The HSE has issued their latest annual statistics for levels of work related injury and ill health in the UK. These statistics cover the year April 2019 to March 2020 and are not thought to have been significantly affected by Covid-19. The figures show that 1.6 million workers were suffering from work related ill health (new or long term) in … Read More
MINIMISING MANUAL HANDLING RISKS
With figures recently released by the HSE showing that handling, lifting or carrying accounted for 19% of all non-fatal injuries to employees in 2019/20 it is important that employers take steps to protect workers from risks associated with hazardous manual handling activities in the workplace. With the busy run up to Christmas and January sales, there can be extra risks … Read More
WHICH INSPECTOR IS CALLING?
The HSE are making a particular effort to carry out as many spot checks and inspections as possible during the Coronavirus pandemic with a particular focus on making sure that workplaces are Covid-secure. In order to do this they have announced that in addition to their normal inspectors they are using approved providers to carry out the spot check calls … Read More
GAS DETECTOR SAFETY ALERT
Sampling tubes are sometimes used to extend the reach of gas detection devices and/or to allow detection at an increased distance from the user. Following a recent incident where a gas detector failed to detect the presence of a flammable vapour the HSE have released a safety alert highlighting the risk of misleading gas detection readings associated with the use … Read More
CHEMICALS AND NORTHERN IRELAND POST BREXIT
The Northern Ireland Protocol was introduced as part of the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU, to avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, whilst ensuring that the UK, including Northern Ireland, could leave the EU as a whole. Therefore, it included a number of special provisions which apply only in Northern Ireland from 1 January … Read More
SOUNDING THE LOCKDOWN ALARM (NOT COVID-19)
For clarity we will start with a quick note that this is not another article about Coronavirus. It is common for properties to be fitted with fire alarm systems to alert people to a fire and to inform them to evacuate the building. There are a number of different types of alarm system that can be installed depending on the … Read More
NEW FIRE SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR HOLES IN WALLS etc
Walls, floors and ceilings play an important role in containing and slowing the spread of fire in buildings and are an important factor in managing risk and allowing people to escape safely in an emergency. The compartmentation of buildings provided by properly constructed walls, floors and ceilings helps contain fire for a certain amount of time in the area of … Read More
HAND ARM VIBRATION: AN INSPECTOR CALLS
Power tools and work processes are a common source of exposure to hand arm vibration in many industries. Regular and prolonged exposure can lead to long term serious disabling health effects for exposed individuals. Conditions include hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 establish exposure limits and action levels and … Read More
RECORD LOW FOR FATAL WORKPLACE ACCIDENTS IN THE UK
The latest statistics just released by the HSE show that in the year April 2019 to March 2020, 111 workers were killed as a result of accidents at work. This compares to 149 deaths the previous year and is the lowest level on record, however at this stage it is not possible to say what impact the current COVID-19 pandemic … Read More
HSE ISSUE KN95 FACEMASK WARNING
The HSE have issued a safety alert warning employers against the use of KN95 facemasks as Personal Protective Equipment. Except where it has been organised by the UK Government for use by NHS or other healthcare workers where assessments have been undertaken by HSE as the Market Surveillance Authority, items can only be sold as Personal protective equipment if they … Read More