Today marks the start of Food Allergy Awareness Week in the U.S, providing an opportunity to help raise awareness of food allergies and anaphylaxis… so what better time to provide you with a useful reminder of your legal obligations to manage the risks for your employees with food allergies – as well as provide some helpful tips on reinforcing safety measures in workplaces where food is present.
Know your legal obligations
An employer is required by law to take measures to prevent physical and mental ill health in their workers that are caused by workplace activities. They also have a duty to protect their workers by removing or reducing risks – such as allergens – in the workplace. A severe allergic reaction in the workplace may need to be reported under Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 2003 (RIDDOR) and can place a legal responsibility on the employer.
Employers may be responsible for:
Identifying and implementing reasonable adjustments if an allergy is classified as a disability. This might include: relocating an employee’s workstation; looking for an alternative role; providing specific equipment or materials so an employee can safely perform their role; a policy to help prevent contamination or triggers in relation to an allergy.
Carrying out a workplace risk assessment and developing an allergy management plan to help support employees with allergies.
Ensuring employees are not treated less favourably in the workplace because of their allergies. This includes any form of discrimination or harassment. Ensuring where applicable and practicable, the workplace is clean, tidy with regular vacuuming and damp dusting. The area should be well ventilated, with adequate heating, and with air conditioning, extractor fans and dehumidifiers in working order.
Providing access to occupational health services, if available, for employees with severe allergies affected by their workplace environment.
Back to basics for spreading awareness
- Educate Colleagues: Spread awareness about food allergies and their severity. Encourage understanding and empathy among coworkers.
- Label Food Items: Clearly label any communal food in the workplace kitchen or break room with ingredients to avoid accidental ingestion by someone with allergies.
- Communicate: If you have food allergies, make sure your colleagues are aware of them. Clearly communicate your allergies and their severity.
- Personal Food Storage: Keep your own snacks and meals in sealed containers to prevent cross-contamination.
- Clean Workspaces: Regularly clean shared spaces like tables, countertops, and appliances to remove any allergen traces.
- Allergy-Friendly Options: Provide allergy-friendly options in workplace events or gatherings. This ensures inclusivity for all employees.
- Emergency Plan: Have an emergency plan in place in case of accidental exposure. Ensure that coworkers know how to respond in case of an allergic reaction.
- Training: Offer training sessions or resources on food allergies and how to respond in case of an emergency.
- Allergy Policy: Establish a clear allergy policy in the workplace to outline procedures for managing food allergies and ensuring everyone’s safety.
- Support: Show support and understanding to colleagues with food allergies. Create a supportive environment where everyone feels safe and included
Want to know how AssessNET can help you carry out Risk Assessments on employees with food allergies, or provide a digital tool for employees to complete self-assessment forms?
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