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The
Facts
In ONE year…
- More
than 150,000 reported workplace incidents
-
379 avoidable deaths
- 10%
of incidents result in personal injury
-
Cost the UK economy - £16 billion
- Cost
UK companies - £5,450,000 in fines
Source:- British Safety Council
Summary
Costs of accidents and ill health hurt
companies. Effective H&S makes good business sense:
- A
safe, healthier workforce
- higher
morale
- reduced
risk to the business
-
improved productivity
-
Better relationships with suppliers and contractors
- Improved
organisation reputation
- Increased
Turnover and Profitability
But all Directors are personally at risk
if Health and Safety is not addressed - responsibility cannot
be delegated!
Maximum penalty for non compliance is
jail & immediate closure of business.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
There are many Acts that regulate Health and Safety in the workplace.
However the one that defines the environment is The Health and Safety
at Work Act 1974. The key aspects are:
-
Employers must, as far as is reasonably practicable, safeguard the health,
safety and welfare of employees. Specifically this extends to the provision
and maintaining of:
-
Safe plant and safe systems of work
- Safe
handling, storage, maintenance and transport of work articles and
substances
- Necessary
information, instruction, training and supervision
-
A safe place of work, with safe access and egress
- A
safe environment with adequate welfare facilities
- This
is a legal requirement for all organisations
- Burden
of proof is with the defendant (ie you must prove you took all reasonable
precautions)
- A
formal written policy must exist for all organisations with more than
5 employees.
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC)
The HSC is responsible for developing health and safety policies.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
The HSE is the enforcement and advisory body for the HSC. It ensures that
risks to people’s health and safety from work activities are properly
controlled. It has the power to
-
Inspect any work place at any time
-
Issue Improvement Notices (rectification)
-
Issue Prohibition Notices (stop trading)
-
Prosecute (for failing to comply) which can lead to:
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