Can using Shieldyourself reduce my insurance premiums?

In the current climate of rising insurance premiums it is comforting to know that using our systems may contribute to lower premiums. The risks which are covered by your Employers Liability Compulsory Insurance show evidence of being better controlled therefore contribute to lower premiums. We can produce written information to satisfy your insurers during your renewal quote such as ‘How many RIDDOR accidents have there been in the last 12 months’.

How will you keep me up to date with changes in the law?

Regular reviews of your products and services will ensure we can support you in keeping your policies and procedures current whilst our reactive services on the helpline will assist in ensuring you are not only keeping up-to-date with legislation but best practice and industry guidance too. Our regular client newsletters and website blog articles keeps you abreast of current and emerging issues in the world of food, fire and health and safety.

How will you help me prepare for an audit?

The Compliance team will prepare an Audit Brief that outlines what to expect from an audit. The brief will specify the timeframes in which the auditor has access to the site and also a list of required paperwork which the auditor will need to review on site. If any access is required to online systems such as e-learning portals, this will also be highlighted. Clients who have a Health and Safety policy from Shieldyourself will have a dedicated Audit policy which briefs all internal and external audit procedures.

What happens if I am visited by an Enforcement Officer?

As part of the service, the Shieldyourself Helpline can assist your managers in dealing with a visit from an official such as an Environmental Health Officer. Visits can be logged on the helpline and any actions that are required. The Compliance team will assist managers how best to comply and provide support to both the site and your company.

Do I need a Health and Safety policy?

If you employ 5 or more staff then it is a legal requirement to have a written Health and Safety Policy. A policy from Shieldyourself will outline the organisations commitment and approach to providing a positive safety culture. Roles and responsibilities of management and employees are carefully outlined to ensure the organisations are fulfilling the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and associated Regulations.

What do I do if an employee or a customer has an accident on my premises?

As part of the helpline service, the Compliance team will assist your managers in accident investigations and putting into place measures to mitigate the chance of recurrent injuries to staff or customers. They will provide expert advice on what to do next and support the managers by filing all of the evidence to prove you have undertaken remedial works to minimise the risk of further accidents arising of a similar nature.

What is RIDDOR?

Certain types of accident, injuries, diseases or dangerous occurrences need to be reported to the enforcing authority. Failure to do so is an offence. The Compliance team can help managers identify when and how to do so to ensure they are within the law. They will also prepare the manager for the reporting process so that they can do this with a minimal amount of disruption on your day to day activities.

What do I need to consider in relation to Legionella?

Stored water systems may support the growth of Legionella bacteria which can lead to Legionellosis or Legionaires disease. Businesses must control the spread of Legionella or run the risk of civil claims from victims and prosecution from the enforcing authority. This is a requirement under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. Avoiding such conditions requires expertise from a specialist survey. Request a call from an advisor or call Shieldyourself on 0845 643 7225 for more information.

I think my workplace may be considered noisy. What do I need to do?

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, require employers to prevent or reduce risks to the health and safety of employees from exposure to occupational noise at work. This requires and assessment from a specialist acoustic consultant and will require noise readings with average weighting over a specified time period. Methods to reduce any problems will be provided by the consultant and could include looking to use a different or quieter process, introducing noise control engineering methods, enclosing or forming barriers between the noise source and the employees, designing a low noise layout and limiting the time spent in noisy areas. Request a call from an advisor or call now on 0845 643 7225.

What do I need to do about Asbestos?

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 place an explicit duty on those responsible for any commercial premises to identify and manage asbestos containing materials that may be present in the property. Shieldyourself's asbestos surveys are conducted by professional qualified asbestos surveyors. We can provide you with a comprehensive asbestos survey, asbestos report, asbestos risk assessment and asbestos register to ensure your company complies fully with all legislation. Request a call from an advisor or call now on 0845 643 7225.

Can Shieldyourself help if we get an allegation of food poisoning?

Nobody wants your customers to become sick as a result at eating at your premises. However, should an allegation be made, the Helpline has a comprehensive investigation procedure which will help you prove a strong due diligence defence and satisfy the local authority that you are doing all that you reasonably can to reduce the risk of food poisoning. We will contact the complainant directly and undertake an investigation thus taking as much of the pressure as possible from your managers.

I’ve heard of HACCP before, but does this affect my food business??

Current EC Regulations require that all food business have a written procedure based on HACCP principles. This requires an analysis to be conducted of your food operation with specific controls identified when they are deemed to be critical to food safety. Corrective actions are to be put in place if any of the processes fail and monitoring procedures are to be implemented to verify that the system works effectively. Shieldyourself can produce a Food Safety Management System based on HACCP to help identify safe methods for cooking, cooling, cleaning and control of cross contamination.