Taking a positive interest in the H&S can be a major asset for your business and your reputation, ultimately meaning people go home in one piece and are fit enough to return the next day. Your H&S culture should reflect the attitudes, beliefs, perceptions and values you all share. Phill Brown, Head of Risk & Technical at SOLT UK Theatre shares his top ten tips to improve your culture:
1. Communicate Do you meet on a regular basis as a team to discuss H&S? Do you have a current H&S policy?
2. Instigate an Open Culture
Demonstrate an “open door” policy to prevent unsafe working conditions. Staff should feel that they are able to report concerns.
3. Engagement
Get everyone involved from the board to the stage floor! Collaborate to achieve shared H&S goals.
4. Positive reporting
Encourage staff to report problems, accidents and near misses and give feedback regarding the actions you are taking.
5. Lead by example
You must demonstrate your own commitment to H&S by challenging unsafe behaviours and reinforcing good practice.
6. Increase your visibility
Managers should personally visit different areas of the business to identify H&S issues & discuss the real working conditions in your business.
7. Champions
Do you have hidden gems in your organisation bursting to help you improve your H&S culture? Dig deep for them, they will be there!
8. Provide recognition and feedback
Recognise the delivery of good performance and share team achievements.
9. Learning & Development
Organise effective training (toolbox talks) or regular forums so staff become personally responsible for H&S.
10. Have fun
Let’s be innovative and creative - we do work in theatre after all!
We want to support UK Theatre members in developing their own safety culture and with training including IOSH Managing Safely. Contact phillip@soltukt.co.uk for more information.
Find out more about SOLT and UK Theatre's national #SAFERtheatre campaign.
