Robison & Co

Workplace Wellness

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Health and safety at work: What every business must know

Health and safety at work: What every business must know

Health and safety are at the heart of protecting businesses and employees. Today, on National Health and Safety at Work Day, it’s vital to reflect on what steps we take to keep workplaces safe. Without strong policies, companies risk fines, accidents, and reputational damage. Let’s explore how to strengthen your approach to health and safety and protect your workforce.

Why health and safety policies are essential

A strong health and safety culture helps businesses build trust and resilience. When you protect your team, you also protect your operations, finances, and reputation. In the event of emergencies, the right actions can even save lives. However, maintaining compliance is not just about legal requirements. It shows that you value your employees’ wellbeing every day.

This is particularly important for growing businesses. When your team feels safe, they are more likely to stay, perform better, and contribute to your success.

Health and safety and fire extinguisher readiness

One overlooked area of health and safety is fire extinguisher use. Many businesses invest in extinguishers but fail to train staff properly. During a fire, knowing how to react can prevent costly damage and injuries.

It is important to:

  • Recognise different types of extinguishers, such as Class A for wood and paper or Class E for electrical fires.

  • Understand that using the wrong extinguisher could worsen the situation.

  • Follow the simple PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Training your team ensures they are ready to act if needed. Still, if a fire becomes dangerous, evacuation must be the priority. Lives should always come first.

Health and safety during workplace medical emergencies

Medical emergencies can happen at any time. Therefore, businesses must ensure their teams are ready to respond calmly and correctly.

Important first actions include:

  • Calling 999 immediately for professional support.

  • Providing first aid only if you are trained to do so.

  • Avoiding unnecessary movement of injured employees to prevent harm.

Different emergencies require different responses. For seizures, employees should be rolled onto their side and hazardous objects removed. For bleeding, apply pressure without removing blood-soaked cloths. During a heart attack, keeping the employee calm and seated can make a difference. Quick, informed action can save lives.

Health and safety and maintaining a safe workplace

Keeping a safe workplace is a continuous effort. Health and safety training is not a one-off activity. Businesses must review safety procedures regularly, keeping them up-to-date and relevant.

Here are some essential tips:

  • Update fire extinguisher training every year.

  • Offer refresher first aid courses to staff.

  • Regularly test emergency equipment and evacuation procedures.

  • Encourage a culture where employees report hazards early.

Maintaining clear policies also demonstrates to insurers that you are a low-risk business. This can support better insurance terms and protect you financially if a claim arises.

How Robison & Co supports your health and safety efforts

At Robison & Co, we understand how important health and safety are to business success. Strong safety procedures protect your people, but they also safeguard your future. Our bespoke insurance solutions are designed to work alongside your internal policies to give you full peace of mind.

We help you by:

  • Offering tailored business insurance that reflects your real risks.

  • Providing risk management advice to improve workplace safety.

  • Supporting policyholders with claims when accidents happen.

Your business deserves protection that works as hard as you do. That is why, at Robison & Co, we are by your side, helping you prepare for whatever the future holds.

To discuss a new or existing policy, please get in touch with us via one of the options below!

01730 265500 | hello@robison.co.uk | Contact request form

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Distracted driving: Protecting your people and your business

Distracted driving: Protecting your people and your business

Distracted driving is a growing threat to small businesses. It puts your staff, vehicles, and reputation at risk. In the UK, thousands of crashes each year are linked to driver distraction.

That’s why creating a distracted driving policy is crucial. It keeps your employees safe, supports compliance, and reduces claims. Most importantly, it helps protect your bottom line.

Here’s what you need to know.

Why a distracted driving policy matters

Your people are your most valuable asset. But they’re also human. It only takes one glance at a phone, one moment of drowsiness, or one loud noise to cause an accident.

Without clear guidance, drivers might assume distracted habits are acceptable. That’s when accidents happen. A good policy tackles that early. It shows staff you care and ensures expectations are clear from the start.

This approach builds trust, improves road safety, and reduces downtime from accidents. It also shows insurers your business takes risk seriously.

Types of distracted driving to address

To prevent distracted driving, your policy should explain what counts as a distraction. Staff need to understand the risks before they can avoid them.

Some of the most common types include:

Manual distractions

Taking hands off the wheel. This includes eating, adjusting the radio, or using a phone.

Visual distractions

Looking away from the road. Checking a text, staring at the GPS, or talking to passengers.

Cognitive distractions

Losing focus. Daydreaming, fatigue, or being deep in conversation all reduce attention.

Auditory distractions

Loud sounds. Noisy passengers or blasting music can affect concentration.

Physical distractions

Shifting in the seat, grooming, or dressing while driving.

Each of these can have serious consequences. That’s why your policy should be specific, clear, and easy to follow.

Distracted driving and mobile phones

Phones are one of the biggest culprits. Even hands-free calls distract the brain. In the UK, it’s illegal to use handheld devices while driving.

Your policy must make this clear.

Many businesses now require drivers to set phones to silent before driving. Others go further, banning phone use altogether. This reduces the chance of incidents and removes any grey areas.

If you do allow hands-free use, keep it short. Encourage staff to pull over safely for longer conversations.

Using technology to reduce risk

Technology can help monitor and reduce distracted driving. Your policy should include guidance on how and when it’s used.

Common systems include:

  • Telematics for tracking driving behaviour

  • Mobile blockers to prevent phone use

  • Dashcams to review incidents

  • Hands-free tools that keep attention on the road

Used well, these tools reduce risk and improve training. But be transparent. Let staff know what is being monitored and why. That builds trust and increases buy-in.

Encouraging safe habits before every journey

Good habits start before the engine does.

Make sure staff know to:

  • Adjust mirrors and seats first

  • Set the GPS and temperature

  • Secure loose items

  • Avoid multitasking during the drive

Simple steps like these help drivers stay focused from the moment they leave.

Breaks matter too

Eating while driving is unsafe. So is driving when tired. Your policy should allow time for rest and refreshment.

Encourage staff to:

  • Pull over to eat

  • Take breaks on long journeys

  • Speak up if they feel drowsy or distracted

This helps prevent accidents and shows that staff wellbeing matters.

Passenger awareness

When staff are transporting others, remind them to stay focused. Conversations should be minimal in busy traffic or unfamiliar areas. A clear policy here ensures everyone knows what’s expected.

Training brings it to life

A written policy is only the start. You also need training.

Cover:

  • The risks of distracted driving

  • What counts as a distraction

  • What the policy says

  • How tech is used and why

Training should include real-life examples. Encourage questions. Help staff understand how the policy protects them.

Don’t forget to enforce it

Make it clear what happens if the policy is ignored. Set fair consequences and apply them consistently. This keeps everyone accountable.

Policies need regular updates

What works today might not tomorrow. Review your policy often. Add new tools or respond to changes in the law. A flexible policy stays relevant and effective.

Final thoughts

Preventing distracted driving protects people, property, and profits. With a clear, enforced policy, you reduce accidents and keep your business moving.

At Robison & Co, we help businesses like yours manage risk with confidence. We’ll help tailor a policy that fits your team, supports safety, and keeps you covered.

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Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Businesses

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Businesses

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Businesses is an extremely important topic to be aware of, because it is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless poisonous gas, that is a by-product of the incomplete burning of carbon-containing material. This gas can quickly accumulate in areas where employees work, even if the space appears well-ventilated. Exposure to CO can cause serious health problems and even death.

Considering these hazards, it is essential that businesses take steps to ensure their workplace is safe from CO exposure. This article explores the common causes of CO poisoning in businesses, describes the signs of CO poisoning and the employees at higher risk, and provides practical steps to minimise this risk.

Common Causes of CO Poisoning in Businesses

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that CO is produced mainly when the burning of carbon-based fuels (e.g., gas, oil, wood, and coal) is incomplete. When the fuel doesn’t burn fully, excess CO is emitted.

Common CO sources are:
  • Faulty appliances, such as furnaces, water heaters, or gas cookers that improperly burn fuel and release CO into the workplace
  • Internal combustion engines, such as those used by many cars, lorries, forklifts, and other machines
  • Equipment and power tools like portable generators, lawn equipment, and power washers that run on petrol
When CO is present in a workplace, certain signs may be noticeable, including:
  • Streaks of soot around appliances or fallen soot inside of a fireplace
  • Excess moisture or condensation on surfaces
  • Excess rust on pipes
  • Yellow or orange flames (instead of blue) in combustion appliances
  • Water leaking from vents or flue pipes
  • Damaged or discoloured bricks on top of the chimney or an absence of an upward draft

Employees at High Risk of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Businesses

Many businesses have equipment, appliances, and machines that have the potential to produce CO, but employees in specific industries and roles may be at a higher risk due to the nature of their jobs. Here are examples of who may be at an elevated risk of CO poisoning:

  • Cooks and bakers
  • Blast furnace and boiler room workers
  • Mechanics
  • Welders
  • Pulp and paper producers
  • Forklift and diesel engine operators
  • Steel producers
  • Metal oxide reducers
  • Petroleum refiners

Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

When inhaled, CO displaces oxygen in the blood, which can lead to oxygen starvation in vital organs. Recognising these varying signs of CO poisoning is essential to help prevent serious injury or death:

  • Early symptoms: Early CO poisoning symptoms often mimic the flu and include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and chest pain. These can be mistaken for other illnesses.
  • Severe symptoms: Prolonged or high levels of CO exposure lead to confusion, vomiting, muscle weakness, collapse, and loss of consciousness. Neurological symptoms and cardiac issues may also occur.

It is important to note that symptoms can vary by person, and some populations are more susceptible to CO poisoning, including the elderly; young children; those with pre-existing heart or long-term conditions; those who work at high altitudes; and those with anaemia, sickle cell anaemia, and elevated CO blood levels (e.g., smokers). CO poisoning also poses unique risks to pregnant workers and their unborn children.

CO poisoning can be reversed if it is caught in time, according to the NHS. However, acute poisoning may cause permanent damage to body parts that require high oxygen levels, such as the brain and heart.

Steps to Minimise CO Risks

With the severity of CO hazards, businesses need to take steps to eliminate or reduce the potential for CO-related injuries or fatalities. Measures to take include:

Ensure proper installation of equipment, appliances, or other machines that may produce CO.

This can be accomplished by following applicable manufacturer instructions, building regulations, and HSE guidance.

Conduct regular inspections.

Heating systems, chimneys, flues, and other equipment that could produce CO should be inspected annually by professionals. Air in spaces where CO may be present should also be regularly tested for the presence of the gas.

Educate employees.

Staff should be trained on CO risks, symptoms, and emergency procedures. They must also be encouraged to report any suspicious odours or symptoms, avoid overexertion if they suspect CO poisoning, and leave contaminated areas.

Check for proper ventilation.

It’s vital to ensure adequate ventilation exists in enclosed spaces where fuel-burning equipment operates and avoid running equipment that could produce CO near open doors or windows or near air intakes.

Utilise CO detectors.

CO detectors should be installed in areas near potential CO sources (e.g., boiler rooms, garages, kitchens) and routinely tested. Batteries should be replaced regularly. If an employee is at a heightened risk of CO exposure, they should be provided with a personal CO monitor.

Prohibit indoor use of diesel- or petrol-powered equipment.

The use of fuel-powered tools or equipment (e.g., generators, concrete cutting saws, high-pressure washers, floor buffers) should be prohibited indoors or in poorly ventilated areas. Where appropriate, businesses should consider alternative power supplies (e.g., batteries, electricity, or compressed air) instead of diesel or petrol-powered equipment.

Provide personal protective equipment (PPE).

Ensuring employees who work in areas with potentially high CO concentrations have access to proper PPE (e.g., self-contained breathing apparatus) and know how to use it is critical.

Emergency response plan.

Employers must develop and communicate an emergency plan for CO incidents. Such a plan should include procedures for evacuation and providing medical assistance.

 

Employers have a duty to ensure safe working conditions for their employees. Being aware of the risks of CO and taking proactive steps to eliminate or mitigate those hazards can help accomplish this goal.

 

To discuss a new policy, or current policy  please get in touch with us via one of the options below!

Book a call        01730 265500        Contact request form        hello@robison.co.uk

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Remote work: Navigating Insurance needs

Remote Work: Navigating Insurance Needs 

 

 

Embracing Remote Work: Navigating Insurance Needs for Hybrid Work Models

Remote work has become very common as the way we work changes. Many businesses use hybrid models, mixing remote and office work. This shift is flexible and convenient. But, it brings new insurance challenges.

Understanding the Hybrid Work Environment

In a hybrid setup, employees work from both home and the office. This flexibility has many benefits. However, it also creates unique insurance issues. For example, there are cybersecurity risks and home office liabilities. Addressing these needs takes careful planning.

Cyber Insurance for Remote Employees

With remote work, cybersecurity is crucial. Protecting data and systems from cyber threats is essential. Cyber insurance helps cover the costs of data breaches and ransomware attacks. So, employees working remotely need proper cyber insurance. This protection is vital for both personal and company data.

Liability Coverage for Home Offices

As employees set up home offices, liability coverage becomes important. Homeowners’ insurance might not cover business activities at home. Thus, business owners should consider extra liability coverage. This protects against claims from accidents or injuries in home offices. It ensures that both employees and businesses are legally protected.

Employers Liability Compensation Considerations

Hybrid work complicates Employers Liability. Injuries at home can qualify but proving them is challenging. Therefore, businesses need to work with insurance providers to clarify coverage. This ensures that employees are protected, no matter where they work.

Conclusion: Securing Your Hybrid Work Environment

As businesses adopt hybrid models, addressing insurance is key. By investing in cyber insurance, securing home office liability, and clarifying Employers Liability cover, businesses can manage the hybrid work environment confidently. This ensures safety, security, and well-being for both employees and the organization.

 

 

To discuss a new policy, or current policy  please get in touch with us via one of the options below!

Book a call        01730 265500        Contact request form        hello@robison.co.uk

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Attraction and Retention Trends to Monitor in 2024

The job market in the UK has been chronically tight for a while now. Many people left their jobs during the “Great Resignation” that followed the COVID-19 epidemic as a result of refocusing their priorities, creating a large number of employment openings. Employers still have difficulties due to high inflation and skills shortfalls, even if job postings decreased in 2023, suggesting a weakening of the market. As a result, companies this year will probably still have trouble finding and keeping outstanding workers. Employers may plan ahead and prepare their recruiting and engagement strategies by reading this article, which explores trends in attraction and retention to monitor in 2024.

Skills-based Hiring

In 2024, organisations will struggle to recruit employees with the right skills. According to ManpowerGroup’s 2024 UK Staff Shortage Survey, 80% of UK companies face this issue. Finding talent in administration, engineering, IT, and data is especially tough. Thus, many companies are shifting their hiring focus from degrees or experience to specific skills. Skills-based hiring can help find qualified candidates. Employers can benefit by valuing learning ability, offering strong growth programmes, and focusing on cultural fit.

Gen Z

Glassdoor’s Workplace Trends research predicts that in 2024, Gen Z workers will outnumber baby boomers in the workforce. Born between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z has different job expectations than previous generations. Employers may need to adapt to attract and retain this talented group. Gen Z is socially conscious and values social interaction, company culture, job flexibility, and growth opportunities.

Pay Transparency

Pay transparency gained focus in 2023 and will continue to grow in 2024. Savvy businesses use transparency as a recruiting tool. Recruitment company Reed found that 78% of job applicants are discouraged from applying if the wage isn’t disclosed. Pay transparency is popular with younger generations and can enhance an employer’s reputation by showing a commitment to fair pay.

Mental Health

Mental health and well-being remain vital concerns for employers. A recent Gympass survey showed that 77% of workers might quit if their well-being isn’t prioritised. Employees will leave if employers don’t meet their expectations for integrating well-being into workplace culture. Therefore, having a clear well-being strategy will be crucial for employee retention in 2024.

Keeping Up with Pay

The recent rapid increase in inflation has outpaced many employees’ wages, affecting attraction and retention. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Labour Market Outlook predicts many companies will raise wages in 2024, with an average increase of 5%. This is not surprising given the current economic climate.

 

Furthermore, in an effort to enhance attraction and retention, firms are increasingly providing alluring benefits. According to data gathered by LinkedIn, 46% of businesses plan to improve their pay packages in 2024 by include benefits, such as remote working.

 

To discuss a new policy, or current policy please get in touch with us via one of the options below!

Book a call        01730 265500        Contact request form        hello@robison.co.uk