Update your health and safety to manage climate change

Floods, snow fall and high winds can all have a devastating impact on people's lives, general infrastructure and businesses. The recent snowy conditions at the start of 2010 ground many parts of the UK to a halt. Businesses lost millions of pounds as their operations ground to a shuddering halt.

A report funded by a group of investment companies called for businesses to devise comprehensive strategies for dealing with the change to climate and informing organisations of their risk assessment processes. Insurance companies are also asking companies to carry out thorough risk assessments to include extreme weather conditions. It is recommended that the following should be considered:

? The inability of employees getting to work
? Companies should include climate change effects in health and safety policies

By preparing thoroughly the worst effects of extreme weather conditions can be reduced. The measures are often very cost effective to put into effect but should disaster strike and your business is hit by extreme weather they can make the difference between your business surviving or going under as a result.

Health and safety courses should now prepare staff for weather conditions such as flooding, heat waves, freezes, storms, drought, subsidence and heave and finally disease and insect infestation. In order for new procedures to be effective in time of extreme weather staff need to be trained in how to manage the situation and human resources should understand how to react when extreme weather conditions prevent staff from turning into work. The health and safety requirements to protect staff and business in these times require specialist procedures to ensure the company does not fall foul to liable claims.

Health and safety planning and procedures can minimise the risk to your business in times of disaster management. At NorthgateArinso we offer a range of courses to businesses including health and safety.