ROSPA (the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) recently released a new factsheet regarding driver fatigue and road accidents. Department of Transport figures show that in 2022, approximately 1,300 road collisions were reported, including 59 fatalities. Drivers and riders are most likely to suffer from fatigue: On long journeys on monotonous roads, such as motorways Between 2 and … Read More
New E-Bike and E-Scooter Safety Guidance for Public Transport Operators
The Department of Transport has developed a set of guidelines to provide public transport operators with the information they need to effectively mitigate lithium battery fires while transporting e-bikes and e-scooters on public transport vehicles. While there have been limited incidents of lithium battery fires on public transport, a total of just one on the London Underground in 2021, … Read More
First Ever No Falls Week Announced
The No Falls Foundation has announced the first ever No Falls Week to take place from the 13th to the 17th of May. The No Falls Foundation is a charity dedicated to preventing falls from height and helping those affected by life-changing injuries from such falls. They work with a number of partners, including organisations like IPAF, the Ladder Association, … Read More
Keep Cool And Healthy – Updated Legionella Guidance
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia. The bacteria that cause the disease are found naturally in environmental water sources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs and generally pose no problems. However, they can also grow in purpose-built water systems such as hot and cold water systems, whirlpool spas and cooling towers, and evaporative condensers such as those … Read More
Ladder Association Launch New Toolbox Talks
Three toolbox talk documents have been produced by the Ladder Association and are available for free on their website. The documents each cover a specific topic related to ladder usage: How to know when to use a ladder How to select the right ladder How to secure your ladder The toolbox talks highlight the risks associated with each of … Read More
New Waste Industry Safety Guidance for Bin Lorries and Bio-Aerosols
The Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) has produced two new documents regarding issues in the waste industry. The first is a new guidance document highlighting safety in the operation of refuse collection vehicles. This follows a restriction on the standard that covers such equipment, BSEN 1501-5:2021, made by the Office of Product Safety and Standards. The restriction … Read More
HSE Update First Aid Guidance
The HSE has updated two publications dealing with first aid at work. The revisions focus on expanding and simplifying the existing guidance and are not in response to any change in the law or what is required to comply with the law. ‘First aid at work: guidance on regulations’ concerns the regulations and requirements for first aid in work … Read More
EHRC Launch Menopause in the Workplace Guidance
A new set of guidelines published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is intended to help employers understand their legal obligations in regard to supporting employees with menopausal symptoms. The guidance follows research by the Charted Institute of Personnel and Development, which found that 67% of working women between 40 and 60 who were experiencing menopausal symptoms … Read More
Lorry Loader Tilting Stabilisers Crush Risk Safety Notice
The Health and Safety Executive has issued a safety notice concerning the risk of people being crushed by powered tilting (also known as swing-up or rotating) stabilisers on lorry loader vehicles. The safety notice, issued on December 12, 2023, highlights that there is a risk of people being crushed against the lorry body when the stabilisers are being retracted, in … Read More
Updated Guidance for the Inspection of Steel Chimneys
The Association of Technical Lighting and Access Specialists, ATLAS, has published revised guidance regarding the inspection of industrial steel chimneys. This is designed to provide general guidance on good practice to organisations with responsibility for inspecting and maintaining steel chimneys and builds upon the previous guide published in 2017. Industrial steel chimneys are used in a wide range of industries … Read More