Health and safety

Understanding the Importance of Health and Safety in Recruitment

  • Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the primary legislation covering occupational health and safety in the UK.
  • Ensuring the health and safety of candidates and employees is a legal requirement and an ethical obligation.
  • As a recruitment administrator, you need to ascertain that the hiring companies have adequate health and safety protocols in place.

Health and Safety Checks in Recruitment

  • Recruitment administrators must ensure that the positions they are filling satisfy health and safety regulations.
  • Administrators must ask potential employers about their health and safety policies, risk assessments, and their past record of incidents.
  • These checks ensure the safety of the candidate and protect the recruitment agency from legal liability.

Role of Recruitment Administrators in Ensuring Health and Safety

  • Recruitment administrators should have an understanding of basic health and safety principles and industry-specific safety concerns.
  • They must ensure the secure storage and accurate maintenance of health and safety checks and records.
  • Administrators must also ensure that candidates are aware of any particular health and safety requirements for the roles they apply for.

Divergence of Health and Safety Standards

  • Different industries and job roles will have varying levels of risk and therefore different health and safety requirements.
  • An administrator needs to understand these differences to ensure the jobs they fill are suitable for candidates and meet all necessary safety standards.

Dealing with Health and Safety Non-compliance

  • Non-compliance with health and safety regulations can lead to legal action and fines for both the hiring company and the recruitment agency.
  • Administrators must understand the procedures to follow in case of non-compliance to protect both the candidates and the recruitment agency.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Health and Safety

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected health and safety considerations in the workplace, and new guidelines have been introduced to protect employees.
  • Administrators need to understand these changes and make sure hygiene measures, social distancing, and flexible working arrangements are in place where necessary.

Significance of Mental Health Considerations

  • The mental well-being of employees is an increasingly recognised aspect of workplace health and safety.
  • Recruitment administrators should ensure employers have appropriate measures to support mental health, such as stress prevention policies and employee assistance programmes.