This page gives you information about the HSE's new Health and Safety Made Simple guide and more.
For many businesses, all that’s required is some basic tasks. The guidance will take you through the steps and help make sure you’ve done what you need to do.
Click here to download a copy of the HSE's Health and Safety Made Simple.
Click here for more information from the HSE 's website.
If you have just started your business, you may benefit from knowing the main legal requirements relating to health and safety.
Further details can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website.
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the main duties of employers are to:
Provide equipment and ways of working that are safe and without risks to health.
Ensure the safe handling, storage, transport and use of items and substances.
Provide adequate information, instruction, training and supervision.
Maintain the workplace in a safe condition, including means of access.
Provide a work environment that is safe and provide adequate welfare facilities.
Ensure non-employees are not at risk.
Employees must:
Take reasonable care of themselves and others who could be affected by their actions.
Co-operate with their employer on matters of health and safety.
Self-employed persons have duties to:
Ensure their own health and safety.
Ensure the safety of non-employees who may be put at risk.
The duties above are qualified by the phrase 'so far as is reasonably practicable'. This means the cost and effort of doing something should be balanced against the risk. The greater the risk posed by a work activity, the greater the control measures will need to be. This process is fundamental to effective health and safety performance.
Effective management of health and safety will reduce the risk of accidents and occupational ill health. Good safety management will involve:
planning
organising
controlling
monitoring
reviewing
Health and Safety policy statements are required when more than five people are employed. They should include:
An overview of policy.
An explanation of directors, managers and employees’ responsibilities.
Details of the arrangements for securing a safe and healthy workplace.
Training Training should be given whenever necessary and may range from general inductions to more complex issues. An initial training checklist may include the following:
company safety set up/reporting structure
fire and evacuation procedures
first aid provision and location
safety procedures for equipment/machines, processes, activities, hazardous locations
general safety rules, housekeeping etc.
accident/ill health/defect reporting
use of personal protective equipment/safety equipment
This list should not be seen as exhaustive/definitive. Risk assessment This is required for all work activities and involves:
identifying hazards
evaluating risks
implementing and maintaining control measures
recording the findings of the risk assessment (only if you employ five or more persons)
monitoring and reviewing assessments
Competent person(s) A competent person(s) must be appointed to help carry out your health and safety responsibilities. They should have the necessary training, experience, knowledge and other appropriate qualities.
Records that may need to be maintained or kept include:
accident book (if you have more than 10 employees)
accident forms (F2508)
health and safety policy statement
general risk assessments
COSHH
manual handling
display screen equipment
noise
personal protective equipment
statutory inspection certificates
lifting plant and equipment
equipment maintenance
electrical system and appliances
training
For more detailed information of the topics listed above please see the following webpages:
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Health and Safety Made Simple - the basics for your business - HSE small buisness guide
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