There is no doubt that social media has transformed the way in which businesses and individuals communicate and engage. However, there are now not too many days that go past when you don’t hear of people’s ill-conceived social media activity coming back to bite them – from MPs having to step down after airing inappropriate views through their channels, though to job seekers not getting a job they have applied for because of images they have posted on their sites, and including employees losing jobs after calling in ill then posting images of themselves on an impromptu trip to Ibiza!
We have all heard these types of stories, so when I recently saw a small construction company post an image of their site on Instagram and Twitter which showed their employees not wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE), I wondered if they had considered the impact of their actions.
For a number of years safety hats/helmets, safety boots and high visibility vests/coats have been a minimum requirement for entering construction sites. Some now even insist on gloves and safety glasses as well. So why did this company use photos that clearly show employees not wearing basic PPE to promote their site? On seeing the posts my first thoughts as a health and safety professional were: ‘Have they carried out risk assessments that show PPE is not required? Do they know something that larger construction companies do not? Or, do they not actively promote safe working on their sites?’
And I am not the only person who will be thinking this! The offending company may question: “Who tipped them off?” if they get a visit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and it is likely that they may not associate the visit, or any subsequent expenses they occur, with the posting of the photos. But, through their actions they will have raised serious questions about their health and safety practices.
For the safety of the workforce, I think the company would actually benefit from a HSE visit. If the company fails to enforce basic health and safety precautions, what else have they failed to do? Have they undertaken any risk assessments? Have all substances used been COSHH assessed?
There are legal requirements that are a must, and good practices that should be followed to ensure that companies look after their workforce, after all they have a duty of care under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.
So, my advice is, don’t let your workforce down, think of their safety and have a robust health and safety regime in place that helps you to not only develop your site safely, but also your reputation as a company that protects their employees.
Find out more about Independent Advice for Business’ Health and Safety Team.
