Health and Safety Archives | Page 24 of 76

Five steps to implementing a dog-friendly office policy

1. Check formalities

There will be some situations where dogs are not appropriate. For example, in a kitchen, or a manufacturing site where there is a risk of contamination. However, in many cases there will be no legal reason why a dog cannot be in the workplace. That said, check whether or not there are any restrictions outlined in the organisation’s insurance policies and rental agreements. For example, having an animal in the car might invalidate some car insurance policies, and some rented work spaces might specifically state that dogs (with the exception of assistance dogs) are not permitted.

2. Include in the risk assessment

Any dogs on the premises will need to be considered as part of the employer’s duties under health and safety legislation. A risk assessment will need to be carried out and it is important that any hazards are identified, as well as any options for harm and risk mitigation. Dogs will also need to be incorporated into the fire safety risk assessment, for example to ensure that they are not blocking emergency exits, and to detail what to do in the event of a fire. Contact us if you wish this option to be added to a risk assessment.

3. Pet-proof the workplace

There will be some logistical considerations if dogs are to be allowed in the office. For example, will the office need cleaning more regularly? Is the office ventilated sufficiently? There might be some no-go areas for dogs (office kitchens, for example) or alternatively, specific areas that are reserved for dogs and pet-loving employees. Other considerations might be ensuring that bins have lids, and that desks are equipped with a means to secure a dog lead.

4. Create a code of conduct

A clear policy will help alleviate concerns over dogs in the office. Issues to consider include the following.

Making it clear that the dog’s owner is legally and financially responsible for any damage (to people or property), for example by ensuring that they have appropriate third-party insurance.
Having a probationary period for any pets to ensure that the dog is happy in the work environment, and that their presence and behaviour is not unduly distracting.
Setting ground rules about what constitutes acceptable behaviour, it is unlikely to be acceptable for a dog to rush around, bark, or be over-protective of their owner. Bear in mind, it might be necessary to have ground rules for other employees, too.
Setting out any requirements for welfare responsibilities, such as feeding, how frequently bedding is changed, and where food is kept.
Requiring up-to-date vaccinations, regular treatment for ticks and mites, and not allowing dogs into the office if they are ill.
Outlining that the owner is responsible for the dog at all times, and what should happen if the dog needs to be left for any period of time.
Only having dogs in the office when appropriate, for example, not if their owner is in an all-day meeting and cannot provide the necessary attention.
Considering whether there should be a rota, or other means of limiting the number of dogs in the workplace.
Setting rules on whereabouts the dog can be, including, for example, whether they are allowed in when staff with allergies or phobias are also present.
Making it clear what happens if any rules are broken.

5. Make sure you have staff support

Finally, before allowing dogs to work, check that it is supported by other members of staff. As well as gauging general support levels for any change in policy, it is important to understand if any staff have a reason for not wanting a dog nearby. It is also imperative to have a clear policy for dealing with staff concerns and complaints.

Conclusion

Having dogs in the office does not need to be a cause for concern if proper steps are followed and there is a clear policy in place. Although it might take time to set up, in the long-term it is likely to lead to happier pet-owners and an overall improvement to the workplace and staff morale.

All we need to do now is get a dog!

Contact us should you require a risk assessment or to discuss the blog in more detail.

Poor Housekeeping

It’s for this reason that good housekeeping should be at the top of your health and safety agenda.

Human factors

Carrying out certain work activities, such as cleaning or maintenance, pose a greater risk of temporary slips, trips and falling hazards.

However, even with robust training and experience—anyone can slip up. So use physical controls and suitable and sufficient safety systems of working to mitigate risk.

You should always consider vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly and the visually impaired when attempting to mitigate risks.

Young workers, new starters or persons with a limited understanding of English are more at risk of accidents due to a lack of understanding of controls / signage and / or instruction.

Environmental factors

Environmental factors can often significantly affect the likelihood of a slip, trip or fall.

Factors such as (but not limited to):

Lighting – A poorly lit environment or excessive glare will make it much harder for a person to assess their environment and spot potential hazards
Noise – Noise can distract and draw an individual’s attention away from localised hazards as they move around
Weather factors – Snow or leaves in autumn can physically conceal potential hazards on the ground or create hazards themselves

So where do I start?

All employers have a legal duty to assess the risks to their employees and others who may be affected by their operations, such as visitors, contractors and members of the public.

This will help to find out what needs to be done and where to control any risks.

This should be a five step approach:

Look for housekeeping issues in your workplace – remember to review the whole workplace, including infrequently used areas and any outdoor areas.
Decide who may be harmed and how – remember to include any vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young workers, or anyone with a disability
Think about the risk – are mitigation’s already in place and are they adequate?
Record your findings – if you don’t record it how do you prove you’ve considered it?
Review your assessments regularly – If there have been changes to the workplace then the review should ensure that both current precautions and management arrangements are suitable and sufficient or that further controls may be required.

NOTE: Risk assessments should be reviewed at least once annually.

An organised approach

A good management approach and robust systems will help identify any deficient areas, help you decide any action points, note when actions have been completed, and check that the steps taken are actually effective.

A good system should include:

Planning – This will identify key areas and set timely goals for any improvements that may be required. If you fail to plan then you plan to fail
Organisation – Employees should be involved in all stages of the process, they are your experts.
Control – Regular checks should be made to ensure working practice and process work and are being followed
Monitor and Review – Any accident investigations and inspection reports are key. Near miss and minor accidents will also assist in highlighting any trends / problem areas. The monitor and review should include management arrangements.

Remember – A clean and tidy workplace is a safer working environment for those affected by its activities.

Contact us for further support.

Health & Safety of Sedentary Workers

Sedentary lifestyles are commonplace among office workers, but to make matters worse, a large portion of employees don’t feel encouraged to lead an active lifestyle.

Top Tips on Managing the Health & Safety of Sedentary Workers

Sedentary working increases the risk of developing certain health problems and can have a long-term impact on employees’ psychological wellbeing.

As an employer, you are responsibility for the wellbeing of your employees. Here’s a few guidelines on how you can effectively manage the health & safety of your sedentary workers:

Encourage gentle exercise and walking throughout the day to improve circulation
Ensure any employees that are seated for most of the day take regular breaks
Consider rotating tasks such as filing, photocopying, or even making a coffee
Train key staff on how to use an AED, and how to perform CPR
Get consent to share medical information with relevant managers and first aiders
Encourage all staff to drink water to combat dehydration—this can exacerbate any existing medical conditions, particularly in sedentary roles

Contact us should you require assistance

The Importance of Health and Safety Training for Directors and Executives

The safest workplaces are those where health and safety standards are set at a high level – from the very top right down to the very bottom. You have to lead by example and encourage everyone to adopt a safe and compliant attitude across the entire organisation. Ignorance is never a defence if your find yourself in the middle of a RIDDOR investigation.

As a director you have a responsibility to educate yourself about health and safety. You need to know what your role is in ensuring a safe, as well as productive, workplace. Being an executive, getting that title of director, comes with a price – ultimately the buck stops at your desk.

The good news is that, although you need to know the broad outline of health and safety regulations, you don’t need to commit the fine detail to memory. That means you can fit a health and safety course into a single day.

Here are courses that top management could do.

CITB Directors Role for health and safety

IOSH Leading Safety

IOSH Safety for Executives and Directors

If you require advice on booking a course or finding a supplier, please contact us.

We can point you in the right direction.

Drug Testing in the Workplace

Laws on random drug testing in the workplace

Drug testing can be quite a difficult and time-consuming policy to establish. Remember, an organisation must have consent from its employees to test them for drugs. This consent is usually included in the individual’s contract.

The law imposes various requirements on employers who wish to undertake random drug testing in the workplace. These include:

• limiting drug testing to the specific group of employees that the organisation needs to test

• ensuring the tests are random

• not singling out an employee unless justified by the nature of their job.

If there is a policy, with procedures in place and an employer has good reasons for testing for drugs — whether it is essential to do so for certain roles or where there is reasonable cause to believe an employee is under the influence — and someone refuses to take the test, the employer may resort to disciplinary action.

Dealing with drugs in the workplace

So, once an organisation has established when testing is applicable, how does it go about the testing?

There are three different types of workplace drug and alcohol testing.

Pre-employment: This tends to be the most common form but it’s also the least effective. This is because it’s based on a urine sample that an individual can easily dilute or substitute.
Post-incident: As the name suggests, testing in this case follows a health and safety incident.
Random: When a group of individuals consent to testing and you pick a handful of them to test at random.

To effectively test for drugs, the testing must be carried out by an individual with the correct qualifications from the UK Accreditation Service. They’ll conduct the testing.

The testing procedure must also comply with the International Standard for Laboratories. Failing to do this will mean the results are void.

Drug tests tend to work in a similar way, no matter which substance you are testing for. The most common package test is for cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, benzodiazepine, and opiates.

What to do if drugs are found in the workplace

If you happen to find physical evidence of employees using or storing drugs in the workplace, you still have to follow your process.

Refer back to your drug and alcohol policy and stick to it.
Document where, how, why, and who found the drugs, as well as any witnesses, previous complaints, concerns or behaviours.
Meet with the employee to discuss the situation — you should bring your documents with you to support this. Make sure a third party is present as a witness.
If the discussion with the employee is inconclusive, you may request the employee submits to a drug test.
If the employee refuses to take a test you may go down the disciplinary route — including terminating their employment if necessary.

The organisation should consider to what degree, if an employee is found to be using drugs, it will offer help and support. Actions might include arranging sick leave for treatment and arranging for referral to a treatment service.

How to create a drug and alcohol policy

The aim of this policy is to clearly set out the company’s position on drugs and alcohol within the workplace. You should include this in your Health and Safety Policy.

The policy should define when the use of drugs or alcohol is an issue (For example within working hours or when it interferes with work capability or conduct, etc). Make sure that you have considered the effects of prescription drugs too.
Then, it should define when the organisation might request a drug test or conduct an investigation.
It should then give direction to employees who suspect a colleague is under the influence, ideally pointing them to a particular contact they can speak to.
Finally, the policy should detail the company’s support and disciplinary procedures and how it will relate to anyone using drugs or alcohol in the workplace.

You may also want to create a separate document that specifically covers drug testing. The document needs to be specific to your organisation and work activities.

Contact us should you wish to discuss this topic or create a policy.

Category Archives: Health and Safety