Who’s Managing Your FLAME?

Whenever I run a health & safety training session, I always start with the same question:

“Why is health & safety important?”

The answers are often textbook:

• “To keep people safe.”

• “To prevent injury.”

• “So people go home healthy.”

All valid. But if we are honest, often those answers are given because people think that’s what I want to hear.

That’s when I flip the conversation:

• “Why does that matter to your employer?”

• “Why should you care what happens to someone you barely know?”

• “Isn’t everyone replaceable at work?”

Suddenly, the room quiets. And then the more considered (and sometimes cynical) answers begin to surface:

• “To protect ourselves.”

• “To avoid getting sued.”

• “To stay out of prison.”

• “To keep the business going.”         

Now we're getting somewhere ! 

So let's talk about what FLAME is:

The F in FLAME: Financial

Let’s be honest.

We work to provide for our families and to live full and healthy lives outside the workplace. None of us want to sacrifice our long-term health for short-term earnings. No one’s being paid that much.

Good, practise in health & safety training and compliance helps ensure that we retire well and are able to enjoy the years we’ve worked so hard for.

As I like to say: if the lottery numbers came up tomorrow then my wife Gail and I would be touring Europe in our campervan faster than you can say arrivederci but they haven't so until we retire it's back to work !! 😊

The L in FLAME: Legal

Health & safety isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement. We’re protecting ourselves our colleugues and our organisations from prosecution, fines, and worse. The law is clear, and the risks of non-compliance are very real.

But, we have to remember that legal compliance alone isn’t enough.

The M in FLAME: Moral

Let’s go deeper.

Why do you care if someone else goes home safe tonight?

That pause, that moment of uncertainty often reveals something important. Because the truth is, most of us do care. We have a moral compass. We believe in doing the right thing, not just because it’s the law, but because it’s human.

I try to remind people that even with the best systems, attitudes and intent in place, accidents may still happen. But here’s the real question:

On that day, will you be able to say, “It wasn’t my fault — I did everything I could”?

Or will guilt and regret linger because of an act or omission?

Our moral responsibility goes hand in hand with our duty of care

Flame Management :

FLAME stands for:

• Financial

• Legal

• And

• Moral

• Expectations

Ask yourself:

• What are your expectations in each of these areas?

• Who’s managing them — for you, your team, your business?

• And more importantly... are they being met?

Health & safety really isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about protecting what really matters: your freedom, your integrity, and your future.

So... who’s managing your FLAME?

For more information about your legal obligations or to book an appointment with us to discuss your health and safety needs, please feel free to contact us or message me.

Mike Manning 25/07/2025