If you do happen to be visited by a HSE inspector, it will obviously pay for you to be prepared. Remember that the purpose of any advice given (or action taken) by an HSE Inspector is to make your workplace a safer place for all, which can only be a good thing.
- Risk assessments, method statements and health and safety policies should all be available on site and should recently have been reviewed to ensure they are suitable and sufficient and cover all work activities.
- Check that the control measures listed in your risk assessments are actually in place, and are being followed.
- Ensure that employees, contractors and others on site have all been suitably trained and inducted. Make sure there is evidence of the training available – it’s a good idea to get people to sign to say they have attended so that you have proof.
- Walk the site regularly – check that people are doing what you’ve stated in your risk assessments. Are they wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)? Are they operating machinery safely? Are vehicles following the safe traffic route as designated by your traffic management plan?
- Ensure that copies of all thorough examinations/inspections of equipment are readily available, along with any survey reports (for example, asbestos surveys). There’s nothing more stressful than having to search for things during an inspection.
Contact us should you require assistance.
