The latest statistics just released by the HSE show that in the year 2018 to 2019 147 workers were killed as a result of accidents at work. The most common cause of fatal injury was falls from height accounting for 410 deaths, being struck by a moving vehicle resulted in 30 fatalities. Other common types of fatal accident included struck … Read More
GARDENING, GROUNDS KEEPING, HORTICULTURE – ARE YOU CONTROLLING YOUR VIBRATION RISKS?
Frequent, regular and prolonged exposure to vibration through the hands and arms can cause permanent ill health. Conditions associated with exposure to vibration include hand-arm vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. Sufferers can experience tingling and numbness in the fingers, pain, a loss of strength in the hands and an inability to do fine work. Some examples of sources exposure … Read More
OLD TYRE CONSULTATION LAUNCHED
Concerns have been raised about the safety of older tyres especially when used on heavier vehicles. Earlier this year we reported that the Department for Transport was planning to consult on legislation to make it illegal for buses, coaches, heavy goods vehicles and mini-buses to run with a tyre aged 10 years or over. This consultation has now been launched. … Read More
REFORMING THE BUILDING SAFETY REGULATION SYSTEM
The Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety set up following the tragic Grenfell Tower fire made various recommendations for improving the regulatory regime covering safety for high rise buildings. The Government has now launched a consultation on proposals as to how the system of building regulations will be improved. Under the new proposals 5 duty holders (client, principal … Read More
CALL FOR EVIDENCE ON FIRE SAFETY REGULATION
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 regulates fire safety in non-domestic premises such as workplaces and the common parts of residential buildings. These regulations cover such matters as fire risk assessment, duties to take general fire safety precautions, consult with and provide fire safety information, instruction and training for employees, fire detection, emergency exits etc. In conjunction with the … Read More
NEW GUIDANCE: WORKING PLATFORMS FOR CONSTRUCTION PLANT
The Temporary Works Forum (TWF), a not for profit company, has published a good practice guide for the design of granular working platforms for construction plant. Construction sites often involve the use of various types of plant which will need to travel around and operate from different locations on site. Granular platforms are temporary structures, consisting of compacted granular fill, … Read More
Shift work and increased rates of cancer
Over the years there have been a number of reports suggesting a link between shift work and increased rates of cancer, in particular breast cancer in women. One theory that has been proposed is that light at night supresses the production of the hormone melatonin which is known to have anti-carcinogenic properties. Potentially reducing the body’s ability to fight emerging … Read More
Hot and Bothered – Can I Stop Working?
With record temperatures predicted for western Europe and the summer holidays not yet begun temperature in the workplace can be a hot topic. While regulations do state that “During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable” in the UK there is no set maximum temperature for a workplace and the regulation does not apply to … Read More
UPDATING THE CONSTRUCTION HEALTH, SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENT TEST
CITB, the Construction Industry Training Board, have announced that with effect from 26th June 2019 there will be a significant update to the Health, Safety and Environment test to better reflect the range of day to day tasks and responsibilities on site. The test was introduced in 2001 as a way for construction workers to show they can be safe … Read More
Noise – A note worthy appeal
While many of the articles you will find here look at health and safety regulations from the point of view of enforcement by the authorities, failures in complying with regulations are often cited in claims for compensation when someone has been injured at work. Previously we have reported on a compensation claim by a musician against the Royal Opera House … Read More