Making people aware of health and safety issues at work
If you are a line manager or supervisor of any kind, or if you own or run a business, then an important part of your job is making sure staff and employees are aware of health and safety issues at work. In fact, it is not only important, it is a legal requirement.
The Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 applies to all work places in the UK and covers the general duties that employers have towards employees and members of the public, as well as the duties employees have towards one another.
As an employer, it is your responsibility to ensure that employees are sufficiently trained in health and safety, for example by sending staff on a health and safety course when required. As an employee, it is your responsibility to carry out the health and safety training offered to you, for example, by completing a manual handling certificate if you are required to do so as part of your job.
Making employees aware of health and safety at work is important, and there are many different ways you can do this. As we have discussed, sending staff on the required courses and ensuring all relevant health and safety training is carried out is a good place to start.
On top of training and health and safety courses, make staff aware of health and safety issues at work by ensuring that everyone knows the fire procedure and where the fire exits are located. Ensure there are trained first aiders within the workforce and that all other staff know who they are, and ensure there is a well-stocked first aid box and all employees know where it is located and how to access it.
Making sure everyone is aware of health and safety issues at work will lead to a safer, and therefore happier and more productive, workforce so it is certainly within your best interests to do so.
