We support businesses with health & safety procedures and written statements of health & safety policy, keeping teams safe regardless of staff turnover.
When an experienced employee leaves a business, their departure can mean more than an empty desk or an extra recruitment task. They may also take years of practical knowledge with them, including an understanding of workplace hazards, safe working procedures and the little details that help keep everyday operations running smoothly.
This can create a health and safety problem if that knowledge has never been properly shared or recorded. A task might appear straightforward to a new employee, but an experienced worker may know about a particular machine fault, a difficult delivery area or a procedure that needs extra care.
That’s why health and safety shouldn’t depend on a handful of experienced people remembering everything. Businesses need arrangements that help employees understand how to do their jobs safely, regardless of how long they’ve worked there.
A good starting point is to make sure important procedures are documented and kept up to date. Risk assessments, safe systems of work and operating instructions should reflect what actually happens in the workplace. If a process relies on unwritten knowledge, it may be time to review how that information is passed on.
Induction is equally important. New starters should receive information about the hazards they’ll encounter, the controls they need to follow, emergency arrangements and how to report concerns. They may also need practical instruction and supervision before carrying out certain tasks independently.
Don’t assume that someone with previous experience will automatically understand your procedures. Different businesses use different equipment, have different layouts and operate under different working arrangements. Taking time to check their understanding can prevent misunderstandings later.
Refresher training and regular conversations with employees can help reinforce safe practices, particularly where staff move between roles or take on new responsibilities. Managers should also make sure that essential tasks aren’t left without a suitably trained person when someone leaves.
At Foley & Baugh, we help businesses review their health and safety arrangements, identify training needs and develop practical procedures. This can be particularly useful for SMEs where responsibilities are often shared between a relatively small team.
People will inevitably move on, but their departure shouldn’t leave gaps in your safety arrangements. By capturing knowledge, planning inductions and keeping training current, you can make sure health and safety remains a shared responsibility throughout your business.
Contact us today on 01493 659026 or email hello@foleyandbaugh.co.uk
