Summer Safety - Protecting Yourself

Teamwork matters.

An employee who sustained numerous wasp stings, was taken to hospital for further treatment due to a severe allergic reaction. A swift response from first aiders on site helped stabilise the person before emergency assistance arrived.

Safehands are sharing this incident to raise awareness to our clients to make the aware of the importance of emergency planning for allergies and to promote awareness by training your staff and prepare an allergy action plan. Employers have a legal duty to protect employees from workplace hazards, including allergic reactions.

What you can do?

Employers should ensure all staff are knowledgeable about the signs of an allergic reaction and the proper emergency response procedures. Offering training sessions to improve understanding of allergies and anaphylaxis can help equip employees to recognise and react appropriately to an allergic emergency. Workplace culture is also important – staff should be made aware that “pranks” or bullying involving a colleague’s allergens are unacceptable and potentially life-threatening. Any information shared about an employee’s allergies should only be done with their permission. It is important your employees with allergies are comfortable with any information you share with the rest of the workplace about their allergies – always obtain permission first.

For support and guidance on any of the topics mentioned in the Safety News please contact any of the Team at Safehands.