Unit 27 Understanding Health and Safety in the Business Workplace Assignment Help (GC01293)
Contents
Introduction.
P1 Explain the legal requirements and regulations for ensuring the health, safety, and security of those employed in the business.
P2Describe the requirements for a healthy and safe workplace, as applied to the physical environment and equipment used in Waitrose.
Physical Environment and Equipment
P3Explain the roles and responsibilities for the health and safety of key personnel in Waitrose.
P4 Plan a risk assessment for a selected administrative work environment.
Conclusion.
References.
Introduction
Health and safety is an important aspect of the corporate world. The selected organization for this assignment is Waitrose. This assignment focuses on four key tasks. The first task of this assignment explains the legal requirements and regulations for ensuring the health, safety, and security of those employed in the business. The second task describes the requirements for a healthy and safe workplace, as applied to the physical environment and equipment used in Waitrose. The third task explains the roles and responsibilities for the health and safety of key personnel in Waitrose. Finally, the fourth task plans a risk assessment for Waitrose’s administrative work environment. This guide explains how to assess and reduce the risks of using workplace equipment
P1 Explain the legal requirements and regulations for ensuring the health, safety, and security of those employed in the business
Employees must work safely in accordance with their training and instructions given to them. Employees must also notify the employer or the person responsible for the health and safety of any serious or immediate danger to health and safety or any shortcoming in health and safety arrangements. Waitrose has applied their health and safety regulations effectively however, now staffs have more rights and responsibilities. Employers have a legal responsibility to ensure the health and safety procedures are followed in the workplace.
Employees nowadays have more and more rights and responsibilities and laws have been put into place to ensure both the employees and employers are working together to make sure everyone within the operational department is safe. Some of an employer’s duties are that; they have to maintain safe areas for employees to work in, arrange for appropriate people to carry out equipment such as tables, chairs, substances because teachers legally are not allowed to do this in case they hurt themselves, they have to provide information, training, and supervision relating to health and safety (Salin, 2016).
Employers must also make arrangements to ensure the health and safety of the workplace, including making arrangements for emergencies, adequate information, and training for employees and for health surveillance where appropriate.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (also referred to as HSWA, the HSW Act, the 1974 Act or HASAWA) is the primary piece of legislation covering occupational health and safety in Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive, with local authorities (and other enforcing authorities) is responsible for enforcing the Act and a number of other Acts and Statutory Instruments relevant to the working environment. The Directors recognize their responsibilities as an employer, to safeguard as far as reasonably practicable, the Health, Safety, and Welfare at work of all employees.
They will actively encourage employees to show commitment to this policy by holding quarterly meetings with depot staff to discuss and report on all activities. They also accept their responsibility for the Health, Safety, Welfare, and Quality meeting customer requirements and for the general public who may be affected by the activities of the company (Salin, 2016).
The Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations 1992
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 requires that employers also have to record significant results and the information based upon risk assessments. The Workplace (Health, Safety, and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover a wide range of basic health, safety, and welfare issues and apply to most workplaces (Salin, 2016).
Waitrose follows these acts and it will help employers understand the regulatory requirements on issues such as ventilation, temperature, lighting, cleanliness, room dimensions, workstations and seating, floor conditions, falls or falling objects, transparent and translucent doors, gates and walls, windows, skylights and ventilators, traffic routes, escalators, sanitary conveniences, and washing facilities.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently published amended guidance outlining the requirements of the new regulations and the main changes from the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995. The new regulations will clarify and simplify the reporting requirements while ensuring that the data collected gives an accurate and useful picture of workplace incidents.
Waitrose has an on-site medical room which has the latest first aid kit and other appropriate equipment needed in case of a potential injury or illness, however, if they feel it is serious or needs further action they will fill out a risk assessment immediately and refer them to the hospital or where necessary.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) 1999 has become a principal piece of UK legislation and is a key part of the attempt to enforce the health and safety movement in the UK. MHSWR was created to supplement and reinforce the importance of health and safety which was first highlighted in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act of 1974. Waitrose as an organization or a business in the UK, it is the employer’s, employees’ and contractors’ responsibility to comply with MHSWR to ensure that health and safety are maintained.
Following the introduction of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, there was an increase in the commitment to health and safety in the UK (Salin, 2016). This was a movement that had previously not received such strong commitment before the legislation was introduced to really enforce it. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 was introduced to really reinforce and encourage more compliance and commitment to the health and safety movement in the UK.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health’ and under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers need to either prevent or reduce their workers’ exposure to substances that are hazardous to their health. This regulation has been enforced by the Health And Safety Executive (HSE) who keeps a constant watch on businesses to ensure they comply with COSHH law. Noncompliance can result in prosecution as well as hefty fines. If Waitrose fails to adequately control hazardous substances, employees or others may become ill.
Effects from hazardous substances range from mild eye irritation to chronic lung disease or, on occasions, death. This may result in lost productivity to businesses, leaving them liable to enforcement action, including prosecution under the COSHH Regulations, or result in civil claims from employees (Salin, 2016). Using chemicals and other hazardous substances at work can put employees’ lives at risk, causing health problems, such as asthma or dermatitis, or even life-threatening conditions like cancer. As a result of improved safety practices and procedures, COSHH reduces the loss of business productivity from accidents or illnesses.
P2Describe the requirements for a healthy and safe workplace, as applied to the physical environment and equipment used in Waitrose
The Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations, 2007 sets out the requirements with regard to work equipment. Work equipment is defined as any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool, or installation for use at work. The scope of work equipment is therefore extremely wide. As an employer, it is Waitrose’s responsibility to maintain a safe and healthy workplace (Reynolds, 2016). A safety and health management system, or safety program, can help them focus their efforts on improving their work environment. Whatever they call it, their plan describes what the people in their organization do to prevent injuries and illnesses at their workplace…………………………
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