Your opinion on HSE
Your opinion on HSE
Hi.
I was curious about peoples opinion of HSE, especially in the context of the modern workplace.
It seems to be mostly nonsense. Or it seems to be about covering the asses of the management in case something actually happens at work, not really about keeping people safe. Mostly the solutions are to sign another piece of paper.
Especially the idea that every large accident is a consequence of a lot of small incidents that accumulates. This idea just seems made specifically to blame the people on the bottom of the hierarchy whenever something occurs.
Anyways. HSE useful or not?
Edit: HSE - Health, safety and environment.
The idea isn't that one big accident is the result of many smaller ones. You theoretically could be completely safe and then have an unpredictable and terrible freak accident.
What the HSE are trying to say is that if you diligently record all your smaller incidents that it could draw a picture that helps you predict a bigger incident before it happens and implement control measures to mitigate that risk.
I've never worked in the UK, so I don't know what the processes are like, but here's my two cents from the perspective of probabilities.
It's possible to have a large, freak accident at an otherwise safe work environment. But if an environment has lots of small issues, it seems more likely for a larger issue to happen there.
I agree. If your workplace has 1000 slips, trips and falls every year, then,
A. Why is the floor so slippy / covered in obstacles, is the foot wear worn by employees appropriate etc?
B. How long until someone falls awkwardly, hits their head on the way down and dies? (An unlikely scenario, but with the worst possible consequence)
Reporting things like slips trips and falls is a pain in the arse but at the end of the day it's to protect you, your colleagues AND the employer, presumably OP is much more concerned with going home alive than you are about a few thousand pounds fine for the boss.
To the extent that talking about something can help, it can be helpful. It brings it to the top of mind so maybe individuals err on the side of safety when they otherwise wouldn't. Or it reminds workers of policies already in place.
To the extent it conflicts with the bottom line, it's a waste of time. Unless the company is willing to legit sacrifice profits for the benefits of HSE, it's just a nothing bullshit paper you have to sign.