Food outlets are subject to a Scores on the Doors hygiene rating system, but what would happen if businesses had a similar scheme for health and safety?
Marketing Stockport member Michelle Hay is campaigning for the scheme to be introduced.
She believes that it should be compulsory for all businesses to sign up to a new rating scheme, but she fears that she will be playing with fire because of the number of local businesses that have no systems or training in place to safeguard their employees and visitors.
Michelle, who runs Michelle Hay Health and Safety, is keen to talk to all kinds of industries and businesses about this initiative to gain some support.
She says: “As a glass half full kind of person, I am hopeful that at the very least, that those that do walk the talk and demonstrate health and safety in the workplace will get in touch, and put the system to the test.
“I am looking for volunteers for a pilot. After all, whenever we go out and about, we take it for granted that we will be protected by ‘elf and safety’.
“It seems that there are double standards and lip service going on in and around Stockport. Be careful you don’t trip over them!”
Michelle was left horrified at the lack of knowledge and training of the majority of visitors to her stand at the North West Expo.
Many people admitted that they had never received any form of safety training at their place of work, not even fire training.
She added: “The latest changes to the fines that can be imposed for failings are to be based on a company’s turnover and profitability.
“So the more financially successful the company is, there’s more reason to get your health and safety house in order.
“At the very least all employees must be trained in fire safety including what to do in the event of a fire, what to do if they discover a fire and how to avoid fire happening in the workplace.”
To get in touch with Michelle call 0161 298 1040.
What you need to know
From someone who has been training staff in fire safety, and all the other compliance training for the last 25 years, it is almost inconceivable that people would not bother to train their employees in fire safety awareness.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states that employers must:
- Develop suitable and sufficient emergency procedures
- Provide health and safety information to their employees and others
- Provide employees with adequate and relevant health and safety training
- Undertake suitable and sufficient written risk assessments – identifying risks and controls
Find out more: https://michellehay.com/