information provided by risk assessments, safety audits and accident reports. But the
advice must be positive – why health and safety is important and how accidents can
be prevented. The advice should not be over-weighted by awful warnings.
The points to be made include:
● a review of the health and safety policies of the organization with explanations of
the reasoning behind them and a positive statement of management’s belief that
health and safety is a major consideration because (1) it directly affects the well-
being of all concerned; and (2) it can, and does, minimize suffering and loss;
● a review of the procedures used by the organization for the business as a whole
and in the particular area to assess risks and audit safety position;
● an explanation of the roles of the members of the group in carrying out their work
safely and giving full consideration to the safety of others;
● a reiteration of the statement that one of the core values of the organization is
the maintenance of safe systems of work and the promotion of safe working
practices.
HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING
Health and safety training is a key part of the preventative programme. It should start
as part of the induction course. It should also take place following a transfer to a new
job or a change in working methods. Safety training spells out the rules and provides
information on potential hazards and how to avoid them. Further refresher training
should be provided and special courses laid on to deal with new aspects of health and
safety or areas in which safety problems have emerged.
ORGANIZING HEALTH AND SAFETY
Health and safety concerns everyone in an establishment although the main respon-
sibility lies with management in general and individual managers in particular. The
specific roles are summarized below:
● Management develops and implements health and safety policies and ensures
that procedures for carrying out risk assessments, safety audits and inspections
are implemented. Importantly, management has the duty of monitoring and
evaluating health and safety performance and taking corrective action as
necessary.
Health and safety ❚ 843