Occupational Health and Safety Solutions

Health & Safety, ISO 45001

February 2, 2023

Ensure the safety and well-being of employees in every workplace. This responsibility falls under the domain of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), an important aspect of organisational management aimed at preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. In this blog, we will cover what OHS entails, why it's essential, and the consultancy services we can provide to support your organisation. 

In the 2022/2023 period, statistics from the HSE revealed that 135 individuals lost their lives in work-related accidents, and a staggering 1.8 million individuals battled with a work-related illness. These figures highlight the vital role of health and safety management.

We understand that creating and intricately managing policies can become overwhelming and time-intensive. At Critical Path, our team of health and safety experts can relieve that stress and ensure your compliance with regulations. 

What is Occupational Health and Safety?

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) are governed by laws, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Often abbreviated as OHS or OH&S, it encompasses the policies, procedures, and practices implemented to promote and safeguard workplace health, safety, and welfare. Its primary goal is to provide a conducive environment where employees can carry out their duties without undue risk to their health or safety.

Why is Occupational Health and Safety Important?

Protecting Employees: The main objective of OHS is to protect employees from hazards and risks associated with their work environment. By identifying and mitigating potential dangers, OHS measures reduce the likelihood of workplace accidents and injuries.

Legal Compliance: Compliance with OHS regulations is mandatory in many jurisdictions. Failure to adhere to these standards can result in legal repercussions, including fines and penalties, tarnished reputation, and even business closure in severe cases.

Enhancing Productivity: A safe and healthy workplace boosts employee morale, reduces the number of days absent due to injuries or illnesses, and improves productivity. When employees feel secure in their work environment, they are more likely to focus on their tasks and contribute positively to the organisation.

Cost Savings: Implementing effective OHS practices can result in significant cost savings for businesses. By preventing accidents and illnesses, companies can avoid expenses related to compensation claims and productivity losses associated with absenteeism.

Our Occupational Health and Safety Consultancy Services

Critical Path provides various consultancy services tailored to meet your unique needs. Whether you require minimal support or comprehensive assistance, we are here to help. 

Our clients can choose from pay-as-you-go consultancy or a dedicated external resource model, where we offer 20+ days of support per month through a retainer agreement. Our commitment to adaptability sets us apart, ensuring that we deliver precisely what you require to succeed.

Health and Safety Policy Development

Our experts can assist your organisation in developing comprehensive health and safety policies tailored to your industry and operational requirements. We will work with your team to ensure that these policies align with current legislation and industry best practices, providing clear guidelines for hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures.

Legal Compliance Assistance

We help you navigate the landscape of complex health and safety legislation and regulations. Our consultants will inform you of regulatory updates and changes affecting your industry, ensuring that your organisation complies with relevant legal requirements. We will work with your team to implement necessary changes and adjustments to maintain regulatory compliance.

Health and Safety Management Systems (ISO 45001)

Our team will assist your organisation in implementing and maintaining effective health and safety management systems in accordance with ISO 45001 requirements. We support conducting gap analyses, developing action plans, and facilitating certification processes. By implementing ISO 45001-compliant management systems, we will help improve organisational performance and reduce workplace risks.

Risk Assessments

We provide comprehensive risk assessment services to identify potential hazards and risks within your workplace. Our consultants will work with your team to assess various aspects of your operations, including physical conditions, equipment safety, and ergonomic issues. Through detailed risk assessments, we will help prioritise areas for improvement and develop strategies to mitigate identified risks.

Health and Safety Audits

Our experts conduct thorough health and safety audits to assess your organisation's compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards. We will review your policies, procedures, and workplace conditions to identify areas for improvement and ensure adherence to legal obligations. Our consultants will provide detailed audit reports and recommendations for corrective actions to enhance your organisation's safety performance.

Occupational Health and Safety Training

Critical Path offers a range of occupational health and safety training programmes designed to educate employees on workplace hazards and safe work practices. Our training sessions cover hazard recognition, emergency response procedures, and proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE). We will work with your organisation to develop customised training plans that address your needs and requirements.

Accident Investigation and Reporting

Our consultants specialise in conducting thorough accident investigations to determine the root causes of workplace incidents. We will work with your team to gather relevant information, analyse contributing factors, and develop recommendations to prevent recurrence. By identifying lessons learned from past incidents, we will help strengthen your organisation's safety protocols and improve overall safety performance.

Emergency Response Planning

Critical Path supports developing emergency response plans to ensure your organisation is prepared to respond effectively to workplace emergencies. Our consultants will work with your team to identify potential emergency scenarios, establish response procedures, and conduct drills and exercises to test preparedness. We will help you develop robust emergency response plans that prioritise employee safety and minimise disruption to operations.

Environmental Health and Safety Consulting

Our consultants provide specialised environmental health and safety consulting services to help your organisation identify and mitigate environmental risks. We support assessing environmental hazards, developing pollution prevention plans, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. By integrating environmental considerations into your health and safety management systems, we will help minimise environmental impacts and promote sustainable practices.

Manual Handling Training

Critical Path offers manual handling training programmes to educate employees on safe lifting and handling techniques. Our training sessions cover proper lifting procedures, ergonomics principles, and risk factors associated with manual handling tasks. We will work with your organisation to customise training sessions to address specific manual handling challenges in your workplace.

Fire Risk Assessments

Our experts can conduct comprehensive fire risk assessments to identify potential fire hazards and evaluate existing fire safety measures. We'll develop fire risk assessment reports detailing hazards, control measures, and emergency response procedures. Then our consultants will help you implement effective fire safety strategies to protect your employees and assets from fire-related risks.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Assessments

Critical Path offers PPE assessments to ensure employees have access to the appropriate personal protective equipment required for their tasks. Our consultants will assess workplace hazards, determine PPE requirements, and evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of existing PPE solutions. We will provide recommendations for PPE selection, use, and maintenance to enhance employee protection and minimise injury risks.

Benefits of Working with Critical Path 

Critical Path is your trusted partner in creating safer and healthier workplaces. From ensuring compliance with regulations to mitigating risks and enhancing productivity, we provide expert guidance and support every step of the way. Let's explore some of the benefits of partnering with us.

Expertise and Knowledge

By working with us, you gain access to our extensive expertise and knowledge of occupational health and safety regulations, best practices, and industry standards. Our specialised skills enable us to identify potential risks and develop effective risk management strategies tailored to your organisation's needs.

Customised Solutions

Critical Path provides tailored solutions to meet your organisation's specific needs and challenges. By partnering with us, we conduct thorough assessments and understand your unique requirements, allowing us to develop customised plans and interventions that address your specific concerns and priorities.

Compliance Assurance

We stay up-to-date with the latest occupational health and safety regulations, ensuring that your organisation complies with relevant laws and standards. By partnering with Critical Path, you can rest assured that we will mitigate the risk of fines, penalties, and legal liabilities associated with non-compliance.

Resource Optimisation

Working with us allows your organisation to optimise resources by outsourcing occupational health and safety services. Therefore, instead of investing in hiring and training internal staff, you can leverage our expertise on a flexible basis, reducing costs and improving efficiency.

Continuous Improvement

Critical Path facilitates continuous improvement in occupational health and safety performance. Through regular audits, training sessions, and performance evaluations, we help identify areas for enhancement and implement proactive measures to prevent accidents and injuries.

Risk Reduction

By partnering with us, you benefit from our proactive approach to identifying and mitigating workplace hazards. Additionally, we will help your organisation reduce the risk of accidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses, protecting employees' health and well-being while safeguarding your reputation and financial stability.

Peace of Mind

Partnering with Critical Path for occupational health and safety services provides your organisation with peace of mind. Knowing that your health and safety responsibilities are in capable hands allows you to focus on your core business activities without worrying about compliance issues or safety concerns.

Conclusion

At Critical Path, we understand the importance of creating safe work environments. Our expert team offers tailored consultancy services to help your organisation comply with regulations, reduce risks, and improve safety standards. By partnering with us, you gain access to expertise, customised solutions, and peace of mind. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your health and safety goals.