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Why do we need Shieldyourself's services?
To ensure that your company or organisation has properly addressed its legal, moral and financial responsibilities that are health and safety related.
Our bespoke management systems, procedures and policies will save you time, demonstrate your commitment to keeping your workforce safe and, unlike generic compliance documentation will strengthen your due diligence defence should anything go wrong within your business. We save you time and money allowing you to get on with the things that really matter
Are your Consultants experts?
Yes. All our consultants are professionally qualified and have varying workplace experience gained over many years. All are able to assist you with the health and safety issues, risk assessments, COSHH, manual handling etc. In addition we have consultants who specialise in more specific areas such as asbestos, legionella, fire safety, noise and food safety.
Can you provide legal protection/support?
Any prosecution by the HSE or EHO is a criminal matter and the only insurance cover available is to cover the legal fees required to defend the case.
It is very rarely needed, and even less so by organisations who are well organised in terms of health and safety. If you want to purchase this separately please contact us or complete the form and we will contact you (link to the web enquiry form).
Will my insurance costs be reduced?
In the majority of cases this is YES. If you employ Shieldyourself to assist you with your Health and Safety requirements, the risks which are covered by your employer's liability insurer will be reduced. We can provide you with documentation to demonstrate to your insurer that you are complying with your legal obligations.
What will I receive as a client?
- Legal compliance and a strong due diligence defence
- Peace of mind
- Control over insurance premiums
- Reduced costs
- Reduced hassle
- Professional and knowledgeable assistance
- Greater staff productivity
How do I ensure that I stay up to date with the law?
We speak to our clients on a regular baiss and have regular client review meetings. We also provide our clients with regular legal updates, newsletters and items on this website to provide easy to understand news on legal compliance legislation and what it means for your business. Sign up to our advice helpline for only £1 a month and access legal compliance advice whenever you need it. Package clients will automatically receive updated information to be included within their policy when applicable new legislation is introduced. If ever you are unsure of the latest legislation and require advice call us on 0870 011 8250.
Will Shieldyourself look after all of my legal compliance activities?
We will work with you and your team to ensure that you take all the appropriate steps to ensure that risks to your organisation are minimised and that you comply with all the appropriate legislation. Ultimately the responsibility to ensure a safe place to work for your employees and comply with health and safety legislation is that of the employer.
How often will you visit my premises?
This is dependant on your needs and budget. Normally two or three visits a year are sufficient but not always. We are happy to speak to you every day over the telephone.
What does an audit of our premises involve?
One of our consultants will, in accompaniment with a representative of your organisation, undertake the following:
- An inspection of the structure and the work activities of the business.
- Review of the chemicals in use (COSHH review)
- Review of your existing practices and procedures.
- Review of your existing paperwork and policy
- A review of your staff training
- Non-formal interview with key members of staff
- A review of the fire risk assessment
- Review of the general risk assessments
- A close out meeting with the senior management of the organisation
- A fully written and comprehensive report.
Will I need to specially prepare anything for this audit?
Yes , ideally you will be able to put the health and safety paperwork into one place and make available the key members of staff.
What happens if I am visited by the Health and Safety Executive?
If you are contacted by the HSE or the Environmental Health Officer regarding a health and safety issue then you should contact us and let us know immediately so that we can help and guide you. ..
What happens if there's an accident involving one of our employees or on our premises?
Let Shieldyourself know as soon as possible. Some accidents must be notified to the Enforcing Authority and we can help with this.
You are required to ensure that all serious incidents are properly investigated. It may be that a visit from one of our health and safety consultants to assist you with this needs to be arranged very quickly.
What is the current legislation in relation to Health and Safety in the workplace?
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 , also referred to as HASAW or HSW, is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in the United Kingdom. The Health and Safety Executive is responsible for enforcing the Act and a number of other Acts and Statutory Instruments relevant to the working environment.
In short Health and Safety is a very complex area and covers many disciplines. If you need further information on a specific aspect of your company's Health and Safety or other compliance issues call the team on 0870 011 8250.
In general as an employer you must:
Make your workplace safe and without risks to health
Ensure plant and machinery are safe and that safe systems of work are set and followed
Ensure articles are moved, stored and used safely
Provide adequate welfare facilities
Give information, instruction, training and the supervision necessary for health and safety
In particular you must:
- Assess the risks to Health and Safety
- Make arrangements for implementing health and safety measures identified as being necessary by a health and safety risk assessment
- If there are five or more employees, record significant findings of the risk assessment and the arrangements for health and safety measures
- If there are five or more employees, draw up a health and safety policy statement – Shieldyourself can help you with this.
- Appoint someone competent to assist with health and safety responsibilities
- Set-up emergency procedures
- Provide adequate first-aid facilties
- Make sure your workplace satisfies health, safety and welfare requirements eg temperature, lighting, washing facilities etc
- Make sure work equipment is suitable, properly used and maintained
- Prevent or adequately control exposure to substances which may damage your health
- Take precautions against danger from flammable or explosive hazards, electrical equipment, noise and radiation
- Avoid hazardous manual handling operations or reduce the risk of injury where they cannot be avoided
- Provide health surveillance as appropriate
- Provide free any clothing or equipment, where risks are not adequately controlled by other means
- Ensure all the appropriate safety signs are provided and maintained
- Report certain injuries, diseases and dangerous occurrences to your local health and safety enforcement authority.
- As you can see Health and Safety legislation is multi-faceted and complex – for further advice call us on 0870 011 8250.
What is the current legislation in relation Legionella?
Businesses that allow their water systems to spread the bacteria, run the risk of major claims from victims, or prosecution under the Health and Safety at Work Act or Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.
The Health and Safety Executive Approved Code of Practice on The Prevention or Control of Legionellosis, gives clear and practical guidance regarding design, operation and maintenance of water systems to minimise the risk.
The Code demands that businesses with water systems assess and manage the risk and that includes taking advice from a competent person. Those who don't comply with the Code may have this used in evidence against them, if they are prosecuted under the Act or the COSHH regulations.
The risk is greatest where water lies stagnant for significant periods at between 20 and 45 degrees centigrade in un-maintained systems and where there is a mechanism to create droplets,
Avoiding such conditions requires expertise, for which a growing number of people are turning to Shieldyourself for advice in the field of water quality management. Request a call from an advisor or call now on 0870 011 8250
Call us on 0870 011 8250 for further information.
What is the current legislation in relation to Noise in the workplace?
The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, require employers to prevent or reduce risks to health and safety from exposure to occupational noise at work. The employer is required to conduct noise assessments to assess the risks from occupational noise at work, take action to reduce the noise exposure, make sure the limits are not exceeded and carry out health surveillance where there is risk to health.
Shieldyourself have staff that can assist in setting up a Noise Management Program. The program will provide initial assessment, action plan, detailing any problem sources of occupational noise in your working environment. Methods to reduce any problems will include looking to use a different or quieter process, introduce noise control engineering methods, enclose or form barriers between the noise source and the employees, design a low noise layout and limit the time spent in noisy areas. Request a call from an advisor or call now on 0870 011 8250>
What is the current legislation in relation to Asbestos Management in the workplace?
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (Regulation 4) places an explicit duty on those responsible (the duty holder) for any commercial premises to identify and manage asbestos containing materials that may be present in the property.
Asbestos Risk Assessment undertake all forms of asbestos survey. Shieldyourself's asbestos surveys are conducted by professional qualified asbestos surveyors. Our commitment to detail has earned us an enviable reputation.
We can provide you with a comprehensive asbestos survey, asbestos report, asbestos risk assessment and asbestos register to ensure your company complies fully with current regulation.
Request a call from an advisor or call now on 0870 011 8250
What is the current legislation in relation to Food Safety?
The Food Industry is legally obliged to meet the requirements of the Food Safety Act 1990, which provides controls for all parts of the food chain but for many years has been working to put standards in place that greatly exceed statutory requirements.
Food manufacturers and retailers are achieving this by invest in all aspects of food safety, from plant design, the implementation of good manufacturing practices, product development, training of staff, through to frequent and detailed inspections by independent third parties.
However the complex and innovative nature of the food chain means that constant vigilance is needed as new technologies emerge, as the integrity (through continuous safety, quality and nutritional value) of food and drink products is vital to maintain consumer confidence.
Do we legally have to carry out an analysis of food safety hazards?
Yes. All food business must carry out an analysis. Any controls identified as critical must be monitored.
Are hats a legal requirement for food handlers?
The Industry Guide to Good Hygiene Practice: Catering (the Guide to the Regulations) says yes, if they are handling open food.
What do I do if I receive an allegation of food poisoning?
Take the details down carefully and indicate your concern to the customer. Establish whether any other complaints have been received and whether the customer has seen a doctor. If any of the suspect food remains in-stock, it would be prudent to have it analysed. Investigate whether there are any issues of concern within the operation. Food Alert can advise on how to deal with such situations. 'Peace of Mind' clients can refer allegations to us for handling as part of your service contract.
Do I have to tell the EHO if I receive an allegation of illness?
No, but if you suspect that you may be involved in an outbreak (two or more unrelated cases), then it would be prudent.
What is the current legislation in relation to Fire Safety in the workplace?
The new regulatory reform (fire safety) order 2005, has replaced the Fire Precautions Act of 1971 and The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997 and means that fire safety certificates are no longer issued by your local fire brigade.
This change places greater responsibility on employers and those in control of buildings, and demands greater understanding from non-experts of issues such as:
- Identifying sources of fire risk
- Appreciating how fire spreads
- Effective fire detection
- Adequate means of escape
- Effective staff training
Many of those facing these responsibilities are looking to fire safety professionals to help them assess the risk adequately; thereby ensuring they comply with the law and protect their businesses from fire. At Shieldyourself we can help you with any of your Fire Safety needs including Fire Risk Assessments, Fire Safety Policies and Fire Safety Training.
Why do I need to carry out training?
Training is recognised essential to the success of any enterprise because it helps motivate the workforce, who in turn reward the company by reducing the risks associated with food poisoning and accidents at work. Training in relation Health and Safety, Food Safety and Fire Safety can also strengthen your “due diligence defence” should anything go wrong in your organisation.
What are the legal requirements in relation to training?
Yes. The Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 made it a legal requirement for an employer to train all staff in Health & Safety and the Food Safety (General Food Hygiene) Regulations 1995 require food handlers to have received training commensurate to their work activity. Failure to comply with the requirements for training could result in prosecution of the company.
What is RIDDOR?
The Reporting of Injuries Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 requires employers to notify the local authority of certain work-related diseases and dangerous occurrences. Accidents that result in an employee being off work for more than 3 days must be notified within 10 days and where employees spend 24 hours in hospital must be notified immediately. If a visitor, guest or customer goes directly to hospital from your premises then this must be notified to the authority immediately.
What must I do to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act?
You must make 'reasonable adjustment' if you cannot offer a disabled person the same service that you would offer anyone else. This may require an audit of your premises accessibility and the services themselves. Shieldyourself also provide Disability Awareness Training – for further information please call us on 0870 011 8250
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