Belfast Traders Support Workplace Safety

The licensed trade has been saying cheers to safe working practices as businesses across Belfast were today backing the provision of a healthy environment for staff and customers.

At a breakfast meeting organised as part of European Health and Safety Week, a range of independent traders got together at Horatio Todd's bar and restaurant in east Belfast to show their support for the promotion of health and safety in the workplace.

The event, organised by Belfast City Council, is aimed at raising awareness of the free help and support available for small businesses from the Environmental Health Team.

During this year's European Health and Safety Week, the Council is particularly focussing on the licensed trade and encouraging them to revisit what health and safety measures they have in place.

Gordon Harvey, Quality Standards Manager with Botanic Inns, (pictured right) said: "We've benefited from the advice and assistance provided by the Safety and Environmental advice service over many years, thus ensuring our employees' health and safety at work. And our customers can also be assured of enjoying themselves in a safe environment."

Councillor Ian Adamson, Chairman of the Health and Environmental Services Committee, (pictured left) said: "We run an independent and confidential advice service for small businesses to help them make their working environments safe so as to reduce accidents as well as business costs.

"We offer things like free health checks, assistance in drawing up action plans for suggested changes and improvements, help with carrying out risk assessments, and advice on drawing up health and safety policies.

"It's great to have the buy-in of local businesses and know that they are not only supportive of what we are trying to do as a council, but they’re also benefiting from it."

Also commenting, Brenda Shankey, Chair of Ballyhackamore Traders' Association, (pictured centre) added: "The traders from Ballyhackamore are delighted to support European Health and Safety Week through our partnership with Belfast City Council.

"As small businesses, we receive free health and safety checks to make sure our businesses are safe for both our staff and customers, and this instils confidence in us that we are operating within the property health and safety guidelines."

(BMcC/GK)