What is a 'good practice'? A 'good practice' is a concrete solution showing possible ways of reducing or eliminating health and safety risks and accidents at company level. A number of companies have successfully implemented solutions to tackle a particular safety problem. These good practice solutions can be used by other small businesses wishing to improve internal working conditions and prevent occupational hazards, as examples or as a basis for discussions. The suggested solutions are more often than not very simple, cost effective and transferable to other businesses.
The thirty examples brought together on this site deal with such diverse sectors of industry as metal, wood, construction and even printing, as well as beauty parlours etc. Company solutions have reduced the risk of falls, exposure to chemical substances, the risk of being crushed between objects, back disorders etc.
What are the criteria for good practices?
A good practice
- Meets the requirements of the appropriate legal framework, including European directives and national laws;
- Is based on an assessment of hazards and risks;
- Addresses a topical occupational safety and health problem; and concentrates on accident prevention;
- Demonstrates steps and methods taken by the company itself, possibly with support from external organisations;
- Is ‘effective’: i.e. the solution should have been implemented at company level and the effects should be measurable (in terms of reducing the number of accidents or the level of risk);
- Is ‘economically realistic’: which means that a company should be able to implement the good practice solution without significant financial, time or organisational burdens;
- Is ‘beneficial’, i.e. that the cost-benefit assessment shows the costs to be outweighed by the benefits;
- Is transferable.
What is the added value of a good practice?
A good practice
- Allows health and safety risks at company level to be reduced;
- Eliminates (or at least reduces) the risk, as opposed to just changing the nature of the risk;
- Causes a permanent and verifiable reduction of health and safety risks
(Source: Steering group Preventisme)
Before Good practice Information is applied, an assessment of the hazards and risks present in the workplace should be carried out and reference should be made to relevant national legislation.
What is a risk assessment?
A risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people, so you can decide whether or not you have taken enough precautions or need to do more. The aim is to make sure that no one gets hurt or falls ill.
Should a risk assessment not be carried out before implementing good practice information, there is a danger not only that risks may not be dealt with but also that there may be wastage caused by misapplied resources.
(Source: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work)
|