They come in different shapes, they come in different sizes. Some are big, some are small. We’re talking about businesses, of course. What did you think we meant?
We are all unique, we are all different. We exist as separate entities, floating through the vocational galaxy.
Take a telescopic look though, and your eyes will wander upon a gravitational strand pulling us all together.
This, fellow business owners, is health and safety: the common denominator conjoining all of us into an holistic superstructure.
It is the duty of each and every one of us to ensure safe working environments for staff, customers, communities and the environment.
We thought it would be handy, then, to reel off 8 simple do-it-yourself tips that will help towards running a safe and healthy business.
Health and safety tip 1: risk profile
Set sail with a risk profile. This basically means assessing the nature and level of threats that face your business. Once the risks are identified you can then prioritise and take measures to control them.
Health and safety tip 2: ask staff
Not only is it a legal requirement to talk to your employees about health and safety issues, it just makes plain sense. After all, those on the ground see things you might not.
Health and safety tip 3: workplace competence
Carrying out one’s job competently is required by health and safety laws. Seek advice and ensure everyone in your organisation understands what they are doing and how they should be doing it. That way you’ll bake your competency cake to perfection.
Health and safety tip 4: do the shake and vac
At home, you may kick the mess under the rug but, at work, it’s a whole different kettle of fish. Keep an eye out for trip hazards, cables protruding from walls and anything else that may be of hazard to you, staff and customers.
Health and safety tip 6: maintain safety at all times
You are legally responsible for making sure your premises and equipment remain in a safe condition. Lock a planned maintenance system in place and routinely check that which needs checking.
Health and safety tip 7: extinguish fire risks
Workplace fire safety is not only essential for you and your workers, it is a mandatory obligation under the Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order 2005. So do all you can to extinguish fire risks, putting a safety policy in place which includes an emergency evacuation plan.
Health and safety tip 8: first aid
The last health and safety tip on today’s agenda is the most obvious but it remains one of the most important. The level of provision required hinges on the number of people on your premises and level of risks identified. A first aid box might, for instance, be adequate in a small office environment whereas, in other cases, employees will need first aid training.
