Managing risk and reducing claims: 

Andy Northcott, National Sales, Marketing and Distribution Leader at Gallagher Risk Management gave a fascinating overview of the changing health and safety landscape to business audiences over two sessions at the Santander Work Café last Thursday. The seminars were hosted in partnership with Construction Isle of Man.

Andy outlined the key issues for the construction sector, notably the main risks of claims and accidents, companies’ legal obligations and the distinction between competence and negligence in health and safety management. He offered insights into identifying workplace health and safety risks and implementing effective measures to safeguard employees.

Andy posed a key question, why does health and safety even matter? It is about protecting employees, the general public, legal and regulatory compliance, reducing accidents and minimising claims plus controlling unexpected costs.

Employers and duty holders are required to maintain the health, safety and welfare of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities, as far as is reasonably practical. This means defining a policy statement, policies and procedures and detailing these an employee handbook.

The key risks in the construction industry are falls from heights, electrocution, manual handling, incidents where staff are struck by objects or equipment or caught in machinery, slips, trips and falls, along with fatigue. People and machinery are therefore the two biggest risks.

Andy confirmed that in addition to the statutory provisions, managing risk is a shared responsibility. Staff have a duty to follow established safety protocols, report hazards, participate in training, use equipment properly and maintain a safe working environment.
Furthermore, they should take care of their own health, which includes managing fatigue and
stress.