Hazardous Areas: Your 2024 New Year’s Resolutions

Hazardous Areas: Your 2024 New Year’s Resolutions

Wednesday 17 January

From getting healthier to saving more money, January is the month in which many people make beneficial plans for their year ahead, and this also applies to hazardous areas too! With the new year here, there’s no better time than now to take stock and set your workplace up for a successful and safe 2024.

Here are a few useful steps you can take this month to ensure your hazardous areas are safe and your business is running optimally in the year ahead!

1. Reflect On 2023

As obvious as it may seem, looking back on 2023 is a good place to start. Consider any problems that impacted your operations, particularly any accidents, equipment breakdowns or near misses. These issues can be used as learning curves and offer important insights into where to focus your attention as a priority.

2. Check Up On Training and Certifications

Employee safety is crucial, and a key aspect of this is to ensure your staff are adequately and regularly kept up to date with their training. In fact, regulations such as DSEAR require employees to be kept informed. Are there any gaps in staff training that need filling or are any certifications due to expire this year?

3. Get Your Equipment Inspected

Equipment testing and inspection is a worthwhile investment for the year ahead as it can help avoid unexpected breakdowns and unnecessary downtime. Even if you can’t see any obvious visual reasons for testing, regular inspections are a key step in any risk management routine and they can give you the peace of mind that your hazardous areas are in good shape.

4. Review Your Safety Processes

Proactivity is key, so be sure to check if any assessments are soon to expire or due a refresh this year. Although HSE recommends that safety reviews such as DSEAR assessments be carried out every 3-5 years, this can be shorter for high-risk hazardous areas. It is also important to consider any process changes last year, even small amends to operations could change your safety measures. 

5. Plan Any New Installations

Whether you have plans for a small installation or a full refurbishment, now is a good time to get your proposals moving and take action before they get overshadowed by day-to-day operations! By taking practical steps towards your new installations, you can benefit from developments in safety, efficiency and logistics as soon as possible.

Make 2024 Your Year For Progress

The above steps are a great start for reviewing your workplace and prioritising your actions for the year ahead. By taking the initiative, you will avoid shortcomings and reap the benefits later in the year.

If you would like to enhance safety, increase productivity and improve your procedures in 2024, then act today! Simply give us a call or drop us an email and we can discuss your requirements and how our knowledge, experience and technology can assist. Get in touch here.