Health and Safety Spotlight with Rainbow Restoration
Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show in 2023 around 1.8 million workers suffered from work related ill health and a further 60,645 work related injuries were reported under RIDDOR during this period within the UK. These alarming statistics demonstrate the vital need for stringent health and safety measures to be implemented to effectively safeguard our workforces.
Under the Health and Safety Act 1974, we are obligated to provide Health and Safety Provisions to our staff. Striving to fulfil and exceed this responsibility, we have implemented our ‘Safety First, Everyday!’ initiative which contributes to creating a safer working environment for all.
The consequences of poor health and safety are vast, and comprise of varying conditions from stress, to physical injuries and exposure to harmful substances. It is critical to address these issues holistically to ensure comprehensive support for physical and emotional well-being.
Common concerns within the Disaster Recovery and Restoration industry usually involve the physical injuries technicians may sustain completing remedial works. However, at Rainbow Restoration we uphold a strong commitment to upholding regulatory safety standards, both out on site and in the office.
As part of our 2024 strategic goals of ensuring Health & Safety is paramount across our Central Office and Network, we are in the process of recruiting a Health, Safety and Quality Manager who will be responsible for driving the continuous improvement on our journey to achieving ISO 45001 Certification.
Whilst we have first aiders in at all times within our offices, we recognise that our staff may require first aid whilst travelling to visit sites, clients and other branches. In light of this, each of the company vehicles in our Central Office fleet have now been supplied with a Rainbow branded First Aid Kit.
These kits comprise of bandages, plasters, sterile wipes, a foil blanket, safety pins, scissors and dressings for minor injuries. Inside the kit, a First Aid Safety Guide is supplied which has a QR code that links to the portal we created for reporting all injuries and near misses.
Each First Aid kit ensures employee well-being, emergency preparedness and immediate response, whilst maintaining our commitment to HSE compliance. Having these provisions not only contributes to a safer driving experience for our vehicle users, but also ensures these supplies are available to provide other individuals first aid for minor injuries.
Regular inspections and replenishments will be conducted in continual adherence to HSE requirements, and an online form is provided to order replacement of used or expired items.
We are proud to continuously uphold complete compliance across our Central Office, with 100% completion of our First Aid Awareness Course on our MiGateway learning platform. This complements the extensive training our designated first aiders have completed through training with St John Ambulance and various other providers.
The ‘Accidents and Near Misses’ reporting has been streamlined, with submissions incentivised by through our ‘Health and Safety Advocate’ scheme. Those who have championed Health & Safety at Central Office and within our network are entered into a draw, where one lucky staff member each month will receive a cash prize or voucher equivalent.
Our quarterly newsletter, ‘Health and Safety Spotlight,’ is distributed to all staff across our network. It features concise updates on health and safety, including infographics, links, videos, and toolbox talks on relevant topics such as changes in legislation from the HSE and our latest office activities.
Our latest campaign focused on the launch of Asbestos Services, emphasising the legal duties our franchises must fulfil and the training provided for this service. Additionally, we have been consistently reporting on the extreme weather conditions in the UK, providing tips and guidance on safer commuting and working during storms and snow.
We have implemented a ‘Safety Moments’ initiative to underscore our safety culture during meetings, team huddles, team meetings, and network calls. These sessions highlight the importance of health and safety risks and requirements across our operations, with the latest session focusing on manual handling.
While Health and Safety is mandated by legislation, we are wholeheartedly committed to advocating for and championing continuous improvement in the health, safety, and well-being of our staff.