Health and healthy living has become an important part of our lives and people are much more aware of how diet, exercise and lifestyle can affect their health. From an employment perspective issues such as smoking, alcohol and stress are now being taken into account alongside the traditional occupational health issues like chemicals, heavy lifting and infection control.

The Health and Safety Executive estimates that work-related accidents and ill health costs employers and the country as a whole millions of pounds a year and on top of this there is the suffering and trauma for employees and their families.

The promotion of good health needs to be part of a comprehensive approach to health and safety in the workplace. The priority for employers is to make a full assessment of workplace hazards, introduce proper controls and monitor their effectiveness. Any organisation that actively encourages a "safe" culture can benefit and gain a reputation for commitment to excellence.

• Are you aware of current legislation?
• Have you undertaken risk assessments?
• Do you have a written policy?
• Are safety rules and procedures effective?
• Are accidents investigated?
• Is adequate supervision available?
• Are employees trained in Health and Safety procedures?

These are just some of the issues employers need to consider, getting it wrong can be costly. Penalties for non-compliance could have a disastrous effect on your business.

• Prosecutions can be taken against individuals as well as the business
• Successful prosecutions for offences under the Health and Safety law lead to criminal convictions
• Penalties can be as high as £20,000 plus two years imprisonment
• If negligence can be proved in the case of a fatality a charge of manslaughter may be brought

And this does not take into account the possibility of claims for damages in the civil court.

Advice, Training and a General Review of systems can be undertaken as well as help with drafting policies and procedural statements.