Fire Risk Assessment - a thumbs up

Not that we want to sound our own trumpets however we do like to announce good news especially when it comes from an authoritive source. safetyadviser.co.uk recently conducted a fire risk assessment on a public house. The fire officer came in, took a look and said that it was over and above the norm. It was detailed, easy to follow and well presented.

Good news!

Kevin Jones
www.safetyadviser.co.uk

Introducing Health and Safety Arrangements

safetyadviser.co.uk Press Release - March 07

Introducing Health and Safety Arrangements

The goal for 2007 is to promote simple and cost effective Health and Safety. That is why this year safetyadviser.co.uk will be promoting the “Health and Safety Starter Pack”

The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) have introduced a “starter pack”, which provides a comprehensive introduction to health and safety for new and small business. It is priced at £35 and can be purchased online. Go to (http://www.hse.gov.uk/flist/index.htm) for more details.

With this in mind safetyadviser.co.uk will be producing a newsletter each month detailing examples of safety documents with the intention of providing, for free, a set of working safety arrangements by December 07. If followed, each newsletter will provide a step by step approach to safety. Every “next step” will add a little more to the safety arrangements. February’s newsletter will explain what is required to provide a top notch Health and Safety Policy.

Why have a Health and Safety arrangements?
If you have five or more employees you must, by law, have a formalised, written health and safety policy and “arrangements”. If you do not have five employees it is still advisable to have a policy. This is because; it provides proof to those who request it such as prospective clients or (if you were in trouble) the HSE. More importantly it is a statement of intent. Your company intends to manage Health and Safety as integral part of it’s business. The policy gives the direction and overall principals of the organisation.

What do good Health and Safety arrangements contain?
Safety arrangements must contain information on how the safety policy is to be carried out. In effect they are mini statements of policy on such things as manual handling, fire and housekeeping. Up until now the health and safety of people at work may have been put at risk unnecessarily by the failure of some health and safety professionals to make sure guidelines are written in a way that the key people – the people at risk – can understand. As a result their advice, though crucial to the wellbeing of others, is largely ignored by the people who need it most.

safetyadviser.co.uk produce the ‘BE SAFE NOT SORRY’ series of guides which address this issue. They are written in Plain English so they can be easily understood.

If you are serious about improving safety at work then these are for you.

Good safety arrangements should contain guidelines on:
Responsibilities – who does what
Communication – how safety is communicated in the company
Training – who needs what training
Rules – standards to work to
Housekeeping
Maintenance
Fire Prevention
Risk Management and Risk Assessment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – what needs to be worn
Manual Handling – policies on assessment and lifting
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Driver and Road Safety
First Aid Provision
Accident Prevention and Reporting

Next month’s topic “sensible risk management”

Future topics to be covered include:
Accident prevention
Training and Instruction
Promotion and Communication
Emergency Preparedness (including Fire)
Contractor Management
By December you will have a simple and functional Health and Safety system.

Now if you cannot wait twelve months, or if you haven’t got the time or resources, safetyadviser.co.uk can provide you with Safety and Environmental Arrangements that would be tailored to your company. If not safetyadviser.co.uk recommends you purchase the HSE’s “Health and Safety Starter Pack”.

Why manage Health and Safety? It is the law. However effective health and safety management brings benefits such as a significant reduction in accidents and sickness absence, reduced insurance premiums, increased customer confidence, and employee goodwill. Good Health and Safety Management stems leading by example. Accidents at work can cost your organisation money and can ruin the lives of your employees. Preventing them need not cost the earth. safetyadviser.co.uk is committed to “taking the pain out of health and safety” both humanely and financially.
Improve your safety arrangements today!

Kevin Jones
www.safetyadviser.co.uk