Health and Safety Regulations - planning and organisation for your business

Health and safety at work is an important aspect of organisation within your business. There are statutory and enforceable requirements applicable to all businesses. Insurance to cover your legal requirements, workplace health and safety adherence and staff knowledge is key to being organised to meet the standards required by law. Be organised with first aid, fire safety and health and safety at work and you will be ensuring your legal position. HSE at work has advice and guidance for business.

Fire safety at work is essential, as are regular fire alarm tests and evacuation drills. Fire exit signs are easily recognised - printed in green and will pointout nearest exits and evacuation assembly points. Fire exit signs and fire safety will form part of any risk assessment for business owners. Part of the risk assessment will also form an awareness and prevention of fires in the first place. Fire safety is about reducing risks and being aware of possible fire hazards not just having fire exit signs. No smoking signs are also available to comply with the no smoking legal requirements.

First aid in the workplace should be adequate and appropriate. A suitably stocked first aid kit suitable to your business - for instance a catering first aid kit for catering outlets available to all staff and suitable for the number of employees is a minimum requirement. First aid workplace health and safety compliance also requires an appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements and information for employees about first aid arrangements.

With regard to workplace health and safety employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations (HSIER) to display health and safety posters in a prominent position in each workplace or provide each worker with a copy of the equivalent leaflet outlining British health and safety laws.

A good place to start is to be organised with health and safety nominate one person as a competent representative, ensure you have sufficient relevant insurance and make risk assessments and a written health and safety policy and ensure you register with the relevent bodies. For further advice and guidance visit the HSE site.