Why is H&S Vital for a Business?
Having a workplace safety policy guarantees the well-being of employees and protects employers against costly disregard risks. Looking after health and safety policies creates good business sense. Businesses that may neglect these policies may lose staff, upsurge costs, or decrease profitability.
Ignorance for employee wellbeing was widespread in the past, fortunately, historical cases of poor health and safety at work are now confined by a past era, but serves as a reminder of why health and safety are vital for any business. There are several reasons businesses nowadays achieve a safety culture as it provides a lot of benefits to them.
Who is Accountable for Health & Safety in the Workplace?
Putting it in simple words, everyone is responsible for maintaining adequate health and safety standards within the workplace, but employers are ultimately required to do so. However, both employers and employers have certain responsibilities to ensure safety at work.
Employers Responsibilities
Employers must:
· Outline an inclusive health & safety policy
· Conduct thorough risk assessment for any hazard that may affect workers’ safety
· Provides clear information and training
Employees Responsibilities
Employees must:
· Remain informed of h&s policies of their workplace
· Follow best practices to mitigate risks where possible
· Maintain good communication with the employers
The Three Steps to Promote Health and Safety Within the Workplace
It is clear that health and safety are of supreme importance no matter where you work, and achieving a strong safety culture depends on employees adhering to workplace policies. Therefore, the following ways can help to promote health and safety in an organisation.
1. Improve Employee Engagement
Employee engagement is a working approach to promote and establish a good commitment between employers and employees to take part in improving workplace safety. Engaging staff will help them understand what is expected from them and so it enables them to confidently carry out their responsibilities.
2. Maintain a Safe Working Environment
Being an employer, you are responsible for maintaining a safe work environment. Delivering the correct environment gives the right setting for employees to follow h&s guidelines, and so enables them to remain compliant with their organisational policies.
3. Training Employees Well
Providing comprehensive training plays a vital role in preventing workplace injuries. Ensuring that all of your staff members have access to and receive complete safety training for their roles.
Important Health and Safety Training Programmes for Employees
The following training courses will help employees and their supervisors to promote safety at work:
1. UKATA Asbestos Awareness Course
The UKATA asbestos awareness online course educates trainees about the potential hazards related to asbestos exposure and ensures they follow current legislation around asbestos fibres to remain safe at work.
2. IOSH Managing Safely Programme
The IOSH managing safely course offers managers the skill required to apply health and safety management systems at work and covers a variety of areas relevant across all levels of organisations. This training course provides knowledge to the upper management to become champions of h&s in the workplace.
3. Working at Heights Training Online
This working at heights training online is essential for those employees working in a setting that can cause falls from heights. This programme offers an IIRSM certificate to the trainees undertaking the course successfully and assists them in meeting compliance to promote safety at work.
4. Manual Handling in Construction Course
This course is ideal for workforces employed in the construction industry. Adequate training is essential while conducting lifting and moving tasks and this manual handling in construction course gives hands-on knowledge to those conducting such activities to ensure safe work practices.
5. Confined Space Training
Confined space training is also considered a vital course within a workplace or organisation. According to an estimation, around 15 workers are killed yearly due to a lack of adequate confined space training. Therefore, employers must create awareness among staff carrying out such work to ensure they remain safe in case of an emergency.
Summary
Health and safety are an integral part of any business or the workplace to build a good reputation and to ensure the well-being of its personnel. Therefore, everyone plays a role together and individually to promote safety and health within the workplace and adequate training is the key to achieve these goals.
