With the change of clocks this week, a drop in temperature and our marketing team looking at Christmas card designs, we can all tell winter is on its way. In the same way we make preparation at home by checking the anti-freeze in the car, finding the scraper for those frosty mornings and bleeding all our radiators or filling the log store then so businesses should be thinking ahead and carrying out a few checks.
At Jacksons we are lucky enough to have the services of our very own health and safety consultancy to make sure we are “winter ready”. In this week’s blog Mark shares some autumn safety tips. If you would like to speak to him about these tips or any other health and safety concerns or queries then please get in touch. Email Mark at mstouph@jacksons-law.com or call 01642 873757.
As the clocks go back and the weather changes, now is an ideal time to do those maintenance tasks which you may have been putting off. Whether the maintenance relates to equipment or buildings research has shown that routine planned maintenance has a direct correlation with lower accidents in the workplace. Conversely, reduced maintenance results in unreliable equipment, frequent breakdowns and increased risk to maintenance staff often rushed to do emergency repairs.
We may clear the leaves from the garden at home and make sure the gutters are not blocked but do we take these precautions at work? Clearing leaves from footpaths at work will reduce the risk of slips and ensuring gutters are clear will ensure that heavy rain will not cause a problem through flooding the office or damaging the building structure over time. An accumulation of rainwater on surfaces can become an icy slip hazard as temperatures drop. Check any salt stores to make sure they are adequately stocked and that ground maintenance staff are aware of the procedures for gritting. Check the boiler has been serviced recently and undertake any repairs before the cold weather kicks in – gas boilers in the workplace must have a statutory inspection each year in addition to servicing. Check lighting around your work premises to ensure the bulbs are working and that timers, where fitted, have been adjusted to come on at the appropriate time.
In cold weather staff may use additional methods to heat their work area and this can introduce new risks. For example, portable gas or electric heaters will increase the risk of fire and should be avoided. Where such appliances cannot be avoided robust procedures should be put in place to ensure they are used safely and are not obstructed, placed too close to flammable materials or in confined areas with poor ventilation. Electric heaters also consume a considerable amount of electricity which can overload circuits.
Companies should also inspect their waste management arrangements and ensure that waste is removed regularly and not allowed to build up. Waste should be stored securely ideally away from the building. If you have large waste containers on site then regular inspections should be conducted – these are sometimes used by homeless people for shelter and fatalities have occurred during waste collection activities.
It’s not just maintenance staff who need to consider precautions at this time of year, all staff should be made aware of the company’s procedures for dealing with adverse weather conditions and dark mornings and evenings. Staff who drive as part of their role should be made aware of precautions when out in adverse weather such as allowing extra time for journeys, maintaining their vehicle and carrying suitable extra clothing, a torch and mobile telephone in case of breakdown. Remember to charge your mobile telephone before setting off and carry a charging cable in the car just in case your phone does runs out of power. Remember that some remote locations may not have a mobile telephone signal so you may not be able to summon help immediately if you break down or have an accident.
Staff working away from the office should be familiar with the company’s lone working procedures and ensure that a colleague knows their intended route and when they are expected back. If you are away from the office and your route changes or you are going to be later than expected then telephone a colleague to let them know. Companies should have a clear plan of action if a lone worker fails to return or call in on time with appropriate escalation procedures.
Finally, you may have seen mince pies in your local supermarket which means Christmas is only 7 weeks away! Do the office Christmas lights need to have a potable appliance test … NO!
