In July the Government launched a consultation on proposals to enhance the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and implement recommendations from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 1 Report. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is concerned with responsibilities for managing fire safety in non-domestic premises in England and Wales, this includes duties to carry out risk assessments, ensure … Read More
DRAFT BUILDING SAFETY BILL PUBLISHED
The Government published a draft Building Safety Bill on 20th July. This is a large and complex document and has been published as a draft in order to allow initial scrutiny before it is introduced to Parliament. The Bill creates a new Building Safety Regulator which is being established by the HSE and will oversee the safe design, construction 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
Building Regulation Approved Document B Fire Safety Updated
An update to Approved Document B of the building regulations has been published including increased fire safety measures in high-rise residential buildings, including the provision of sprinkler systems and consistent signage in all new high-rise blocks of flats over 11 metres tall. The update can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/fire-safety-approved-document-b
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
INTERNAL FALLS ARE PREVENTABLE
The HSE in Northern Ireland (HSENI) have launched a new campaign targeted at falls from height in the construction industry. Of the five fatal construction related accidents reported in Northern Ireland since January 2020, HSENI report that three of these involved falling on the inside of a building under construction. Where possible the need to work at height should be … Read More
LATEST FIGURES SHOW FALL IN FIRE DEATHS
Fire and rescue statistics released by the Home Office for England the year ending December 2019 show a 10% fall in the number of fire related fatalities from 262 in the previous year to 237 in the latest year. In the same period, Fire and Rescue Services in England attended 157,156 fires, a drop of 12% from the previous year … Read More
WORKING FROM HOME MANAGING THE OTHER RISKS
The current infection control measures have seen a large increase in the number of people carrying out some or all of their work from home and an equally large increase in the number of articles about how to set up a safe workstation while, maintaining good posture with regular breaks from screen work and not overloading electrical sockets. In this … Read More
DO I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HEALTH AND SAFETY IN UNOCCUPIED PROPERTIES?
The short answer is, of course, YES. This is especially true if the property is only temporarily vacant and you are intending to safely re-occupy it at some point in the future e.g. once everyone can safely return from a period of lockdown. Exactly how much you need to worry and what you will need to do to ease those … Read More
SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE WORKPLACE
Except for certain businesses, such as non-essential shops and public venues, which have been instructed to close, other employers can continue to work provided they can do so safely. Of course anyone who is ill with, showing symptoms of or living with someone who is ill with symptoms of coronavirus / COVID-19 should be staying at home in line with … Read More