The next step

http www hse gov uk involvement doyourbit index htm

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Safe & sound at work

What’s covered? The HSE has recently launched yet another campaign. “Safe & sound at work” is focused on getting employers to involve their staff in health and safety (see The next step). The theory promoted is that the more you involve staff, e.g. in the completion of risk assessments, policies etc., the safer your workplace will be.

Involve staff. The main aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of an employer’s legal duty to consult with staff on health and safety issues. Specifically, the guidance material identifies that employers should consult employees on the following:

• new measures which will substantially affect their health and safety at work, e.g. new equipment, procedures etc.

• arrangements for getting competent people to satisfy health and safety laws

• the significant findings of your risk assessments, including any appropriate control measures

• planning and organising of health and safety training.

Will inspectors be out? No, formalinspections are unlikely. Instead, the HSE will be sending out its Health & Safety Awareness Officers (non-warranted staff who do not have enforcement powers) to run open days and give out promotional material.

Tip. Consultation is the latest and, seemingly, one of the most important issues for the HSE. Our mole has informed us that inspectors will ask to speak to staff, see meeting minutes etc. when they complete any type of inspection in the future. So if you aren’t already, you must take steps to ensure that staff know what you’re doing and what’s expected of them.

For a weblink to the HSE’s “Safe & sound” campaign website, visit http://healthandsafety.indicator.co.uk (HS 08.15.01).