As a country, our health and safety statistics are woeful. Twice as high as Australia.

Every year 50-60 people die in workplace incidents and hundreds more are seriously injured.

Awful, isn’t it?

To curb these tragedies the new Health and Safety at Work Act came into effect in April 2016. This legislation puts more responsibility on businesses to proactively identify and manage health and safety risks. To save lives. And avoid injuries.

New legislation. Proactive. Those words make most business owners nervous:

• How do you proactively identify all hazards and risks?
• How do you know staff are following procedure?
• How do you stop accidents before they happen?
• How do you protect your business in the unfortunate event of an accident?

These are all tricky questions. Feeling overwhelmed?

Here’s one simple tip to instantly improve health and safety at your workplace.

How CCTV enhances health and safety

Closed-circuit TV (CCTV) systems transmit video signals from security cameras on a closed network. Most people think of CCTV cameras as a security solution, but the benefits are much broader.

CCTV can help you identify hazards, encourage the right behaviours and ensure the wellbeing of your staff.

Here’s how:

#1. Keep your staff on their toes

When staff know you’re recording them they are more likely to follow procedures. It’s human nature. They know they can’t get away with cheating the system. Because you’re recording them.

Installing CCTV in high hazard work areas significantly reduces the risks people are likely to take. Reminding staff they are on CCTV encourages them to follow correct procedure.

If they don’t – you’ll know.

It’s not about catching staff out, it’s about keeping them safe.

#2. Identify risks based on reality

Review your CCTV footage on a regular basis with a focus on identifying hazards and you’ll be amazed at what you uncover.

For example, in areas where multiple staff are working, they may each undertake the same task differently. Each person exposing themselves to a unique set of risks. Reviewing CCTV footage can ensure you identify these risks.

Once identified, you can put systems in place to manage these risks. Ensuring the safety of your staff and business.

#3. Use real-life examples to enhance training

Reviewing CCTV footage enables you to identify specific training needs for individuals and teams. And you get real-life examples to show staff as part of the training. Real-life examples are always compelling. And eye-opening.

Bonus (sort of). In worst case situations, the footage can help with the disciplinary process. For example, if a staff member wilfully or repetitively puts themselves or others at risk, you may need CCTV footage as evidence.

#4. Be alerted to potential problems in real-time

In some workplaces, ensuring plant and machinery are functioning correctly is vital for staff health and safety. CCTV systems can help you monitor your workplace systems and machinery. You can detect changes in conditions and get automatic alerts for potential problems.

#5. Keep accurate records – you may need proof one day

As well as proactively protecting your staff, CCTV records can help protect you and your business in the event of an incident. You have evidence that you took all practical steps to ensure staff safety.

When installing a CCTV system, consider these three key points:

• choose the right CCTV equipment for your environment
• install CCTV in the right places
• put the correct privacy policies in place

BeAlarmed will work with you to provide a CCTV solution tailored to your business needs.

Want to discuss how CCTV could help you look after the health and safety of your staff?

Give me (Gavin) a call at BeAlarmed on 027 578 1298. Or request a quote now.