Helping our clients to see their objectives
more clearly.
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Table of Contents
Why do we need a Statement of Safety Policy?A. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 demands that all employers have a written Statement of Safety Policy. It is your declaration regarding WHAT your objectives are. It does not need to be a long and complicated document. Back to Top
I've seen some very thick manuals, why?A. The policy statement must be followed by information regarding the organisational set-up for implementing the policy and the arrangements for carrying out the nitty-gritty. In other words who will do what, how they will do it, how often, etc. to ensure that your company has a meaningful and effective safety culture and can prove it in the event of an accident or incident. The statement is simply the first step. Back to Top
A. Vizion 21 have devised a management system which is light on text and heavy on practicality in such a way that it can be tailored to the specific needs of your company. By outlining general guidance, keeping legal jargon to a minimum and providing a substantial number of checklists and self-audit documents Vizion 21 make safety management achievable. The management system addresses the need for 'risk assessment' whether of a general or specific nature; can be completed by almost anyone without the expenditure of a great deal of time; and, if properly done, allow for the senior management to focus on the needs of the business. Above all it will increase standards of safety in the company. It will also demonstrate to HSE inspectors and others that the company is committed to achieving a positive safety culture. Back to Top
A. It is the means by which you identify 'hazards' in the workplace followed by an assessment of the 'risk' of the hazard causing an accident or incident. The use of our simple guidelines in association with a scoring system sorts the wood from the trees. You will find that it demonstrates that you have already done a great deal of informal risk assessment. Fire safety for instance and first aid. It will show up those areas, subjects, tasks or operations where significant risk exists and lead you through the maze of how to control or eliminate them. Where necessary they will induce the production of safe systems of work. Again you will find that you already do this in an informal way, but probably in a way which would not help you defend yourself in the event of a serious accident. Back to Top
The first fear most managers tasked with health & safety face when risk assessing is how much time should I spend doing the process. If I spend too little I may miss hazards and be criticized for producing assessments which are not suitable and sufficient. The second fear is spending too much time doing the process that their core business activities suffer. A. The key message is that there is no magic formula for doing risk assessment. The Code of Practice on the Management of health & Safety at Work Regulations states that "The assessment will depend on the nature of the undertaking and the type and extent of the hazards and risks. Above all the process needs to be practical and it should involve management, whether or not advisers or consultants assist with the detail. Employers should ensure that those involved take all reasonable care in carrying out the risk assessment although the assessment would not expected to cover risks which were not reasonably foreseeable." In essence the smaller the business and the lower the risks associated with the business then the simpler the assessment process should be. The Code of Practice also says that "..the aim is to identify the significant risks in the workplace. Do not obscure those risks with an excess of information or by concentrating on trivial risks." The Vizion 21 risk assessment method helps managers to identify the most obvious hazards in a systematic but easy to follow way.
Q. Am I obliged to provide competent advice to staff and board members regarding health and safety? A. Yes. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require this and almost dictate that you engage external competent advisers. In business many companies engage their own safety officer(s) but there are few small companies who can afford to do this and, in general, it isn't necessary. The appointment of a safety co-ordinator from within is usually sufficient as long as expert outside help and assistance is readily available. Back to Top
Q. Can't I rely on the Local Authority/HSE or my insurers for this advice? A. Well, yes you could. Almost without exception, however, we find that calling the enforcement agency or your insurers are at the bottom of the list when seeking advice. Seen a bit like inviting a policemen to be in attendance while committing a crime. Back to Top
Q. Must employees report accidents that happen at work? A. Yes, for a number of different reasons. Under Regulation 24 of the Social Security (Claims and
Payments) Regulations 1979 (SI 1979 No. 628), an employee must notify the
employer of any injury at work that could lead to a claim for benefit. For the
purposes of this regulation, notification can be made verbally or in writing. Under Regulation 14 (2) of the Management of Health and
Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (SI 1999 No. 3242), the employee must notify the
employer of any perceived shortcomings in health and safety arrangements. The general duties contained within s.7 of the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 make the employee responsible for any act or omission which could affect safety. Failure to report an accident may mean that action is not taken to prevent recurrence, thereby affecting the safety of others. To comply with a contract of employment, which should require the notification of any accident as a term and condition of employment. Back to Top
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What is the law about fire precautions? A. The building regulations apply to the premises during its construction and they include fire safety provisions. Once occupied, the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and its
associated regulations take effect. The Fire Precautions Workplace Regulations 1997 came into effect on 1 December 1997 and required every employer to make an assessment of the fire risks at the place of work, prepare an evacuation plan, train staff in fire precautions and keep appropriate records. Fire Precautions Workplace (Amendment) Regulations
1999 removed the exception for workplaces with Fire Certificates. This
means that all workplaces now have to meet the requirements of the Fire
Precautions Workplace Regulations 1997. Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also require that risk assessments are carried out, in so far as it relates to the above regulations.
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