16 July Working safely in the sun (try not to) The summer this year has been one of the hottest and sunniest for a long time, and it is essential to think about working safely in the sun. In short, try and avoid working in very hot condition, and try to avoid working in strong sunshine. As it is now a sunnier time of year, those … Read More
7 May Process Start-up is a Dangerous Time (again) Following a problem in the process start-up, styrene gas was released at a chemical, plant in India. At least 13 people have died and nearly 1,000 have fallen sick after a cloud of toxic styrene gas leaked out of an Indian industrial plant in the small hours of Thursday morning. Distressing images on social media … 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
28 June Fire Door Safety Week The humble Fire Door is often neglected and mistreated 23 September – 29 September 2019 is Fire Door Safety Week. Fire doors save life and property. This campaign aims to engage and educate building owners and building users on how to use them properly. An excellent resource is available here! Read More
26 March Risk Assessment: Being wise before the event We are all aware that risk assessment is a legal requirement, and most organisations have some form of risk assessment process in place. Sometimes this is only in place because risk assessment is a legal requirement. Fortunately, there are some organisations that embrace the risk assessment process and understand it can protect the health and the safety of their … Read More
25 March HSE Safety Alert: Platform Lifts This HSE Safety Notice is aimed at: companies providing maintenance of platform lifts (vertical lifting platforms) and owners/operators of such platform lifts used by people with impaired mobility, installed at their premises. Information is provided for maintenance companies on: the risks from tampering with safety critical components (safety devices) and inappropriate or poor maintenance of … Read More
27 April Catalogue of failures – including using crowbars to smash an asbestos roof Quainton Logistics and Storage had let conditions on site fall well below the expected standards, said the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Workers use crowbars to smash asbestos roof Workers had not been given personal protective equipment and used crowbars to smash up asbestos cement roof sheets, which was then left on top of mobile … Read More
5 April Death at Work – Fine of £1.4 Million Tata Steel UK Limited (a steel producer) was were punished with a fine of £1.4 Million in February 2018 after the death at work of a 26-year-old maintenance electrician [TS]. Hull Crown Court heard how, on 23 April 2010, TS (an employee of Tata Steel) was examining a crane as part of his inspection duties … Read More
23 March Simply Put – Risk Assessments ‘Simply Put’. In this series, we’re going to be taking a simpler look at some of the key phrases and ideas we frequently come across in health and safety. – such as Risk Assessment. At the heart of our company’s ethos is the desire to provide helpful, practical advice. Part of that comes from speaking in … Read More