During winter storms in the UK, trees pose significant risks, particularly to commercial properties. High winds and heavy snowfall can weaken branches, potentially leading to breakage or entire tree falls that may damage buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure, as well as pose a risk to life. According to the Health and Safety Executive, the combination of severe weather and poor … Read More
Updated Fire Door Hardware Code Of Practice
The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), together with the Guild of Architectural Ironmongers (GAI), has published an updated code of practice for the selection of building hardware for use on fire-resisting and escape door assemblies and door sets. The term door hardware covers a wide range of door fittings, such as hinges, door-closing devices, locks and latches, door bolts, … Read More
Simplifying Rules For Electric Vans
Currently, drivers hours and other rules apply to work-related driving if the maximum weight of your vehicle or vehicle combination is more than 3.5 tonnes. These rules cover topics such as the maximum time a driver can drive for, what breaks they have to take, the records that drivers and employers must keep, vehicle maintenance, roadworthiness testing, and the fitting … Read More
Security Of Loads On Vehicles Guide Updated
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) produces a code of practice covering the safe loading, unloading, and transportation of goods in heavy goods vehicles, trailers, vans, and cars. This guide is aimed at drivers, vehicle operators, and anyone involved in loading vehicles and is split into 6 key sections, covering a different aspect of load security; these are: … Read More
New Guidance For The Safe Use Of Bin Lifts
In January 2024 the Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) produced new guidance following concerns that when refuse collection vehicle (RCV) bin lifts are in automatic mode, they do not adequately differentiate between a person and a bin, meaning that individuals approaching close to sensors or switches may accidentally cause the lifting mechanism to activate, leading to injury. Historically, … Read More
New And Updated Compressed Gas Guidance
The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) recently published an updated edition of their Code of Practice covering “The Safe Use of Individual Portable or Mobile Cylinder Gas Supply Equipment”. The code covers safe use of gas supplied in either single cylinders or bundles of cylinders, e.g., oxygen, acetylene, helium, nitrogen, LPG, etc. Topics covered include: Cylinder storage, transportation, and … Read More
National Flood Risk Assessment Updated
The Environment Agency recently published updated assessments of the national flood and coastal erosion risks in England. With improvements in data modelling and technology, these represent a significant update from the previous assessments produced in 2018 and 2017, respectively. The new assessments show that 3,500 properties are expected to be in areas at risk of coastal erosion in the … Read More
Why Welds Fail – New Research from the HSE
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a new research report examining the causes of welding-related incidents and failures over the past 15 years. A total of 47 incidents in which welding was considered to be deficient, leading to a failure, were included within the study. The failure of welds can have a wide range of consequences, including … Read More
Safe Trees
On 8th November 2024, Cheshire East Council was fined £500,000 after Christopher Hall was killed by a falling tree limb on 28th August 2020 while walking his dog. HSE investigations found that another limb had previously fallen from the same tree in September 2019; however, the council had not taken action to assess whether the tree posed future risks … Read More
Reforming to CPC for Bus, Coach and Lorry Drivers
In 2007, Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training was introduced in the EU for professional drivers of lorries, buses, and coaches. Under the system, professional drivers are required to complete a minimum amount of initial training and regular refresher training. This includes 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years to keep their Driver CPC. Following the UK’s withdrawal … Read More