Part of an employer’s duty of care is to ensure that the safety of employees and the public is not at risk under any circumstances. Knowledge of health and safety makes good business sense, as knowledgeable, responsible staff perform better in their roles and contribute more to their working environments.

At Quality Safety Training, we help to make you aware of the risks and what you can do to get involved and make your workplace a safer place for not only yourself but for your colleges and the public. Remember, it is not just employers who have a legal obligation; employees have a duty to take care of their health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions at work. Workers must co-operate with employers and co-workers to help everyone meet their legal requirements.

1. Training – Training sessions, like IOSH Working Safely or Managing Safely courses, are a helpful way to make sure everyone in your workplace understands the role that they play in creating a healthy and safe workplace.
2. Gathering Ideas – Team briefs are always a good tool to make your workplace a safer and more productive place.
3. Risk Assessments – Risk assessments allow you to prioritise risks and how you can address them.
4. Written Records – Keeping a written record of all risk assessments, accident logs, near misses and health and safety measures you are taking as a company gives you something to refer to.
5. Fire drills – You and your workers need to know what to do and how to act in the event of fire. Fire drills are essential for employees to put this into practice. *It is a legal requirement under the regulatory reform (Fire Safety) order 2005, anyone responsible for a property with 5+ people must have a fire risk assessment (tip 3)
6. Keep it tidy – Keeping a workplace clean and tidy is the easiest way to reduce accidents. If you see something on the floor, pick it up! Do not walk past it as this makes you liable.
7. Equipment – Make sure all equipment in the workplace is regularly serviced and checked. Do any repairs that are needed ASAP. Make sure everything, including the premises itself, remains in good condition.
8. Vulnerable workers – Identify any vulnerable workers there – i.e. young or pregnant workers. Risk assessments should be carried out specifically for them to make sure they are protected properly.
9. First Aid – First aid kits are a must in the workplace, make sure it is well stocked and contains all the necessary products. Remember, only workers that have had first aid training can carry out first aid
10. Decrease stress levels – Stress-related absence is the most common type of absence, make sure measures are in place for workers to work in a more relaxed happy environment. These issues can be discussed, as per tip 2.

IOSH courses are a great and fun way to learn more about health and safety. IOSH courses focus more on best practice rather than legislation, and they allow delegates to be engaged and hands-on. We find that active participation in training is the best way to ensure that delegates absorb information.

The Working Safely Course is a one-day course for people at any level, in any sector, that need grounding in health and safety. Perfect for introducing staff to why health and safety is important, Working Safely shows how everyone can make a difference to his or her own wellbeing and that of others through everyday behaviours.

The Managing Safely Course is a flexible course, which is ideal for getting managers up-to-speed on the skills they need to tackle safety and health issues in the workplace. A practical programme with step-by-step guidance, Managing Safely has a sharp business focus. The hands-on, jargon-free format has helped a huge range of businesses to raise standards of health and safety.

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