The next in our series of A-Z of product features and benefits is
H is for Health and Safety…..
In the UK, health and safety compliance is a critical focus, especially regarding the maintenance of equipment and facilities. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified several key areas where poor maintenance can significantly impact health and safety:
1. Work Equipment Maintenance: Proper maintenance of work equipment is essential to prevent accidents and ensure efficiency. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) require that all work equipment be maintained in an efficient state and good repair, the frequency of maintenance is in line with statutory requirements and/or determined through risk assessment and can involve a number of inspection types
– Safety Tours: General inspections of the workplace.
– Safety Sampling: Systematic sampling of specific dangerous activities or areas.
– Safety Surveys: Detailed inspections of particular hazardous activities or processes.
– Incident Inspections: Conducted after an accident or near-miss to identify causes and prevent recurrence
2. High-Risk Sectors: Industries such as construction, transportation, and agriculture are under scrutiny due to their higher rates of workplace injuries and fatalities. These sectors often involve heavy machinery and manual handling, where poor maintenance can lead to serious accidents
3. Occupational Health: Poor maintenance can contribute to work-related ill health, including musculoskeletal disorders and occupational lung diseases. Regular maintenance helps in early detection and management of risks associated with these health issues
4. Compliance and Inspections: The HSE conducts inspections and enforcement actions based on compliance trends and incident rates. Sectors with historical non-compliance or poor safety culture are more likely to be targeted for inspections
Ensuring regular and effective maintenance not only improves safety but also enhances productivity and reduces costs associated with equipment breakdowns and workplace injuries.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspections in the manufacturing sector are crucial for ensuring workplace safety and compliance with regulations.
AIM provides you with an auditable trail of maintenance, inspections and work orders providing a full asset history, so you can be confident your H&S inspections run smoothly, as our existing clients have discovered.
