Are you concerned you’re not fulfilling your duties to keep your workforce safe? From workplace accidents that could be fatal, to the consequential penalties and reputational ruin; with so many risks associated to Health & Safety incompliance, adhering to laws is crucial.
It can be difficult to run a business and ensure your staff are properly protected. But with Health & Safety consultancy, it’s possible.
Want to learn more? Our guide discusses the five ways Health & Safety consultancy will you keep your employees safe.
What do Health & Safety consultants do?
If you’re a business that’s struggling with Health & Safety compliance, or if you’re unsure if your workplace is a safe environment for your staff, you could from benefit Health & Safety consultancy.
They’ll work closely with your business, helping you manage risks to mitigate workplace accidents and ensure compliance with local and national Health & Safety laws.
This will be brought about through conducting risk assessment, developing and implementing Health & Safety policies, providing training, and investigating workplace accidents.
Ultimately, a Health & Safety consultancy provides your business with their expertise, industry knowledge, and an impartial perspective. This is key, because internal figures may be bias, skewering their objectivity.
Let’s explore five ways that Health & Safety consultancy services can support and protect your business:
1. Risk assessments & audits
Health & Safety advisors will visit your workplace and conduct thorough evaluations to identify possible hazards to your staff. Additionally, they’ll suggest and implement control measures to minimise, or eradicate, the chance of hazards becoming workplace accidents.
Typically, a systematic method known as CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action) is applied. It involves:
- Identifying any issues
- Investigating to find the root cause of a problem
- Implementing a solution
- Verifying its efficacy to improve processes
2. Bespoke Health & Safety policies
Under the Health & Safety at Work etc Act. 1974, employers with more than five staff members are legally obliged to have a written Health & Safety policy that sets out how they’ll manage Health & Safety.
Company to company, Health & Safety needs vary, which is why Health & Safety consultants often tailor policies to shape a business—this could include procedures and specific emergency response plans.
These frameworks ensure that all your employees understand the expectations and protocols required to ensure proper Health & Safety practices are adhered to.
We also have a free Health & Safety policy template ready for you to download and use within your business.
3. Tailored Health & Safety training
Regular and comprehensive training is essential to refresh your workforce’s knowledge regarding Health & Safety measures. As aforementioned, every business is different. Health & Safety companies deliver training that’s targeted to employees’ roles within your organisation.
Health & Safety training programmes could consist of:
- Manual handling
- Fire safety
- Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Through frequent training, the importance of Health & Safety is reinforced, and it equips your staff with the knowledge to protect themselves and others—which is their duty to do so.
4. Ensuring legal compliance
Incompliance could lead to workplace accidents, and worse, death. Consequently, your business would face severe legal penalties, near irreparable reputational damage, and a difficulty in retaining and recruiting talent.
Furthermore, Health & Safety consultants stay informed of the latest legal reforms and industry standards. They conduct Health & Safety audits to ensure measures are in place to meet legal standards and safeguard your staff from harm.
5. Promotes a positive culture
The onus isn’t just on employers when it comes to Health & Safety; your employees must take reasonable steps for their own and colleagues’ safety.
When there’s a proactive presence within your business that encourages employees to follow Health & Safety policies, it ensures it becomes the fabric of your business and reminds staff of their responsibilities.
With the importance of Health & Safety embedded into the day-to-day operations, you have a conscious workforce and fewer workplace accidents.
FAQs: Five ways Health & Safety consultancy will keep your employees safe
Does Health & Safety legislation apply to my small business?
Health & Safety laws apply to all businesses of all sizes. SMEs needs may differ to an enterprise, which is why Health & Safety consultants for small businesses can be flexible their approach.
What are my main responsibilities as an employer?
You must ensure the health, safety, and welfare of your employees as far as reasonably practicable. A qualified, experienced Health & Safety consultant will support your efforts.
Do I need a written Health & Safety policy?
If your business has five employers or more, legally, you must have a written Health & Safety policy. You also have a duty to make your employees aware of them.
What are the consequences of not complying with Health & Safety law?
Non-compliance could cause your business to pay hefty fines issued by the Health and Safety Executive, and depending on the severity, imprisonment. You’ll also suffer from a tarnished reputation, which might make recruitment challenging.
Wrapping up: Five ways Health & Safety consultancy will keep your employees safe
You’re legally required to have a written Health & Safety policy. Aside from that, morally, you should do all you can to prevent your staff becoming injured or ill because of your working environment.
Using a Health & Safety consultancy helps implement risk assessments and compliance audits to mitigate workplace accidents, support your Health & Safety policies; deliver targeted training to equip your staff with the latest knowledge, galvanise legal compliance, and encourage a positive culture.
Looking for expert advice about Health & Safety consultancy?
There are many Health & Safety companies, so how do you go about choosing the right one for your business?
How about one that gives you 24-hour Health & Safety guidance? And one that provides unlimited support with your documentation.
When you partner with Peninsula, you get all that and more. Our 4.8 Google rating is testament to the level of service you receive.
Want to learn more? Request a call back or call us on 0800 158 2313.
