A lot of my activity at the moment is consulting with the hospitality sector<\/strong> and Covid-19. I can see the workstation and the person using it, which is a good place to start. Although this is a new coronavirus, it still behaves like other viruses, so completing risk assessments for Covid-19 isn\u2019t as tricky as I would have thought. Most venues don\u2019t have to spend too much money and can make practical adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u201creasonably practicable\u201d<\/strong> comes from the Health and Safety at Work Act<\/em> and is the most often used duty for employers to keep their workplaces safe and reduce the risk of accidents and harm occurring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s about taking a pragmatic, common-sense approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This coronavirus is a new hazard \u2014 and yet, think about the measures you\u2019ve put in place to reduce the chance of catching it. Looking back, the actions you\u2019ve taken are practical and, in hindsight, common sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t like quoting the phrase \u201creasonably practicable\u201d when consulting with business owners or managers as it can sound too \u201chealth and safety clipboard.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, I prefer asking questions that make sense in the real world:<\/p>\n\n\n\n These questions help business owners anticipate how harm or accidents might occur. So, next time you\u2019re risk assessing your own workplace hazards, just ask yourself those two questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Apparently, we don\u2019t all think the same \u2014 which means we don\u2019t all share the same \u201ccommon sense.\u201d One person might see danger; another might see very little risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another big issue is complacency<\/strong>. People stop seeing what\u2019s been in front of them all along \u2014 it\u2019s human nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u201clikelihood\u201d<\/strong> is commonly used in risk assessment, and it\u2019s a problem. That sounds reasonable \u2014 but it\u2019s a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The accident only needs to happen once.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Once it happens, someone gets hurt \u2014 maybe for life. That one time is enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, businesses don\u2019t always see what\u2019s around them or they think \u201cit won\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s where I come in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A fresh pair of eyes with health and safety knowledge<\/strong> and some tough love. I aim to help you reduce risk, not downplay it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether it\u2019s COVID, DSE or First Aid, I\u2019m happy to visit your premises, ask questions, and have a good look around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I teach Risk Assessment<\/strong>, so you\u2019re in good hands \u2014 and I promise to tell you how it is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Introduction A lot of my activity at the moment is consulting with the hospitality sector and Covid-19.It sounds perplexing \u2014 and I\u2019ll be honest, I\u2019d rather complete a risk assessment…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1575","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-blog"},"yoast_head":"\n
It sounds perplexing \u2014 and I\u2019ll be honest, I\u2019d rather complete a risk assessment on something like DSE or manual handling than a virus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDuty of Employers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nThe Big Problem: Perception and Complacency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When I teach risk assessment, people often say an accident is \u201cunlikely to happen.\u201d Why? Because it\u2019s never happened before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nReal Examples from the Workplace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It had the desired effect \u2014 followed by a conversation about alcohol-free options.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to Get Around Human Nature and Complacency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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It\u2019s a mistake to complete risk assessments entirely on your own. Another colleague might help, but ideally involve multiple perspectives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
They know the workplace best and may spot hazards others miss.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Some businesses simply aren\u2019t aware of relevant health and safety laws, such as DSE requirements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBringing in Expert Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
My job is to ask the hard questions and be honest in my feedback. Even if business owners don\u2019t like what I have to say, sugar-coating would be negligent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPractical Solutions to Combat Complacency<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nFinal Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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