We recently presented a health & safety training session on behalf of the British Sign & Graphics Association at Sign & Digital UK. This was a session to bring businesses in the industry up to date with current health & safety priorities; including what the HSE is focussing on.

What was interesting was that some attendees seemed not to be aware of what was really expected of their businesses in relation to health & safety matters. In fact it became clear that what we take as common knowledge clearly may not be the case for some smaller businesses.

A discussion around Fees for Intervention; which is used by the HSE to recover costs against a business found to be failing in health & safety was not something all attendees knew about. As time was limited in the session we suggested that they should visit the HSE website to bring themselves up to speed. However at least two persons identified they find the HSE site not easy to use and therefore don’t regularly go looking for information on it.

So if this applies to your business where do you get the information needed to stay health & safety compliant? Is it through a trade association or similar information source or do you have access to competent advice as required by legislation?

We recently asked some of our clients what they found as the main benefits were from working with MESH and some have even recorded video testimonials that will soon be added to our website. What was clear was that the majority liked having someone to:

• Take away the pressure of keeping up to date with legislation;
• Providing practical advice and ways to make their job easier;
• Knowing that they can get on with the day job and not have to worry about health & safety.

Is your business in this safe position or like those at the presentation are you risking being found wanting by the HSE? Need help then we are the people to call.