Risk Management and Communication is key for the Food & Drink Sector
Risk management and communication were highlighted as being key areas for the food, drink and packaging sector in terms of avoiding claims and managing the growing health and safety issues.
This was the conclusion at Weightmans Legal Conference for the Food, Drink and Packaging sector this week.
The seminar covered topics such as Health & Safety, Fraudulent Claims, Serious Incident Management and Occupational Allergies. Amongst the attendees were Cadbury Schweppes, Nestle, Oddbins, Northern Foods, Pepsico and Weetabix Limited.
Ian Evans, Senior Partner at Weightmans, said:
“We are delighted that so many people attended this seminar. Our aim is to make the industry aware of the growing number of issues facing it and give people the tools to manage them.”
Ivor Long, Head of Food Sector at Weightmans, said ” The health & safety issues facing manufacturers imposes a substantial burden upon employers. All those involved in the management of risk within their business need to keep abreast of new legislation and how this impacts upon them.”
Nick Wilson, Health & Safety Advisor at Weightmans, said “Recent research shows that between 85-95% of all workplace accidents are triggered by unsafe behaviour. Understanding the different errors people commit and how they are influenced by organisational and job factors is an important feature for any company striving to improve on its safety record. Providing all basic safety control measures are in place, a Behavioural Safety Programme offers the organisation the opportunity to reduce accidents further by a workforce driven initiative. This is designed to tackle unsafe behaviours through a process of observation, intervention and discussion”
After the conference, Nick added “To produce an effective risk assessment involves consulting with front line workers. They have important information to share with the assessor as they ultimately are the ones exposed to the hazard. A failure to involve these persons often leaves an assessment falling short of regulatory requirement to be suitable and sufficient.”
Kieran Jones, Partner and Head of Disease at Weightmans, said:
“The industry is today faced with strict requirements to inform employees about the potential risks to their health from exposure to substances during their work. However, employers are increasingly concerned that this ‘advertises’ where mass claims could be filed.”
David Lewis, Partner and Head of Regulatory Services at Weightmans, spoke about Serious Incident Management “The good news for the food and drink industry is that the number of fatal accidents has dropped over the last few years. However, this has meant that more companies are at risk of being caught out when it does happen because reliable and robust procedures have not been devised, practised or tested for some time, if at all. My advice to the industry is to ensure post-accident communication plans are in place. Many claims are brought because the relationship with the stakeholders following a fatal accident is managed badly.”
