Mention Health and Safety and most people will roll their eyes and maybe stifle a yawn. The stringent red tape has made it a subject to be feared and dreaded, especially for small businesses. We all worry that one missing bit of paper or trail of information will leave us exposed to the perils of a blame culture. And there are those out there feeding our fear in order to sell failsafe solutions.

Fear aside, it is, a vital part of a business’s duty of care, especially to their employees. Most health and safety procedures are down to common sense, and showing people the safest way to perform their job role is just sensible practise. And helping the workforce consider others around them as they get on with their work should be all part of the training.

Recently, I’ve been updating our policies and procedures and trying to tie them all together in one practical Health and Safety Guide. And, to be honest, I have been tempted by these offers of instant fixes and ‘cover-your-arse’ solutions! But I am glad I have really given our working practices serious thought and consideration. It feels like I now have documentation and procedures that really reflect the work we do, and the complex nature of working at over 50 different sites.

Next step, formal training courses for all Supervisor level staff, refreshers in some case. Then we will apply for our CHAS Registration as proof to others that we have done things properly and take the health and safety of our team and those around them seriously, that we don’t just pay it lip service and take the simplest option!
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