Home Boost Business Lancashire logo

Don't ignore health and safety in the pursuit of growth

health_and_safety 2

Whether your business is a new start up or an established SME, it is imperative to ensure you have the right health and safety practises in place. With sanctions for breaches including fines, imprisonment and disqualification, Health and Safety is too important for businesses to ignore.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary piece of legislation covering work-related health and safety in the United Kingdom. It sets out an employer’s responsibilities for health and safety at work. You have a ‘duty of care’ to look after your employees' health, safety and welfare while they are at work. There are a number of things that employers must do to protect their staff. These include:

  • Start with a risk assessment to spot possible health and safety hazards.
  • For businesses employing five or more people, there must also be an official record of what the assessment finds and a formal health and safety policy.
  • Appoint a capable member of staff with health and safety responsibilities.
  • Ensure that plant and machinery is safe to use, and that safe working practices are set up and followed.
  • Make sure that all materials are handled, stored and used safely.
  • Make sure that ventilation, temperature, lighting, and toilet, washing and rest facilities all meet health, safety and welfare requirements.
  • Provide protective clothing or equipment free of charge if risks can’t be removed or adequately controlled by any other means.
  • Ensure that the right warning signs are provided and looked after.
  • Report certain accidents, injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to either the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) or the local authority, depending on the type of business.

Employees also have responsibilities for their own health and safety at work and they can refuse to do something that isn’t safe, without being threatened with disciplinary action. Health and Safety and much more is covered in our free LEAP Human Resources Essentials seminars. Why not get in touch to see how we can help you grow and recruit new staff.

Find out more

Boost Business Lancashire offers the Lancashire LEAP programme for start-ups and business under three years old - including HR Essentials seminars. To apply for a place on the programme, complete our online form or call 0800 488 0057.

Author

Rona McFall, Enterprise and Employment Manager, Regenerate Pennine Lancashire.

Share

You may also like...

Meet the Boost team: Jon Dingoor Jon Dingoor Boost business adviser
6th November 2024
 | 
Inspiration & Spotlight
Meet the Boost team: Jon Dingoor
Jon Dingoor, a specialist in commercial business and general management, talks about his role in supporting Lancashire businesses.
Five key pointers for marketing your retail product Marketing your retail product
31st October 2024
 | 
Inspiration & Spotlight
Five key pointers for marketing your retail product
Business consultant Suzi Wynne, a specialist in retail business, outlines her five key pointers to help get your product seen.

Sign up to our newsletter

For insights and events to help your business thrive.

In completing this form, you understand that Lancashire County Council (Boost) has a requirement to process your personal data. Lancashire County Council will only ever process your personal data where it has a clear lawful basis for doing so in full compliance with data protection legislation - UK GDPR and The Data Protection Act (2018). We will ensure the security and confidentiality of your personal data at all times. For full details of how Lancashire County Council handles your personal data please see our privacy notice here . Some information relating to this public funded project may be declared to third parties under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Funded by local govmt
Department for Trade and Business
Northern Powerhouse
Lancashire County Council

The website uses cookies.

Some are used for statistical purposes and others are set up by third party services. By clicking 'Accept all & close', you accept the use of cookies. For more information on how we use and manage cookies, please read our Cookie Policy.