As an employer, you must use someone competent to help you meet your health and safety duties. It’s not essential for them to have formal qualifications and they’re not required by law to have formal training, although it can help. But whoever you choose should have the skills, knowledge and experience to manage health and safety. OSHCR register helps you find a competent qualified consultant.
Things you will need in place
1. Health and Safety policy
The law says that every business must have a policy for managing health and safety. A health and safety policy sets out your general approach to health and safety. It explains how you, as an employer, will manage health and safety in your business
free health and safety policy template
2.risk assessment’s
As an employer, you must make a ‘suitable and sufficient assessment’ of risks to your employees’ health and safety, and risks to others not in your employment that are created because of your work.
3.Insurance
If your business has employees, you will probably need employers' liability insurance.
If an employee is injured or becomes ill as a result of the work they do for you, they can claim compensation from you. Employers’ liability insurance will help you to pay any compensation.
4. Information and training
Everyone who works for you needs to know how to work safely and without risk to their health. This includes contractors and self-employed people.
You must give your workers clear instructions and information, as well as adequate training. Make sure you include employees with particular training needs, for example new recruits, people changing jobs or taking on extra responsibilities, young employees and health and safety representatives.
5. Facilities and welfare
Employers must provide welfare facilities and a working environment that’s healthy and safe for everyone in the workplace, including those with disabilities.welfare facilities – the right number of toilets and washbasins, drinking water and having somewhere to rest and eat meals
a healthy working environment – a clean workplace with a reasonable working temperature, good ventilation, suitable lighting and the right amount of space and seating
a safe workplace – well-maintained equipment, with no obstructions in floors and traffic routes, and windows that can be easily opened and cleaned
6.first aid
You must have:
a suitably stocked first aid kit
an appointed person or people to take charge of first aid arrangements
information for all employees telling them about first aid arrangements
7.Fire safety
• Carry out a fire safety risk assessment
• Keep sources of ignition and flammable substances apart
• Avoid accidental fires, eg make sure heaters cannot be knocked over
• Ensure good housekeeping at all times, eg avoid build-up of rubbish that could burn
• Consider how to detect fires and how to warn people quickly if they start, eg installing smoke alarms and fire alarms or bells
• Keep fire exits and escape routes clearly marked and unobstructed at all times
• Ensure your workers receive appropriate training on procedures they need to follow, including fire drills
• Have the correct fire-fighting equipment for putting a fire out quickly
• Review and update your risk assessment regularly
8.Report accidents and illness
In law, you must report certain workplace injuries, near-misses and cases of work-related disease to HSE. This duty is under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, known as RIDDOR.
9.Display the law poster
The poster explains British health and safety laws and lists what workers and their employers should do.
You can add details of any employee safety representatives or health and safety contacts.