9 March HSE proposes to slash inspections by 1/3 The Health & Safety Executive is proposing to slash the number of proactive inspections it carries out in light of its 35-per-cent cut in government funding. The BBC obtained a letter in which the HSE’s chief executive reportedly outlines plans to reduce the safety watchdog’s inspections by a third. Three high-hazard sectors – nuclear, offshore … Read More
14 February Thoughts on a training course Recently, I attended one of our regular Health & Safety in the Workplace Level 3 courses, helping out one of our trainers, Peter, with heavy lifting and being a general dogsbody, but also taking part in the course. The course lasted three days long and the number of delegates was just under ten, so we … Read More
4 February HSE Consultation on RIDDOR The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently started its 3 month consultation on proposed changes to RIDDOR (The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995). These proposed changes derive from recommendations in Lord Young’s Review on health and safety (Common Sense, Common Safety – published at the end of last year). One … Read More
12 January Health and safety resolutions for 2016 The vast majority of people make New Year’s resolutions in the hope of having a fresh start as the old year fades away. Although conventionally made individually, what’s to stop a company making one? Furthermore, why not vow to make work a safer, more secure environment? There are many small, simple things that can be … Read More
8 December Avoid the fire, avoid the fine With a New Year looming it’s time to take a look back at 2010; in particular we have noticed that Fire Safety really does need to be taken far more seriously that it currently is. In 2010 two major retailers suffered from the increasingly draconian approach being taken by the regulatory authorities and the courts, … Read More
8 December RIDDOR – How to report an incident For most companies, reportable incidents are a rare occasion. However, if they do occur, it is best to know how to deal with the issue and inform the appropriate authority. Who deals with this? The reporting of incidents at work is explained under The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). Read More
30 November New Food Safety Ratings Pubs, shops and restaurants across the country are being given new food hygiene standard ratings in a bid to reduce the one million cases of food poisoning each year and give consumers the knowledge and confidence to know they are eating properly prepared foods. The scheme for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, backed by the … Read More
22 November Explosion risks from cutting of drums and containers Employees contemplating ‘hot work’ on used containers, and managers overseeing it, are being urged to check that the correct working procedures are followed after two people were killed in separate incidents in North East Scotland whilst cutting up drums. ‘Hot work’ includes any process that generates a source of ignition, such as naked flames, heat … Read More
15 November LRB Consulting celebrates 10th anniversary In November 2010 LRB Consulting celebrated its 10th anniversary. LRB Consulting was founded in 2000 by Michael Ellerby, a Chartered Safety Practitioner & Chartered Chemist. Michael is widely experienced in Health and Safety consultancy and has worked for many years in this field, both as a Health & Safety Consultant and in industry. Michael has … Read More
8 November The Occupational Safety Consultants Register and what it means for you The Occupational Safety Consultants Register (OSCR) is the first step to resolving the problems identified by Lord Young in his recent report. Whilst many businesses develop in-house competence and do not need to use safety consultants, many smaller businesses will need help. OSCR will give those businesses confidence that the person will have complied to … Read More