A business is legally responsible for the health and safety of its people; staff, clients, customers, the general public, and anyone that may be affected by the business. Businesses have a duty to do what it can to keep those it effects safe from harm as reasonably practicable. The predominant legislation for this obligation is the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This article outlines the basics needed to comply with legislation.
A business start-up needs to comply with health and safety legislation and regulations. Duties required to meet these obligations include to appoint a competent individual for the health and safety of the business, where they will be responsible for health and safety compliance and deal with health and safety matters.
For a business with five or more employees, there is a legal requirement to have in place a written health and safety policy, with less than five employees there is no legal requirement but is good practice to have a written policy in place. The policy should contain information about expectations and guidance in emergency situations, maintaining good conditions, preventing illness and accidents, instructions and training requirements for workers.
Risk assessments need to be undertaken at regular intervals to evaluate and reduce risk. It does so by identifying the hazards, the associated risk of that hazard, who is likely to encounter the hazard and potentially suffer harm, and the factors and considerations to reduce and or control the risk of harm. A business should be prepared in the event of a fire, with clear access to fire exits, refuge and assembly points, fire equipment and staff should receive instructions on fire safety and evacuation procedures A business should also have an appointed, trained first-aider, well-stocked first aid boxes should be available and an accident book to record incidents at work.
Employees should be encouraged to discuss health and safety issues, provided with training and clear instructions to carry out their work safely. Th business hound display and make available to all workers the HSE health and safety at work poster. Copies should be displayed in the workplace and leaflets can be distributed to staff.
Workers are entitled welfare facilities, including toilets, and a place to eat and take rest breaks. The working environment should be clean, well-lit, and supportive for staff to carry out their duties effectively such as through the use of ergonomic equipment.
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