7 January Using several approaches to minimise the risks from COVID-19 At the start of this New Year, it is a sad fact that COVID-19 is still with us, and we are now in the shadow of the omicron variant wave of infections. As an employer, you should consider multiple layers of protection for your workers rather than relying on a single strategy. The concept is … Read More
11 December Workplace ventilation and COVID The HSE has recently reminded employers about the importance of ventilation in the workplace. It is an appropriate time to remind ourselves of some of the basic rules. In practical terms, you should consider the following issues: People should work from home if they can You should review and update your COVID-19 Risk Assessment. This … Read More
6 December Open Courses in the New Year Looking forward to the new year, we at LRB Consulting are looking forward to holding multiple open courses! 19 January 2022 – Open Health and Safety in the Workplace – Level 2 17 February 2022 – Open Emergency First Aid at Work If you, or any of your employees, would like to book either of … Read More
14 November Workplace distraction caused serious injury and change the life of a worker BM, aged 63, was operating a rolling machine during his job at Hardall International Ltd in Dunstable when another site worker (about eight feet away) started using an angle grinder to remove strips of metal from a door. BM became distracted when sparks started reaching him and pieces of metal hit him in the face, causing … Read More
23 September Metalworking fluids are still causing ill health Earlier this year, the HSE announced that it would be targeting organisations that use metalworking fluid (MWF) for inspection. Although this case predates the recent round of enforcement visits, it does support the narrative. Lantern Engineering Ltd was sentenced for health breaches after workers were exposed to metalworking fluid (MWF). MWF is hazardous to health, … Read More
9 August 15 years jail sentence for transport boss Two men died when their car was hit by a 30-tonne HGV with faulty brakes – transport boss been jailed for 15 years and a driver sentenced to six years Michael Holgate was convicted of gross negligence manslaughter after one of his lorries lost control and smashed through the central barrier of a motorway, hitting another … Read More
6 August Workplace Top Temperatures This summer has been one of the hottest, with some new records being set across the UK. The TUC is calling for a legal duty on employers to protect workers from heat-related risk after the Met Office issued its first-ever extreme heat warning in July 2021. Mika Minio-Paluello (who is the Policy Officer for Climate … Read More
5 August Workplace Transport – Death of a Driver (while he was a Pedestrian) Death of a Driver Whilst standing on open ground at the rear of the trailer of his articulated vehicle, the driver KA was struck by a wheeled shovel loader operating in the yard at their Auchinleck premises in Scotland, Ayr Sheriff Court heard. Failure to Assess the Risks and to implement Control Measures The investigation … Read More
5 August Roofer and scaffolder both sentenced following a fatal fall from height at a two-storey terraced house A roofer and a scaffolder have been sentenced following a fatal fall from height at a two-storey terraced house on Rosevine Road, Wimbledon. PD and AB were working on the house roof, which was accessed using a ladder and scaffolding that had been erected by DG. During the course of work, PD asked AB for … Read More
6 May Can you dismiss workers who refuse to attend the workplace over COVID-19 concerns? Can you dismiss workers who refuse to attend the workplace over COVID-19 concerns? I do not intend to digress too much into the world of Employment Law or HR, but a recent case (Rodgers v Leeds Laser Cutting Limited ET/1803829/2020) has proved very interesting. Over the last year (and counting), COVID-19 has created many challenges … Read More