During a recent manual handling training session, one of the delegates announced to everyone that health and safety is bollocks. They went on to say that accidents only happen to stupid people.
I was initially taken back by their comments, but obviously had to respond given that everyone’s eyes were glued on me!
I asked why they thought this, and they replied that health and safety is just guidance, not the law. They added that accidents wouldn’t happen if people were careful.
Trying to keep things light-hearted, I said that one of the main pieces of legislation dealing with health and safety is the health and safety at work act 1974. Legislation is a law or set of laws passed by Parliament. If you don’t abide by legislation, you’re breaking the law.
This was then a perfect opportunity to ask everyone in the room “who is responsible for health and safety?” This provoked some discussion but didn’t come up with the correct answer, so I explained that employers have a legal duty to ensure the health and safety of their employees, as well as anyone else who may be affected by their work. This includes providing safe working conditions, equipment, and training, as well as identifying and controlling hazards in the workplace. Additionally, employees also have a duty to take care of their own health and safety, as well as that of their colleagues and others who may be affected by their work.
Sometimes, when running training sessions, we get thrown some curve balls. Health and safety being bollocks was my first one of 2023. I wonder what the rest of the year holds….
Pete
pete@jewelsafety.co.uk
