Securispeed NI
Here at Securispeed NI we are committed to achieving and maintaining high standards of health & safety throughout the distribution operation and have a fully documented health & safety policy and manual. Whilst Securispeed NI has made this commitment to promote health & safety, it relies on suppliers and customers to participate and co-operate.
All Securispeed NI distribution centres have a Compliance & Safety Manager (CSM) who is responsible for managing health & safety on site and is also responsible for the health & safety of deliveries to customers. Delivery site audits will be carried out where it is believed that hazards exist that pose a risk to Securispeed NI drivers – solutions to any problems will be workable for both parties.
Initiatives include:-
- We have produced a comprehensive health & safety management system outlining all the relevant policies and procedures in place to make all staff aware of the risks, and how to avoid them.
- Comprehensive training programs are arranged to ensure that employees have received the necessary health & safety training relevant to their job role.
- A full program of risk assessment is undertaken on a Group-wide and local basis.
- Accident statistics are collated quarterly, and subject to detailed analysis.
- A Group alcohol and drugs policy is in place including random and for cause testing.
What to expect from your Securispeed NI delivery
- The driver will bring the goods into your location by using supplied MHE where applicable or carrying the goods when MHE not available or suitable, this reduces manual handling activity were possible.
- Goods will placed in such a way to allow easy counting of parcels.
- Valuable items will always be brought in first for security reasons.
- The driver should ensure that his vehicle does not obstruct pedestrians or pose any risk any risk to staff and that there is full awareness of any customers that may be within the location.
Customer’s health & safety responsibilities at the location.
- Ensure that access to the premises is suitable and safe.
- Deliveries up/down flights of stairs, over uneven ground or where the travel distance from the vehicle is excessive may warrant an on site audit by the CSM and should be kept to the minimum. Assistance may be required under certain circumstances.
- Ensure there is a suitable area for the unloading of the goods and the subsequent counting.
- Ensure no staff members assist with any manual handling unless they have been suitably trained.
Health & Safety Legislation
There are a large number of health & safety regulations made under the Health & Safety at Work. Act 1974. Not all will apply, however you should be aware of the following as a minimum:-
Accidents
Accidents to both employees and customers must be recorded in an accident book kept on the premises. Certain accidents are legally reportable to your Local Authority – principally these are those accidents that result in more than 3 days off work because of the injuries sustained. For further information contact your local Environmental Health Department or go to www.riddor.gov.uk
Asbestos
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral. It has been used for over a hundred years in buildings for fire proofing, thermal, electrical and sound insulation, plasters, roof and flooring materials and many other uses. All forms (blue, brown and white) are a health hazard when the asbestos fibres are released into the air and inhaled. Inhaled fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, a cancer of the inner lining of the chest or abdominal wall. It is a legal requirement to ascertain if there is any asbestos within your premises. Maintain a record where asbestos is found and manage it to ensure that there are no health risks. Dealing with asbestos is a specialised area - more information on asbestos can be obtained from the Health and Safety Executives website at the following link: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos
COSHH
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations – these control the use of chemicals and other hazardous substances within the workplace. As a minimum you should list all the chemicals used within your premises (predominantly cleaning chemicals) and ensure that you obtain a hazard data sheet for them that will give you information on how to handle a spillage etc. Contact your supplier of chemicals who will be able to provide you with all the necessary information.
Electricity
Businesses have to comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. Basic guidelines for working with electricity include:-
- Ensure you know how to shut off the supply in the event of an emergency
- Do not overload electrical sockets: one plug to one socket
- Install extra sockets in preference to adaptors
- Use the correct fuse or fuse wire (never improvise)
- Turn off and unplug faulty equipment
- Turn off and disconnect equipment before cleaning or moving
- Install circuit breakers and do not obstruct isolators
- Protect light bulbs and strip lights with diffuser covers
- Ensure equipment us earthed correctly
- Report all faulty equipment
- Replace frayed and damaged electric wiring
- Provide emergency back up lighting
- Ensure all electrical equipment is tested regularly
- Tested equipment will need to be labelled with a retest date
- If unsure consult a qualified electrician
Employer's liability
If you employ anyone you are legally required to have this insurance, this will cover your business should any employees have an accident on your premises and subsequently take legal action.
Fire
You are now legally required to carryout a fire risk assessment of your premises and document any significant findings. Ensure that you have a suitable number of fire extinguishers on the premises and that they are serviced annually. Good housekeeping is essential to prevent the build up of combustible material, particularly in store rooms etc. Fire exits should be kept clear and staff trained in emergency procedures.
Manual handling
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations require employers to carryout risk assessments of manual handling activities. Where required employees should be trained how to lift correctly. It may be necessary to provide mechanical equipment to assist with the lifting of heavy objects or to enable easy movement of them around the store. For further information consult. Getting to Grips with Manual Handling, a short guide for employers' – available from www.hse.gov.uk
Risk assessments
Any activity with the potential to cause harm should be risk assessed – any significant findings should be documented and control measures put in place to reduce the risk. This is a very simple process for most retailers. It is recommended that you down load the HSE guide – 5 Steps to Risk Assessment available from www.hse.gov.uk/pubns
Health & Safety policy
If your business employs five or more people then you must produce a written health and safety policy statement. The statement should fall into three general areas: A general statement of intent signed by the senior owner, partner or director of the business. This is a declaration to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees and users of the business premises. The arrangements regarding health and safety, ie who does what to ensure health and safety requirements are met. The organisation, ie how health and safety is organised and what must be done if there is an incident such as a fire, injury, mechanical failure, etc.
Shop/location safety
No matter what kinds of goods are being sold in shops accidents and injuries can occur. In supermarkets, for instance, shopping trolleys may hurt children. In greengrocers customers may slip on old fruit. In off licences staff may be hurt by falling boxes or through incorrect manual handling activities. Have a look around your premises with a really critical eye. Examples of common faults are:
- Obstructed stairs and corridors
- Inadequate access for the disabled
- Lack of safety signs for customers
- Badly sited equipment and furniture
- No fire exit signs
- Horseplay by employees
- Training wires
- Sharp corners on shelving
- Splintering glass
- Top heavy stock
- Accumulation of packaging
- Inadequate lighting
- Dirty sanitary accommodation
- Trip hazards
- Faulty electrical equipment
Enforcement of Health & Safety law
This is the responsibility of your local council, specifically the Environmental Health Department. Environmental Health Officers (EHO s) will carry out an inspection of your premises on a regular basis. Most retail outlets will be classified as low risk premises and should expect an inspection no more than once every 3-5 years (unless such an inspection is combined with a food safety inspection). EHOs will be able to advise you on those areas of your business that need to improve health & safety – in most cases they will work with you to ensure that the necessary remedial measures are completed. Should you fail to carry out the requirements you would be liable to prosecution, work with your EHO not against them! EHO’s are available for advice on all health & safety related matters, they are an excellent free resource to ensure that you, as a retailer, are doing everything possible to maintain the health & safety of your employees.