Failure to manage health and safety in the workplace can have serious consequences for both employers and employees including accidents and incidents causing serious injury and even death, leading to sanctions such as heavy fines, imprisonment, and reputational damage to the business.
There are 3 fundamental reasons why it is essential for employers to implement appropriate measures to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees in the workplace:
- LEGAL– Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, employers have a duty of care to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their employees.
- FINANCIAL– Work-related injuries and new cases of ill health (excluding long latency illness such as cancer) cost the UK a staggering £18.8 billion in 2019/20, £3.5 billion of which was borne by employers.
- MORAL – Providing a safe and healthy work environment will demonstrate that your organisation cares about the wellbeing of its employees, which can also improve employee morale and job satisfaction.
According to the HSE, around 70% of incidents at work could be prevented by good health and safety management. Risk assessments reduce the likelihood and/or consequence of work-related accidents and ill-health arising from hazards such as dangerous work equipment, fire or exposure to hazardous substances, as well as other less common workplace hazards such as noise and stress. Companies with five or more employees are legally obliged to keep a written record of their risk assessments which must be regularly reviewed and updated.
Here are some key statistics from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE):
- 61,713 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR (2022)
- 8 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury (2022)
- £18.8 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2019/20)
How can EML help?
As well as providing Health and Safety support to our clients, EML is now an approved provider of IOSH Managing Safely®, a globally recognised, market-leading, health and safety training course. The course is designed for line managers and supervisors working in any sector or organisation, and will provide delegates with the knowledge, tools and confidence to tackle the health and safety issues in their organisation, ensuring that health and safety becomes an integral part of day-to-day management and business.
Each module on the course is packed with content and step-by-step guidance to engage and inspire delegates who will explore case studies and examples of recognisable scenarios with summaries to reinforce key learning points. Here’s what’s covered:
- Assessing Risks – The benefits of carrying out a risk assessment and how to assess and control risks in the workplace.
- Controlling Risks – What is ‘reasonably practical’ and the legal responsibilities of an organisation to reduce risks in the workplace.
- Understanding Responsibilities – The difference between criminal and civil health and safety laws, and how to implement a health and safety management system.
- Understanding Hazards – Looking at common hazards in the workplace and how to manage them.
- Investigating Incidents – Defining the cause of an incident, accident or near miss, and how to investigate and report them.
- Measuring Performance – Auditing, performance indicators and gathering evidence.
How will my organisation benefit?
- Training designed and approved by IOSH, the Chartered body for safety and health professionals.
- Efficient and effective learning covering the health, safety and environmental basics in one programme.
- Globally-recognised, respected and certificated training that will enhance company reputation.
- Greater productivity, from fewer hours lost due to sickness and accidents.
- Improved safety awareness culture and appreciation of safety measures.
Delivered by Joanne Howley, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Consultant, our first IOSH Managing Safely® course will take place between Monday 2 and Thursday 5 October 2023 at Blackburn Rovers Business Centre, Ewood Park, Blackburn. As a special introductory price, we are offering the course for only £375 +VAT per delegate (usual price £475).
If you’re a manager or supervisor and would like to gain an understanding of your health and safety responsibilities and how to fulfil them, register your place here today!
Alternatively, if you have any other HR, Employment Law or Health, Safety & Wellbeing issue you would like to discuss, contact us on 01942 727200 and speak to a member of the team.