Services
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 Services sector.
- Disability discrimination
- Display screen equipment
- Electrical safety
- Fire Precautions and certification
- Liabilities
- Manual handling
- Security
- Stress
- Violence and robbery
Disability discrimination
Legislation requires employers to make reasonable adjustments for staff who are disabled. This may include locating staff with mobility difficulties on the ground floor or providing visual alarm signals.
Display screen equipment
Work related repetitive strain injuries (RSI's) are common for staff using computer based technology for prolonged periods. If not dealt with properly, staff can be left permanently disabled or constantly in pain. It is a legal requirement to assess all work stations, whether in the office or at an employees home, and provide any corrective aids to bring the station to an acceptable level of safety. It is also recommended that a plan for dealing with RSI cases.
Electrical safety
If your client is responsible for the safety of wiring and electrical installations on their premises it is very important that testing procedures are in place. The majority of office fires and fatal electric shock cases are due to faults in electrical wiring. The procedures should ensure electrical installations are carried out by competent people, all electrical appliances are of good quality and testing is carried out on them at least every five years. Trailing wires should also be located so to avoid additional trip risks.
Fire Precautions and certification
Your client should carry out a proper fire risk assessment, keep associated records, review fire risks in the workplace, check fire detection and alarm systems, means of escape and provide proper fire fighting equipment.
Documented evidence of an undertaking to inspect the premises on a regular basis to reduce the risk of arson would also be seen as sound practice. The inspection may include staff training, correct waste disposal and keeping the premises in a good state of repair.
Liabilities
Simple accidents can have serious consequences but these are often viewed as minimal in an office environment. The most common are slip and trip type incidents. To minimise these risks, a formal assessment should be carried out of the office premises and include lighting, condition of staircases and trailing electrical wires.
Manual handling
This may not spring to mind as being an office type risk. However, with boxes of photocopying paper and training aids such as televisions in this environment, this is a relevant risk. Provision of handling aids, such as trolleys will reduce this risk. Information should also be made available, and displayed in prominent areas, to advise staff about how heavy items should be lifted correctly.
Security
Good security is very important from a view of protecting property and employees. Security precautions will include adequate physical protections, such as locks, shutters and grilles through to more sophisticated security such as CCTV and intruder alarms. Further details on security can be obtained from Norwich Union Risk Services.
Stress
Stress is an ever increasing problem in today's workplace. Employers have a duty to assist their staff where they have been diagnosed as suffering from work-related stress brought on by bullying or harassment at work. Your clients would be advised to take initial reports of stress seriously and set up clear policies of what to do in the event of bullying or harassment.
Violence and Robbery
Violence and verbal abuse is on the rise in the workplace. This can create serious psychological effects as well as physical injury to members of staff. Your clients should analyse potential risks that their staff may face to minimise the changes of danger. Clear procedures and staff training on what to do in the event of such violence are crucial. Similarly, procedures to be followed in the event of a robbery, such as offering no resistance to attackers and arranging for regular removal of cash.
