Ardent Safety blog

Welcome to the Ardent Safety blog - it's a wealth of insights into workplace safety brought to you by the experts on our team.

Here, you’ll discover tips, guidance, and expert advice on everything from seasonal safety considerations to fire prevention, risk assessments, and the latest regulatory changes. We’ll also tackle common myths, share best practices, and explain how professional qualifications like NEBOSH can boost your career.

Think of this blog as your go-to resource for staying informed and proactive about health and safety. Because when it comes to protecting people and businesses, staying safe in the knowledge really is power! If you have a topic you think we should cover please don't hesitate to contact us.

27/11/2023
How to deliver a Toolbox Talk

How to deliver a Toolbox Talk - read on for our essential guide... These talks are essential to any successful safety programme because they promote workplace safety and reduce accidents. Here are the necessary procedures and techniques for leading productive Toolbox Talks that enlighten and include your team, fostering a robust safety culture within your […]

Read More
03/11/2023
Bonfire Night Safety: Ardent Safety’s Must-Read Guide 

Bonfire Night Safety - how can we have fun without compromising safety? The magical aura of Bonfire Night is undeniable – the mesmerising fire dances, the exuberant fireworks painting the night sky, and the joyous atmosphere of wide-eyed amazement. However, the celebrations are not without their risks. Every year, thousands end up in hospitals due […]

Read More
06/10/2023
Health and Safety Training vs. Hefty Fines

Health and Safety Training vs. Hefty Fines. Counting the Pennies or Paying the Price? Time to Choose Wisely... Every business owner dreams of higher profit margins and leaner expenditures. It's the foundation of a successful business, right? Well, while cost-cutting might seem like an attractive option in certain areas, skimping on health and safety training […]

Read More
05/10/2023
Manual Handling Training

Manual Handling Training - the Backbone of Workplace Safety Safety in the workplace is a topic that should never be taken lightly. It's the core responsibility of every employer and the right of every employee. While safety regulations and equipment play a significant role in ensuring a hazard-free environment, the real backbone of workplace safety […]

Read More
11/08/2023
How Managers Can Foster a Strong Workplace Safety Culture

Workplace safety culture - how can managers get staff onboard? In the complex landscape of modern workplaces, safety stands as a cornerstone of organizational success. Establishing a robust workplace safety culture is not solely the responsibility of safety officers; it's a collective effort that necessitates the active engagement of every employee. Managers play a pivotal […]

Read More
11/08/2023
When was your last fire drill at work?

Regular fire drills at work are VITAL! In the world of workplace safety, fire prevention, and preparedness are of paramount importance. Safeguarding employee well-being and protecting valuable business assets necessitates a robust fire safety plan. Central to this plan are regular fire drills at work, which play a pivotal role in ensuring employees are well-equipped […]

Read More
17/07/2023
Fire Evacuation Dos and Don'ts

Fire evacuation - when a fire emergency occurs, having a well-prepared plan can save lives. Understanding the dos and don'ts of fire evacuation is crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals in the workplace. Do Clear Exit Routes and Conduct Regular Drills Maintain clear and unobstructed exit routes to facilitate a swift and safe evacuation. […]

Read More
17/07/2023
How to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls in the Workplace

Slips, trips, and falls are common workplace accidents that can lead to injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones. In fact, statistics show that slips, trips, and falls accounted for over 29% of non-fatal injuries at work in 2019/20. However, by implementing simple and cost-effective measures, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of these accidents. […]

Read More
19/06/2023
What is a Near Miss Incident?

What is a Near Miss Incident - and do they even matter? Near miss incidents are often overlooked and forgotten in the workplace, as they don't result in immediate harm or damage. However, understanding the significance of near misses and their potential consequences is crucial for building a strong risk management system. 1. Definition of […]

Read More
19/06/2023
Are employees responsible for health and safety?

Are employees responsible for health and safety in the workplace? In this latest blog we aim to clarify who is responsible for what... Employers and employees both have some of the responsibility for workplace health and safety. Although employers are ultimately responsible for keeping a safe and healthy workplace, employees also have a significant impact. […]

Read More
22/05/2023
Why is RIDDOR important?

Why is RIDDOR important? Accident reporting is a vital aspect of workplace safety, and the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) plays a crucial role in this process. RIDDOR is a legal requirement in the United Kingdom, established by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ensure that companies record and report […]

Read More
15/05/2023
Why supervision is important in the workplace

Why supervision is important in the workplace Effective supervision is an integral aspect of maintaining a safe and productive work environment. In order to understand what that means for you and your business, we first need to explore the importance of supervision in the workplace and its impact on employee safety, productivity, and professional development. […]

Read More
17/04/2023
The Importance of a Risk Assessment - Don't shirk your responsibilities, it could cost you your business.

A risk assessment is an essential health and safety document that everyone in the workplace should be aware of. It's a legal requirement, and failure to complete one can result in serious consequences. But it's not just about ticking a box - there are many reasons to stress the importance of a risk assessment.    […]

Read More
13/04/2023
PAT Certificate - Changes to the Code Of Practice You Need to Know!

Following the introduction of the Electricity at Work Regulations (EAWR) in 1989 and the subsequent first version of the IET code of practice, the practise of inspecting electrical equipment in the workplace for safety is now well-established.  The word "portable appliance testing," or "PAT," has always been used to refer to testing portable electrical appliances […]

Read More
30/03/2023
Understanding the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 is an act that outlines general health and safety duties that all businesses in the UK must comply with. It serves as an enabling act that allows for further specific health and safety regulations to be passed and enforced under it.  Even though the Health & Safety […]

Read More
10/03/2023
Keeping Safe When Driving in Snow and Ice

This year has already seen its fair share of weather warnings, and March is keeping the pace as snow and ice is set to cover the country with an amber blizzard warning being issued by the Met Office. Keeping safe when driving in snow and ice is incredibly important, and since we don’t regularly have […]

Read More
20/02/2023
When do you need to carry out a COSHH risk assessment?

Guaranteeing your employees' health and safety while they perform their jobs is your legal obligation as an employer. A few of the UK laws that control employee safety are the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and the Management of Health and Safety […]

Read More
20/02/2023
How often should fire drills be conducted? Make sure your staff know your fire drill procedure.

Fire drills are an essential part of any fire safety plan. They ensure that staff members are prepared for a real fire emergency and that they know what to do when the fire alarm goes off. But how often should fire drills be conducted? In this guide, we will answer that question and explain why […]

Read More
13/02/2023
Heart Month - Heart Health Awareness Month February 2023

'Not a lot of people know that!' An unusual headline caught my attention recently, which made the point that railway passengers are not only subject to driver strikes, but to “illness strikes”. Most of us have probably heard how train cabs are fitted with a “dead man’s handle” that will bring a train to a […]

Read More
24/01/2023
Supporting Mental Health at Work - The signs and conversations to encourage wellbeing in the workplace

Employers must make efforts to support the mental health of their employees because it is a crucial component of overall wellbeing. The workplace can be a significant source of stress, which can harm mental health. Understanding the warning signals of poor mental health and having honest conversations about it can assist in enhancing workplace wellbeing. […]

Read More
24/01/2023
How to keep warm outside this winter

Winter has arrived, and for outdoor workers, this can be a challenging time. Cold temperatures, wind, ice, rain, sleet, snow, and frost can make working outside a constant battle against the elements. However, there are ways to make working in winter a little less complicated. Here's our top tips for how to keep warm this […]

Read More
15/12/2022
Safety By Numbers - 2022 Workplace Safety Stats 

Now that the HSE has issued its yearly summary data, we can learn more about workplace health and safety stats in the UK for 2021-2022.      1.8 million workers—an increase of 5.8% from the previous year—experienced work-related ill health in 2021/22. Even if the number of new cases has decreased from 850,000 to 722,000, this […]

Read More
15/12/2022
12 Days of common workplace accidents around the festive period 

People throughout the UK are eager to unwind and take a well-earned holiday break as Christmas draws near but be aware of workplace accidents . No one wants to get hurt or have an accident at any time of year, but especially during the holiday season, so let’s not let the Twelve Days of Christmas […]

Read More
17/11/2022
Why Health and Safety is Important to Save Money

Health and safety is important, yes, but it can be expensive. Training, equipment, PPE, insurance, and administration all add up, and in today's economy, businesses often feel the loss of every penny.   Want to know what costs more money? Failing to provide for and protect your workers adequately.    According to HSE figures, accidents involving health […]

Read More
17/11/2022
Hard Hat Expiry Date - has your hat had its day?

In the UK, head injuries account for 20% of all fatal and non-fatal injuries, while only 3% of personal protective equipment (PPE) purchases include hard hats. Nearly a quarter of employees who purchase head protection are unaware that protective capabilities can be diminished if a hard hat expiry date has passed.  Regardless of how they […]

Read More
27/10/2022
Bonfire Night 2022 - How to keep you and your family safe

The crackle of the fire, the crunch of a toffee apple, the whizz, pop, bang of the fireworks, Bonfire Night 2022 is set to be full of family fun, with young eyes filled with awe as the sky lights up with a hundred colours.  But all too often Bonfire Night is filled with other sounds, […]

Read More
25/10/2022
Confined Space Training - Know the dangers

Working in a confined space can be a daunting and dangerous task. That’s why it is of the utmost importance that confined space training is given to those expected to work in such environments to ensure the safety of themselves and those around them. What is classed as a confined space? A confined space is […]

Read More
10/10/2022
PPE Regulations 2022 - An Update

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations have been updated. We explain what changes have happened, why they’ve happened and a recap of responsibilities for both employee and employer. The PPE Regulations 2022 have been updated to ensure the PPE duties both employer and employee are responsible for include the wider group of workers employed […]

Read More
22/09/2022
When should a risk assessment be reviewed? And the consequences of failing to assess!

Nothing remains the same forever. Creating clear lines of communication with your staff can help ensure your control measures are working efficiently. By keeping an eye on incident rates and tracking the effectiveness of your risk assessment, you should maintain a good overview of your company's safety procedures and their usefulness within your workplace. But […]

Read More
08/08/2022
Working at Height - Keeping your workforce safe

A recent report from the HSE announced that 123 people were killed in work related accidents from April 2021 to March 2022. Of these accidents, the most common cause of death was falling when working at height.  The sectors with the highest number of deaths at work were construction and agriculture, forestry and fishing. All […]

Read More

Contact us

Speak to us today about the many services we have to offer - or enquire about a bespoke health and safety package we can offer you. Send us an email or give us a call and we'll be very happy to help!

menu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram