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July

Planning for cover over the summer holidays

A calendar marked with summer holiday leave dates.For many businesses, the summer period brings a welcome opportunity for employees to take annual leave. However, while holiday plans are being approved, it is important not to overlook the impact that absences can have on workplace safety. Being proactive and forward planning can prevent significant compliance and operational issues.

Ensuring cover

When reviewing holiday requests, consider whether there will be sufficient cover for key safety-critical roles, including:

  • First aiders
  • Fire wardens
  • Shift supervisors
  • Any other personnel with specific health and safety responsibilities

It is surprisingly easy for multiple trained individuals to be absent at the same time, leaving gaps in your arrangements. If a workplace accident, evacuation, or emergency occurs, inadequate cover could affect both the effectiveness of the response and your compliance with legal duties.

Before approving leave, review your staffing levels and training records. Identify periods where cover may be reduced and act early. This may involve arranging refresher training, training additional personnel, or temporarily reallocating responsibilities to suitably competent employees.

Remember that holiday cover should not simply exist on paper. Those providing cover must understand their responsibilities and be available when required.

Taking a practical and proactive approach now can provide reassurance that your business remains safe, compliant, and well managed throughout the summer months.

Reviewing the effectiveness of your arrangements is an important part of managing health and safety. By reflecting on how well (or poorly) absences and annual leave have been managed and identifying any shortfalls, you can take practical steps to improve your organisation’s health and safety performance.

If you would like support reviewing your emergency arrangements, first aid provision, or fire safety procedures, the team at LRB Consulting can help you identify potential gaps and ensure appropriate controls remain in place.