should conduct a thorough assessment of the risks your business faces. Risk is the chance, high or low, that someone or something could be harmed by a hazard. Hazard means anything that can cause harm, e.g. chemicals, electricity, a slippery floor.
You must have a policy for how you look after health and safety. If you employ five or more people, this policy must be in writing.
You also need to comply with certain specific legal requirements including:
- recording and reporting accidents
- consulting employees or their safety representatives on health and safety matters
- ensuring your employees understand and carry out their responsibilities for health and safety, such as following the safety rules you have set up
Implementing good health and safety practices will help you comply with the law and provide an acceptable workplace. The right approach isn't just about doing the minimum required to comply with the legal requirements. It can also benefit your business.
Poor health and safety leads to illness and accidents and significant costs for your business. Effective health and safety practices pay for themselves. They also improve your reputation with customers, regulators and your own employees.
If you would like any more information please visit www.hse.gov.uk or www.businesslink.gov.uk.
Return to category: Newsletter: Brilliant News - August 2008