Why are Health, Safety and Welfare Important?

This session will cover the training required for all staff for health, safety and welfare.

As health, safety and welfare training is usually tailored to each specific working environment, dependent on which area the XL Team that you work, there may be elements of your training that are not covered here; alternatively, there may be others covered here that are not relevant to you.

In such cases, where you are unsure of whether something applies to your role or workplace, then you must refer to local policy or procedures.

RIDDOR

The reporting of incidents and accidents at work is vital. The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) require NHS Trusts and other employers to report some of the more serious work-related accidents and incidents to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Incidents

Incidents that may be RIDDOR reportable include:

· Accidents resulting in the death of any person

· Accidents resulting in an employee being incapacitated for more than 7 days (including days they are not scheduled to work)

· Accidents resulting in specified injuries to workers, visitors or patients

· Accidents resulting in a person being taken directly to hospital for treatment

· Some occupational diseases

· Dangerous occurrences

Further information and examples of the types of accidents and incidents that are reportable under RIDDOR, and access to health and safety statistics for the human health and social work activities sector in Great Britain, are available via Resources.

Reporting

If you suspect an accident could be RIDDOR reportable, you must follow your incident reporting procedure and notify the XL Teams health and safety team as soon as practicable.

RIDDOR Reports

In most organisations, the health and safety team is responsible for completing and submitting all RIDDOR reports to the Health and Safety Executive, but this could also be the responsibility of a department manager. This must be done immediately for deaths, within 10 days for most other categories or within 15 days for ‘more than 7 day injuries’.

Ensure you know who is responsible for RIDDOR reports in your own organisation

Health, Safety and Welfare Information

Policies, guidelines and procedures

These should be readily available – look at your organisation's website or intranet.

Health, safety and welfare leads and advisors

Ensure that you know who your health, safety and welfare leads and advisors are. Look on your organisation's website or intranet or ask your colleagues.

What's new?

Keep up to date and look out for:

Health and Safety Executive posters
Health and Safety Executive publications
Newsletters and bulletins
Health and safety committee meeting minutes
Team briefs

Your Organisation’s Commitment

How can your organisation ensure that they are committed to delivering services safely?

What can employees do to make the workplace safe?

Work safely
Wear any personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required
Follow policies and procedures
Report unsafe activities
·Report unsafe situations or conditions - make them safe if you can without putting yourself at risk
Report accidents and near misses

What procedures and provisions are in place?

Some examples are:

· Health and safety audits/inspections
· Staff training
· Policies, guidelines and procedures
· Safe work equipment and facilities
· Risk assessments
· Fire precautions
· Safety signs
· Occupational health
· Employer’s liability insurance

Consultation with Employees

Employers have a legal duty to consult with employees.

Trade unions are interested in your health, safety and welfare and must consult with Health and Safety representatives before making decisions. Organisations must consult with Health and Safety representatives before making decisions. Where an employee is not represented by a trade union, the employer must consult with those employees directly as individuals, or through elected Health and Safety representatives.

Ask your line manager where to find this information.

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