1 November Health & Safety statistics show a move in the right direction Across the East Midlands fewer people are being seriously injured at work according to figures released by the Health & Safety Executive for 2009/10. There were 2,056 major workplace injuries in the region compared to 2,150 in 2008/9. However, the news isn’t all good, with the number of deaths rising by one to 12, while … Read More
29 September Electrical Burns Who is most at risk of electrical burns? • In the workplace, electricians are most at risk of suffering injuries related to electricity. • In the household, young children are most at risk of injury through electricity. • Electrical burns can be caused by anything with an electric current from plug sockets to live wires … Read More
22 September Gas maintenance in student accomodation Much student accommodation is powered by electricity, not gas, due to the risk of any incidents arising- whether it be a maintenance fault, or students failing to use appliances safely (i.e. leaving the gas on). In Halls of Residence, electric cookers, boilers and so on are often used for this reason- first year students living … Read More
22 September Health & Safety Myths: British Bulldog was banned because of H&S The myth: Schools banned British Bulldog in playgrounds because of health and safety The truth: The playground game British Bulldog was banned by many schools due to concern arising from the danger it caused. No national or legal ban was put in place, but many schools still feared for the welfare of pupils on playing … Read More
21 September What is Asbestos What is asbestos? Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material and has been used for about 150 years on a large scale. It is versatile, plentiful and ideal as a fire-proofing and insulation material. But it can be deadly! The three main types of asbestos that have been used commercially are: -Crocidolite (blue) -Amosite (brown) … Read More
8 September Health & Safety Myths – Wearing goggles for conkers? The Myth: Children must wear goggles when playing conkers at school. The truth: • This myth is an old chestnut of the health and safety myths (no pun intended), and is that- nothing more than a myth. • HSE has no policies regarding the childhood pastime, yet one teacher, with nothing but the welfare of … Read More
6 September Hydrofluoric burns treatment What’s the fuss? Chemical burns are a common workplace risk, yet some are more harmful than others. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) is one of the strongest inorganic acids, so contact with a small amount of HF can be deadly- burn covering only 2.5% of your body surface area is enough to cause death. Pain is not … Read More
6 September Health & Safety Myths – Concertgoers have to wear earplugs The myth: Concert goers have to wear earplugs ‘because of health and safety’ The truth: Can you imagine trying to tell a bunch of big hairy bikers that they can’t watch Slayer unless they put earplugs in? Read More
2 September First aid at work What provisions are required at work? What should a first aid kit contain? Is first aid training needed? References Read More
31 August Health & Safety Myths – Graduates banned from throwing mortar boards? The myth: Graduates are banned from throwing mortar boards The truth: Throwing mortar boards supposedly carries a risk of injury as a falling hat could hit someone on the head. Really? If they were so heavy, why would we put them on our heads anyway? We could injure our necks! Surely that’s more of an … Read More