The legal responsibility for managing risks created by your work activities rests with the employer. You need to look at all your activities to see what can cause harm and how that harm can be avoided - this is the basis behind the legal duty to carry out 'Risk Assessments'.

Good standards of health and safety do not happen by accident. Safe systems of work have to be devised and implemented, staff have to be trained and equipment needs to be purchased and maintained.  In other words, health and safety has to be managed as much as any other part of your business.

You need to act now, before someone has an accident or becomes ill!

Why not make a date in your diary to visit your premises and just walk around and observe'?  Walk around and look at the things that can cause serious harm or affect several people.  It can be the physical environment, equipment, tasks or even people's behaviour.  Ask your staff for their views.  Remember to take into account new staff, young workers, visitors, cleaners, contractros etc.

For a safety management system to be effective, it is necessary for owners, directors and senior managers to go 'back to the floor' to see the situation for themselves. You should be showing that senior management demonstrates visible commitment and leadership in undertaking operational health and safety activities; staff need to feel they are not too remote.

An effective way to start a safety management system is to start with a mini audit. This is like undertaking a gap analysis to find out where you are meeting the law and where you are not, and will help you to identify where you need to implement additional systems for controlling safety. You can do this with the help of our 'Self Assessment'.

Remember any queries or concerns then 'Ask the Expert'.