What is premises management?

I was driving to a family party over the weekend when I had to stop and help a farmer remove a tree branch and debris from the road. It had fallen not long before I arrived, smashing onto the road and shattering debris everywhere. Half way through removing the tree, the farmer said “thank god no one was walking underneath, it would have surely killed them!”

That got me thinking, how many landlords, premises managers, B&B owners, sports clubs carry out premises management? It’s a lot less than you think! Yet there are still H&S risks that need to be identified and controlled to protect everyone’s safety. Let’s go back to the tree, imagine it had struck someone, killed them. Does the farmer know that he is partly responsible? The tree was clearly very rotten. When I touched it, it fell apart and crumbled, it was a matter of time before it would fall. What would happen if this tree was in a car park, or in an “open space” created by your company? 

H&S management goes beyond the process in place in your company, or operations. The premises itself, the public spaces, wellbeing areas (outdoor gyms are very popular) are just the tip of the iceberg of what needs to be identified and assessed. 

A premises assessment, conducted by a competent person, is a good start on your premises management journey. It can help identify areas where H&S is being well managed, but more importantly, areas where improvements may be needed. Equally, what areas may have been missed completely. A second pair of eyes is invaluable when hazard spotting. 

The assessment should review existing risk assessments, inspection and monitoring records and their frequencies, and maintenance records as a minimum.  It is important to ensure that you are meeting the legal minimum requirements, but you are also looking after the safety of others, and you can demonstrate this when / if challenged. 

When you are reviewing your H&S management system, take a look at the premises assessment/plan. Do you even have one? When was the last time it was reviewed and updated? Are you confident that you are managing this aspect well enough? 

Safety For are about Safety For ALL. Whatever your business size, industry and needs, we are here for you.