One of the services that the DVSA provides is the ability to check the MOT history of a vehicle, this had been available in England, Scotland, and Wales for a number of years and has now been extended to Northern Ireland making it a UK wide service. The service allows individuals to check the MOT history of any registered light … Read More
HSE Launch Asbestos and You Campaign
Work Right is a campaign initiative launched by the HSE which aims to help smaller businesses and workers. This provides guidance on a number of work related health and safety matters including mental health, musculoskeletal disorders and conditions that affect the back, joints and limbs and lung disease. As part of this overall campaign the HSE recently launched Asbestos & … Read More
Mechanics Warned of the Life-threatening Dangers of Working Under Vehicles
There have been over 7000 injuries and 33 deaths in the motor vehicle repair industry over the last 5 years*. Of these, 13 workers in the motor vehicle repair industry were killed when work took place under a vehicle that wasn’t properly supported. Furthermore, since April 2022, HSE has reported another four cases of workers being crushed to death by an incorrectly … Read More
Fire Protection Guidance for Batteries and Electric Vehicle Charging
A selection of new and updated guidance documents have recently been made available by the Fire Protection Association (FPA) covering charging electric vehicles and battery installations, these include: “RE1: Battery Energy Storage Systems – Commercial Lithium-Ion Battery Installations” this provides guidance and risk control recommendations for grid-integrated commercial (non-domestic) battery energy storage systems, for example systems used to store energy … Read More
Updated Guidance on Protecting Buildings from Fire and Sprinkler Maintenance
Updated building fire safety guidance documents have recently been made available from the Fire Protection Association / RISCAuthority, these include: The latest edition of the guide “A to Z of essential principles in the protection of buildings”. This sets out to identify and order aspects of building design and construction that can be strengthened to protect property and business against … Read More
Warning Issued on the use of Seatbelt Buckle Guards
On 9th February 2023 the Driver and vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issued a warning to public service vehicle operators regarding the use of seatbelt buckle guards. This was followed by a further update shortly after. Buckle guards are devices that cover the buckle of the seatbelt once it has been attached. They are primarily used to prevent children from releasing … Read More
Managing Trees Safely
Two employers recently received significant fines after children were killed or seriously injured by falling trees on their property. In the first case Newcastle City Council were fined £280,000 after an incident on 25th September 2020 in which a tree in poor condition in a school playground, fell causing the death of a six year old girl. In the second … Read More
Highway Code Now Available in Welsh
The Department for Transport has announced that a Welsh language edition of the Highway Code is now available to read online. It is understood that a hard copy version is due to be published early in 2023. Copies can be pre-ordered from the Safe Driving for Life website. The English language edition can also be viewed. If you have … Read More
DVSA Guidance On Part-Worn Tyres
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recently published an article regarding the use and sale of part-worn tyres. Part-worn tyres are tyres that have been used on a previous vehicle then removed to be sold to be used on a different vehicle. This means that the tyres will be partly used and worn which can create some safety issues. … Read More
New Guidance for Supporting Employees with Disabilities and Long-term Health Issues
Statistics show that despite record high levels of employment in the UK currently there is still a significant disability employment gap and disabled people are twice as likely to fall out of work once gaining work. The HSE has published new guidance to help employers support their disabled staff and those with long-term health conditions. The guidance is primarily aimed … Read More