16th April 2010
Tower Hamlets businesses were carried away with safety as owners and managers of the borough’s large cash and carry’s attended a free workshop this month.
Organised by the council’s environmental health commercial team, the workshop sought to raise awareness and look at the hazards of working in environments involving storing goods, and working, at height.
The training covered the use and maintenance of forklift trucks, the use of ladders, safe storage and issues relating to loading and unloading.
Ripon Rob, principal EHO who helped to deliver the workshop, explains that simple changes to businesses working practices and workplaces can make them safer for employees and customers.
He said: ‘We looked at how making the shop safer for employees and customers is not only a legal and moral duty, but makes good business sense. The day was very well received with businesses requesting for more similar types of training.’
The workshop was part of the London Local Authorities and Health and Safety Executive partnership workplace transport project 2009-2010. It followed a number of health and safety issues encountered in cash and carry type businesses.
Along with enforcement duties, the environmental health commercial team helps and advises businesses on how to improve their health and safety standards. In 2008/09, 29.3 million working days were lost due to workplace injury.