1. GAP Analysis and GANT chart.
This was a good start and gave us something to aim for. We have made some progress but not enough. It didn’t really tackle the serious issues and had a poor starting point in the GAP analysis (should have been a risk assessment). Many initiatives have failed due to poor information flow and management commitment.
2. Management buy-in
Not enough support from all Managers at all levels. “We are too busy” was a common phrase heard, IOSH guidance on Safety management systems states that “Managers need to manage health and safety issues effectively, no matter how busy they are and whatever their workload”.
E.g., Kev too busy for training
Alex all sorts of issues
David very good
No action on recommendations.
Heath and safety is seen as a secondary business activity, not as a primary consideration. Everyone has suggestions to improve health and Safety at Barfoots but most are not willing to take action when required.
Low attendance at the committee meetings, I feel as though they are a waste of time
3. Health and safety committee
Nothing is ever sorted out as there is low attendance
I would suggest forming a new committee formed by safety representatives from each area of the business. Safety reps would need training in health and safety and allowed time to discharge their duties.
4. My role
Heath and safety management is not just about one person, but about the whole organisation working towards a common goal, ‘the reduction of accidents and incidents’.
At the moment all of this has been put on me. I sometimes feel confused as to what action to take next.
Because people disregard actions I find it hard to keep track of what needs to be done. I am sometimes used as a backup because no one else is there at the time. IE water jug, signs, etc. What authority do I have?
I need to spend more time on policy, organization and auditing than I do and less time on the daily management of the process.
i. Fire procedures
ii. Boom
iii. Delivering and maintaining procedures
iv. First aid
v. Chasing up managers
Not suitably qualified, NEBOSH
1-2 years
£2300- £5000
We are now a multi site business growing rapidly. My skills need to grow with it. MHSWR 99 requires that every employer shall appoint one or more competent persons to assist and advise on health and safety. I nave taken advice which suggested that I should be qualified to NEBOSH level. Syllabus is based around the development and implementation of a OSHMS in a company. Potentially reduced costs in terms of outsourced services, Fire survey, noise survey etc. It will mean that I have accountability as written in my job description.
Who do I report to and is that the right person?
5. OSHMS
We set out with a list of goals and have achieved some but not others. The first goal should have been the establishment of a an OSHMS in order to create a structure to hang everything else off. There are a number of options for OSHMS all of them based on the Plan Do Check Act principle PDCA
HSG65
BS 8800
OHSAS 18001
ILO
HSG65 Is the HSE’s OSHMS and states “… if you do follow the guidance you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law” We can audit against an OSHMS and set performance targets.