Page 20 - Full_BritainsTopEmployers_2018

Safety
fi rst will
bring
rewards
Good health and safety
practices don’t just protect
employees; they also benefi t
the bottom line, writes
Alison Coleman
igures from the Health and
F Safety Executive (HSE) show
that 137 workers died in the
workplace over the last year. The
number of injuries to employees
reported totalled 70,116, while 31.2m
working days were lost due to work-
related illness and workplace injury.
That’s why organisations should
be striving to create a positive
environment in which employees
don’t just survive, but thrive. Health
and safety and wellness should be top
priority for HR personnel, as illnesses
and injuries, particularly those that are
work related, lead to nancial burdens
for both employer and employee. Sensible checks:
The Health and Safety at Work companies and
Act provides a legal duty for the employees should
prioritise health
management team within a business and safety issues
to protect the health, safety and
welfare of its employees and others
who may be a ected by their acts or
omissions. In the modern workplace,
however, safety has moved on from
complicated rules to employers
striving to ensure employees are safe
24/7 – encouraging them to apply the
safety skills gained in the workplace
to everyday life. Safety systems
must be led from the top down, with
managers not just talking about
safety, but actively demonstrating
safe working practices.
Opel/Vauxhall takes the view that
20 3 February 2018 Be happy!
The ve most common
accidents at work
Handling, lifting or carrying
– caused by lack of training, lifting
beyond recommended lifting capacity,
or whil e injured, and moving items in a
repetitive manner.
Slips, trips or falls – can be the
result of poor oor conditions,
unmarked hazards, such as liquid
spillages, ice in poor weather
conditions, incorrect footwear, and
protrusions from the oor.
Being struck by a moving object
– this could include being struck by
objects that are being moved by hand,
or with the aid of equipment, such as
a forklift truck .
Contact with moving machinery
– this could be due to unguarded
machinery, or machinery being used
for something other than its designed
purpose. Another factor is tiredness,
which a ects concentration.
Falls from height - common causes
include the incorrect use of ladders or
sca olding, the poor condition of
working-at-height equipment, falling
down unmarked holes, and a general
lack of training.
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY
safety is everyone’s business and “They also need to reinforce absence due to having e ective
The main regulations around health and safety at work everyone’s responsibility. The steering ‘With good attendance of both mandatory and control measures in place regarding
wheel in its safety logo symbolises health relevant training,” she sa ys. “Some illness or accidents at work, the
every sta member’s ability to make and safety workers may have personal or health- business will bene t by saving time
The Management of Health and Safety The Health and Safety (Display Screen personal decisions about safety, which related problems that deter them from and costs associated with recruiting
at Work Regulations 1999 Equipment) Regulations 1992 is also re ected in the company’s measures, attending training courses such as and training a new member of sta .
Employers must carry out risk
This applies to employees who use a
assessments concerning sta health computer as a signi cant part of their safety strapline: It’s Personal, Own It . your sta manual handling, which is pertinent But the bene ts to the individual
and safety and provide employees with normal work. Employers need to carry out “Each of us owes it to ourselves and can do their to preventing injuries. Therefore, HR are probably more pertinent for
information and training on occupational risk assessment of workstations, ensure our co-workers to ensure we get home personnel should be approachable sta . “With good health and safety
health and safety; they must also have a that sta take adequate breaks, and safe and sound at the end of the day,” work more and accessible to employees. Just as measures, your sta can do their work
written health and safety policy. provide regular eyesight tests. says a company spokesperson. easily’ nurses are seen as a patient’s advocate more easily and safely, which also
HR can play a role in health between their consultants, HR are the boosts morale, increases productivity
The Workplace (Health, Safety and The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and and safety compliance at work, by employees’ advocate.” and reduces costs,” says Jackson.
Welfare) Regulations 1992 Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 ensuring that every employee attends Having good health and safety “Good health and safety
These regulations require employers Employers are required to report work- their induction prior to starting in working practices in place delivers performance will help the business to
to provide adequate lighting, heating, related incidents, injuries and diseases to their role, says Abigail Morakinyo, many business bene ts, as Paul build a positive reputation with your
ventilation and workspace, sta facilities, the H S E, or to the nearest local authority nurse and founder of Health in Jackson, safety adviser at Howarths clients and sta and their friends and
and safe passageways. environmental health department. Check, a provider of health and People and Safety Management, associates. This can help to increase
wellness programmes. explains: “In reducing your sta sales and generate more leads,” he adds.
Be happy! 3 February 2018 21