Health & Safety policy/poster
Policy: If you have 5 or more employees you must have a written policy. This needs to describe how you will manage health and safety in your business and this will let your staff and others know about your commitment to health and safety.
Poster: Employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety information for Employees Regulations (HSIER) to display the approved poster in a prominent position in each workplace or to provide each worker with a copy of the approved leaflet that outlines British health and safety law (HSE, 2014).
Risk assessments
Risk assessment is a process of examining what in your work could cause harm to people. When carrying out the risk assessment you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm to your employees. The HSE has produced, five steps to risk assessment template this can be used as a guide and can be adapted to meet the needs of your business.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/Risk/fivesteps.htm
Asbestos
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Asbestos was a widely used material within commercial buildings, homes and machinery until 1999 when it was banned, it may be found in any commercial or domestic building built before the year 2000. Many people have worries about asbestos, but undisturbed asbestos usually poses no problems. However, care should be taken to prevent the release of fibers as they can cause serious damage to your health.
For further information please follow the advice provided on our website of how to deal with asbestos in the home. http://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/environment/asbestos/asbestos-home
The HSE also has a comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked questions
http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/faq.htm
Free Beware Asbestos web app - protect yourself and your workmates
Workplace Transport
Every year people are killed in accidents involving workplace transport either being knocked down, run over or crushed against fixed parts by vehicles. People also fall from vehicles whether getting on or off, working at height or when loading or unloading. The HSE has a comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked questions regarding work place transport including the following:
Vehicles at work, vehicle safety, people safety and site safety.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/
Work at Height
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 aim to prevent death and injury caused by a fall from height. The law requires that employers and self-employed contractors assess the risk from work at height. They provide a hierarchy of controls to be implemented these are;
- avoid work at height where it is reasonably practicable to do so;
- where work at height cannot be avoided, prevent falls using either an existing place of work that is already safe or the right type of equipment;
- minimise the distance and consequences of a fall, by using the right type of equipment where the risk cannot be eliminated.
The HSE has a comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked questions regarding work at height including the following:
Assessing work at height, Roof work, fragile surfaces, ladders, tower scaffolds.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/faqs.htm
Manual Handling
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
The employers responsibility is to avoid manual handling if there is a there is a risk of injury, in addition employees have a duty to take care of their own health and safety.
The HSE has a comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked questions regarding manual handling including the following:
Is there a maximum weight a person can lift during their work?
Is there a guide to help with manual handling assessments?
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/manualhandling.htm
Slips and Trips
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require floors to be suitable, in good condition and free from obstruction. Straightforward measures can readily control risks, for example, ensuring spillages are cleaned up promptly so people do not slip. Please refer to the risk assessment section to be able to identify trip hazards and to put controls in place to prevent the risk of accidents.
The HSE has a comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked questions regarding slips and trips these include:
How do I stop slip accidents happening?
How do I check whether my floor is slip resistant?
http://www.hse.gov.uk?slips/faq.htm
First Aid in the Workplace
The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 require employers to provide adequate and appropriate equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure their employees receive immediate attention if they are injured or taken ill at work.
The HSE has a comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked questions regarding first aid at work, including the following:
First-aid equipment
First-aid box
First-aid signs
Tablets and medication
http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/faqs.htm
Further work place health and safety concerns
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 lay down requirements for most aspects of the working environment including the following:
Workplace temperature requirements or how many toilets should a workplace have?
Working Time Regulations 1998 is enforced between different authorities the entitlements to rest and leave are enforced through employment tribunals. The HSE has a comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked questions including:
Rest breaks at work
Young or adolescent workers
Daily rest and weekly rest
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/index.htm
http://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/faqs/workingtime.htm
New business advice
Printed copies can be requested by emailing or telephoning, see contact details.