SPRING 2023 HEALTH AND SAFETY Health and safety training is key to reducing hazards in the workplace and ensuring your business runs smoothly RISK REDUCTION How to identify training needs in your business n Gaps highlighted by your risk assessment, such as new hazards, responsibilities or equipment n When a new employee starts. Training such as showing them evacuation procedures in the event of a fire can help them work safely in a new environment. n Younger employees or those with less experience. They may need additional training or supervision. As a business owner, youre legally responsible for maintaining a safe work environment and complying with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Staff, customers, clients, and anyone who visits your premises should be considered when you carry out your risk assessments. You must also provide relevant information and training to your employees to ensure their safety at work. They should understand your health and safety policy, and know how to put it into practice and how to raise any concerns. As well as being a legal requirement, everyone in your business can benefit from relevant training, especially if you are working in a high-risk environment. This includes contractors who may be unfamiliar with your workplace. Training can help reduce risks, minimise hazards day to day, and ensure your business runs smoothly but be sure to review it on a frequent basis so you and your team are up to date with the latest health and safety requirements. Depending on the nature of your business, you may have specific training requirements or legal obligations. For example, if you deal with dangerous chemicals, you will need to follow the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations. Credit: Karen Woolley, development manager, Federation of Small Businesses Image: TarikVision For more information on being health and safety compliant, go to the Federation of Small Businesses website. Take cover Health and safety standards in UK workplaces are generally high, but things can and do go wrong, so its important for businesses to have valid workplace insurance in place. Two types of insurance must be obtained: n Employers liability covering injury or disease to employees (including those working from home) n Public liability covering injury, disease or damage to nonemployees (for example, visitors and contractors). The main law is The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and its associated regulations, which require you to do all reasonable that is, you have assessed hazards and put in place controls to ensure there is minimal risk in the workplace for your staff, visitors, and contractors. This includes appropriate training. If you have five or more employees, you must have written documentation, including suitable and sufficient risk assessments. It is not a legal or insurance requirement to keep records, but these can be important if you need to defend a prosecution or civil claim. If you have fewer than five employees, you do not legally need a written system, but some form of documentation is recommended. Insurers will expect you to take reasonable steps to maintain good health and safety standards in your business. Many will provide guidance on good practice, but they may also refer you to the register of competent safety consultants. serious accident or dangerous occurrence under the RIDDOR Regulations. If you have to take this action, also inform your insurers. If something goes badly wrong, you may be prosecuted by your local authority or the Health and Safety Executive. Health and safety offences are criminal ones, and fines are now based on turnover (not profit), so the consequences for a business of poor management can be extremely expensive. For more information, see the Association of British Insurers Insurance for small businesses: A guide to protecting your business. Credit: Helen Cameron, Environmental Health practitioner Local authorities do not carry out routine health and safety inspections, but are likely to visit if a complaint is received or you report a fatality, Anonymous Hotline For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service For up-to-date news stories and information, follow us on 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the law? Report them via Trading Standards Anonymous Hotline or online and help level the playing field for honest businesses.