This week (15-19 June) is UK Health & Safety Week 2015! This annual event - now in its second year - was set up both to celebrate the UK's outstanding dedication to health and safety and to highlight areas that are still in desperate need of improvement.
According to the official Health & Safety Week website, the aim of this year's observance is "to inspire employers and employees to embrace health in the workplace by instigating inintiatives and programmes throughout the year". The organisers have drawn particular attention to the following occupational health issues:
- Mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses
- Respiratory diseases
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Skin complaints
- Hand arm vibration
- Stress and mental health problems
Employers can prevent all of the above issues - or minimise the likelihood of their occurence, at least - by simply paying attention to health and safety guidelines and putting the right measures in place to protect their staff.
How you can help
If you are an employer, here are some ways in which you can make the most of Health & Safety Week and help to protect workers everywhere:
- Tweet about Health & Safety Week to spread the word to other employers. Remember to use the #HSWeek15 hashtag!
- Maintain a positive attitude towards health and safety - British newspapers love a good 'elf and safety' circus, but don't let stories like these affect your feelings about H&S as a practice. Remember, the laws are there to keep everyone safe, not to ruin their fun!
- Look for ways to prevent occupational health issues (such as those listed above) in your workplace. For example, if there is asbestos present on your premises, use the correct asbestos warning signs to identify the hazard and contact an asbestos specialist to get it removed. You might also consider putting some safety posters up in your office to educate staff and promote safe practices.
- If you see something unsafe, don't stay quiet - report it!
Click here for more ways to get involved with Health & Safety Week 2015!
