The Dangers of Health & Safety.

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According to the Health and Safety Commission, more than 1 million employees are injured at work each year. Fatal employee injuries in Britain are the lowest in Europe.

Penalties used frequently to amount to only derisory fines. However, the Department of Environment and the Health and Safety Commission launched a campaign to reduce the danger further: they announced an intention to see the courts get tougher on employers.

Their proposals included prison sentences for top management, and a system for recovering the cost of medical treatment from companies and directors.

To protect yourself from prosecution and civil claim, as employers you must be seen to take regular positive action.

You should:

Carry out a detailed assessment of risk:
- to your own employees on your premises
- to your own employees working off your premises
- to visitors to your premises
Identify high, medium and low risks
Develop a written code of practice to deal with the risks
Create a written training programme to ensure that all employees are aware of the risks and how not to get hurt
Set up and have an active health and safety committee to consider HS issues and new hazards as when they come to light
Update the risk assessment and code of conduct on a "needs must" and at least an annual basis
Not only hold training sessions but keep records to protect!
Give copies of the HS policy and code of practice to all employees no later than their first hour in the job and whenever an amendment is made. Provide a "pack" to be presented on arrival.
Post details of the Policy and Code on notice boards for employees and visitors.
Develop a stringent disciplinary procedure for "rogue" employees who can�t or won�t take care

Remember, in the current climate of regulation and bureaucracy, if you can�t show evidence that you have done it, it hasn�t happened.

The price of ignoring this advice is:

Money wasted on fines and costs following prosecution
Increased insurance employers liability premiums, or worse - being uninsurable
Low employee morale leading to reduced productivity
Damage to reputation in the marketplace
And busy lawyers!

Seek our help NOW before you have no alternative