Managing Health and Safety in the workplace is not only an essential part of management planning and daily implementation, but it is also an essential part of running a good business.
Employees who feel that their company genuinely has their best interests at heart, including a safe working environment, are far more likely to be productive in their roles and loyal and committed to their employer.
Here are some vital tips to make your Health and Safety planning easier, and to guide your policy-making from the outset.
1. Planning the right policy
Writing a good Health and Safety policy involves focusing on the following:
- Stating the company's general stance on Health and Safety at work, what the company wants to achieve and defining hazards and risks
- Apportioning responsibility so that there are clear lines of reporting and action within each department, and overall.
- Listing the clear deliverables of the company and each staff member in order to achieve the goals outlined in the above statements. These could include training, signage, equipment, drills and changes to existing hazards to make the environment safer. These can also include ensuring there is access to clean drinking water, appropriate washroom and toilet facilities and accessibility for disabled employees.
To achieve the above, it is useful to consult with organisations who specialise in identifying risks and hazards, who understand policy-making at a macro- and micro-level and who are able to assess your company's needs to help you create a suitable policy.
It is also advisable to consult with all employees to ensure that all reasonable needs and requests are considered, and met where appropriate.
2. Actioning the policy correctly
Once your policy plan is in place and all responsibilities and initial deliverables have been actioned, it's a matter of 'getting on with it'. Key action points to note include:
- Ensuring that everyone in the organisation has received competent training and advice.
- Ensuring there is a transparent communications structure from the ground up so that all employees are able to voice concerns with confidence.
- Ensuring appropriate response procedures are in place and well-communicated so that all staff are able to react as they should during an incident.
3. Continuous assessment and improvement
It is highly important to ensure that there are appropriate auditing and reporting structures in place, as well as regular consultations with staff and consultants to ensure that existing policies remain appropriate or to make amendments where necessary.
- Ensure you keep excellent records at all times, covering periods with and without incident
- Compare your company's performance with the sector – how are you performing?
- Review national policy changes regularly to ensure your policy is compliant.
For advice, assessment and training guidance on all matters Health and Safety related, contact us today on 0845 017 9866 or email us on office@encompasssafetysolutions.co.uk.
