Health and safety in the workplace is and has always been essential for ensuring the maximum safety of employees, as well as ensuring compliance with health and safety legislation. Not only can accidents in the workplace cause serious harm to your employees or guests, but they can have a detrimental impact on your reputation.
It’s no secret that enforcing high-quality health and safety takes resources, time, and money. However, it’s important to note that not having the correct health and safety measures in place can result in losing you a lot more money.
So with this in mind, it’s important to consider who is responsible for workplace health and safety? In this latest blog post, we’ll be covering all you need to know on this topic and what your responsibilities are.
Workplace Health And Safety – Who’s Responsible?
Essentially, it is the responsibility of the employer / business owner and the responsible person to ensure that all health and safety requirements are being fully met for the safety of employees, guests, and visitors.
In order to meet all health and safety requirements, employers must carry out the following;
H&S Audits – Employers are legally-obligated to carry out comprehensive health and safety audits which involves following a 5-step process which analyses the current systems, procedures, and potential hazards. In order to do this professionally, it’s essential to contact a trusted and accredited health and safety consultant just like Business Safety Solutions.
Provide Training – As an employer, you are also legally-obligated to ensure you are providing sufficient health and safety training. This is essential for staff and employees to ensure they understand all potential risks or hazards within your workplace to minimise and/or eliminate injuries or accidents from occurring. Gaining sufficient health and safety information is paramount.
Provide PPE – Depending on the industry your business is operating in, it may also be your responsibility for providing PPE (personal protective equipment) to reduce risks in the workplace. For example, if you operate within a warehouse or factory, gloves, masks, and other types of appropriate PPE should be provided by you, the employer.
H&S Policies – If your company employs 5 or more people, you are legally-obligated to have well-written health and safety policies. This is hugely important for effectively communicating essential health and safety procedures to the whole workforce.
Fire Risk Assessments – Similarly to health and safety policies, if your company employs more than five people, you must ensure that you have carried out a comprehensive fire risk assessment. Ultimately, a fire risk assessment ensures that you have identified what you need to do to prevent fire and keep people safe.
Effective Communication – In an ever-changing business world, it’s also your responsibility to ensure that you are communicating with your employees and workforce about any changes that are being made on a weekly or monthly basis. Meetings to update your workforce about health and safety changes is highly recommended.
Is There A Responsibility For Employees?
Although employees are ultimately responsible for putting systems and health & safety procedures in place, there is also a responsibility for employees to consider and take accountability for. As HSE states ”workers have a duty to take care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by [their] actions at work”. Employees must fully cooperate with the health and safety policies and systems set out by the employer.
Contact Us Today
Business Safety Solutions work with businesses of all sizes and industries to ensure full compliance and maximum business safety. We are able to provide all of the above services, including health and safety audits, policies, fire risk assessments, safe operating procedures, and more. Get in touch with us today on 01244 455277 to book your consultation and discuss your requirements.
We cover the entirety of the North Of England and offer a fully bespoke and professional service.
