Office - Shops - Retail
Most offices and shops would normally be regarded as lower risk workplaces (lower risk than a factory for example) – but nevertheless there will be some potential health and safety hazards and you (as the employer) have a duty to manage and control them – and if you do it well and your office and/or workplace provides a safe and healthy environment your staff will be happier and probably better motivated.
An employer must:
- carry out a risk assessment
- record the significant findings
- draw up an action plan to resolve any deficiencies
- discuss the findings with your employees
- put procedures in place to ensure work is done safely
Some of the more significant issues you need to look out for are listed below:
- DSE (working with computers at a desk)
- Slips and Trips – condition of floors
- Manual handling
- Falls or falling objects
- COSHH
- Temperature
- Lighting
- Windows/Ventilation
- Cleanliness
- Space
- First aid
- Welfare provision
When you are doing a risk assessment you need to measure your workplace against the standards in the official guidance which you can download here:
