Page 28 - BOSS Today Issue 45

BOSS Today #45 DOWN TO BUSINESS – OPEN ALL HOURS?

OPEN ALL

HOURS?

Employers are liable for the safety of both welcome – and unwelcome – visitors to their premises.

s well as helping to prevent crime, well as persons intending to steal from reporting-in point as soon as they
Asite security is an important the site, vandalise equipment or commit arrive. Safe access to Reception
aspect of controlling health and arson. The potential for damage, loss must be provided for all visitors,
safety risks to members of the public and harm is therefore considerable! and appropriate signs should
and others who may be affected by be displayed to direct them.
the operation of your premises. Security Precautions n Warning notices alone are not
The Health and Safety at Work Act Any assessment of the risk to third sufficient to avoid liability for
1974 places a duty on all employers (and parties should consider the nature death or personal injury caused
the self-employed) to take reasonably and type of work being undertaken, by negligence or breach of health
practicable steps to ensure the health any complexities with the site and safety legislation. Visitors
and safety of people on their site who boundaries, and the attractiveness must not be allowed to walk
are not in their employment, such of the site to both visitors and around unaccompanied and
as members of the public. This duty trespassers, including children. should be made aware of any
even extends to trespassers under There is generally not one site-related hazards, restrictions
the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984. single measure that will control and emergency procedures.
These duties are best met by having all of these security issues. n CCTV may be used to improve
appropriate levels of security in place, Instead, there are a number of site security, but must operate
and security is also vital in protecting precautions that can be taken: within the law, and suitable signs
equipment, the site itself, staff and and notices should be posted
contractors, as well as those who may n Access to the site must be controlled, to warn of its use on site.
gain access to the premises. Security with entrances clearly marked n Good site and perimeter lighting can
issues include children gaining site and separate routes provided be a useful deterrent to unwelcome
access, vandalism, theft and terrorism: for pedestrians and vehicles. visitors, along with motion
it also includes visitors being unaware n Visitors should be required to report detectors that switch on lighting
of the site’s hazards or operations, as to Reception or another suitable if your security is compromised.

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