The Secret World of Health and Safety As specialists in property care, cleaning and hygiene services in Dundee and Aberdeen, we find ourselves regulated heavily in terms of health and safety. While it’s of paramount importance to us that our people, our clients and the general public are kept safe at all times while we’re working, we have noticed that there is a bit of a secret world out there regarding health and safety, especially in the cleaning and hygiene services sector. Or is it just that people feel there’s a secret world?
If you operate a small-to-medium-sized enterprise it’s likely you’ll have been contacted, often repeatedly, by health and safety consultancy services offering to provide you with the guidance and advice you need to ensure compliance with current legislation. This secret world of health and safety is often made to appear like a mythical haunted forest, intent on swallowing and destroying small businesses that don’t fully understand the legislation that applies to them. Yes, health and safety regulations are detailed and sometimes complex, but this isn’t always the case and there is a wealth of guidance and information on the internet that you can find quickly and easily if you look for it. You can bust the myth of the secret world if you do your homework.
One of the most valuable sources of information we find is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. A quick search online will get you there. You can find guidance there on a multitude of subjects, like: • • • • •
Preparing your own company health and safety policy Managing risks in your business Consulting with your employees on health, safety and environmental issues Dealing with accidents and ill-health in the workplace Keeping up to date on the regulations that affect you.
For anyone running a business, irrespective of size, that employs staff or works in conjunction with other businesses and industries, the HSE website should be regarded as required reading.
Taking a regular browse around the HSE website is invaluable for businesses in every trade and industry sector. You can use it to stay up to date with regulations, or learn something new every time you visit to build your knowledge. Before you know it, you’ll have dispelled the myth that health and safety is a dark and dangerous secret world. About the author Adrian Gill is Sales and Marketing Director of MHS and has been directly involved in property care, cleaningand hygiene services in Dundee and Aberdeen for many
years. Adrian has developed his knowledge of health and safety matters in specialist areas such as factory cleaning, food industry cleaning and confined space cleaning over this time and helps ensure that all MHS staff, clients and projects benefit from his experience and insight into this secret world. Mobile Hygiene Services John Hillhouse Industrial Estate, 211 Cambuslang Rd, Cambuslang, Glasgow G72 7TS, United Kingdom Web - http://mhsindustrialcleaning.co.uk/