The HSE has issued their latest annual statistics for levels of work related injury and ill health in the UK. These statistics cover the year April 2019 to March 2020 and are not thought to have been significantly affected by Covid-19. The figures show that 1.6 million workers were suffering from work related ill health (new or long term) in … Read More
MINIMISING MANUAL HANDLING RISKS
With figures recently released by the HSE showing that handling, lifting or carrying accounted for 19% of all non-fatal injuries to employees in 2019/20 it is important that employers take steps to protect workers from risks associated with hazardous manual handling activities in the workplace. With the busy run up to Christmas and January sales, there can be extra risks … Read More
WHICH INSPECTOR IS CALLING?
The HSE are making a particular effort to carry out as many spot checks and inspections as possible during the Coronavirus pandemic with a particular focus on making sure that workplaces are Covid-secure. In order to do this they have announced that in addition to their normal inspectors they are using approved providers to carry out the spot check calls … Read More
GAS DETECTOR SAFETY ALERT
Sampling tubes are sometimes used to extend the reach of gas detection devices and/or to allow detection at an increased distance from the user. Following a recent incident where a gas detector failed to detect the presence of a flammable vapour the HSE have released a safety alert highlighting the risk of misleading gas detection readings associated with the use … Read More
CHEMICALS AND NORTHERN IRELAND POST BREXIT
The Northern Ireland Protocol was introduced as part of the Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and the EU, to avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland, whilst ensuring that the UK, including Northern Ireland, could leave the EU as a whole. Therefore, it included a number of special provisions which apply only in Northern Ireland from 1 January … Read More
TIGHTENING RESTRICTIONS ON MOBILE PHONE USE AT THE WHEEL
Driving a vehicle is one of the most hazardous activities that many people carry out and it is important that drivers are able to concentrate on the task in hand. As such the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving has been prohibited in the UK for many years. However since the legislation was introduced, technology has progressed leading to … Read More
SOUNDING THE LOCKDOWN ALARM (NOT COVID-19)
For clarity we will start with a quick note that this is not another article about Coronavirus. It is common for properties to be fitted with fire alarm systems to alert people to a fire and to inform them to evacuate the building. There are a number of different types of alarm system that can be installed depending on the … Read More
FEBRUARY DEADLINE ANNOUNCED FOR OLD TYRES
We have previously reported on Government plans to improve road safety by making it illegal to fit tyres aged 10 years or older to the front wheels of lorries, buses and coaches and to any wheels of minibuses. The Government recently announced that these measures will come into force from February 2021. From that date, it will become illegal to … Read More
PAVEMENT PARKING BAN CONSULTATION
Parking on pavements can cause real problems for pedestrians, especially for wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and those with prams or buggies. However in many narrow streets pavement parking is necessary to maintain free-flowing traffic, including for emergency services and it is not always easy to get the balance right. Currently in most of England parking on pavements and … Read More
NEW FIRE SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR HOLES IN WALLS etc
Walls, floors and ceilings play an important role in containing and slowing the spread of fire in buildings and are an important factor in managing risk and allowing people to escape safely in an emergency. The compartmentation of buildings provided by properly constructed walls, floors and ceilings helps contain fire for a certain amount of time in the area of … Read More