The importance of “Monitoring”
Many companies in the UK have dedicated time and money to implementing H&S management systems, yet they often fail to "monitor" them. It's an important factor for any business to improve and develop their health and safety in the short and long term. Health and Safety is an ongoing process, not just a one-off. You need to make sure that the processes you put in place are still working.
How do you monitor H&S?
There are a few things you can do to ensure that you are monitoring your workplace, your H&S systems, and continually improving.
Regular checks of the workplace – When was the last time someone actually checked on the risks, controls, and general processes taking place in the workplace, be it on-site, in the workshop, or in the office? If these are done, they are often infrequent or as a result of an accident or injury. Proactive monitoring and checks of the workplace are what each company should strive towards.
Maintenance of tools and equipment – Do you have a maintenance schedule? Do you keep records of any checks you complete? Do you check all the equipment? Are you even aware of the tools and equipment you have in the company? This tends to be an area that is overlooked or done sporadically due to the sheer number of items you have in the company. This is understandable, but there may well be a more efficient way of completing these checks. Have you checked with your H&S manager or consultant for some guidance?
Health surveillance – Trying to prevent health conditions is very important. No one should go to work and become ill as a result or make an existing condition worse. Do you have an effective health surveillance program? You cannot put a price on your health, yet many businesses fail to monitor the effect of work on their employees' health. It doesn't necessarily mean expensive and intrusive questions or investigations, but it is a valuable tool when monitoring the suitability of your control measures.
Training and competency checks - Do you carry out checks on the training and competency of your workforce? When was the last time training was refreshed? Do you involve the workforce in reviewing training needs? It's such a vital part of the monitoring process and can be a little hit and miss in some organizations. Have you overheard your employees saying "well, that was a waste of time" after attending some training? Taking a good, long hard look at your training arrangements must be done, and where needed, improvements made.
Accident and incident investigation - Some people/companies are concerned about reporting accidents and recording them in the accident book. They actively discourage this process. Accidents will happen, but what's important is to learn from them and, if needed, change the way we do things. You may choose to carry out independent investigations if the accident is particularly bad. Equally, how often do you review the trends of accidents and the success of the control measures taken? Long-term review of accidents is just as valuable in determining how robust your H&S management system is.
Monitoring and improving health and safety practices in the workplace is vital for businesses. Regular checks, maintenance of tools and equipment, health surveillance, training and competency checks, and thorough accident and incident investigations are key to reducing risks, enhancing employee well-being, and fostering a strong H&S culture. Prioritising these monitoring efforts demonstrates a commitment to employee welfare and contributes to long-term success. If you're not sure where you are in relation to your monitoring, please feel free to contact us to chat it through, and see how we at Safety For can help.
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