Health & Safety in the work place

Article wrtitten by Paul Green of HDL the painting professionals www.hdl.co.nz

You may think Health & Safety only applies to the larger painting companies dealing in the commercial sectors but you would be very much mistaken. Every business is responsible for the safety of its employees, sub trades and the general public. If an accident were to occur WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Without a robust Health & Safety Policy and a work plan in place you leave yourselves wide open to hefty fines and for repeat offenders’ possible imprisonment.

Health & Safety is not going away. The labour Dept is becoming a powerful force throughout New Zealand and with that in mind it should be treated with the utmost respect. There are many companies who have fully embraced Health & Safety systems, putting necessary measures in place to take their businesses forward.

What do you need to do to ?
• Assess the risks involved
• Formulate method statements that cover your activities.
• Make (PPE ) Personal protective equipment mandatory.
• Regularly inspect all equipment, planks, ladders, trestles etc
• Most business use hired scaffold on a regular basis, you may think the responsibility lies with the scaffolding company to make sure all safety measures are in place but as soon as your operatives begin working off scaffolding the liable is shared. I recommend business employ a reputable company who understand and already implements Health & Safety measures, build up a close working relationship so you can move forward with confidence.

Although there is a cost involved implementing these measures, the benefits out way the expenditure.
The benefits are?
• You will sleep better

• Your business will become more attractive to larger companies.

• Your business will be taken seriously by your competitors.

• Your business will be viewed professional and a cut above rest.

• When quoting or advertising you can promote that you are OSH compliant.

Remember becoming OSH compliant doesn’t have to be a scary process, if you take control now and implement these measures over the next twelve months your company should be able to absorb these costs.

The choice is yours. ?
Paul Green