This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and the organisation is using this auspicious occasion to appeal to businesses in Wales and the rest of the UK.
In a press release - published earlier this week - the HSE stated that worker wellbeing should be the "top priority" for businesses in 2015, citing the following statistics:
- 7 people in Wales lost their lives at work over the course of 2013/14
- A further 4,291 people in Wales suffered worked-related injuries over that same period
- Some 56,600 people in Wales were made ill through their work over the same period
- 2013/14 statistics for the entire UK: 133 deaths at work, more than 79,500 work-related injuries, and over 1.1 million people made ill through work
These numbers are actually an improvement on the previous year, but while the world of work does appear to be getting safer, the fact remains that too many people are being put in unnecessary danger.
If you are an employer, we urge you to follow the HSE's advice and put the health and safety of your workers ahead of all other concerns. Here are a few ways in which to do this:
- Put up the correct safety signs where necessary. Ensure that the signs are as visible and as easy-to-read as possible.
- Have any electrical installations tested regularly by a certified inspector to ensure their continued safe operation.
- Think carefully about hygiene, particularly in bathrooms, toilets and kitchen areas. Ensure that all employees practise good hygiene.
- Familiarise all employees with emergency procedures - what to do if there is a fire, who to call in the event of a medical emergency, etc. We supply of health and safety posters for this purpose.
Health and safety, for the most part, is nothing more than common sense, but employers must be cautious and attentive to keep their employees safe. Don't let your company add to the HSE's injury total for 2015!
