3 September Missing fire barriers in new-build homes raises concerns over training House builders are being urged to heed lessons from a BBC investigation that found fire barriers were missing or incorrectly installed on several new-build homes. Unsurprisingly, experts estimate that fire and smoke can spread five to 10 times faster without fire barriers, which form a complete seal between different areas of a home. The BBC … Read More
29 August Two companies fined after employee falls from height Two firms have been fined after an employee of a construction company fell through a roof onto a concrete floor below. Lincoln Magistrates’ Court heard how on 23 January 2018 an employee of Italian construction company Zamperoni F.lli srl was refurbishing a shed structure at casting company Bifrangi UK, Lincoln. As the man worked on … Read More
29 August Workers exposed to ‘significant’ fall from height risk Working at height is still a leading cause of workplace deaths and serious injury. All too often, companies fail to consider or to manage the risks. In a recent case, two companies have been fined after putting workers at risk of falling whilst accessing a roof to repair pipework. In April 2016, contractors who worked … Read More
25 July Risk Assessment 101 When I carry out Risk Assessment Training, I nearly always use “Crossing the Road” as an example. There are lots of potential control measures, and we determine the correct ones by reviewing the exact circumstances. look right and left cases zebra crossings bridges in high-risk cases The point is: you choose the control measure to … Read More
16 July Snow, ice, winter and other stuff Running a successful business is hard work. The costs associated with accidents can push a business over the edge and damage its commercial reputation. Sometimes it seems that Mother Nature is not helping us! According to the HSE, slips & trips tend to peak in the autumn and winter due to natural phenomena, including things … Read More
27 June Fire Risk – “too awful to contemplate” People still put profit before safety. The man who created a fire safety risk that was described as “too awful to contemplate” by massive overcrowding during at an event at York’s Kuda nightclub has been given a suspended prison sentence. The club was rated to a safe capacity of 645, but during a Basshunter event … Read More
13 June 13 June 2016 – Badger day I do love my job, though it is not easy. I love dealing with a range of people, premises, problems, etc. Today’s gem: Invasion of the external areas of a business by a badger. Lots to look into, including the protected status of Badgers and setts; (limited) actions that can be taken; allaying staff concerns … Read More
10 June HSE Campaign targeting dust Over the next few weeks, HSE inspectors will be focusing some of their time and effort on construction, woodworking and food manufacturing where occupational lung diseases, including in some cases occupational cancers, are more common. They will be asking what measures have been put in place to protect workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, … Read More
7 June Schools and Academies – Legal Responsibility and Health & Safety The legal responsibility (and thus the accountability) for Health and Safety lies with the employer. So, in different types of schools: who is the employer? This will depend on the category of school. In England, the Local Authority is the employer in: Community schools, community special schools, voluntary controlled schools, maintained nursery schools and pupil … Read More
7 June DBS and contractors (for schools) We are arriving at the time of year when schools have established plans for works to be carried out on site. This could be small or large construction projects, electrical work or estate maintenance. It’s important that schools consider the needs of DBS and ensure that all contractors have the correct type of DBS before … Read More