Safety First

Publication: Professional Motor Mechanic

January 2009 saw new legislation, the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008, come into force, significantly increasing the penalties for those breaching Health & Safety legislation. Peter Purdom, director of automotive health and safety specialist, xCenta, discusses how this impacts the motor sector and why we shouldn’t take our eyes off the ball when it comes to providing safe working conditions.

With 8,000 accidents and 24 deaths recorded in the motor vehicle repair (MVR) sector over the last five years, the statistics paint a stark picture. The sector is most certainly one of the riskier professions, up there with the construction industry, and it is estimated that workers have a one in 15,000 chance of being killed at work each year. It is the responsibility of senior managers to reduce this figure and that is one of the reasons behind the HSE’s decision to raise the penalties for those in breach of the regulations. This new Act raises penalties to a maximum £20,000 in lower courts or unlimited in higher courts, and broadens the range of offences to imprison an individual. According to HSE Chair, Judith Hackitt, the enforcement policy targets those who cut corners, gain commercial advantage over competitors by failing to comply with health and safety law and who put workers and the public at risk.

Therefore, if it’s not already, health and safety must become a fundamental part of business management sitting alongside issues such as financial performance, with prominence in boardroom discussions. For motor repair business owners, responsibility lies with them to ensure that positive health and safety practices filter through the business.

It’s important that the current issues affecting the MVR sector, which include falls from heights, safety of two post lifts, movement of vehicles, safe handling of fuel, repair of tanks and isocyanate paint spraying, are recognised, risk assessed and policies are put in place to ensure best practice. The key to good health and safety is to be proactive and not reactive, and not filing paperwork away where it gathers dust. Regular reviews of existing policy, audits and spot checks to ensure they are being adhered to and keeping up-to-date with new risks and legislation will put a business at the forefront of managing health and safety and protect against being at risk of negligence

Whilst this sounds relatively simple, there is a concern among many in the sector that, as the current economic climate hits the automotive sector hard, there is temptation for a minority to cut back on health and safety. As businesses are forced to reduce overheads, often through headcount, it is possible that the responsibility of health and safety could be passed to another member of the team, who already has another role to fill. However, none compliance is not an option and the consequences could cost owners their business, and their freedom.

To ensure compliance, automotive businesses are increasingly introducing IT-based health and safety systems that enable all relevant documentation to be held in one place; meaning it can be easily accessed and updated. These systems can help businesses keep on top of health and safety issues and be aware of forthcoming legislation or the announcement of new risks that emerge. There are also pre-written risk assessments and policies available that interpret the responsibilities of the motor repair business which can then be undertaken and policies put in place. This limits the time invested by the business, but does ensure compliance.

No business wants to have a reputation as being a bad and unsafe employer. While health and safety can be seen by some as time consuming red tape, in industries that are hazardous there should be no cutting corners when it comes to employee safety. No mechanic should ever be put in a position where they risk serious injury or put their life on the line. In fact, there really are no gains in brushing health and safety under the carpet. Should a business be able to survive a negligence fine, they will then be faced with high insurance costs, as well as bad employee and customer confidence. Our message to motor repair businesses is to take health and safety as seriously as other business critical functions.

There is the support available to help those running vehicle repair facilities to understand the potential risks involved in their work and how to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.  To find out more, visit www.xcenta.co.uk

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