Retail and Wholesale
Risk Training and Consultancy
Norwich Union Risk Services is the specialist division of Norwich Union, dedicated to minimising risk for businesses and offers training and consultancy services on a range of health and safety and environmental issues.
Our aim is to work with you and your clients providing you with the skills and knowledge to understand your risks and establishing systematic controls to comply with legal obligations.
The following are a list of areas to be aware of, when dealing within the Leisure and Wellbeing sector:
- Fire Precautions
- Emergency Evacuation
- Violence and Theft
- Public Liability
- Internal Transport and Materials Handling
- Manual Handling
Fire Precautions
Risks to both the general public and your client's employees are significant in the construction industry. Injuries can occur from falling objects, falls into excavations and contact with substances released by construction work such as asbestos. Basic, but vital, safeguards include fencing and securing the site at the end of the working day, along with removal of ladders and keys for mobile plant. Construction sites are a target for thieves and children, therefore materials which could prove attractive to them should be kept in a secured area.
A location which includes all appropriate fire detection equipment, clear means of escape and fire fighting equipment is, of course, vastly superior to one which does not. In fact, premises without these are likely to be unacceptable. Equally important is a documented undertaking to inspect workplaces on a regular basis to reduce the risk of arson. This may include staff training, correct waste disposal and keeping perimeters and fuel stores in a good state of repair. Buildings with sprinkler systems and a non-combustible core present a much more attractive risk to us.
Emergency Evacuation
A clear strategy for the evacuation of buildings in the event of an emergency such as a fire, bomb threat or toxic spillage is necessary. The means of escape must be identified by a fire risk assessment and staff trained and practised for the eventuality. Joint procedures should be drawn up for adjacent shop or warehouse units.
Violence and Theft
The risk of violence being used against certain staff is unfortunately a very real one. A client who draws up clear procedures and training to be used in the event of a robbery, such as offering no resistance to attackers and arranging regular removal of cash from tills, demonstrates a sensible attitude to this risk.
Shoplifting is hard to prevent, but measures such as tagging and staff training can reduce the risk. However, locations with measures to prevent forcible and violent entry to the building itself can make a big difference in terms of its attractiveness to us. Where appropriate, measures such as good perimeter security, adequate window / door locks, use of shutters and grilles, CCTV, security lighting and alarms will all help to improve a building's security.
Public Liability
The most common cause of accidents to members of the public are slips and trips. To minimise the possibility of claims, a formal risk assessment must be carried out to review overall lighting, the condition of staircases and the appropriateness of floor finishes. Procedures and training should be agreed and carried out to deal with spillages and the siting of warning signs when cleaning or maintenance is being undertaken.
Internal Transport and Materials Handling
Where forklift trucks are used we would expect the drivers to be fully trained and authorised. Routes must exist whereby forklift traffic and pedestrians are separated and the trucks themselves chosen to be appropriate to the size of the racking. People should only be lifted on them if a proprietary working platform is provided.
A surprising number of people are hurt in the delivery areas of shops and warehouses. Assessments should be undertaken to review how deliveries can be planned to avoid congestion in loading areas and to allow sufficient room for proper manoeuvring. Loading bays themselves should be designed to include at least one pedestrian exit from the lower area to prevent staff being trapped.
Manual Handling
A risk assessment of manual handling tasks should be carried out, including the consideration of ordering supplies in smaller packages and ensuring that heavier items are stored at lower levels. Suitable handling aids such as trolleys must be provided where appropriate.
Safety rules and training should exist to cover lifting techniques for staff involved in manual work and when circumstances are less than perfect - for example in icy conditions.
Risk Services
Norwich Unions Risk Service Helpline is available to you and your customers, where qualified advisers can offer advice on issues such as health and safety, fire protection and security. Call 0845 366 66 66 (between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday and an answering service outside these hours. Calls may be recorded and/or monitored for our joint protection.
