Ayrton Group

With 30 years of experience in the health and safety industry, we’ve heard our fair share of tall tales about health and safety.  Oftentimes, we hear that health and safety controls are “just an excuse for not letting things happen” – but it’s the opposite that is true: comprehensive health and safety planning and regulations allows for activities to take place safely under their guidelines. 

Keep reading to find out about some of the most common myths and misconceptions around health and safety.

 

Myth: Complying with Health and Safety is expensive. 

Truth: Yes, there is certainly a cost associated with conducting proper Health and Safety reviews, and implementing the correct procedures. However, when we weigh up this cost in comparison with the costs associated with accidents and injuries, it is more often than not far less expensive – and more productive.

If an employee suffers an injury during the course of their work, the business can lose out on productivity – being down a team member, the associated investigation costs, replacing the member of staff during their absence (including the cost of hiring & training this new team member) and any insurance-related costs and claims that might arise. The proper procedures are an investment for your business, rather than an expense.

 

Myth: Health and Safety means no fun. 

Truth: Safety procedures aren’t about stopping activities from happening, but instead making sure that they happen safely. Think about all of the fun and interesting activities that you can do – but with proper Health and Safety regulations in place. Would you do a bungee jump without knowing it was safe?  These regulations are in place to protect you and your employees.

 

Myth: Health and Safety is just a tick the box exercise and is a nuisance. 

Truth: Health and Safety is much more than a tick the box exercise! It’s there to protect you and your employees, and it should be taken seriously. While there can be a lot of paperwork or admin work involved in preparing documentation like Safety Statements and Risk Assessments, these activities are necessary to ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands the risks, responsibilities and correct reactions should something happen.

 

Myth: I work in an office. There’s no Health and Safety risks there. 

Truth: This is possibly one of the biggest misconceptions about working in an office environment. The typical office can pose many hazards for employees; most notably musculoskeletal issues, eye strain and hand and wrist pain. There are also risks of slips, trips and falls, electrical safety, fire safety, manual handling and even falls from heights. Every workplace – even an office environment – should have access to a competent first aider and safety officer, along with adhering to all workplace Health and Safety requirements.

 

Myth: This is mostly common sense, we don’t need training in common sense. 

Truth: While it’s true that some Health and Safety risks may seem obvious, in a panicked situation common sense doesn’t always register. This is where the proper training and knowledge can assist in having a plan that you can rely on. On top of this, there are many situations that you may not consider risks or even notice, that can cause serious issues or harm. This is where a qualified and competent Health and Safety officer or consultant is essential, as their experience and training can unearth these hazards and help you to put a plan in place to prevent them from happening.

 

Myth: Health and Safety tries to stop things from happening, and just tries to ban activities that we’ve always done. 

Truth: If safety procedures were designed with the intent of stopping things, we wouldn’t have the likes of ladders, wings, or even ice rinks. What Health and Safety procedures aim to do is to reduce the risks associated with the activities that we undertake. Your Health and Safety officer or consultant will aim to ask the right questions at the right time, to ensure everyone’s safety.

 

Myth: I use the gym, so I already know how to lift something heavy.

Truth: Just as with your workout, the correct technique when lifting something is essential in preventing strain or injury.  The situation in which you might lift in the gym is different to how you would approach something in a work situation. Did you know that a third of all workplace injuries reported to the HSA are caused by manual handling activities? Manual handling training covers any role that involves moving heavy loads and is important to help you to understand and minimise the risk of injury.

 

Myth: All of these procedures will just reduce our productivity. 

Truth: Health and Safety does not negatively affect productivity, in fact it will help to improve it. Having a Health and Safety plan in place will ensure that your workload is planned out efficiently and safely. This means jobs get done, and safely. What really impacts on your business’ productivity is staff being absent from their work due to injury or illness.

 

Myth: Safety equipment isn’t necessary, it’s uncomfortable and I can’t do my job properly while I’m wearing it.

Truth: While certain equipment can feel cumbersome to work in, remember that safety equipment such as helmets, goggles and gloves are absolutely essential in protecting workers from injury. These recommendations are in place for a reason and help to ensure your wellbeing, and your ability to continue doing your job without serious injury.

 

This list is by no means exhaustive, and if you are reviewing or implementing Health and Safety procedures for your workplace, you should always seek the assistance of an experienced professional. Our Consultants would be more than happy to assist you in assessing the needs of your business. Get in touch with our team today by email to info@ayrton.ie, or phone 01 838 5595 or 021 421 0331.

As we welcome in the new year and all that it brings, now is a great time to take a step back and ensure that your business is in a good place and prepared for the year ahead. No matter what types of business goals you are setting this year, health and safety procedures should be included in your priorities. Managing health and safety properly, such as through a risk assessment, is not only good for you and your employees, but also good for business. 

Take a moment to think – when was the last time you undertook a workplace audit? Are your safety statements, risk assessments, and staff training up to date – and to the required standards?

There were 26 workplace fatalities in 2022, and while there was a decline of over 30% from 2021, there is more work to be done in reducing these numbers. The key to this is through the implementation of comprehensive health and safety statements in all workplaces. 

At Ayrton Group, we provide bespoke safety consultancy services that can be tailored to the needs of your business. Workplace safety consultancy services are an efficient way for you to address your organisation’s health and safety needs, ensuring that you comply with all relevant legislation. 

 

What is a Safety Statement, and why do I need one?

A safety statement is a legal requirement under Section 20 of the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act of 2005, and is based on the principle that safety can be managed because most accidents are foreseeable and can usually be prevented. They are, essentially, your written commitment to managing safety and health in your business and how you are going to do this. It should be used as a reference point for management and staff to promote workplace health and safety, giving reference to specific policies, procedures, equipment and responsibilities. 

As part of our Safety Statements consultancy service, we will conduct a comprehensive audit of your premises, procedures, equipment and staff to identify and assess any hazards and risks. The completed safety statement will include: 

 

What are risk assessments?

A risk assessment is a written document that identifies the hazards in the workplace that are under your control. It should assess the risks presented by these hazards, and detail the implementation of control measures to reduce the risk of these hazards causing harm. 

At Ayrton, our risk assessment consultants are qualified and competent in conducting risk assessments in the areas of ergonomics (online and in person), manual handling and the general workplace. As part of this service, we will complete a comprehensive audit of your workplace to identify, assess and help to reduce risks. 

Risk assessments can include: 

There are many types of risk assessments for different industries and scenarios, such as dynamic risk assessments for those working in changing circumstances, however it’s important that these documents are kept up to date. As workplaces, teams and processes change, so should your safety assessments to reflect the new or altered environment. 

 

At Ayrton, our bespoke safety consultancy services are tailored to the needs of your business. We understand that your business’ success is built on safety, so we offer a broad range of consultancy services for businesses across all sectors. These include risk assessments, gap and root cause analysis, workplace audits, safety policies and legislative compliance. 

 

If your New Year’s Resolution is to review your health and safety policies, speak to a member of our team today and rest assured with expert advice from our team of experienced professionals. Contact us today to find out more.