When you own a business or you are thinking of starting a business, it is crucial to ensure that you understand the regulations that you must follow in order to protect your employees and be in compliance with the law. Below are some tips and guidelines that will help you to be certain that you have everything covered.
When you start a new business, one of the first steps that must be taken is to determine whether you are required to notify the Health and Safety Executive or perhaps your local authority that you have started a new business.
The next step is to be certain that you have procured Employer's Liability Compulsory Insurance. This insurance will protect you against any claims that may arise from employees who become ill or injured as a direct result of their work in your business.
In order to be in compliance with the law, it is necessary for you to appoint a specific person who is competent enough to handle health and safety duties for your business. This need not be an external consultant, but you must have a specific individual appointed for this position.
You are also required to write a health and safety policy for your business. This policy should provide specific arrangements regarding how health and safety will be managed in your business. This document should be unique to your business and should specifically state who will perform what duties and when and how those duties will be performed.
It is also crucial for you to evaluate your business and determine the potential harm that could arise to your employees and also the precautions that should be made to prevent those dangers. This is known as a risk assessment plan. Businesses are required to act upon the findings of their risk assessment plans and also to install controls in order to prevent accidents.
As a business owner, you are also required to ensure that your employees are provided with a healthy and safe environment through the provision of washing facilities, toilets, drinking water and appropriate temperature and light.
Everyone that is employed by your business should understand how to work in your business without any risks to their health.
Take the time to discuss safety and health issues with your workers and provide them with the opportunity to influence decisions and raise any concerns that they might have.
You are required by law to display this poster, which includes basic safety and health information and informs your employees who is responsible for safety and health in your place of business. You may also provide your employees with a pamphlet containing the same information.
RIDDOR refers to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. According to RIDDOR you are required to report any diseases, near-miss incidents or work related accidents. You should be certain you know how to report any incidents.
Make sure that you stay informed and keep up to date on changes to the law regarding your responsibilities to your employees.
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