From Lawpack's Health & Safety at Work Essentials.
As an employer, by law you must provide the following health and safety information to your employees:
- The health and safety law poster/leaflet
This must be displayed in the workplace. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes a large A2 poster which can be displayed prominently or a leaflet can be given to all your employees (also provided by the HSE). You must put on the poster the name of the employee representative (if there is one), the name of a management representative (which could be you if you run a small business, provided that you have the correct training) and the contact details of your enforcing authority. - The location of first aiders and the first aid box
It's beneficial to have as many people as possible trained in basic first aid procedures as it could help save lives. However, the law says that you must have:
- A person in your workplace who can take charge in an emergency
- A first aid box
- A notice stating where the first aid box is and who the approved person is
- A trained first aider and first aid room if your workplace gives rise to special hazards
Training courses in first aid at work are provided by training organisations, which must be approved by the HSE; for example, the Resuscitation Council (UK), St. John Ambulance, St. Andrew's Ambulance Association and the British Red Cross. Once a course is completed, your employee holds a valid first aid at work certificate and this must be renewed every three years. A shorter updating course can then be undertaken. However, if the course isn't attended before the three years expires, then the employee must completely retrain.
Decide on the minimum number of items in your first aid box, how many first aid boxes are required and where they should be located. All first aid containers must be identified by a white cross on a green background. You shouldn't keep tablets or medicines in the first aid box. If you use dangerous plant machinery, toxic chemicals or hazardous substances (e.g. cleaning solvents), different items may be needed in your first aid kit. Finally, if you employ people with special needs or disabilities, consider whether these needs are catered for. - The location of the accident book
Tell all your employees where the company's accident book is located. There are various accident record books on the market or you could maintain the record in a computer file. However you choose to document accidents, it must contain certain information including your employee's personal details (name, age, status, job title, etc.), the details of the injury, the nature of the accident and the type of injury/disease, and when the accident occurred (date, place, etc.). - The health and safety policy document
You must have this document if you employ five or more employees and you must bring it to the attention of your employees. The policy should set out your general health and safety policy, your description of the organisation and arrangements for carrying out the policy, and it should be reviewed as often as appropriate (e.g. annually).
Health and safety inspectors often ask to see the policy statement during inspection visits. A policy statement demonstrates that a business is committed to planning and managing health and safety. Before finalising your policy statement, it's a good idea to consult your workers. This helps to ensure that all the necessary systems and procedures are in place. It should be clear from your statement who is responsible for the different areas of the health and safety requirements. Do remember that after this policy has been written, discussed and agreed with your employees, it should be implemented!