Page 27 - Gi flipbook - October 2018

Some engineers are fully aware of the ■ Incorrectly handling flues in voids in
gas boilers
regulations and choose to willingly ■ Faulty installations that lead to the
disregard them in the hope of risk of gas leaks and dangerous
accumulations of the products of
outrunning the law, but many simply combustion
don’t understand their obligations ■ Incorrect use of dredging hoses
■ Leaving cylinders within close
and commit violations completely proximity to naked flames or
public access
unaware of the ramifications The safety trainer will ask staff to
perform commonly dangerous tasks
under his guidance, hand out check-lists
or other self-check options, and answer
questions until everyone is able to carry
out the work flawlessly. If someone on
the team still feels unsure about certain
tasks, or is not confident to carry them
out by themselves, further training is
required. Safety training should not feel
like a lecture – where everyone just sits
and listens – it should be an
interactive, dynamic workshop that
helps workers deepen their
knowledge and feel more comfortable
when in dangerous situations.
CREATING A PRODUCTIVE
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
Health and safety regulations are not
stopping businesses from success. In
fact, research has shown that $1
(£0.77) invested in injury prevention
can return between $2 and $6
(£1.55-£4.65) further down the line.
managers or senior staff may not be every time new staff join the team. Increased productivity, motivation, and
able to spot safety pitfalls. Having an During training, workers should learn sustainability, a lower staff turnover
outside party come to the workplace how to handle tools and equipment rate, and decreased losses from
and assess the situation with a fresh adequately, how to avoid and handle workplace interruptions can profit a
view will help to identify issues that dangerous situations, and how to company immensely.
were not previously picked up. comply with all applicable safety Besides the economic advantages of
However, fulfilling the legal regulations. This should not only a good health and safety strategy,
requirements does not safeguard a include briefings of policies on paper, minimising the risks of accidents or
company from safety breaches. In the but also hands-on and tightly illnesses should be an easy, ethical
end, it comes down to the engineer to monitored physical training by a decision. To create a working
carry out work according to policy and certified safety consultant. environment that attracts talented,
to avoid violations and unsafe work. Often, this type of training is elite employees, the company needs
Therefore, safety training is the most notoriously boring, uninformative and to show it cares and is proactive
important part of a good health and quickly forgotten about. To ensure about its workers’ wellbeing. Only if
safety strategy. workers actually learn the correct these basic conditions are met will the
Not every engineer is trained for safety behaviour, and are able to employer and the employee be able
every work task or situation. Under no implement those learnings in reality, is to work together to create a
circumstances should the employer the main responsibility of a good safety successful future. ■
instruct an underqualified or manager. This means making staff
inexperienced worker to carry out work perform tasks under the close guidance ■ Arinite provides health and safety
he is not competent to do. Despite and surveillance of the safety trainer, services and support to a diverse
ensuring that staff are assigned to so they can spot slip-ups in person. customer base including financial
suitable tasks, those tasks need to be Common mistakes include: service companies, retail chains,
carried out correctly and confidently. ■ Insufficient protection from schools, manufacturers, assembly
electrical circuits plants, warehouses, transport
COMMON (HAZARDOUS) ■ Choosing unsuitable appliances for companies, social enterprises and
MISTAKES installation leisure facilities across the UK and
Workplace safety training should take ■ Failing to provide appropriate Ireland. For more information visit
place at least every six months, or maintenance www.arinite.co.uk

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