The HSE recently published the results of a bench marking survey looking at exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) in the brick manufacturing and stone working industries. Silica is naturally found in most rocks, sand and clay and in products such as bricks and concrete. Some of the dust created when working with this material may be fine enough to … Read More
10 years of the gas safety register
The HSE report that every year around 14 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained, faulty gas installations can also cause fires and explosions. Anyone who carries out work on relevant gas installations and pipelines must be officially approved to carry out this work. The register of … Read More
Updated COSHH guidance for woodworking
Organisations have a duty to protect their employees from hazardous substances at work. Where practical employers should aim to prevent exposure to the substances and where this is not practical to ensure that exposure is adequately controlled. Dust created by woodworking has been identified as being hazardous to health, as well as tiny particles of wood this dust can also … Read More
Reporting accidents, diseases and dangerous occurances
Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises are required to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences to the relevant authority. In England, Scotland and Wales reports can be made online via the HSE’s website at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm fatalities, specified injuries and major incidents can … Read More
Preparing for a safe and healthy Brexit
Well done to everyone who got passed the headline. The UK’s exit from the EU is a topic that provokes strong emotions and many pages of text, but what will the actual impact on health and safety regulation be? To a large extent that will depend on what deal is finally agreed and you are recommended to regularly check relevant … Read More
Managing safety at inland waters
Statistics show that around 250 people die each year as a result of accidental drowning in the UK’s inland waters including rivers, canals, harbours, lakes, etc. Almost a quarter of these cases occurred at enclosed waters such as lakes, quarries and reservoirs. If you are responsible for a body of water, land alongside a body of water, or you carry … Read More
Is 3D printing bad for your health?
While 3D printers may not yet be a feature of every office, school and workplace they have been steadily growing in popularity. As their use increases, a number of concerns have been raised about safety, and studies have suggested, ultrafine particles are likely to be emitted from the 3D printer as the filament is extruded through the nozzle. Evidence suggests … Read More
The Health and Safety Executive Change Their Expectations Over Welding Fume Control
Following the publication of new scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer the HSE have issued a safety alert for anyone who carries out welding activities, including mild steel, in any industry. The evidence suggests that exposure to all welding fume, including mild steel welding fume, can cause lung (and possibly kidney) cancer. Based on this the … Read More
Wood Burning Thatch
New guidance has been published on the safe use of wood burning and multifuel stoves in thatched buildings. Following reports that the growing popularity and use of wood burning and multi-fuel stoves have been responsible for an increasing number of fires in thatched roof buildings Historic England and NFU Mutual Insurance Society Ltd funded the Fire Protection Association to carry … Read More
Sedentary Work and Health
In 2015 the HSE launched the Workplace Health Expert Committee (WHEC) to provide independent expert opinion on new and emerging issues in workplace health. The WHEC recently carried out a review of scientific research and published a position paper looking at the impacts on health of sedentary work. The paper finds that while sedentary lifestyles are shown to increase the … Read More