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Q?
Why is it important to have risk assessments?
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A.
Risk assessments are very important as they form an integral part of an occupational health and safety management plan. They help to: Create awareness of hazards and risk. Identify who may be at risk (e.g., employees, cleaners, visitors, contractors, the public, etc.).
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Q?
Do I need a Health and Safety policy?
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A.
We get asked this question all the time. There is some confusion around this subject with some saying a health and safety is required all the time and some say a health and safety policy is only required if the organisation has 5 or more employees.
There are several answers to this question however the law requires a health and safety policy to be recorded and available if there are 5 or more employees. For organisations with less than 5 employees the policy can be verbal.
Some small organisations have had to have a policy in place as a requirement of the organisations stakeholders e.g. insurance companies, clients, staff, accreditation bodies etc.
Remember the policy only needs to be as complex as the hazards it is trying to control.
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Q?
One of my employees has had an accident. Do I have to investigate the accident?
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A.
All accidents need to be recorded in the accident book. The accidents should then be reviewed periodically to identify any trends and to determine what measures need to be taken to prevent future accidents.
When reviewing accidents you should look at what actually caused the accident as this will prevent a recurrence.
Severe accidents may require a significantly more thorough investigation to identify the root cause of the accident and identify suitable controls to prevent a recurrence. Accident investigation may also be required by insurance companies and may be used to gather and capture evidence to defend against prosecution.
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Q?
I have foreign workers, do Health and Safety laws apply to them?
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A.
Simple answer, YES.
Health and Safety law is there to protect ALL employees and persons who could be affected by what you do or what you don't do.
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Q?
We are a church and don’t employ anybody. Do we have to comply with Health and Safety laws?
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A.
Simple answer, YES. The law is there for everyone.
Employment law may be different to health and safety law. Under health and safety law anyone, who you have some form of control over, may be considered an employee. This is often described as the Master and Servant relationship and could extend to volunteers, people visiting the church or attending events etc.