More workplace health and safety fundamentals

Posted on November 4, 2024

One of many reasons that we go on holiday or take a break from work is to calm the mind, to remove ourselves from the stresses and strains of everyday life and breathe. For those of us who work in good environments, where workplace facilities are fit for purpose, where the work place itself does not add to possible stress or anxiety – never mind physical hazards – unwinding from being at work becomes easier.

Have the right facilities

Having the right facilities is fundamental to a safe and healthy working life and it’s a requirement of an employer to provide them.

In practice that means as an employer you must have somewhere to rest and eat meals, a supply of drinking water and the right number of lavatories – separate facilities for men and women, except where each toilet is in a separate room and lockable from the inside – and washbasins, with soap and towels or a hand-dryer. Reasonable adjustments also need to be agreed for workers with disabilities.

It also means that the workplace must by a healthy environment in which people can carry out their job; so that’s a clean environment with good ventilation – a supply of fresh clean air drawn from outside or a ventilation system – and a reasonable working temperature, at least 16 degrees or 13 degrees for more strenuous work (unless other laws require lower temperatures).

Other requirements include suitable lighting and enough space for the work being carried out, and, if relevant to your industry, the right number of workstations and seating. There should also be a place where clothing can be stored, as well as a place for changing if special clothing is required for the job.

In terms of safety, equipment must be well maintained, with no obstruction on floors or walkways with windows that can be easily opened and cleaned safely. (NB: there are specific laws relating to welfare in some higher-risk workplaces, such as construction sites, like lockers and showers and contaminated protective equipment).

Report accidents and illness

Hopefully if you have put in place all the health and safety basics discussed in the last three blogs then you will have no issues. It’s unlikely though and even the safest places of work experience accidents and illnesses.

In law, you must report certain workplace injuries, near-misses and cases of work-related disease to the Health and Safety Executive. This duty has its own regulations known as RIDDOR – that’s the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations. There are specifics that need to be reported, for example the death of a worker; fractures and amputations; crush injuries or injuries to eyes; serious burns; and they must be reported without delay.

Work-related accidents must also be reported where they result in an employee (or self-employed person) being away from work, or unable to do their normal work duties, for more than seven consecutive days, including weekends and rest days, as the result of their injury.

Further, employers and self-employed people must report diagnoses of certain occupational diseases, where these are likely to have been caused or made worse by their work.

Keep records

It’s important to keep records of incidents and if you have more than 10 employees, you must keep an accident book under social security law. Keeping records of incidents helps you to identify patterns of accidents and injuries, to better assess and manage risk in your workplace.

Accidents must be recorded, but don’t need to be reported, where they result in a worker being away from work, or unable to do their normal work duties, for more than three consecutive days.

The Health and Safety Poster

Finally, it may seem obvious but it must be stated, if you employ anyone, you must either display the health and safety law poster where your workers can easily read it or provide each worker with the equivalent health and safety law leaflet. The poster explains British health and safety laws and lists what workers and their employers should do. Displaying other relevant signs is also very good practice.

If you need any advice, we are here to help and we also run a host of training courses covering all aspects of health and safety. Call us on 0151 545 0497.

In the meantime stay safe, stay healthy.