Whether used in the home (e.g. medical oxygen) or in a workplace (e.g. welding gasses) where gas cylinders are in use it is often important that spares are readily available and it will often be the case that a number of cylinders will be present in any premises where they are used. There are a number of hazards associated with … Read More
Highway Code Updated for Self-driving Vehicles
While there are currently no self-driving vehicles listed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for use in the UK, vehicle technology is steadily advancing and it is anticipated that these could be on UK roads in the medium term. A number of vehicles do exist that include some driver assistance technology such as cruise control and lane assistance … Read More
NEW FIRE SAFETY GUIDANCE
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) have recently published a number of new guidance documents. The first of these is a Guide on equipment for use in explosive atmospheres (ATEX). This gives background information on the use of electrical equipment in areas where there is a risk of explosion and also gives information on the concepts available for protecting equipment used … Read More
Workplace Fatality Statistics Released
Provisional figures recently released by the HSE show that 123 workers died as a result of work-related accidents in the year to March 2022. This compares to 145 workers killed in the same period the previous year and represents a rate of 0.38 fatal injuries per 100,000 workers also down from a level of 0.45 fatal injuries per 100,000 the … Read More
EXTREME HEAT: RIGHTS AT WORK
Employers must make sure indoor workplace temperatures are reasonable No “maximum temperature” for workplaces in Great Britain Workers must take care to keep cool HSE shares guidance Employers must make sure indoor workplaces remain at a reasonable temperature and manage the risk of working outdoors in hot environments, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The workplace regulator is … Read More
Claims inflation and mitigating costs to your business
The rising cost of claims is due to a number of factors. These include Brexit, fuel shortages, the increased cost of energy, the continued impact of workforce absences due to COVID-19, vehicle technology and environmental and legislative issues. More recently, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is impacting the global financial market. Specifically, claims within the automotive sector are being affected by delays … Read More
ROAD SAFETY WEEK 2022
Road safety week is an annual road safety event organised by the road safety charity Brake. Brake has now announced that this year’s event will run from 14th to 20th November and will be themed around the concept of “Safe Roads For All”. The campaign will aim to raise awareness of key areas of road safety, including safe vehicles and … Read More
KEEPING SAFE IN THE SUN AND HEAT
The great British summer is fast approaching and temperatures are set to rise, while this may be good news for those looking forward to relaxing in the shade with a cool drink, it can cause problems for those busy at work. Working outdoors during the summer months can be harmful to your skin and long-term health. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from … Read More
HSE LAUNCH THEIR STRATEGY FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently published their strategy for the next 10 years setting out their mission, vision, values, strategic objectives and themes. Bearing in mind the fundamental purpose of the HSE the strategy is largely what you would expect from such an organisation and includes commitments to: “Maintain Great Britain’s record as one of the safest countries … Read More
UPDATED GUIDANCE FOR NEW AND EXPECTANT MOTHERS AT WORK
The HSE recently announced a change to their guidance for employers who are notified by a worker that they are either pregnant, have given birth in the last 6 months or that they are currently breastfeeding. All employers have legal duties to put in place arrangements to control risk to the health and safety of their employees and others who … Read More