Webinar - An update on health and safety working practices
Date: Thursday 27 May 2021
This was an on-line event.
Topic: APS Annual Conference
"In the current climate, many businesses have embraced flexible working and working from home, increasingly we find ourselves plunged into doing so, far longer than originally expected. Inadequate home set-up arrangements could be causing thousands of workers discomfort from working remotely and they are at risk from developing some form of musculoskeletal pain. Lack of personal interaction, communication, lone working, and increased costs due to home working is pointing to an increase in work related stress and mental health issues. Anyone can suffer from work-related stress, no matter what work they do or what level of the organisation they operate at, if work-related stress is not addressed it can lead to common mental health conditions.
Employers have the same health and safety responsibilities for home workers as for any other workers, it is important to address these issues now to ensure home working arrangements are sustainable in the future. Prioritise a preventative approach to avoid harm in the first place, preserve and promote mental health and wellbeing. A key challenge remains the need for a greater understanding of the causes and effects of poor mental health. This would undoubtedly assist with the identification and development of approaches to deal with the issue.
Health and safety law is relevant to all types of industries, businesses and organisations and affects all aspects of work. The Health and Safety Executive believe effective management of health and safety is vital to employee well-being and has a role to play in enhancing the reputation of businesses and help them achieve high-performing teams along with a financial benefit to the business. Anyone can suffer from work-related stress, no matter what work they do or what level of the organisation they operate at, if work-related stress is not addressed it can lead to common mental health conditions.
COVID-19 has changed the way we work, at Safehands Health and Safety Consultants Ltd we have adopted a HY-BRID model of home and office working, based on a rotational system, ‘In my opinion mixing the two is the way forward, not one or the other’."
About Andrew Gardiner
Andrew Gardiner is manager of Safehands Health and Safety Consultants Ltd who act as the “Competent Person” responsible for providing advice on matters relating to Health and Safety.
Safehands hold the APS Corporate Membership, Andrew is the lead CDM advisor for the company and is a proven communicator at all levels and has an exemplary reputation for motivational and sound leadership. He is a Certified Member of APS, a Chartered Member of IOSH and an OSHCR Registered Consultant. with teamwork, safety affects every employee, it should be a collective project with everyone in the workplace being involved.
Andrew is an experienced facilitator and multidiscipline trainer, accredited by CITB and Mental Health First Aid England.
He believes the power of training and coaching is far more engaging than simply giving someone a set of instructions. Training gives people a greater understanding of their responsibilities and in turn build their confidence and enhance their overall performance.