PRINT FOR PROFIT Part 35: Profiting from responsible health and safety attitudes

摘要

As a freethinking adult the concept of a 'Nanny State' is contrary to my simple maxim (that with a few exceptions) we are masters of our own destiny. This is never truer than in the matter of our own health. Forty cigarettes, four pints, four-hours watching the box and your life could be foreshortened by at least fourteen-years. Increased regulation, greater control, more bureaucracy. We all complain about it and generally think it's unnecessary and stifles enterprise. Then you wonder why? Our leaders can't be that stupid? No, they aren't always that stupid, many times we bring it on ourselves. This is demonstrated so clearly in the matter of health and safety in the workplace. Statistics gathered by the Health and Safety Executive indicate that the three most common causes of accidents in our industry are: manual handling, slips/trips and contact with machinery. It also states 'Print workers are exposed to a range of hazardous chemicals, including solvents, during the course of their work. In a recent study, 10 per cent of print workers reported that they had a current skin problem caused by their work. Further information on how to reduce exposure to chemicals is contained in COSHH Essentials'.