Health & Safety Training Ltd

Health and Safety FAQs

Trusted reviews from Reviews.io

Read our - reviews

Health and Safety FAQs

Whether you run a large construction company or a small retail unit, you will need to observe the necessary health and safety requirements that will keep your workforce and visitors safe, and will ensure your business is operating within the law. There is a lot of health and safety law, which can be complex, and although it won’t all apply to your environment, it is all essential, so make sure you understand exactly what you need to do.

We know the masses of information can be frustrating and overwhelming, but there are very good reasons for it all…

  • On average there are 181 deaths reported every year as a result of work-related accidents
  • Last year 27 million working days were lost due to work-related illnesses, costing £13.4 billion
  • 1.1 million currently suffer from a work-related illness

To help clarify some of the more commonly queried issues, we’ve put together a few FAQs that might help make sense of the mass of regulations.

What kind of First Aid provisions should I make?

According to The Health and Safety (first aid) Regulations 1981, as an employer you are required to ensure that your staff have access to adequate first-aid equipment, trained providers and sufficient facilities to make sure they have immediate access to assistance should they get injured, fall ill or have an accident.

All work environments need at least:

  • A fully stocked first aid box
  • An appointed person to take charge of first aid provisions
  • Information for employees about first aid arrangements

Depending on the size of your workforce and the hazards present you will need to provide trained first aiders to ensure they have access to treatment should they require it.

Low Hazard (shops, offices, etc)

Less than 25 employees – At least one Appointed Person

25-50 employees – At least one first aider trained in EFAW

More than 50 employees  – At least one first aider trained in 3 day FAW for every 100

High Hazard (construction, warehousing, etc)

Less than 5 employees – At least one Appointed Person

5-50 employees – At least one first aider trained in EFAW or FAW (injury specific)

More than 50 employees  – At least one first aider trained in 3 day FAW for every 50

Do I need a risk assessment?

The short answer is YES. Whether you employ 1 or 100 people, you must assess all significant hazards and the associated risks to staff, visitors and even passers-by, and ensure you have taken steps to reduce and manage the risks wherever possible. If you employ more than 5 people, you must also record your findings.

This is because you have a legal duty to protect the health and safety of your staff under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Some of the more common risks assessed and managed in risk assessments include:

  • Manual Handling
  • Upper Limb Disorders
  • Repetitive Stress Injuries
  • Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Do I use hazardous substances?

Even if your work doesn’t include the use of chemicals, chances are you at least store and use cleaning fluids and detergents that could be hazardous if not properly managed.

The COSHH regulations control the safe handling, storage and use of any potentially hazardous substances, including:

  • Oils, fuel & greases
  • Adhesives & paints
  • Cleaning materials
  • Substances generated during work activities (fumes from soldering, dust from grinding)
  • Naturally occurring substances (grain dust)

As an employer you are responsible for the safe management of all of these substances. As such you should carry out a COSHH risk assessment and decide what precautions should be taken to prevent or control the risks, keeping your employees informed of necessary precautions and ensure you have undertaken the required training.

Are my employees at risk from asbestos?

As an employer or owner of a building, you are responsible for making sure you are aware of any present asbestos. To do this you should have a site survey undertaken to identify any Asbestos Containing Materials (ACMs), and record an asbestos risk assessment that details how you will manage the risk of exposure and keep your employees safe.

You may not be required to have the asbestos removed – especially if disturbing it will enhance the risk to those present, but you will be required to ensure your staff have the appropriate training so they can also take steps to protect themselves from the risks posed by asbestos.

Durham Firm Fined For Dangerous Construction Site HSE News – Company owner jailed after worker falls to his death
Menu Courses 0191 644 0332 0191 644 0332
Top

By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, assist in our marketing efforts, and for personalised advertising.

More Information Accept All Cookies