24 August Food Safety – Bacteriology – The Food Poisoning Chain Bacteria are single-cell, microscopic organisms, with over 1 million able to fit onto the head of a pin and still be invisible to the naked eye. They can be found everywhere, in soil, water, food, on people and in the air that we breathe. In most cases, hundreds of thousands or even millions of bacteria … Read More
17 August Food Safety – Cleaning Best practice is to “clean as you go” to prevent a buildup of dirt and waste where bacteria can multiply. It goes without saying that all surfaces MUST be sanitised before commencing work and that immediate cleaning and disinfection of equipment after working with foodstuffs is essential. Remember, if you made the mess, then you … Read More
16 August Health & Safety Myths – Teachers & Plasters The myth: Teachers can’t put plasters on children’s cuts. The truth: This is a myth that has become overblown and causes much confusion in the workplace- apparently; teachers with pupils that have a minor graze must ask permission from parents before cleaning and covering the wound. There is no law that says a responsible person … Read More
11 August Fire Safety has to be taken seriously With two major retailers recently suffering from the increasingly draconian approach being taken by regulatory authorities and the courts, it is clear that fire safety has been targeted for special attention. These cases have shown that the courts are happy to impose large fines (some would even argue excessive) to encourage companies to take fire … Read More
11 August Health & Safety Myths – Toy Weapons The myth: Toy ‘weapons’ in a play had to be locked-up and registered with the police! The truth: A small theatre company locked up their toy weapons claiming they were just following the HSE guidance sheet. HSE define a weapon as “any object which is designed for the purpose of inflicting bodily harm”. This, surprisingly, … Read More
9 August George and the Dragon (…of Health & Safety) Righto, I’m George, a 19 year old girl (yes, a girl called George) working over summer at a Health and Safety firm called LRB consulting. I’m at the University of Manchester studying philosophy- a course I realise is about as unpopular as health and safety. Random facts about myself include the following: I am afraid … Read More
29 July Food Safety – Scores on the Doors Consumers in most areas can see how well a food business complies with food hygiene regulations through ‘Scores on the Doors’ schemes run by their local authority. The primary purpose of these ‘Scores on the Doors’ schemes is to allow consumers to make informed choices about the places in which they eat out and from … Read More
29 July Slips, trips and falls in the kitchen While working in the kitchens of a restaurant chain, a 17-year-old boy tripped, slipped and consequently immersed his left hand into a fryer unit full of hot oil, causing severe burns to his arm, parts of the chest and neck. On the day of the accident, he was socialising outside the restaurant when one of … Read More
29 July Working at height, and failure to control contractors Case 1 Failure to control the work (at height) of contractors led to a large waste management company being fined £100,000 (with costs of £22,000) for breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work, Etc Act 1974 (HSWA) by failing to ensure the safety of those not in its employment. The contractor was … Read More
29 July COSHH and smaller businesses COSHH (the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002) is often an area for concern for businesses, especially smaller businesses. It an area of health and safety that is poorly understood and is viewed with mysticism. Like all aspects of health and safety, small businesses need a considered approach to COSHH, but they must … Read More