Health and Safety

Certificate in Personnel Practice

 Session Aim and Objectives
• Aim: To understand the importance of health and safety
at work

• Objectives:
– To understand the responsibilities of both employer
and employee for Health & Safety
– To be able to explain the potential consequences of
poor H&S management
– To describe the benefits of good H&S management
– To be able to identify common workplace hazards
and suggest ways to prevent/reduce them
 Facts and Figures (HSE)

• Each year:

– Over 1 million injuries and 2.3 million cases of ill-

health are experienced by workers
– Around 40 million working days are lost to
business
– Over 25 000 individuals are forced to give up
work because of injury or ill health
– These cost British employers an estimated £3.3
to £6.5 billion each year
 Facts and Figures – 2005/6
(RoSPA)
• 212 workers were killed at work (0.7 per 100,000
workers)
• 328 000 reportable injuries occurred
• Only 40% of major workplace accidents are reported
• 70% of workplace accidents could be prevented if
proper safety measures were in place
Cost to your company

“But we’re covered

by insurance aren’t
we?”
 Costs to company - example
Wages for injured worked £10000
Loss of production / remedial work required £8000
Overtime wages to cover lost production £3000
Wages for replacement worker £7000
Loss of time of MD £4000
Legal expenses £3000
Fines and court costs £4000
Increase in insurance premiums £6000
TOTAL COST TO COMPANY £45000
 Health and Safety Legislation
• Main legislation includes:
– 1974 - Health & Safety At Work Act
– 1992- “Six-pack” Regulations
• Management of Health and Safety at Work
• Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment)
• Manual Handling Operations
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work
• Protection and Use of Work Equipment
• Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare)
• 1994 – Control of substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
 Who is responsible for H&S?
• Employer has a duty to protect employees and keep
staff informed about health and safety

• Employees have a responsibility to look after

themselves and others

• Therefore….it is EVERYONE’S responsibility

Employers’ main responsibilities (1)
• Make workplace safe and without risks to health
• Have a H&S policy and make sure all staff are aware
• Ensure equipment, machinery etc. are suitable and
safe, and that safe work systems are practised
• Provide information, training and supervision
• Consult with staff (or representatives) on H&S
matters
• Appoint a competent H&S Officer
• Have emergency procedures in place
Employers’ main responsibilities (2)
• Provide first aid facilities
• Take precautions against accidents
• Provide free protective clothing or equipment where
risks are not controlled effectively by other means
• Put up safety signs
• Risk Assessments
• Maintain accurate records of accidents, however
small
• Report certain injuries, diseases and dangerous
occurrences.
 Employees’ main responsibilities
• Take reasonable care for own health and safety and that of
others who may be affected by what you do

• Co-operate on H&S with employer

• Use work items correctly

• Not interfere with or misuse anything provided for your health &
safety
 Risk Assessments – 5 Steps
1. Identify the hazards

2. Decide who might be harmed and how

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precaution

4. Record your findings and implement them

5. Review your assessment and update if necessary

Workplace Risks

What hazards can

you see in this
picture?

What could be
done to reduce or
prevent the risks?
Workplace Risks

What hazards can

you see in this
picture?

What could be
done to reduce or
prevent the risks?
Workplace Risks

What hazards can

you see in this
picture?

What could be
done to reduce or
prevent the risks?
Workplace Risks

What hazards can

you see in this
picture?

What could be
done to reduce or
prevent the risks?
 Further information

• Health & Safety Executive (www.hse.gov.uk)

• ROSPA (www.rospa.co.uk)
• CIPD fact sheet on Health and Safety: (
www.cipd.co.uk)