HSE encourages leadership on workplace safety

Categories: General Health and Safety |

Accidents can be avoided in the workplace if businesses exert leadership on health and safety issues, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said.

Simon Longbottom, HSE operations manager for the east, commented that practical action to manage risks in the workplace can prevent injuries and fatalities among staff.

He called on employers to apply greater leadership and create an "organisation culture", involving their employees in health and safety issues.

Mr Longbottom said: "Evidence shows that where employers and employees work closely together to agree the agenda and set targets to tackle real risks, they have made significant improvements."

It follows figures released by the HSE for the east of England, which showed that 266 people were injured at work each week.

Firms can be fined under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for failing to take action on improving safety in the workplace.

Businesses can avoid this by providing staff with safety equipment and clothing, such as safety gloves or hearing protection where appropriate.

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