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
High rise fire safety in Scotland
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation exercise to gather information and views on proposed actions to strengthen fire safety for people who live in high rise buildings. Following the Grenfell Tower fire in June 2017 the Scottish Government began a review of the fire safety regime for high rise domestic buildings in Scotland. A report was published in December 2018 … Read More
What are the HSE’s plans?
The HSE recently launched their business plan for 2019/2020, this sets out what their key areas of work will be for the coming year. Naturally the HSE has an overall objective to improve workplace health and safety, the business plan provides some extra detail as to how they intend to achieve this. Putting the “health” into health and safety the … Read More
Who will answer your fire alarm?
Individual fire authorities are responsible for creating appropriate strategies for their own area. With limited resources and many calls on those resources fire authorities have to make difficult decisions about how they allocate those resources. Sometimes those decisions can be controversial, response to fire alarms is sometimes a sensitive area. The latest figures from the Home Office show that 40% … Read More
New guidance for STIG of the dumper truck
The Strategic Forum Plant Safety Group (SFPSG) have launched a good practice guide for the safe use of forward tipping dumpers. These are commonly used on construction sites to move soil and material around site. There are a number of hazards associated with all types of construction plant for example collisions between moving plant and pedestrians. As well as the … Read More
HSE fee for intervention rate up
The Health and Safety Executive’s Fee For Intervention (FFI) scheme was launched in October 2012, this allows the HSE to charge organisations for the costs involved in investigating, issuing notices and assisting in correcting material breaches of health and safety regulations. This is charged at an hourly rate based on the amount of time taken by an inspector on the … Read More
10 years of the gas safety register
The HSE report that every year around 14 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained, faulty gas installations can also cause fires and explosions. Anyone who carries out work on relevant gas installations and pipelines must be officially approved to carry out this work. The register of … Read More
Reporting accidents, diseases and dangerous occurances
Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations, employers, the self-employed and people in control of work premises are required to report certain serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences to the relevant authority. In England, Scotland and Wales reports can be made online via the HSE’s website at: https://www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/report.htm fatalities, specified injuries and major incidents can … Read More