Welcome Guest! The IOSH forums are a free resource to both members and non-members. Login or register to use them

Postings made by forum users are personal opinions. IOSH is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the information contained in forum postings. Please carefully consider any advice you receive.

Notification

Icon
Error

Options
Go to last post Go to first unread
Ross1370  
#1 Posted : 18 March 2015 09:32:21(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Ross1370

I have been struggling implementing a decent health and safety culture within my company. We are an office based company with four separate locations around the UK (each different in terms of sales, R&D), we don't have an overall senior member of the company based here who is responsible solely for the UK. I don't have a country manager, so creating a H&S policy without support is really difficult. Who can ideally lead on this.
Graham  
#2 Posted : 18 March 2015 09:53:51(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Graham

Hi
I've found that in my organisation the HR manager is the person with the most similar outlook and therefore best placed to help.

Although my area isn't much like yours HR has been a great help to me.
Graham
Alfasev  
#3 Posted : 18 March 2015 09:58:10(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Alfasev

The named directors of the UK registered company are responsible for health and safety whether they like it or not under section 37 of the Health & Safety at Work Act. Give them this http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg417.pdf
Ross1370  
#4 Posted : 18 March 2015 10:06:00(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Ross1370

Thanks, This is what I thought and have been stressing this til I'm blue in the face...really just wanted to make sure I wasn't going mad, thanks Alfasev. I have been in discussions with HR on a regular basis to get this sorted. Because they have always been really poor at this i'm really starting from scratch.
Alfasev  
#5 Posted : 18 March 2015 10:17:49(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Alfasev

A word of caution there are duties place on everyone in the HSW Act under section 7. Do not let significant hazards and risks go unchallenged. It can and has been classed as an omission in court.
Ross1370  
#6 Posted : 18 March 2015 10:23:41(UTC)
Rank: New forum user
Ross1370

I understand. Its hard pushing this from the bottom up when it should be supported from the top and the pressure to get this organised flowing down, many thanks
Matt34  
#7 Posted : 18 March 2015 15:36:48(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Matt34

In my experience; being told about responsibilities, consequences of failure, etc. are listened to a lot more if they are delivered by an external person.

Would you be able to convince at least one of the responsible persons to attend a training session in their local area?

I sent 2 Directors at my company on an “IOSH for Senior Execs” course and both have taken real interest in the management of health & safety since returning. (Not always a blessing)

Once you get one ally at that level they may drag the rest along with them.
Users browsing this topic
Guest
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.