Every working environment has a certain number of potential hazards, which is why it is so important for supervisors and managers to be aware of these risks and to safeguard the well-being of their employees. The supervisor or manager in a workplace has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are protected from any risks and hazards while they are performing their work.
An employer has a “duty of care” to look after the health, welfare and safety of all employees while they are in the workplace. They must ensure that all employees have access to suitable health and safety advice, that they are wearing the correct personal protective equipment and that they are aware of the safe procedures for carrying out work tasks. Even if the responsibility for managing health and safety is delegated to a competent person in the business, the primary responsibility still lies with the owners of the business.
Carrying Out a Risk Assessment
Every employer is responsible for carrying out a risk assessment, which will allow them to identify potential health and safety hazards. The risk assessment is not an optional procedure, it must be carried out in every workplace and it is very important.
The risk assessment should look carefully at the working procedures and conditions to figure out what could potentially cause workers to have an accident or injury. Once the thorough risk assessment has been conducted, it is very important to ensure that changes are made in the workplace to accommodate for these risks.
Creating a Health and Safety Policy
It is also important for an employer to create a health and safety policy which is reviewed on an annual basis. A health and safety policy is a very important document and it will help you to outline how you will manage health and safety within your business – including who is responsible for what.
It is important that the health and safety policy is laid out in a very clear manner which is easy for everyone in the workplace to understand. Also, all employees should have access to the health and safety policy at all times – so that they can review it whenever they need to. If employees have any questions about the health and safety policy, they should be encouraged to speak up and let their employer know.
What a Manager is Responsible For
So what exactly is a manager, supervisor or employer responsible for in the workplace? The manager has an obligation to make sure that the workplace is safe and healthy to work in, which means that they should:
- Properly maintain the premises and the work equipment at all times.
- Ensure that all working areas have good ventilation, especially when working with potentially hazardous substances and fumes.
- Make sure that the workplace is kept at a healthy working temperature so that employees are not too hot or cold.
- Ensure that the lighting in the workplace is suitable for the work that is being carried out.
- Make sure that the workplace is clean and that the waste containers are appropriate for the situation.
- Ensuring that employees are working acceptable hours and have enough time to rest and recuperate between their shifts.
- If employees have health considerations such as psychical limitations or pregnancy, their job tasks should be adapted in a way so that they can be performed safely.
- Make sure that all employees have clean toilets and hand wash stations, with soap and towels or a hand dryer.
- Ensure that all employees have access to clean drinking water.
Also, employees should feel like they can talk to their employers about any health and safety considerations, without worrying about reprimand.
It is also very important for employees to keep a record of injuries, accidents and other problems in the workplace. These should be recorded according to the appropriate health and safety procedures, so that they can be safely monitored. Recording an incident helps to understand what went wrong and how it can be avoided in the future. Also, it provides a record in case the incident is ever part of a lawsuit or workplace compensation claim case.
The proper method for reporting incidents and recording their details will be covered in any health and safety training class for managers. It is important that managers follow these methods, so that the appropriate details of the accident are recorded.
When to Consult With Employees
It is also important for managers, employees and supervisors to consult with employees regarding anything that could potentially affect their health and safety at work.
For example, managers should consult with their employees when a change or a new procedure is implemented – such as types of work, equipment or new ways of working. Also, they should consult with employees when a new technology or machinery is introduced, so that the health and safety consequences of that technology can be discussed.
Also, employees should feel like they can freely discuss health and safety matters with their employers. They should feel comfortable bringing up these issues in the workplace without fear of reprisal, so that they can be resolved.
Managers Must Have Health and Safety Training
It is very important for managers to have the appropriate health and safety training, so that they are aware of the procedures that they must follow. Health and safety training will give them all of the information and techniques that they need to know in order to protect the well-being of their employees. With the right health and safety training, employers will be more prepared to protect the health of their employees.
Envico offers a number of health and safety training courses designed for managers. These courses are essential for managers and will ensure that they are informed enough to take care of the health and safety of their employees. There are several different courses offered at training centres all over the country.