32 . Glasgow Business July/August 2013


accident in the first six months at a workplace as during the whole of the rest of their working life, for example, due to being unfamiliar with a new industry or workplace.


Get a commitment from the top


“You need someone at the top of the business who ‘owns’ health and safety and treats it seriously,” advised Mathew. As well as potentially being liable of


negligence in the eyes of the courts, those in charge face a bigger threat, according to Steve,


“You can still be held liable for accidents of outsourced staff undertaking services for your business.”


in the event of someone suffering a serious accident or death – and that is “enduring a palpable sense of guilt or remorse”.


Fight the greatest risk in offices


“For office-based companies, the single greatest hazard most likely to put your business out of business is fire,” warned Steve. “Te steps to reduce the risk, however, are


Beware fire risk assessments


The completion of a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, within an organisation’s property portfolio, is not the publication of the reports, but simply the springboard to the next stage of the process, advises DDS International. While reports will identify any measures


necessary to achieve compliance, time spent planning and implementing the findings of the action plan, (including dealing with possible solutions), will have a major benefit in both time and significant cost savings.


relatively simple, such as ensuring you have fire doors which are kept closed and that emergency escapes routes are not blocked or outside doors are able to be opened quickly in the event of a fire.” Companies should get suitable fire


awareness training and implement procedures for checking precautions and fire controls, he advised.


Check your suppliers


Take care to make sure the companies you outsource service to are complying with their


An effective fire risk assessment programme should include: » Fire risk assessment templates specific to premises use and occupancy » Reference to relevant guidance and policy documents » Reports and management requirements » Measurement and review of action taken » Use of competent risk assessors » Implementing quality control measures. DDS works with businesses to ensure all


aspects of fire safety legislation requirements are addressed and implemented using a team of highly experienced fire safety experts.


health and safety rules. Steve explained. “As well as having a moral duty, you can still be held liable for accidents of outsourced staff undertaking services for your business.”


Help is available


Healthy Working Lives has recently launched a range of free Health and Safety training resources at www.healthyworkinglives.com/ advice/HRatW Te Health and Safety Executive also has


a range of resources on its website at www.hse.gov.uk


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