Everybody knows the importance of health and safety. Workplaces communicate their importance often.
However, Cambridge City Council reports trouble figures on this subject; around 300 people a year lose their lives in workplace incidents, while 158,000 suffer non-fatal injuries. Consequently, it’s safe to assume that some level of miscommunication is undoubtedly occurring, and it must be rectified immediately.
So, what are the most effective methods of communicating health and safety to staff? Let’s explore the most promising measures down below.
Method Statements
Method statements are relatively self-explanatory. They’re typically written around hazardous jobs in a business, detailing step-by-step procedures for performing these roles safely. Because the information is so important, it can be tough to know how to structure a method statement. You may not even know where to begin. Instead of relying on guesswork or Google searches, use the free method statement template from HS Direct. That way, you can ensure that the document is easy to read and that there’s no room for misinterpretations.
Remember, much of health and safety is not just about what you say but also how you say it. Procedural information needs to be logically structured and not meander or digress. By utilising a template, you can be confident that your workers know precisely what they need for the most hazardous jobs.
Setup a Designated Notice Boards
As workplaces rightly explore digital communications, it can, unfortunately, lead to employers underestimating the value of conveying important messages in the real world too. Every workplace should have a designated health and safety notice board. Here you can pin posters, leaflets, volunteer openings, and any other relevant information you think might be useful to your employees. You can also download and print helpful resources for your workers to explore further, from mindfulness instructions to infographics on staying active.
One of the main benefits of workplace health and safety notice boards is facilitating in-person discussion. Workers can congregate around these areas on their breaks, discuss the latest updates, and encourage one another. Some may even undertake health initiatives together, strengthening their personal and working relationships. Ultimately, it keeps the dialogue around health and safety moving in the right direction.
Run Health and Safety Meetings
Meetings can set health and safety policies in stone if you convey the right information and adopt the right tone. They can also alleviate employee concerns, clearing the air effectively while ensuring everyone is on the same page.
Of course, there’s always the argument that meetings are a waste of time. To ensure your briefing on health and safety isn’t, be certain to discuss the following:
- Any changes to emergency or risk assessment procedures.
- Action that’s been taken due to the results of health and safety inspections.
- Impartial analysis of accidents or illnesses your workplace has potentially contributed to.
- Feedback on potential strategic problems.
These dialogues need to be concise, formal, and well-rounded. They should also be honest and invite people to air their concerns.
Workers have a right to know what type of workplace they’re working in, if regulations are being adhered to, and whether their employers truly value their health and safety. Transparency is key, and that’s what effective health and safety meetings can establish.
