Health and Safety for a Business Start-Up

Whether you are a start-up business or a massive corporation, having a health and safety procedure in place is a legal requirement that should not be ignored. There are a number of hazards which are prominent in a standard office environment that could pose a risk to you and your employees, and which you have a responsibility to address. Failure to do so can lead to a costly law suit, should an employee injure themselves or become ill as a result of your negligence.

Although much of health and safety law should be common sense, a safe office environment doesn’t come naturally – it needs to be worked at. Slips, trips and falls are the most common workplace injuries, and can be prevented by removing the potential causes of these accidents. Passages should be kept clear, wires and papers tidied away and furniture arranged to minimise obstruction when people are moving around the office. Injuries can also be caused by sitting for long periods of time with bad posture; having adjustable office furniture and educating your employees on the correct positions to sit and type in order to minimise stress to the body can all help avoid injuries. In fact, all of these problems can be avoided; as a legal requirement you must assess the risks posed by your office and line or work, and consult your employees in order to come up with a health and safety procedure.

There are a number of ways to implement health and safety procedures in your office. Providing employees with training on best practice will mean that everyone is equipped with the knowledge they need to work together and create a safe office environment. It is the responsibility of everyone in the office to prevent accidents and injuries, but as the employer you must equip them with the right tools. Adding signs where hazards might exist, or to remind employees of best practice helps keep health and safety procedures at the forefront of everyone’s minds. Providing safety equipment where necessary; and arranging cleaners and maintenance in order to uphold a high standard of cleanliness and organisation will all contribute to safe and healthy workers.

As an employee, you are responsible for the safety of your colleagues. However, if your employer is not providing you with the training and equipment you need in order to do this, they could be in breach of their statutory duties. It is within your rights to raise this issue with your employer, and to express your concerns. However, if they continue to neglect their legal responsibilities, you should seek legal advice, particularly if you have experienced an injury or illness as a result of their negligence.