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AndyC  
#1 Posted : 20 July 2011 10:21:15(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
AndyC

Simple question: is a health and safety noticeboard mandatory? Follow-up simple question: if it is, what form must/can it take in an office environment (i.e. can it be electronic - a shared data area, or does it have to be the good old fashioned board stuck on the wall)?
Fletcher  
#2 Posted : 20 July 2011 10:32:05(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Fletcher

The Health & Safety Poster is mandatory so why not put that on a Health & Safety notice board? You would have to look on the HSE website to see if they have an electronic copy How the Employer actually communicates with the Employees is down to the Employer and in my experience has always been detailed as part of the H&S Policy Arrangements.
RayRapp  
#3 Posted : 20 July 2011 11:00:31(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

Andy, I do not believe a h&s notice board is mandatory - good practice, certainly. The H&S Law poster is mandatory and should be displayed in a prominent position by the employer. There are issues with electronic systems, sometimes you can't really beat a good old fashioned notice board for providing information and getting people's attention. However, if staff are generally transient then it might be more practicable to provide electronic information.
Kate  
#4 Posted : 20 July 2011 11:04:19(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

A noticeboard is not mandatory and nor is the poster (provided you hand out the equivalent leaflet - obviously it's easier just to put the poster up).
Andrew W Walker  
#5 Posted : 20 July 2011 11:05:40(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Andrew W Walker

Andy. Can you have both? Then poll the employees as to which they think is the most effective. Can you IT dept monitor the visits to the electronic version? Send out e-mails when its been updated? Once you have decided the most effective way, get rid of one of the. A cost implication may also need to be taken into consideration with the IT system. Andy
MaxPayne  
#6 Posted : 20 July 2011 11:37:21(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
MaxPayne

Noticeboards are good as long as they're managed, i.e. there isn't stuff left on them which is out of date, any posters or campaign materials is refreshed reguarly etc, etc.
jde  
#7 Posted : 20 July 2011 11:42:55(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
jde

Short answer is No, a H&S noticeboard is not mandatory, however if managed properly it can be an effective tool for communicating information to employees / others
AndyC  
#8 Posted : 20 July 2011 11:48:59(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
AndyC

Motorhead - we can, and do, use both. We post information electronically onto a 'teamsite' that all staff access which provides relevant H&S information. We also have the good old fashioned noticeboards in each building. The main reason behind my question is that we were recently audited and a comment was made about the dissemination of documentation, and the staff's lack of knowledge about the content of the noticeboard (although aware of its existance). It could be that by having both we've effectively killed off the noticeboard! Andy
RayRapp  
#9 Posted : 20 July 2011 12:20:33(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
RayRapp

Staff often ignore notice boards - that is a fact of life! They should be refreshed with up-to-date, information and located in a prominent position, otherwise they become nothing more than office wallpaper. Topical leaflets, news bulletins, competitions, anything to get people's attention. When people ask a relevant question direct them to the notice board. But you can only take a horse to water...
NigelB  
#10 Posted : 20 July 2011 12:42:19(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
NigelB

I'm aware of at least one company that has put a plasma screen within their noticeboards. Specific paper based information is attached to the board and videos, PowerPoint presentations etc are constantly updated in line with key themes run by the company. The plasma screens are networked to computers, so programmes can easily be changed or modified. As with other comments, the information on the noticeboards is linked into a clear communication strategy the company has. Responsibility is delegated to an individual to ensure information is current and updated when necessary. Making the information look interesting is a help in trying to interest people. Cheers. Nigel
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