Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, responsibility for safety lies with both the employer and the employee. Both have duties to keep themselves and each other safe.
To proactively create and maintain a safe working environment, training in safety knowledge and skills is necessary. For small and medium businesses, providing suitable training to people who deal with safety every day is a very worthwhile investment. Accidents and claims can cost many thousands of pounds, whereas training in safety skills costs a fraction of the price. It is an investment in the future of the company.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), accredits two of the most popular courses:
- IOSH Working Safely is a basic safety skills course which gives a greater awareness of hazards and how to deal with them in the workplace. It is a one-day course, suitable for anyone in any size business.
- IOSH Managing Safely is a four day course. It is aimed at providing more detailed information to supervisors and managers who have more substantial responsibilities under safety legislation.
Both courses provide a recognised qualification. They provide practical safety which supports a business rather than getting in the way of it.
Companies who invest in health and safety training at these levels see a proactive safety culture developing. This culture in turn reduces accidents and supports company development in many areas.
If you need to justify this investment, always remember the Health and Safety Executive most-used term:
“If you think safety training is expensive – try having an accident!”
For more information on this topic, please contact Alastair on enquiry@w-l-p.co.uk.