The New Year and Work Health and Safety

The New Year is a great time to reflect on work health and safety, especially with the potential for workplace changes and the chance to refresh safety priorities. Here are some key health and safety considerations for starting the year off strong:

Review and Update Safety Procedures

• Assess Risks: Take time to review any workplace hazards and ensure the risk assessments are up to date. This includes both physical hazards (like machinery, falls, or ergonomic concerns) and psychological risks (stress, burnout, or mental health issues).
• Update Safety Plans: Make sure emergency response plans, first aid procedures, and evacuation protocols are current and clearly communicated. Ensure all employees are familiar with the procedures, especially in case of new staff or a reorganisation.
• Compliance Check: Ensure all safety measures align with updated regulations or new standards that might have been introduced over the past year.

Training and Education

• Refresher Courses: Offer annual or refresher training for employees on safety practices, including proper use of equipment, emergency protocols, and hazard identification. Encourage employees to ask questions and raise concerns.
• Mental Health Awareness: Highlight mental well-being and stress management. Offer training and resources for managing work-related stress, which is critical as employees return from time off after the holiday period.
• Safety Culture: Promote a culture of safety where everyone feels responsible for their well-being and that of their colleagues.

Post-Holiday Transition

• Fatigue Management: Employees may return from the holiday season feeling fatigued. Monitor workloads and promote work-life balance, particularly in the first few weeks back. Encourage breaks and manageable work expectations to ease into the year.

Workplace Safety Audits

• Equipment Maintenance: Perform any necessary maintenance on equipment that may have been unused or less frequently used during the holidays. This helps prevent breakdowns and safety issues.
• Housekeeping: Ensure workspaces are organised and free of clutter, which can cause tripping or fire hazards. This includes checking storage areas, equipment spaces, and emergency exits.

Safety Communication

• Reminders and Alerts: Post safety reminders in high-traffic areas or during team meetings. Clear communication is vital to keeping safety top of mind.
• Report Concerns: Encourage employees to report any safety hazards or near-misses and follow up with corrective actions. Make reporting easy and without fear of reprisal.

Set Goals for Safety Improvements

• Data Review: Look at previous incidents and near-misses from last year. Identify patterns and set new safety goals for the year based on this data.
• New Initiatives: Plan initiatives that could further promote safety. This might include introducing new technology or processes to minimise risks.

Employee Engagement

• Encourage Participation: Involve employees in health and safety efforts by seeking feedback on current policies and practices. Consider a safety suggestion box or a regular survey.
• Celebrate Milestones: Recognise and reward safe behaviour, such as a “safety champion” award, or public recognition for teams that excel in adhering to safety protocols.

By integrating health and safety into the start of the year, you’re setting up your team for a safer and healthier year ahead!

Sherm Software will help your organisation reach all of your new year work health and safety goals. From reviewing and updating safety procedures to training employees, Sherm has it all. Let’s make this your safest year yet.