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10 health and safety violations your business is probably making

13th May 2015 Print

With so much to pack into the working day, it can be easy to let health and safety standards slide – after all, that business meeting or brainstorming session just can’t wait, right?

That said, workplace hazards can be costly to lives and the bottom line, so it’s well worth taking time to make your premises as risk-free as possible. Not sure where to start? Then check out these ten health and safety violations your business is probably making and start putting solutions in place to solve them.

1. A lack of anti-slip flooring

It’s the duty of all employers to carry out a thorough risk assessment to identify hazards such as slippery floors. You really don’t want a law suit on your hands if a staff member falls and injures themselves, so take a look at the anti-slip paint for floors available online.

2. A lack of safety signs

According to The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, safety signs must be used whenever there’s a risk to health that can’t be solved by other measures. Again, a risk assessment can help to identify what signs are needed and where.

3. No health and safety law poster

Under the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations, employers must display the approved poster in a prominent position in each workplace or provide each worker with a copy of the approved leaflet. Fail to do this and you’re breaking the law.

4. Lack of personal protective equipment

Employers have a duty of care towards their employees and must provide them with adequate personal protective equipment when necessary.

5. Blocked fire exits

Fire exits must be kept free to ensure people can escape easily in the event of an emergency. Take a look around your premises. Could employees get out quickly if needs be?

6. Poor emergency training programs 

Every employee should know what to do in the event of an emergency. Failure to provide adequate training or information could put lives in danger.

7. Lack of on the job training

Employees should not be left to do a job if they’ve had no training – especially if they are working with heavy machinery or other dangerous equipment. Ideally, they should be assigned a buddy and never left alone, especially when new to the business.

8. No first-aid box 

First-aid supplies must be kept on premises, so don’t forget to keep a box of plasters, antiseptic creams and other essentials nearby.

9. Inadequate first-aid arrangements

The arrangements you make regarding first aid will depend on the size and nature of your business. While small, low-risk businesses can get away with a first-aid box and an appointed person to call emergency services if needs be, businesses with higher risks (such as those working with toxic chemicals) might need to provide a first-aider. 

10. Faulty electrical equipment

The law requires all electrical equipment at work to be maintained and checked by a qualified engineer. No problem should be left to fester, so make sure you keep everything safe.