IQ-Magazine-Issue-7

IQ health & safety
As a significant low-pressure depression
approaches the country, UK PLC’s Health &
Safety Policy has sprung into life with frequent
weather warnings and messages not to travel
unless absolutely necessary being broadcast.
High bridges, such as the Orwell Bridge in
Ipswich, have been closed to all vehicles, and
train services have been cancelled until at
least 09:00; the likelihood of overhead cables
coming down is relatively high, so it’s much
better to keep trains in their respective stations.
The net effect, apart from major
inconvenience to business and public life, is
that the likelihood of serious injuries will have
been reduced because these safety measures
have been put into place.
Employers have a responsibility to be in
control of their health and safety arrangements
during these difficult times. Some degree
of dynamic risk assessment will be taking
place across the country as business owners,
directors, managers and supervisors decide
whether or not drivers should be sent out in
company vehicles, or whether, if builders are
sent onto construction sites to work at heights,
extra precautions should be taken to prevent a
fall.
The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 requires
this type of decision to be made. How will you
make sure that you’re providing a safe place
to work for your employees, contractors and
others?
When reviewing how your organisation coped,
and performed, during these and other unusual
circumstances, consider how effective your
respective risk assessments and safe working
procedures were.
If a major accident had happened, would
you have had all the information at hand
to handle the incident? For instance,
could the various parties involved
have communicated with each other
effectively, and would your business
continuity plans have worked? If your
business had been affected, would you
have been able to locate your Business
Continuity Plan?
The essential point to bear in mind,
however, and to do something about, is
that this type of review should be part of
the everyday fabric of your business.
All too often, my organisation finds that
policies and procedures are in place but
they have not been reviewed, and what’s
more, they are not understood and are
often not followed by those that they are
designed on paper, to protect.
more information
Miles Vartan Consultancy Ltd, Epsilon House,
West Road, Ransomes Europark, Ipswich, Suffolk,
IP3 9FJ. Tel: 01473 276175 / 07879 695 077.
www.milesvartan.co.uk
issue 7 | page 23