Stay safe with new year’s resolutions

02 January 2013

Slingsby has produced a top 10 list of New Year’s resolutions to help businesses and other organisations ensure that they stay safe and sound in 2013.

Lee Wright, Marketing Director of Slingsby said: “At this time of year people naturally start thinking about New Year’s resolutions but as well as deciding how to improve their personal lives, it’s also worth considering how to enhance safety records in their workplace.

“Usually New Year’s resolutions in businesses revolve around improving financial systems, marketing or IT and often health and safety is overlooked despite it being one of the key functions within any organisation and a cost-effective area to make improvements in. Plus preventative health and safety measures benefit businesses financially by averting accidents and the costs that follow.”

Lee adds: “Lots of people often make similar New Year’s resolutions, which might relate to health or financial goals, and it’s a similar story in workplaces so we have compiled a list of New Year’s resolutions that can be applied in most organisations to improve safety.

“The key to making successful New Year’s resolutions is to make sure they are realistic and achievable and set regular review dates. All of the points below can be evaluated at monthly or quarterly intervals to ensure progress is being made.”

By following Slingsby’s list of 10 New Year’s resolutions, workplaces can kick off the New Year safe in the knowledge that their health and safety functions are in tip top condition:-

? Start by observing how employees work and look out for any unsafe or risky behaviour and activities that could be improved upon.

? Consider whether employees could benefit from training and what this might include. This is often the most important aspect of any successful safety programme.

? Look carefully at the layout and condition of work areas and think about whether changes could be made to improve safety.

? Take an objective look at all equipment and machinery rather than simply assuming it works correctly and make sure action is taken whenever you find faults.

? Review maintenance schedules for machinery or equipment to make sure they are up to date and still relevant for the workplace.

? Look at all personal protective equipment and check that it’s appropriate, is in good condition and is readily available to all workers.

? Identify potential fire, chemical, electrical, and other hazards throughout your premises and take action to eliminate these risks.

? Invite employees to make suggestions about how they think workplace safety could be improved and be sure to consider these carefully!

? Finally, this is a great opportunity to tidy up, move things off the floor and have a good clear out. Usually if something hasn’t been used for 12 months it won’t be used again so get rid of it rather than leaving it sitting in a walkway or cluttering up a cupboard.