When you run a business, or you're in charge of an organisation, finding the time to commit to health and safety management can be a real stretch.
Despite this, there’s no opting out of health and safety legislation, so it’s important to ensure you’re confident in your compliance – and if you’re not, that your business receives competent support from a trusted source.
In reality, few employers are health and safety experts, which is why many businesses choose to outsource their health and safety management to those who are. At WorkNest, we support 17,700 employers across the UK with their compliance. Whatever your size and sector, and whatever you currently have in place, our qualified Health & Safety Consultants will work with you to get you where you need to be.
Hands-on support from a local expert
Sometimes described as “the city of 1,0001 different trades”, Birmingham is hive of activity. From its thriving service industry to its manufacturing roots, the city’s diverse make-up of industries means our Birmingham Health & Safety Consultants are well-versed in supporting employers through a full spectrum of health and safety challenges.
Some of the key sectors we support include:
- Manufacturing;
- Business, professional and financial services;
- Education;
- Charities;
- Retail and wholesale; and
- Hospitality, leisure and tourism.
Because no two organisations are the same, we assign dedicated local consultants with specialist expertise of your sector and a wealth of experience in developing sensible solutions to the specific challenges you face.
Don’t know where to begin? Not sure whether your organisation is compliant, or what you need to do to get there? Don’t worry, your consultant will start by conducting a General Risk Assessment (and Fire Risk Assessment as appropriate) to identify any areas where you are exposed, then create a prioritised action plan and provide practical advice to help you remedy shortfalls.
Radically different fixed-fee support
While some businesses are tempted to go it alone to keep costs down, with the average fine handed to organisations found guilty of health and safety offences having risen by almost 450% since the February 2016 guidelines were introduced, the cost of non-compliance is often far greater than the cost of support.
However, using the services of an independent consultant who charges by the hour or employing somebody to manage your compliance internally can be expensive, and the one-size-fits-all approach taken by some larger fixed-fee providers can leave you feeling cold.
Our personalised, fixed-fee service provides a high-quality, cost-effective solution to your health and safety management needs. Because we know the difference is in the delivery, each of our clients benefit from a named Health & Safety Consultant who will support you in much the same way as an in-house member of staff would – without the associated cost.
All of our consultants:
- Are professionally qualified, with strong commercial acumen;
- Have extensive practical experience in supporting businesses with their compliance;
- Have the knowledge and technical ability to help you develop sensible solutions that work for you;
- Work to strict service key performance indicators to guarantee brilliant service.
Got multiple sites across the country? Your lead consultant will oversee all work conducted by our nationwide team of consultants to ensure consistency in approach.
Our aim is to help you to operate with complete confidence and comply with the law, while still achieving your commercial objectives. With a trusted expert on the other end of the phone for practical guidance whenever you need it, you can free up time, eliminate health and safety guesswork, and safeguard your business against the risk of fines and prosecution.
From risk assessments to regulatory intervention
Whatever stage your business is at and whatever you currently have in place, we’ll work with you to get you where you need to be. Your named consultant will support you by:
Conducting an on-site General Risk Assessment to identify any areas of non-compliance.
Providing an electronic report that includes a prioritised action plan together with practical advice to remedy shortfalls.
Creating a bespoke Health & Safety Policy to provide a firm foundation for effective health and safety management.
Producing a Health & Safety Handbook to ensure staff understand their responsibilities and encourage strong health and safety performance.
Preparing important policies and procedures in line with specific legislation covering manual handling, lone working, DSE use, etc., plus safe systems of work and method statements.
Assisting with accident and incident investigation to prevent recurrence, ensuring any remedial measures are necessary and proportionate.
Working closely with you in the event of a serious incident that attracts regulatory interest and/or enforcement action to protect your best interests.
Helping you to understand, comply with and keep up to date with all relevant legislation.
With an experienced, Birmingham-based Health & Safety Consultant in your corner, you can be confident that all aspects of health and safety management are taken care of and that any issues that arise are dealt with swiftly and properly. From day-to-day support to more complex challenges and regulatory requirements, we are on hand every step of the way to provide as much expert guidance and reassurance as you need.
We're the full package
At WorkNest, we’re about more than just good advice; we also give you the tools you need to approach health and safety tasks with confidence and create a strong health and safety culture.
Our one-on-one consultant support is backed up by our online portal, MyEW, which provides seamless access to all your health and safety information, guidance notes, template risk assessments and checklists to take the hassle out of managing your responsibilities.
It is also home to our award-winning, Health & Safety Software, a cloud-based, easy-to-use platform that allows you to manage actions arising from your General Risk Assessment and Fire Risk Assessment, develop your own risk assessments, conduct workplace inspections, and record and investigate accidents. It also includes a repository for all of your important health and safety documentation, including your Health & Safety Policy and Health & Safety Handbook.
In safe hands
When considering outsourced health and safety support for your business, you want to know that you’re receiving competent advice from a trusted source with a proven track record of achieving results.
At WorkNest, we only employ the best people, who are not only highly qualified but have the most commercial acumen, and we’re known for our ability to get the job done.
- 100% of our Health & Safety Consultants are professionally qualified to a minimum level of National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health Certificate (NEBOSH) and 95% have achieved graduate membership of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health or higher (Grad IOSH).
- We are the first Health & Safety consultancy to achieve assured advice status from a Primary Authority.
- With our advice, support and safety management systems, we reduce the risk of prosecution by c.50% and cut the cost of any fine imposed by more than 85%.
Let’s talk
If you’re looking to reduce risk, protect your employees and customers, and ensure compliance – whilst still achieving your commercial objectives – our Birmingham-based Health & Safety Consultants can provide high-quality, personalised support.
