Ensuring Workplace Safety: Why It Matters for Your Business
Published on March 6th, 2023 | by Sophie West
The safety of employees and customers is paramount for any business. It is imperative for employers to create and maintain a safe work environment to protect workers from preventable accidents and illnesses, and to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
In this blog article, we will be exploring why workplace safety is important, the legislation around health and safety, the health and safety risks to your workplace, and how Agility Risk & Compliance can help you manage workplace risks.
Why is Health and Safety Important
Workplace safety is critical to the success of any business. It is not only important for the safety of your workers, but also for the safety of your customers, your reputation, and your bottom line.
Firstly, workplace safety is important because it helps to protect your employees from workplace accidents and illnesses. Failing to maintain a safe work environment can lead to serious injuries and even death. Moreover, employers are responsible for providing a safe work environment and are liable for the health and safety of their employees.
Secondly, workplace safety is important for the safety of your customers. Ensuring a safe workplace can help to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and illnesses for your customers. This can help to protect your business’s reputation, as customers are more likely to return to a business that is known for its safety and security.
Finally, workplace safety is important for your bottom line. A safe and healthy work environment can help to reduce the costs associated with workplace accidents and illnesses, such as legal fees, workers’ compensation claims, and lost productivity.
The legislation around Health and Safety
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. This act sets out the legal requirements for employers to ensure the safety of their employees, and to provide a safe and healthy work environment.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and relevant secondary legislation, employers are required to assess the risks in their workplace and to take necessary steps to mitigate those risks. This includes providing employees with the necessary health and safety training, providing appropriate protective equipment and clothing, and ensuring that all machinery and equipment are safe to use.
Relevant secondary legislation also requires employers to appoint a ‘competent person’ to oversee health and safety in the workplace. The competent person must be qualified and have sufficient knowledge and experience to provide advice and guidance on health and safety.
Health and Safety Risks to Your Workplace
Workplace health and safety risks can vary depending on the type of work you do and the environment in which you work. Common workplace risks include slips, trips, and falls; hazardous substances; electrical hazards; manual handling hazards; and fire hazards.
It is important to identify the health and safety risks in your workplace and to take appropriate steps to reduce or eliminate them. Risk assessments should be carried out to identify the risks, and action should be taken to reduce or eliminate the risks. This may include providing appropriate training and protective equipment, making changes to the workplace environment, and regularly reviewing the risks.
How Agility Risk & Compliance can help you
At Agility Risk & Compliance, we can help you to ensure the safety of your employees and customers. We provide a range of services to help you to manage workplace risks, including health and safety risk assessments, health and safety audits, and health and safety training.
Our team of experts have the knowledge and experience to help you to identify the health and safety risks in your workplace and to take the necessary steps to reduce or eliminate them. We can also provide you with guidance on the legislation around workplace health and safety and help you to ensure that you are compliant with all relevant laws and regulations.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help you to manage your workplace risks, please contact us on 01527 571611. Our team is always here to help and we’d be more than happy to discuss your requirements on health and safety, training, and occupational health.
