Welcome to 2024 – Business resolutions

Like many businesses, we are extremely proud of our amazing team and what we achieved in 2023. As always, we have worked so hard to support our customers and ensure continued high level delivery of training courses and consultancy. Our team have yet again overcome whatever challenges they have faced. Since the pandemic, we have all proved that we can adapt quickly and effectively to whatever comes our way. It’s fair to say that 2023 was still challenging for many including factors such as the cost of living crisis and post pandemic recovery.

Due to continuing high demand, we are currently recruiting for additional trainers. Check out our vacancies page if you are interested in joining our fantastic team.

With January now in full swing, you have probably already heard the traditional personal resolutions from friends, family and co-workers. Get fit, eat less, save more, do more, quit a habit… etc. etc. etc. But what about your business’ new year resolutions, in particular, some resolutions regarding your health and safety practices and wellbeing?

We don’t mean having to re-start your health & safety management program from scratch, but why not take a fresh look at your overall health and safety practices and managing staff wellbeing to keep safety at the top of mind for your business over the coming year.

Returning to work following the Christmas break can be tricky — and the dreaded January Blues certainly don’t help personal wellbeing. The 3rd Monday in January (15th this year) has become known as “the most depressing day of the year,” or more nicely known as Blue Monday. The term originates from UK travel company Sky Travel, which first came up with the concept in a press release in 2005. They named Blue Monday the most depressing day of the year as it is often when most are struggling financially, the weather is far from optimal, and failed new year resolutions are commonplace, culminating in a low mood for many.

Whilst Blue Monday doesn’t have much Scientific backing (the original press release by Sky Travel promoted the depressing day in the hopes of selling more holidays), they initially claimed Blue Monday was calculated by “taking into account various factors” which included debt levels, temperatures, days until the next bank holiday, the number of days since pay day, average hours of daylight, and other small factors. And this was devised pre covid and pre cost of living crisis. Both of which have exasperated wellbeing.

However, it’s not only wellbeing that needs to be considered this year.  We have devised a list of ‘New Years’ resolutions for businesses: small steps that can improve health, safety and welfare at work and help take away some of those everyday stresses. Pick a few and stick to them:

 

• Improve yours and your staff’s Mental Health – We all have colleagues who will need support with the cost of living crisis which has created increased anxiety and stress. Some can even be at risk of burnout from working too many hours trying to make more money.  We mean, don’t just offer some good faith wellbeing activities to show willing, ask your staff/colleagues what would help them with wellbeing and managing stress and set about devising a plan to help them.
• Manage your business debt – money plays a huge part in personal wellbeing. Look at your outgoings and see if there’s anything that can be sensibly reduced without compromising on safety and quality. Set yourself a budget each month.
• Try something new each month– even if it’s simply buying your coffee from another supplier on your way to work, try supporting the small local businesses. You may find a new favourite drink or meal
• Spend extra time outside – fresh air has proven health benefits. Don’t take your lunch at your desk. Go for a walk, even if it’s just a quick walk around the building
•  Be a role model – inspire your staff to have a healthy work ethic. Work at a standard pace and sensible hours, you can’t do it all, as much as we all think we can
• Hold regular team meetings/brainstorming sessions – getting other points of view and opinions can be really helpful in seeing things through non tinted -glasses. They could give you a ground-breaking fresh idea or hypothetical “what-if” scenarios. It will also give you an insight into how they think.
• Test your fire alarms every week and check all extinguishers. Practice an evacuation drill and check the emergency lighting
• Check Health and Safety signage for damage and fading
• If applicable, check all PPE – Personal Protective Equipment
• Risk assessments – It’s worth reviewing your risk assessments if you haven’t done so already
• Review and/or update your Health & Safety policies. We advise customers to review their policy annually
• Involve all employees in all things health and safety – related and take any feedback seriously. You could even offer incentives and rewards for reducing accidents and incidents across the year.
• Check the first aid kit once a month (is everything in date?)
• Take a break from PC monitors and undertake a different task to give your eyes a rest every hour. Even if it’s doing the dreaded filing
• Have a glass or bottle of fresh water on your desk. Aim for at least 2 litres per day
• De-clutter your work area; clear desk, clear mind. Remove those spare shoes from under your desk, don’t put things on the floor
• If you see something that is broken or needs fixing; report it, don’t just assume someone else will
• Keep up to date with legislation On the other hand, talk to our consultants!
• Finally, review/check current qualifications for expiry and identify any new training requirements (With over 60 different courses including a range of accredited programmes, bespoke courses and e-learning we have the right course for you and your staff)

Thank you to our customers for your continued support in 2023, and well done on everything you and your colleagues have achieved last year.  We very much appreciate all of your loyalty and commitment over the year. We are here to support, advise and assist in any way we can.

If you are interested in finding out more about what Acorn Health and Safety can do for your business, please contact us

Happy New Year!