UK employees think workplace health and safety could be improved

New research carried out by facilities and building maintenance specialists, Direct365 has revealed that one in three people in the UK believe that their employer could be doing more to improve health and safety in the workplace.

Head of Digital at Direct365, Phil Turner said that companies shouldn’t become complacent about health and safety in their workplace, even when they think they have done enough: “People spend a lot of their lives at work, so it is essential that they are kept as safe as possible during that time.”

He added that employers may believe that their work environments are up to scratch but, as the research shows, there is always more that they can be doing to make improvements, whether that change is big or small.

Direct365 has spoken to industry experts to garner some tips that employers can use to make their working environments safer.

Firstly providing more basic training, the UK is well-known for its stringent health and safety procedures, but not every country has the same standards. Phil Banks, Managing Director of Health and Safety Training, said that companies who hire from outside the UK should take steps to ensure everyone understands the rules and the part they play in keeping everyone safe and healthy.

“Of increasing importance for the future of health and safety is providing workers with basic skills training, such as English and maths; this is especially important for the increasing number of migrant workers who may have learned their trade under a different culture of health and safety, as then they will have a better understanding of health and safety regulations.”

Secondly, having the right equipment and ensuring that all the equipment in your office or workplace is both working and compliant with the right regulations for your industry. Employers should regularly review their safety procedures, and ensure that all current and existing employees are aware of them.

Finally, planning for the worst, as no one can predict when an incident will occur, but the ability to react well under pressure, especially in a workplace environment, can make all the difference.

Jess Penny, General Manager of Sales at Penny Hydraulics, recommended that businesses plan in advance for every eventuality: “Have a concrete action plan for as many potential accident and emergency scenarios as possible; this will include an order of the events that need to take place in the event of each emergency scenario. In a panicked situation, people need to know what they are required to do and in what order.”