Firms put staff at risk with poor health and safety advice

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Almost half of businesses are putting staff at risk by failing to get competent advice on their health and safety risks, Norwich Union Risk Services (NURS) has warned.

Under health and safety legislation, businesses are obliged to appoint a ‘competent person’ to carry out health and safety risk assessments. A competent person is classed as someone who has sufficient training and experience to carry out a risk assessment.
According to an NURS survey of 650 businesses last year, 40 per cent could be contravening health and safety laws as they are not getting competent advice. However, NURS training and consultancy manager, Kevin Chicken, warned that figure could now be higher. “This figure could well be rising as the recession may mean firms let things slide,” he said.

NURS lead health and safety consultant, Simon Cook, said that it is essential for businesses to appoint a competent person to carry out risk assessments if they are to avoid accidents at work.

“Failing in the basic responsibilities of completing risk assessments means that firms are not aware of the hazards present on their premises,” he said. “For example, we see businesses failing to segregate vehicles and pedestrians on the same premises, or not putting housekeeping measures in place to ensure that slip and trip hazards are minimised.”

Chicken added that small firms are more susceptible to failure to comply with these requirements. “In a larger organisation it would be fairly easy to find a competent person or set aside the resources to train someone for the role. However, in a smaller organisation, it’s more difficult,” he said. “While health and safety assessment can be managed from within, the key is being aware of what your limitations are.”

Under Health and Safety laws, the onus is on the employer to ensure that the competent person appointed for the task has sufficient knowledge and independence to ensure that assessments are properly carried out and that the necessary recommendations are properly implemented.

• For more information about health and safety responsibilities, visit the Health & Safety Executive website.