Survey highlights health and safety concerns among facilities managers

A recent survey of facilities managers (FM)s has identified concerns around health and safety and the role it plays in productivity and output.

The study of 250 professionals, commissioned by Watco, posed questions about technology and general facilities management and how this impacts the running of a facility, with many citing safety as a key factor.

Respondents admitted difficulties in keeping pace with changing legislation and specifically highlighted risks around working at height which topped a list of key concerns. The list also included faulty or damaged materials handling equipment, damaged floors and surfaces, and wet and slippery surfaces. A third of those surveyed admitted that slips, trips and falls had impacted their business in some capacity over the past two years.

Financial challenges were also reported with over a third of respondents admitting they exceed budget on hazard removal repair work, with some admitting a £1 million monthly spend, However, just under a quarter of the survey sample said a backlog of repair and maintenance jobs remain.

Scott Saunders, Technical Services Manager at Watco UK,  says “implementing a thorough management regime will help FMs reduce the risk posed by common industry occurrences such as damaged, wet and slippery surfaces or faulty equipment”. However, he warns that firms have no excuse if safety management is watered down by a squeezed bottom line. “Times are challenging but health and safety must always be a priority and should never be compromised by budget limitations or time restraints,” Saunders said in a press release accompanying the report.

Approaches to managing the risks associated Musculoskeletal disorders

In this episode of the Safety & Health Podcast, we hear from Matt Birtles, Principal Ergonomics Consultant at HSE’s Science and Research Centre, about the different approaches to managing the risks associated with Musculoskeletal disorders.

Matt, an ergonomics and human factors expert, shares his thoughts on why MSDs are important, the various prevalent rates across the UK, what you can do within your own organisation and the Risk Management process surrounding MSD’s.

Listen now!