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By Emma Matlock 05 Nov, 2020
Do you have an updated COVID-19 Risk Assessment? Every business in the UK requires a COVID secure risk assessment to manage the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19). Failure to complete a COVID secure risk assessment or complete a risk assessment, but fail to put in place sufficient measures to manage the risk of COVID-19, could constitute a breach of Health and Safety Law. The HSE and Local Authority are also undertaking spot checks on work premises. Have you taken steps to ensure social distancing? Where possible you should keep people 2 metres apart. If this is not viable, keeping 1 metre apart with risk mitigation is acceptable. You could also consider staggering working shifts. Do you have a COVID-19 compliant cleaning regime, hygiene and handwashing facilities? Keeping your workplace clean and ensuring people have the facilities to undertake frequent handwashing reduces the potential for coronavirus to spread. Where such facilities are not for use, ensure hand sanitiser is readily available. Have you spoken to and provided current COVID-19 information to your employees and others under your Duty of Care? To help involve and update your employees with the steps you are taking to manage the risk of coronavirus in your workplace, you must ensure that you explain the changes you are planning to implement to enable them to work safely and compliantly. Displaying current Government guidelines and posters will help to keep employees, visitors and the general public well informed. Are your employees working from home if they can? While your employees are working from home you must provide the equipment they need and keep in regular contact with them, making sure you also discuss their mental health and wellbeing. Are you protecting vulnerable employees? You must ensure that you consider the risk to employees who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus and put controls in place to reduce this risk. Encourage employees to consider the impact of non-compliance to vulnerable colleagues. How can GH Safety help you? The Team at GH Safety are here to help businesses follow Government guidance, creating safe and compliant environments and protecting people. We can offer: - Assistance in creating/ supporting COVID-19 Risk Assessments - Advising on return to work procedures, including any additional risk mitigation requirements - Carrying out Covid-19 specific audits to ensure the workplace is safe to enable staff to work safely - Our Mental Health First Aid training will equip individuals with the knowledge, skills and confidence to help those needing support in these unprecedented times - see dates below - Our Mental Health Champion training is ideal for Managers and Supervisors. It provides those attending information and confidence when dealing with team members with poor Mental Health - Providing Covid-19 Expectant Mother Risk Assessment, with the focus around the 28 weeks - Providing support and guidance for construction companies to ensure compliance in all areas - Online/Onsite Training - all our courses can be delivered Online or Onsite (as long as social distancing can be adhered to). - Support to those continuing to work from home by looking after wellbeing and DSE issues - Support with RIDDOR reporting requirements relating to Covid-19 cases - Covid-19 Secure Posters and support with compliance campaigns Please see below for dates for our MHFA Courses in 2020/ 2021 , please email/call us to discuss further options. Online Mental Health First Aider (4 x 3hour sessions over two weeks) 2-Dec-20, 4-Dec-20, 8-Dec-20, 11-Dec-20 12-Jan-21, 15-Jan-21, 19-Jan-21, 22-Jan-21 09-Feb-21, 12-Feb-21, 16-Feb-21, 19-Feb-21 09-Mar-21, 12-Mar-21, 16-Mar-21, 19-Mar-21 06-Apr-21, 09-Apr-21, 13-Apr-21, 16-Apr-21 Online Mental Health First Aider Refresher (Half day online course and aimed at those already who have already attended the MHFA course. It is advised it should be taken at least 3-yearly) 13th January 2021 : 9.30-1.30 10th February 2021 : 9.30-1.30 Mental Health Champion (1 day online course) 22-Jan-21 30-Jan-21 Please call us on 01793 784334 or email admin@ghsafety.co.uk for any additional support or further information .
By Emma Matlock 03 Sep, 2020
When the COVID-19 lockdown was first imposed, and businesses were shut up and staff asked to work from home, many supposed this would be a relatively short-term move. Now the full impact of the Coronavirus pandemic is becoming apparent, many businesses are asking some or all of their staff to remain as temporary homeworkers, even though their doors are once again open. How long ‘temporary’ becomes is as yet uncertain, but a number of businesses have said they aren’t anticipating welcoming all their staff back until at least January 2021. Under health and safety regulations, if an employees’ contracted placed of work is home, then the employer has certain obligations to meet. With these current working arrangements, although temporary, the Health and Safety Executive is recognising that employers still have a responsibility to their staff, while they are home-based. Employers have a duty of care around their health and safety, and physical and mental welfare. Indeed, if being a temporary homeworker is negatively impacting on an employees’ physical or mental health, then where possible the employer is encouraged to allow them to work from the office, perhaps in a hybrid arrangement of some days at home and some days at the place of work. Employees themselves can rightly be expected to put what measures they can in place to create a suitable working environment, to remain productive and - as far as they can - segregate their home and working life. At GH Safety, we are working closely with our clients to ensure they meet their obligations around temporary homeworkers. If you are an employer and have yet to put measures in place (because, as we said, most of us assumed this would be short-term) it is not too late to do so. As businesses move out of survival mode, into new ways of working, it is still possible (and necessary) to put the health and safety, and mental welfare of employees at the heart. Here is some of the guidance we have given to our clients, and we also have a homeworkers’ checklist which you can download , which gives information on temporary homeworking. Ten tips for employers on supporting temporary homeworkers: Acknowledge that your employees’ home is still their home. Encourage staff to plan their day, just as they would in the office – but, this time, without the commute! Make sure staff know they are allowed to take regular breaks, just as they would in the office. Indeed encourage them to do so, as there is evidence that workers taking regular breaks are more productive. Given them guidance on where to work and how to select the best place in their home. For example, they should choose a well ventilated room and avoid sitting right in front of a window, which may cause glare. Give them advice on where to site their monitor, mouse etc, so that they are placed for best comfort. You could offer a display screen assessment. Ensure they know about the need for adequate support for the lower lumbar region, and sitting upright rather than slouching. Therefore, they should sit at a table and not on a bed or sofa. Issue advice on trip hazards, such as trailing leads. Know where your employees are. If they do need to meet a customer or a supplier, for example, this should never be at their home. Ensure they choose a public place, such as a coffee shop. Keep in touch with staff. Zoom, Skype, Teams and other video conferencing software have brought great benefits, but face-to-face meetings are now allowed, so try to incorporate these back into the working day, of course observing rules on social distancing and wearing face coverings. Address any issues and be sympathetic. Always remember, this is a new way of working for many employees. Holding regular 121s to talk through any problems will help maintain employee engagement. Be aware of your staffs’ mental health and wellbeing, and signpost employees to any support mechanisms you have in place in your organisation. If you would like to talk to the GH Safety team about health and safety, or mental health first aid training , in relation to temporary homeworking, please get in touch . We work with companies and organisations throughout the South, South West and M4 corridor, offering health and safety support and training .
By Emma Matlock 29 Mar, 2020
Like most businesspeople when setting up a new venture, Health and Safety can often be a last thought.
By Emma Matlock 24 Mar, 2020
At GH Safety Ltd, we are committed to protecting the health, safety and welfare of our clients, our team and the wider community. You can continue to expect the highest level of service and support from our dedicated team, and we would like to reassure you that we have taken important measures to protect and support the people we work with throughout this difficult period, and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are planning to run some of our courses via web conferencing facilities, so if there are any specific training you need at this time, please contact your adviser. Should you have any questions regarding this please do get in touch. We have taken the decision to postpone our training courses scheduled for March/April 2020 until later in the year, we will automatically move you to the next available session and update you via email. Should you have any questions regarding this please do get in touch. We will continue to update you on any Government recommendations via our website and through social media. Should anyone at your premises start displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 or have knowingly been in contact with any person who has contracted the virus or are showing symptoms, notify us ASAP if you have an infection within your business and we have visited in the last 2 weeks. Many of our customers are choosing to work from home, we can offer support and guidance on planning and minimising the risks associated with social isolation and mental ill-health. We have a qualified MHFA and instructor, so if any of your employees are living with any mental-ill health conditions or are struggling in any way, or if a manager/employee is concerned about a colleague, due to the current situation, please give us a call and we can put you in touch with Anna Finally, we would like to extend our thanks to our clients for your ongoing support during these unprecedented challenges we all face due to Covid-19. Please remember that we are here to support and advise you, please do not hesitate to call or drop us an email if you need us! Stay safe, stay well. From Gavin Hopkins and the Team
promoting  Wellbeing in the workplace
By Emma Matlock 22 Feb, 2020
The Mental Health First Aid course can have a great impact when done as part of an organisation, Click here for the Mental Health First Aider courses dates:
IOSH courses
By Raj Media 22 Jan, 2020
These courses cover the basics of working safely, as well as topics such as defining hazards and risks and protecting the environment.
first-aid training
By Raj Media 14 Dec, 2019
First-aid training is not just vital for every workplace, it's actually a legal requirement. Click here for training schedule this 2020.
Mental Health in the Workplace
By Raj Media 30 Nov, 2019
We provide training in mental health in the workplace, equipping people with the knowledge and skills they need to support suffering from the condition.
26 Nov, 2019
Winter is looming, which means dark mornings and frosty commutes to the workplace for many people. When it comes to temperature, there's no law for a maximum or minimum temperature of a workplace but a good number for all bosses to aim for is between 13-16ºC . While you're waiting for the heating to turn on and for your bones to thaw, here are three tips you can follow if you want to stay warm at work: Wear layers The British weather can be very sporadic; in the morning it's bitterly cold, but the train home is always sweltering. This is why layering up is a great idea as you will never be too hot or cold. A thick, fluffy jumper will keep you toasty while you respond to some morning emails, but wear a thin t-shirt underneath. Another great idea is to pack fingerless gloves to keep your hands warm as you type. Treat yourself to a hot drink Nothing warms up your body more than a hot drink; it warms up your core and helps your body to retain your heat. Best of all, drinking your favourite beverage is a great way to start the day allowing you to relax and take some time for yourself before you embark on the tasks ahead. Be prepared If your job requires you to be mobile, then staying warm and keeping safe in winter is a harder task. A snowstorm can come from nowhere, so prepare for an emergency and make sure your vehicle is loaded with the appropriate provisions. A breakdown kit consisting of a blanket, food and water will help keep you warm and safe if the worst should occur. Before setting off on your commute you should check your windscreen wipers are working fully, check your engine oils and fluids are topped up and that all your lights are in good working condition. For more information on how to keep your employees safe this winter or improve the overall safety of your company, contact GH Safety and see how they can help you.
IOSH Managing Safely Course
By Richard Jaques 19 Aug, 2019
If you would like to learn more about IOSH Managing Safely Training and other courses that can help your workplace contact us here.
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