Risk Assessment
The risk assessment process helps the employer identify hazards and risks associated with work activities that might pose a risk to employees’ health, and control them. The main benefit from risk assessment is the protection of the workforce, but it also helps the business prioritise its resources. It is a legal requirement described in many Health and Safety regulations, most notably the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
Common workplace hazards where a risk assessment is required by law include chemicals, noise, vibration, extreme heat or cold, manual handling, posture, slips and trips, fire and explosion. Healthwork can assist with risk assessments of all common workplace hazards and provide tailored, practical advice on how they can be contained. It can also conduct risk assessments in more complex cases, for example when the employee has an underlying health condition or disability.
Noise Surveys
Noise is a well-known workplace hazard. If not properly controlled, noise can cause irreversible damage to employees’ hearing. The result is disability for the worker, reduced productivity and increased risk of litigation. The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 place a legal duty on employers to assess the risks to health associated with high noise levels, take steps to adequately contain noise and protect employees’ hearing, provide information and training, and monitor the hearing of those employees identified as being at risk.
Healthwork’s trained occupational health professionals can assist with all aspects of a hearing conservation programme as required by the law. This includes conducting a noise risk assessment, carrying out health surveillance (which includes hearing tests), educating and training employees and managers, and advising on control measures, including the appropriate use of PPE. The components of the programme will be tailored to suit your business’s specific needs.
Training
Healthwork offers a variety of training courses that can be delivered on employer’s premises or off-site. Our comprehensive range of training programmes include courses in Fire safety, Display Screen Equipment assessments, Manual Handling, COSHH, First Aid, the Disability Discrimination Act and managing the employee with stress.
Stress Audit
Healthwork uses a unique stress audit questionnaire that incorporates the HSE management standard tool to measure stress indicators in employees.
The questionnaire can be completed on-line.
This is a valuable exercise in gathering data to compare stress levels between the departments of an organisation.
The report arising from the assessment will give an analysis of the apparent causes of stress and make recommendations for further action.