Jobhop Jobhop's blog : Tips For Implementing Robust Health And Safety Policies
Health and safety should amount to more than a few vague slogans.
It should be a crucial pillar of your infrastructure, supported by many effective policies.
There are, unfortunately, many failings when it comes to these measures.
For example, even the government’s health and safety watchdog failed to shut down workplaces that put employees at risk of contracting coronavirus.
Therefore, how you approach health and safety matters even more.
The key is consistency. Only robust health and safety measures can provide a framework in the workplace that keeps workers safe.
Read on for suggestions on implementing policies of your own more effectively.
Conduct Thorough Risk Assessments
Health and safety risk assessments are a legal obligation and must be conducted around each role. That said, there is a difference between idly ticking boxes and fully committing yourself to the process.
There is a simple step-by-step procedure to follow here; identify hazards, assess risks, control risks, record findings, and review controls. Though you may be capable of following this pattern, your business should attempt to go deeper and leave no stone unturned.
For instance, though you’re allowed to investigate these matters alone, it could be good to appoint a health and safety officer internally. Alternatively, you could seek external help from registered consultants on the Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register (OSHCR). Ensure any help is competent enough to meet your health and safety aims before bringing them onboard.
Build Knowledge
Part of building competency parallels building knowledge. Many aspects of health and safety revolve around routine. However, there can certainly be a few curveballs that are occasionally thrown your way, so your health and safety officers need to stay updated on the latest knowledge and guidance.
For instance, the health and safety courses from iHASCO will help to improve your worker’s health and safety knowledge, thereby reducing risk in the workplace. These credible learning materials also ensure that your workplace is legally compliant. All the latest legislation is detailed, and these offerings have CPD certification, meaning you can trust the content provided completely.
There is always a temptation to assume mastery over health and safety, especially if you have effective policies in place already. However, there is no ‘endgame’ with these efforts. Rather, it’s a process that requires constant maintenance and updates, and online courses can ensure your policies are robust indefinitely, rather than for a fleeting moment.
Focus on Clarity
As useful as online courses are, they shouldn’t do all the talking on your behalf. Robust health and safety policies are facilitated by effective communication.
Each policy you develop needs a clear statement of intent, which should also be reviewed regularly. A section titled ‘responsibilities’ is also essential, outlining specific details on what roles people play within the policy. The next part, entitled ‘arrangements’, should outline how all your health and safety objectives will be met. On-site visitors and sub-contractors should be covered by policies where applicable.
In the end, you must acutely define every inch of the health and safety policy.
Once done, you should pass the details on to relevant colleagues. There shouldn’t be any inquiries if you have provided clarity with the policy itself, so more work could be needed if there are.
Author Tom Guest Blogger
Photo by Oliver Hale on Unsplash
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