HEALTH & SAFETY
MINIMISING ACCIDENT RISK
How can employers minimise the risk of workplace accidents after furlough? Claire Price from QMS International looks at how to reduce the potential for accidents
B
ringing workers back from furlough is presenting employers everywhere with unique challenges – and increased risks. The results of the HSE’s 2019/20 report on health and safety at work revealed that 0.7 million workers sustained injuries at work, with another 111 losing their lives due to a work-related accident.
Thanks to COVID-19 and lengthy furlough periods, it is possible that in the year 2020/21, these figures could rise. Returning furloughed workers to the workplace presents risks which could lead to an increase in accidents if not properly managed.
These risks include out of date training, a deteriorated workplace, and distraction caused by stress and anxiety.
Leaving these risks to develop could not only damage a company’s reputation, but also hit their bottom line. According to the HSE, non-fatal accidents can cost an average of £1,400, which rises steeply to £5,100 if the employee is incapacitated for at least seven days. Fatal injuries can ruin a business, costing just shy of £100,000, a figure that does not also consider the emotional and reputational fallout from such an incident.
Bringing furloughed workers back to work safely is paramount. So, what can business do to mitigate the risks?
44 SEPTEMBER 2021 | PROCESS & CONTROL 1. COMMUNICATE After a long time on furlough, it is very
possible that workers may find their former tasks unfamiliar. They may also be unaware of any new processes. This poses a risk to your business – if your team doesn’t know how to carry out a task properly, there is a chance that something could go wrong. To mitigate this risk, communication is key. An induction programme
similar to that of new starters will be useful here. This can include a health & safety briefing which can also highlight any
new COVID-security measures. The programme should also feature a reminder of
company practices and flag up any changes to company rules and procedures. To help returning workers familiarise
themselves with their roles, you may want to try a phased return. This may also mean that you can implement increased supervision, partnering up returning workers with more senior members of the team to ensure tasks are carried out safely.
2. OFFER TRAINING While furloughed, it is very likely that some
training certificates may have expired or that additional training is needed due to changes within the business.
Inadequate training can easily lead to
accidents. Depending on your business, you may need to offer refreshers on fire awareness, manual handling, working at height and COSHH, among others. It is likely that training companies are booked up as a result of many businesses re-opening, so you may want to explore eLearning options so that you can train your team before they even set foot in the workplace.
3. PROVIDE SUPPORT Anxiety and stress can lead to inattention,
distraction and fatigue, increasing the likelihood of mistakes being made and an accident occurring. Isolation during furlough and multiple
lockdowns, financial anxiety, grief over lost loved ones, and stress over the uncertainty of their job status may have led to an increase in mental ill health among your furloughed workers, which could now affect their performance at work. Offering well-being and mental health support is therefore crucial, although it seems that this is overlooked by many businesses. For example, in Lloyd Register’s Employee well-being during a pandemic: global insights for health and safety at work report, it found that only 15% of respondents had received information and resources on employee well-being. Speaking with returning workers and gaining
an understanding of their concerns will help you to determine the type and amount of support needed. Training mental health first aiders and communicating clearly about the returning process will also help
4. ASSESS THE RISKS Any change in your workplace should be
followed by a risk assessment. As you bring workers back, it would be wise to carry them out regularly until all staff are re-established.
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