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Safety

fi rst will

bring The ve most common
accidents at work

Handling, lifting or carrying
rewards – 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
Good health and safety objects that are being moved by hand,
practices don’t just protect or with the aid of equipment, such as
a forklift truck .
employees; they also benefi t Contact with moving machinery
the bottom line, writes – this could be due to unguarded
Alison Coleman machinery, or machinery being used
for something other than its designed
purpose. Another factor is tiredness,
which a ects concentration.
igures from the Health and
F Safety Executive (HSE) show Falls from height - common causes
that 137 workers died in the include the incorrect use of ladders or
workplace over the last year. The sca olding, the poor condition of
number of injuries to employees working-at-height equipment, falling
reported totalled 70,116, while 31.2m down unmarked holes, and a general
lack of training.
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 PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY
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: safety is everyone’s business and “They also need to reinforce absence due to having e ective
The Health and Safety at Work companies and 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
Act provides a legal duty for the employees should wheel in its safety logo symbolises health relevant training,” she sa ys. “Some illness or accidents at work, the
prioritise health
management team within a business and safety issues every sta member’s ability to make and safety workers may have personal or health- business will bene t by saving time
to protect the health, safety and 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
welfare of its employees and others 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
who may be a ected by their acts or 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
omissions. In the modern workplace, 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
however, safety has moved on from 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
complicated rules to employers 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
striving to ensure employees are safe 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
24/7 – encouraging them to apply the HR can play a role in health between their consultants, HR are the boosts morale, increases productivity
safety skills gained in the workplace The Workplace (Health, Safety and The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and and safety compliance at work, by employees’ advocate.” and reduces costs,” says Jackson.
to everyday life. Safety systems Welfare) Regulations 1992 Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 ensuring that every employee attends Having good health and safety “Good health and safety
must be led from the top down, with 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
managers not just talking about 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
safety, but actively demonstrating 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
safe working practices. and safe passageways. environmental health department. Check, a provider of health and People and Safety Management, associates. This can help to increase
Opel/Vauxhall takes the view that wellness programmes. explains: “In reducing your sta sales and generate more leads,” he adds.
20 3 February 2018 Be happy! Be happy! 3 February 2018 21