Q4 2020 | 27 Company: Safety PAL Name: Karl Spencer Web Address: www.yoursafetypal.com Safety First! following. There are many companies that have approved procedures in place, but are still fundamentally at risk from the actions of a negligent employee. Between 2018 and 2019, 55 directors and duty holders not only received immediate custodial sentences, but paid out millions in fines thanks to their poor management of health and safety in the workplace. Instead of being beholden to fate, running the risk and thinking that the worse will not happen to me, is dangerous and an attitude which needs to change before it’s too late. Transforming SME directors’ mindset to health and safety is not an easy task. Many simply believe that it couldn’t possibly happen to them, and if it does, that the H&S policies currently in place will protect them. In most situations, they will not, leaving the company liable for the consequences of an accident. This could ruin the business, leaving directors with a great deal of debt and no clear way forward. It’s therefore worth examining a good model of health and safety performance, one which encourages best practice at all levels. Three principles have been highlighted in The Leading Health and Safety at work Publication INDG417 (rev1), namely strong and active leadership from the top, worker involvement and continuous assessment and review. When put together, the result is a proactive approach that engages everyone in a business. This requires new investment from SME operations. Obviously, every business owner argues that they would never cut costs when it comes to the health of the workforce, but money is a factor in any business decision. Cost-cutting at the expense of safety is an aggravating factor in the case of an accident, and with many businesses not reaching the necessary standards is not a viable option. The need is to find a way forward that combines robust systems and practical application is vital. Safety checkpoints that are able to provide business leaders with the evidence and proof of compliance will always be an invaluable asset. The use of technology to enable this is vital, ensuring that communication of important information goes to the entire workforce. In a world that is constantly changing, especially in the whirlwind that is COVID-19 compliance, it’s the perfect opportunity to put systems in place that balance cost with how a business needs to meet the required standards in health and safety. The solutions available from Safety PAL is just one way forward for SME operations. Their health and safety software takes all these factors into account and effectively engineers out any problem through clear communication, pro-active training and proof. The firm’s practical approach allows smaller business operations that often struggle to find the resources to manage health, safety and wellbeing, allowing them to work smarter, safer and faster. The aim is always primarily to prevent accidents and protect SMEs from prosecution which has meant the team have produced something that doesn’t place onerous demands on resources or costs. Safety PAL is a practical, well thought through single-source solution that is highly regarded by many. Its success in SME News’s Business Elite Awards this year are reason enough to see what they have to offer, but the security they can bring to your business are why you should consider taking them on board. “Health and safety offences are concerned with failures to manage risks and do not require proof that the offence caused any actual harm”
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