SPRING 2023 HEALTH AND WELLBEING STAY SAFE AND WELL As we approach the festive season, with additional lighting being used in our offices and businesses, its more important than ever to ensure the safety of your staff, customers and buildings Even in these straitened times, businesses must not fall short on health and safety The cost of gas and electricity has soared to record levels over the past year, forcing businesses to look ever more closely at their energy consumption. To save money, you may be turning off appliances and using different methods to heat workspaces but, if not done carefully, this could impact on the health and welfare of your staff. You must consider whether your employees have a comfortable working#environment, as the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations require employers to provide a reasonable indoor temperature in#the workplace. Regulations suggest the minimum temperature for working indoors should be at least 16C or 13C if much of the work involves#rigorous physical effort If they are exposed to cold temperatures for extended periods of time, workers can experience general discomfort, increased strain on their muscles, decreased performance and concentration levels, and an increase in cold-related diseases and injuries. The Approved Code of Practice on the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations suggest the minimum temperature for working indoors should be at least 16C or 13C if much of the work involves rigorous physical effort. If portable heaters are used to keep workplaces warm, they must be in a good working condition and should be PAT tested by a competent electrician on a regular basis. They should also be sited in a position that does not pose a fire risk. The heaters should be: n bought new from a trustworthy retailer n used on a flat surface n placed at least one metre from anything flammable n fitted with a trip switch preferably, to shut it down if its knocked over n registered with the manufacturer, so you can receive product recall or safety information. The welfare regulations also state that workplaces must provide suitable, sufficient and readily accessible sanitary and washing facilities, with running hot and cold or warm water, soap, and clean towels or other means of cleaning or drying. The facilities should be kept clean and adequately ventilated and lit. Credit: John Harvey, Environmental Health officer Image: iStock / Qvasimodo art For more information about temperature in the workplace and other topics, visit the Health and Safety Executive website. Assess your fire risk West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) is supporting the National Fire Chiefs Councils #StayFireSafe campaign to remind business and building owners of their fire-safety responsibilities. It comes amid concerns that rising costs could mean business owners turn to alternative ways of heating and lighting their premises in a bid to cut bills. Reducing staffing, leaving buildings unoccupied, changing where or how stock is stored, and altering how premises are heated or lit all have the potential to increase the risk of fire, says WMFS group manager Steve Ball, who leads the services protection work. This is why its important to review your fire risk assessment and put in place suitable measures to ensure it reflects any changes. Other advice for businesses includes: n Heat your premises safely portable heaters can be a good option, but make sure your equipment is in good working order. Gas heaters should be checked by a Gas Safe-registered engineer and be plugged directly into a wall socket n Ensure cooking and charging facilities on your premises are designed for the purpose n Protect your business from energy theft, such as meter tampering, hotwiring or bypassing electrical and gas supplies. For further guidance, visit WMFSs fire safety resources webpage. Credit: Peter Simmonds, West Midlands Fire Service Anonymous Hotline For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service 0300 303 2636 Is your sector being undermined by unscrupulous traders operating outside the