The Importance of a Health & Safety Audit

The Importance of a Health & Safety Audit

Do you worry that:

  • an employee could be injured or suffer ill health?
  • you may be exposed should an employee submit a claim?
  • you may have a sudden visit by the enforcing authority?
  • costs may spiral out of control?

Where do you start?

A good starting place is to have a visit by one of our qualified consultants. They will undertake an audit to identify the risks to your employees, contractors and visitors along with reviewing what you already have in place.

You may already have systems in place which merely need reviewing and bringing up to date. You may have no documented health and safety management system in place but want practical and realistic advice on what you need to implement, to sufficiently manage your risks. We can offer clear advice which is in proportion to your risks.

So, what is an audit?

An audit is a systematic, independent and documented process. This allows you to measure your safety management systems consistently, with the aim of achieving continuous improvement.

Why have an audit?

The main reasons orgnisations should regularly audit their health and safety management system are, to ensure all risks are adequately managed and to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 and the Regulations made under this Act.

It is notable that when the Health and Safety Executive undertake their investigations into major accidents, they usually highlight health and safety management failures as being the root of the cause.

How is an audit undertaken?

Initially, one of our consultants will visit your premises and complete an initial evaluation of the systems and procedures already in place, checking compliance with current health and safety law. This will involve reviewing your current documentation such as policies, risk assessments, training records, work instructions, inspection records etc. A physical inspection of your site will then be undertaken. This will identify any hazards which require improved management and discussions will be held with your employees.

If a weakness is identified, it will be detailed within an Audit Report which includes an evaluation of what is required and an action plan to make the necessary improvements.

So, what are the benefits of an audit?

  • Reduce risks.
  • Improve your compliance with the law.
  • Benchmark your organisation against other organisations outside or within your sector.
  • Having an independent auditor of your policies and procedures means that you get a reliable, unbiased report of findings and an objective action plan for improvement.
  • Control systems weaken over time and need to be constantly reviewed.
  • It helps demonstrate management commitment to employees and third parties.

What next?

Once your audit has been undertaken, you’re now in a better position that you know what needs to be implemented to better protect your employees, visitors, contractors and your business.

You may have the resource internally to complete the actions, or you may choose for one our consultants to visit and support you with this process.

We offer various consultancy packages. These are specifically designed to suit individual business needs following audits.  We pride ourselves in getting to know and understand specific business requirements and developing consultancy packages that are right for businesses, in terms of supporting their needs and budget.

If you’d like a chat to discuss any assistance that you may require in getting focused and drawing up an action plan, then please get in touch.

 

Violence at Work

Violence at Work

The Health and Safety Executive’s definition of work-related violence is: ‘Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work’. 

 

HSE figures for 2019/20 reveal that there were 688,00 incidents of violence at work. These comprised 299,000 assaults (of which 37% resulted in physical injury) and 389,000 threats.

Risk factors for violence

According to the HSE the following issues represent key risk factors:
• Drink, drugs or inherent aggression/mental instability.
• Resentment (having no right to appeal decisions).
• Impatience.
• Frustration (due to lack of information or boredom).
• Anxiety (lack of choice, lack of space).
• Target for robbery (eg. money handling or retail premises).
• Poor design of premises.

Violence at work tends to be perpetrated by:
• disgruntled colleagues
• clients/customers
• patients
• residents
• pupils
• members of the public

Anyone who experiences violence at work should be encouranged to contact agencies outside the workplace to help them recover from the incident, in additon to receiving support from their employer.  Vicitim Support offers a support line. Tel: 0808 1689 111 https://www.victimsupport.org.
uk

Lone workers are at greater risk of violence at work. 

Ensure your risk assessment reflects this.

 

Jobs that expose workers to the risk of violence

Based on the experience of its members, the Trade Union UNISON has highlighted certain work activities that predispose workers to a risk of violence. Such work activities include:
• Handling money.
• Handling drugs, or having access to them.
• Carrying expensive equipment such as laptops, mobile phones, expensive tools for professional trades.
• Giving care to people who are ill, distressed, afraid, in a panic or on medication.
• Associating with people who have a great deal of anger, resentment or feelings of failure.
• Dealing with people who have unrealistically high expectations of what an organisation can offer and who are seeking quick easy solutions to long term and complex problems.
• Dealing with the friends and families of clients who may be concerned or feel inadequate in relation to the large organisation from which they are seeking help.
• Working with people who have previously used violence to express themselves or achieve their needs.
• Exercising power to restrict the freedom of individuals, eg in the case of an arrest.
• Enforcing legislation – eg EHOs, bailiffs, social workers.
• Working alone, in clients’ homes, in physically isolated units, or at hours when few other employees are around – eg care workers.
• Following procedures which do not provide much information to clients about what is happening.
• Working in units which do not have a human image – often crowded, busy, uncomfortable and lacking in essentials for the public such as refreshments, telephones and children’s toys.
• Working under pressure created by increased workloads, staff shortages, and the absence of alternative support for the client.

Recommendations for employers:

• Assess the risks to workers (including the risk of foreseeable violence), decide how significant these risks are, prevent or control the risks, and develop a clear management plan.
• Consult with the workforce and their representatives about risk assessments and actions.
• Develop and implement a violence prevention policy and ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities.
• Establish clear grievance and disciplinary procedures.
• Establish debriefing and support mechanisms for those who are subject to a violent attack and potentially, for those who witness an incident.

Case law

A council was fined £100k following a lone worker policy failure. The prosecution came after two social workers were assaulted on a home visit by the mother of a vulnerable child they were visiting. Whilst note taking both
social workers were struck over the head with a metal object by the mother, resulting in one being knocked temporarily unconscious.
The HSE found that the local authority had failed to follow its corporate lone working policy or violence and aggression guidance. No risk assessment was completed and staff were not trained accordingly.
Employers must do all they can to provide their staff with a safe working environment.

Contact Us

Feel free to contact us if you need support with managing violence within your team.  We can offer risk assessments, toolbox talks and policy writing.

Extreme weather warning – are you prepared?

Extreme weather warning – are you prepared?

Severe heat health alerts issued in the UK due to high temperatures.

With the extreme weather warning issued by the Met Office, we just wanted to clarify what your legal duties are and provide you with some useful tips on reducing the associated risks.

We often get asked is there a legal maximum temperature in which people can work? 

The answer is no, but workplaces should ideally be at least 16C or 13C if the job is mostly physical. Guidance states workplace temperature must be ‘’reasonable’’ with ‘’clean and fresh air’’.  Additionally, the Health & Safety at Work Act means employees are generally responsible for employees’ welfare. As an employer, you have a legal duty to implement reasonably practicable controls.

So, what can you do?

Here’s a few examples of measures you can introduce to protect your workers:

  • reschedule work to cooler times of the day or another day
  • provide plenty of sun cream
  • encourage more frequent rest breaks
  • provide hats
  • ensure access to cool drinking water
  • introduce shading in areas where individuals are working
  • encourage the removal of personal protective equipment when resting to help encourage heat loss
  • ensure blinds are closed
  • provide air conditioning units or fans
  • open windows
  • ensure air conditioning is operational within vehicles
  • relax the company clothing policy/formal dress code
  • switch off electrical equipment that’s not in use or required (some of our clients only offer cold food on days when temperatures are extreme to avoid using the hobs and ovens)
  • educate workers about recognising the early symptoms of heat stress.

Are you responsible for any areas which have open water? Make sure you have done all that is reasonable, to prevent trespassers gaining access.

Symptoms of heat stress:

– Unable to concentrate
– Experiencing muscle cramps
– A heat rash
– Fainting
– Heat exhaustion – fatigue, giddiness, nausea, headache, moist skin
– Severe thirst – a late symptom of heat stress
– Heat stroke – hot dry skin, confusion, convulsions and eventual loss of consciousness. This is the most severe disorder and can result in death if not detected at an early stage.

In addition to the above physical symptoms, you also need to consider employees overall emotional wellbeing and ensure all staff are monitored and effectively supported.

If employees show any signs of heat exhaustion, you should immediately ensure you stop work and allow employees to recover.

Although we might consider outdoor workers to be more vulnerable to the risks of hot weather, it is important we remember our indoor workers as well. Those that may work in confined spaces or environments that are normally hot anyway eg, kitchens, bakeries, boiler rooms and to ensure suitable controls are implemented. 

Finally, do ensure your site risk assessments incorporate extreme weather.  With heatwaves becoming more likely and more extreme because of climate change, this is likely to be an ongoing risk that we’re all going to have to manage. 

Should you like any advice on how to apply the measures above, then just get in touch here.

 

 

 

Landlords and Managing Agents Health and Safety Responsibilities

Landlords and Managing Agents Health and Safety Responsibilities

As a landlord you have a legal duty to safeguard the health and safety of your tenants and others in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Housing Act 2004, the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 and associated legislation.

What are my landlord health and safety responsibilities?

Gas Safety Responsibilities – you must ensure that all gas appliances in your property are safe for your tenants to use, which requires you to:

  • Arrange for a Gas Safe registered engineer to install and maintain gas supplies. These checks must occur every 12 months.
  • Have an up-to-date gas safety record which should be issued to your tenant.
  • Inform tenants of where to turn off the gas and what to do in case of an emergency.

Fire Safety Responsibilities – you have a legal obligation to ensure that your properties comply with fire safety regulations.

  • Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, you must undertake a fire risk assessment in all areas of your property.

Electrical Safety Responsibilities – You must:

  • Ensure all electrical installations are safe.
  • Ensure that all appliances provided to your tenants have the ‘CE’ marking. 
  • Use a qualified electrician to carry out checks.  A registered electrician will issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report after they have inspected installations. 
  • Ensure that all alterations, repairs, and improvements to the fixed electrical system comply with the latest Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Wiring Regulations.

Legionella Safety Responsibilities – In a property, legionella bacteria may be found in any water system between 20-45°c which could be fatal.   

  • To effectively prevent legionella and legionnaire’s disease in your property, you must undertake a legionella risk assessment.

Asbestos Safety Responsibilities – It is a legal requirement that you must ensure you manage the risk posed by asbestos. 

  • This can be achieved by carrying out an asbestos risk assessment by a competent person.

Letting/Managing Agents should have a management contract in place which should clearly specify who is responsible for the above and associated record keeping. 

What are the consequences if I choose not to comply?

If you choose not to comply with the law, you could face hefty costs.  These could be in the way of fines from local authorities should you fail to ensure adequate health and safety standards.

There is also a risk of civil prosecutions if someone injures themselves as a result of poor health and safety at your property.  Any damage to your reputation from any such proceedings would also have a detrimental financial effect on you as a landlord in the future and your ability to rent out properties.  In addition, legal proceedings may also affect the reputation of any managing agents associated with the landlord.

What more can I do?

An annual Property Inspection carried out by a competent health and safety consultant demonstrates a positive attitude towards health and safety and a strong duty of care towards your tenants and others. 

Furthermore, a regular property inspection highlights any potential hazards and controls required to reduce the risk of harm to others, enabling you to be proactive and have peace of mind that you are reducing the likelihood of any harm being incurred and associated legal proceedings.

Should you like to discuss your responsibilities, please just get in touch.

Sarah Mellor CMIOSH MIIRSM
Salopian Health & Safety Limited
T: 01630 657084
E: enquiries@salopiansafety.co.uk
W:
SalopianSafety.co.uk

Hazardous Substances – Are You Putting Your Staff At Risk?

Hazardous Substances – Are You Putting Your Staff At Risk?

When it comes to safely handling hazardous substances, risk assessments are key.  Did you know they are a legal requirement?

It is surprising how many materials or substances used or created at work could damage your health.  They could be dusts, gases, liquids, gels or powders that you come into contact with.

Harmful substances can be present in anything from paints and cleaning products to flour dust, welding fume and biological agents.

What Are The Hazards?

Some substances can cause asthma or other diseases, including cancer. Many can damage the skin and some can cause serious long-term damage to the lungs.

The effect can be immediate, such as dizziness or stinging eyes, or can take many years to develop, such as lung disease.  Many of the long-term or chronic effects are not reversible.

What Do I Have To Do As An Employer?

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) requires you to adequately control exposure to materials that cause ill health by:

  • identifying which harmful substances may be present in the workplace
  • deciding how workers might be exposed to them and be harmed
  • looking at what measures you have in place to prevent this harm and deciding whether you are doing enough
  • providing information, instruction and training
  • in appropriate cases, providing health surveillance.

The above actions can be systematically worked through by completing a COSHH Risk Assessment.

If you would like any help with ensuring your workforce are not at risk and you comply with the COSHH Regulations, get in touch.

Sarah Mellor CMIOSH MIIRSM
Salopian Health & Safety Limited
T: 01630 657084
E: enquiries@salopiansafety.co.uk
W:
SalopianSafety.co.uk

Fireworks – Top Ten Safety Tips for Bonfire Night

Fireworks – Top Ten Safety Tips for Bonfire Night

Are you safe this bonfire night?

Bonfire night should be filled with fun and laughter, but unfortunately this is not always the case

Young people should watch and enjoy fireworks at a safe distance and follow the safety rules for using sparklers. Only adults should deal with firework displays and the lighting of fireworks. They should also take care of the safe disposal of fireworks once they have been used. Follow these top tips to stay safe:

  1. Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable
  2. Keep fireworks in a closed box and use them one at a time
  3. Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary
  4. Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back
  5. Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
  6. Never return to a firework once it has been lit
  7. Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
  8. Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
  9. Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
  10. Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.

Sparklers

These are often viewed as being harmless, but they do burn at fierce temperatures. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends that Sparklers should not be given to anyone under the age of five. To a young child, the heat from a sparkler is equivalent to the heat from a welding torch.

Safety rules for sparklers:

  • Always wear gloves with sparklers, preferably leather ones
  • Hold it at arm’s length while an adult lights it for you
  • Never wave it about near someone else as you could burn them
  • Never hold a baby in your arms when you are holding a sparkler
  • When the sparkler has finished, put it into a bucket of cold water straight away and leave it there.

Pets

And finally, don’t forget your pets. Animals do not like bonfires or fireworks. The flames and noise upsets them. They should always be kept safely indoors.  Make sure that they cannot get out through open windows and doors. It is best to keep the curtains closed too and it may be necessary to keep them indoors for several nights around November 5th.

As long as everyone follows the above safety tips and most importantly, remembers that fireworks and sparklers can be dangerous if misused, a good, safe time can be enjoyed by everyone.  Enjoy your celebrations.

Sarah Mellor CMIOSH MIIRSM
Salopian Health & Safety Limited
T: 01630 657084
E: enquiries@salopiansafety.co.uk
W:
SalopianSafety.co.uk