7 May 4,500 complaints have been made to the HSE with respect to Coronavirus It is understood that more than 4,500 complaints have been made to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) since the first UK case of coronavirus was confirmed. Last month the HSE issued a warning to employers that it would hand out enforcement notices to those who do not comply with the two-metre social distancing rule … Read More
7 April Face Fit Testing of RPE – Risk assessment and Prevention Face Fit Testing of RPE (Respiratory Protective Equipment) Respiratory Protective Equipment (or RPE) is used to protect wearers from exposure to a range of chemicals, solvents, dust, fibres, etc. It is often a protective measure that is identified in the risk assessment. The RPE must be able to provide adequate protection for individual wearers (otherwise … Read More
6 October Work at Height Introduction We are now several years on from the introduction of the introduction into UK law of the Work at Heights Regulations 2005. Despite that, not all organisations have come to terms with the implications of this law on their work activities. Many organisations still view the Work at Heights Regulations 2005 as construction-related legislation. The … Read More
22 June Asbestos failures lead (again) to substantial fines A building contractor has been fined after failing to carry out the correct procedures after asbestos was found during the refurbishment of a building at Bedford School in Bedford. Asbestos failures included the lack of a demolition/refurbishment survey and failure to manage asbestos after it was disturbed. Luton Crown Court heard how on 11 August … Read More
19 December Health and Safety Management – Active Monitoring Active Monitoring of Health and Safety is vital if an organisation is to avoid catastrophe. Good, solid, and sensible active monitoring help an organisation to avoid disaster by ensuring that the control measures that they believe are keeping them safe actually are keeping them safe. Active monitoring helps to avoid the reality gap: the chasm … Read More
18 August HSE are very active on Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) I have been approached recently by a few engineering companies as a result of HSE actions. In line with the HSE inspection regime, these are now more focused on Health Issues instead of the more traditional safety issues, such as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Noise, inhalation of hazardous fumes and dust. In addition to these … Read More
2 February Ignoring a Prohibition Notice leads to fine and suspended sentence The Managing Director of a skip fabrication company was caught using a piece of equipment that was subject to an HSE prohibition notice only two hours after the inspector’s visit in which the equipment was condemned. Unsurprisingly, he was fined for ignoring a Prohibition Notice and was also given a suspended sentence. MH, who ran … Read More
13 September Company in Court due to Risk Assessment Failure Once again, lack of suitable and sufficient risk assessments lands a company in court. In this case, Valero Energy UK Limited was £400, 000 following a serious accident at its Pembroke Refinery. Swansea Crown Court heard that the Berth 6 access tower walkway that provided gangway access to a stationary tanker vessel on 5 March 2012 had dropped … Read More
13 June Ignoring Enforcement Notices – where does it get you? So what happens if the HSE issues an Enforcement notice to your organisation and you choose to ignore it? Ignoring Enforcement Notices – you don’t have to be a genius to determine what is likely to happen. There will be some form of follow-up (they know where you are) and then things will not proceed … Read More
18 June Industrial Baler Incident Leads to Prosecution | Health & Safety Industrial baler incident leads to prosecution Key Facts: An incident involving an industrial baler resulted in a prosecution after a worker severed both hands in the machine. An enforcement noticed was served, and several major failings were identified. A month later, there was a second incident involving lead contamination. The company was fined £35,000 and … Read More