The words health and Safety often fill us with dread or a sense of ‘big brother’ and ‘officials legislating the fun out of our lives’. A lot of health and safety legislation has made its way onto head line news and has caused cynicism and even anti health and safety lobbying. Its often easy to forget why we have it at all, this is often marred further by the circulation of urban myths here are a few for you to ponder, maybe you have heard a few of these?
“Steps and ladders are now banned for use due to the Work at Height Regulations”
Not true, the legislation is there to ensure that any steps or ladders used are safe to use and are used appropriately. They should be set on a flat, solid surface, away from obstructions and in the case of single stretch ladders, with not too great an angle between the floor and wall.
“Voluntary work and charity work is exempt health and safety regulation”
Any work carried out, either paid or unpaid, is covered by the requirements of health and safety legislation. There are a few exceptions which include sea going vessels, aircraft and any home DIY activities, although this list is not exhaustive. Let’s not forget the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 lays down specific references to the public and other persons exposed to risk or activities, contractors responsibilities and your own duties as an employee.
“Health and Safety legislation is driven by lawyers and no win no fee solicitors.”
Legislation is driven by the Government and the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) with constant surveillance of accident and fatality statistics completed in order to prevent more. The most common cause of accidents in the work place are slips ,trips and falls and account for the most work days lost due to ill health.
“If my staff don’t want to wear the personal protective equipment (PPE), I can’t make them besides thermal coats and jackets are not PPE, so if they want to wear their own coats that’s fine”
If PPE has been deemed as necessary through proper risk assessment then it is not optional and can be insisted upon. If staff are expected or required to work in extremes of temperature the correct PPE should be provided as coats and thermal jackets are PPE.
“I have a lot of staff and the staff turnover is very high, providing PPE is expensive so I get the staff to pay a deposit for the PPE they get, that way I know I will get it back”
No, PPE should be provided to all employees if they are required to have it. Employers are not permitted to require payment for it either as a part payment or deposit.
“I always add a splash of bleach to the washing up, it makes it work better”
Never mix chemicals as you may not know the exact contents and may cause a reaction and give off gas such as chlorine which should not be inhaled. Bleach is a chloride based disinfectant that should be used carefully as not only can it give of small amounts of gas, it is an irritant and can be corrosive and can exacerbate skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema.
Louise Doughty
Consultant
Hi,
a splendid post dude.Keep doing what you are doing – i will definitely read more posts.Thank you.