Is it time to review your firm’s health and safety policies?
There are countless rules and regulations to adhere to as an employer, especially when it comes to health and safety. Whilst they may seem overwhelming – leaving you wondering exactly where your responsibilities lie – health and safety rules are necessary to protect your employees whilst they are in the workplace.
Health and safety risk assessment
To adhere to the law, you or a “competent person” designated by you must undertake a health and safety risk assessment. This encompasses an in-depth look of all the risks involved in work activities or in the workplace itself. Whilst some may be specific to the nature of the business, the most commonly occurring risks are associated with:
- Using a visual display unit (VDU) such as a computer
- Lifting and carrying
- Exposure to potentially hazardous substances
- Noisy working environments
It can be a good idea to hire a professional consultant to review your health and safety risk assessment. However, you can do it yourself by undertaking a health and safety training course, which should help you understand your responsibilities and all of the relevant regulations. As well as learning how to adhere to regulations in your workplace, this sort of course will also provide you with a valuable qualification.