COMPANY NEWS
STAFF CHANGES
It is with heartfelt thanks and gratitude for his service with Wenlock Health & Safety Ltd (WHS) that we say a fond farewell to Health & Safety Consultant, Charles Yates.
Charles joined our team in September 2018 and rapidly became a well-respected and valued advisor to his personal clients. He retired on 30 April 2021 but might well be seen occasionally delivering a first-aid course or two. In the meantime, all Charles’s clients will be re-allocated to either Laura (07791-670987) or Emma (07811-417888) who will become their main points of contact from now on; please ring the office (01952-885885) if you’re in any doubt.
We wish Charles a very happy and safe retirement, and sincerely thank him for the very valuable contribution he has made to the continuing and admirable reputation of WHS.
TRAINING
Wenlock Health & Safety Ltd (WHS) is running a full programme of classroom-based courses at our offices or, upon request, at customers’ premises provided they can meet any necessary Covid-related controls.
WHS has taken the decision to retain some restrictions until at least June; any necessary criteria and restrictions will be personally communicated, both directly at the time of booking and again through joining instructions, ahead of planned courses. It is vital that these are understood and, particularly for the First Aid and CITB courses, relevant information clearly passed to candidates*.
As usual, please contact Vicki at Wenlock Health & Safety Ltd (WHS) on 01952 885885 or enquiries@wenlockhs.co.uk or vicki@wenlockhs.co.uk to book places.
Please enquire about other courses available, both classroom and non-classroom based; the full range is also detailed on our website:
https://wenlockhealthandsafety.co.uk/
*Some companies have evidently failed to pass on relevant covid-related information to their employees in the past about what they need to bring with them when attending courses; as a result, some candidates have been without refreshments etc. Please do ensure joining instructions are passed on to the candidates.
FIRST AID
1-day Emergency First-Aid at Work course dates are listed below; strict Covid-specific controls will still apply for the moment and will be advised within the joining instructions. Demand is expected to be high, so book places as soon as possible to avoid disappointment:
Dates:
- 26 May 2021 fully booked but a reserve list is operating
- 3 June 2021
- 24 June 2021 limited spaces still available
- 27 July 2021
- 25 August 2021
- 28 September 2021
- 29 October 2021
- 24 November 2021
- 20 December 2021
Cost: £85 + VAT per person
IOSH
A 3-day IOSH Managing Safely course:
Dates:
- 7, 8 & 9 September 2021
Cost: £395 + VAT per person
CITB Courses
It must be noted that CITB attendance rules are very strict; they MUST be understood and are reiterated here:
- CITB specifies that candidates must be available to attend each session within the course; failure to do so may require a repeat course.
- And booked attendance is absolutely vital; because of CITB rules, we may be forced to cancel a course ON THAT MORNING if some candidates fail to take part, to the detriment of all candidates.
- Strict Covid-specific controls apply and no lunch can be offered; candidates to make their own provision.
Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
Duration: 5 days; 1 day per week
Dates:
- 7, 14, 21, 28 July & 4 August 2021 (Wednesdays) fully booked but a reserve list is operating
- 10, 17, 24 September & 1, 8 October 2021 (Fridays)
- 15, 22, 29 November & 6, 13 December 2021 (Mondays)
Cost: £495 + VAT per person
Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) Refresher
Duration: 2 days
Dates:
- 7 & 8 June 2021 (Monday & Tuesday)
- 9 & 10 August 2021 (Monday & Tuesday)
- 4 & 5 October 2021 (Monday & Tuesday)
- 9 & 10 December 2021 (Thursday & Friday)
Cost: £265 + VAT per person (10% discount when booking 2 or more people)
Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)
Duration: 2 days
Dates:
- 29 & 30 July 2021 (Thursday & Friday)
- 20 & 21 September 2021 (Monday & Tuesday)
- 25 & 26 November 2021 (Thursday & Friday)
Cost: £230 + VAT per person (10% discount when booking 2 or more people)
Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) Refresher
Duration: 1 day
Dates:
- 25 June 2021 (Friday)
- 20 August 2021 (Friday)
- 18 October 2021 (Monday)
Cost: £160 + VAT per person (10% discount when booking 2 or more people)
CITB 1-Day Health & Safety Awareness
Duration: 1 day
Dates:
- 2 July 2021 (Friday) limited spaces available
- 6 September 2021 (Monday)
- 1 November 2021 (Monday)
- 17 December 2021 (Friday)
Cost: £125 + VAT per person (10% discount when booking 2 or more people)
COVID 19
RESTRICTIONS STILL APPLY!
It is important to reiterate that, despite the general feeling that things may be getting back to some normality with the declining Covid death and hospitalisation rates, some restrictions (very sensibly) still apply; any hasty loosening of controls will invite another wave, which is something that everyone is desperate to avoid.
WHS has seen a general decline in the implementation and enforcement of controls across sites – the general perception seems to be that, with the very successful and rapid roll-out of the vaccination programme, vaccinated individuals no longer need to be careful. Firstly, large numbers of workers have still not yet been vaccinated so are still vulnerable. Secondly, even those who have received the second dose can still contract and pass on the virus so colleagues, friends and family can still be vulnerable
Having both doses of the vaccine does not mean the guidelines and controls don’t apply; they do, and the law can still be brought to bear for violations. It’s vital that employers continue to implement and enforce the necessary controls in and around any workplace until the government advice changes; the HSE and local councils are still monitoring premises and enforcing where necessary.
To quote an excerpt from the Government website:
“After you’ve had the vaccine will you still need to follow all the infection control advice?
The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19 infection, and 2 doses will reduce your chance of becoming seriously ill. No vaccine is completely effective and it will take a few weeks for your body to build up protection.
So, you will still need to follow the guidance in your workplace, including wearing the correct personal protection equipment and taking part in any screening programmes.
To continue to protect yourself, your patients, your family, friends and colleagues you should follow the general advice at work, at home and when you are out and about:
- practice social distancing
- wear a face mask
- wash your hands carefully and frequently
- follow the current guidance”
Always refer to the Government website before both establishing and/or modifying controls:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
HSE NEWS
HSE COVID UPDATES & ADVICE
The HSE has published a range of Covid-related guidance and information to help keep workplaces Covid-secure as restrictions are eased and we try and get back to some semblance of normality.
- Equipment stored or left unused for long periods should be checked for deterioration or damage: https://bit.ly/3vUdr7V
- Water and air-conditioning systems in buildings which have been closed or had reduced occupancy or use should be checked for stagnation or risk of legionella: https://bit.ly/3bfG0Fa
- Ventilation and air conditioning should have sufficient air-movement and air-exchange to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus and other airborne viruses and bacteria: https://bit.ly/3bfZnhr
- Non-HSE requirements are also covered such as workplace testing, Test & Trace and vaccinations: https://bit.ly/3tIv49z
- Gas safety for engineers and landlords: https://bit.ly/2SwsHJO – Note – there is no specific guidance relating to electrical work but the same principles apply
- And for additional and the latest current advice and information: https://bit.ly/3hf7Jtt
And the HSE would like to remind all businesses that there is still a need for Covid to be addressed in the legally required risk assessments which must cover ALL areas of work in ALL work premises, including offices; the HSE is out enforcing this right now.
STRESS TALKING TOOLKIT
Developed specifically for the construction industry, the HSE has published a Work-Related Stress Talking Toolkit* as a valuable and user-friendly first step to promoting positive mental health, supporting those in need and preventing a potentially destructive decline in well-being.
*The Toolkit doesn’t literally talk; it’s published in pdf but encourages help through a series of face-to-face structured discussions and support.
This is the first product introduced to help with the very specific issues within the industry in mind and is aimed primarily at small to medium-sized businesses who employ or use contracted workers.
Download the Talking Toolkit from:
https://bit.ly/3hf4li5
And further HSE information about stress, recommended actions and the support available can be found on:
https://bit.ly/3o1YfTA
LUNG DISEASE
Continuing its current emphasis on the prevention of lung disease and damage, the HSE is drawing attention to the following in-depth information and guidance. Bearing in mind that the current HSE campaign can target any industry, business and/or premises where work could potentially pose a risk to the respiratory health or workers (obviously including the construction industry), it would be prudent to review all your systems and controls to ensure you and/or your sites won’t be caught out should the HSE visit.
Specific information including within the construction industry and its trades:
https://bit.ly/3uC8dNV
Basic information about lung disease, the causes and repercussions:
https://bit.ly/33uiCPI
And recognising, assessing and getting preventative help:
https://bit.ly/2RHlAOc
NOISE EXPOSURE
The HSE has recently revised its noise exposure and hearing protection calculators which are designed to help work out how much workers are or may be exposed to on a daily and weekly basis, estimate the performance of hearing protection and thereby assess/re-assess necessary controls to keep within legal limits. The ready-reckoners can be printed for easy completion by hand.
These, together with a range of invaluable information and resources, can be downloaded from:
https://bit.ly/3hbTzt3
INDUSTRY NEWS
NHBC SAFEMARK
For many years, NHBC has provided its benchmark Safemark accreditation to promote and recognise good standards of health & safety amongst its member contractors within the overriding Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSiP) scheme. However, NHBC has now taken the decision to cease this provision over the next 12 months, beginning 31 March 2021 but accepting renewals up to the deadline of 9 June 2021 (i.e. no applications for renewals will be accepted as from 10 June 2021).
Accreditation certificates will remain valid over their 12-month periods and can be used to gain alternative accreditation through the SSiP ‘deemed to satisfy’ process. Alternatively, NHBC has negotiated a 30% discount with Alcumus SafeContractor for any Safemark accredited contractors not already accredited under SafeContractor scheme.
For those of you yet to gain any type of industry health & safety accreditation, WHS can strongly recommend that this be addressed to vastly improve your marketing potential and safety standards. Schemes such as CHAS, SMAS Worksafe and SafeContractor all verify your company’s capabilities against industry and legal standards and, thus, you have a head start in gaining acceptance on the approved lists of potential clients. Feel free to contact WHS for advice, guidance and assistance to promote your company’s virtues – by engaging WHS, you already have at least a few boxes ticked!
ASBESTOS CONTINUES TO KILL
Following on from the references to lung cancer and respiratory diseases above, it is absolutely astonishing to realise that work-related cancers claim at least 742,000 lives a year worldwide (bearing in mind this is only a conservative estimate as, of course, many countries don’t document work-related deaths at all).
And even more disturbing that upward of 230,000 of these deaths relate to exposure to asbestos.
This figure, first published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2018, dwarfs the previous estimate of 107,000 and, not only proves that the figure cannot be substantiated (again, this has to be a very conservative estimate as many countries still continue to extract the mineral, manufacture asbestos-based products and totally fail to control exposure), but also draws attention to the immeasurable harm done to workers and the public alike from an issue which can easily to controlled if governments and businesses have the will.
All WHS contractors, designers and developers (unless they can honestly say, hand on heart, that they will never come into contact with asbestos-related materials, ACMS, e.g. road contractors) should have, by now, have established a regular programme of asbestos awareness training (minimum) as required by the HSE; if not, ring the WHS office immediately on 01952-885885.
Training into the legally required controls and awareness of the life-threatening issues is the best way to ensure the safety of workers and those members of the public affected, and the HSE reflect this with the very high level of enforcement and prosecutions.
To help with this, and to ensure the spotlight stays on this issue of asbestos (an issue that is unlikely to go away for decades, if at all), the Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) launched its No Time to Lose Campaign in 2018 with the aim of raising awareness throughout UK industry and beyond. The Campaign also provides very valuable and freely downloadable resources and advice about asbestos and harm prevention:
https://www.notimetolose.org.uk/
A survey conducted on the third anniversary of the Campaign found that a third of tradespeople contracted never checked the asbestos register before starting work, and half of those weren’t even aware that there has to (legally) be an asbestos register at each commercial premises and that they would be responsible for a survey when working in domestic premises.
No wonder 5,000 people die each year in this country from mesothelioma alone; total figures for deaths from all asbestos-related diseases aren’t available but are estimated at around 10,000. And all asbestos-related diseases are incurable but totally preventable. In the 21st century, it is inexcusable that anyone (worker or public) is exposed to asbestos when all the specific legislation and mechanisms for safe working have been in place for decades. Remember (to quote IOSH):
Prevention remains the only cure
WORK AT HEIGHT
We drew attention in the April newsletter to the No Fall Foundation, a new charitable body that aims to promote education and awareness of the safety issues and best practice relating to work at height, promote the work of the HSE and related industry bodies such as the NASC, IPAF, PASMA and the Ladder Association, and to support those whose lives have been changed by falls.
Anyone can subscribe to the Foundation’s newsletter (free or by making a very gratefully received donation), and there is a wealth of excellent information and experience available via the website:
https://nofallsfoundation.org/index.php/aims-objectives/
For instance, in the first of a series of articles, former HSE Principal Inspector, Ray Cooke, highlights the absolute need to properly plan, organise and manage work at height – no matter what industry you’re in!
https://bit.ly/33CBHiJ
To quote Ray, “Just take a little time and think before you begin”. It could save a life.
And read the stories of the Foundation’s Ambassadors, workers whose lives have been permanently changed by a fall from height and now do all they can to draw attention to the dreadful consequences of carelessness:
https://bit.ly/3uC36xo
LADDER SAFETY
The latest Foundation newsletter also highlighted the very disturbing story of Suffolk County Council Trading Standards’ recent interception of a very dangerous and illegal batch of imported telescopic standing ladders.
Although the ladders appeared to have the correct EN131 and some other correct safety labels, others were either missing or incorrect, prompting investigation and testing – with quite horrendous results!
https://bit.ly/3txJNnl
This story just goes to prove that all safety-related items, whether it be plant, equipment, PPE or materials, must be purchased through reputable dealers. NEVER cut corners; NEVER be tempted to buy cheap. Low prices will mean low standards and probably illegal items: low standards will risk serious harm or death.
A guide to the single legal standard for ladders, EN131, can be found on the Ladder Association’s website:
https://bit.ly/3vSzpZ6
ACCESS SAFETY IN TIGHT SPACES
Do you need to access a tight space? Do you have difficulty working out what access equipment is appropriate? The new Ecolift from JLG fits the bill perfectly, is reasonably priced and, alternatively, is widely available from plant hirers:
https://www.jlg.com/en/equipment/low-level-access/non-powered-ecolifts/ecolift70
Coming in at just 0.7m width and 1.28m length, the Ecolift can reach a platform height of up to 2.2m, giving access to heights of up to 4.2m – sufficiently small to slip into those really tight spaces. In addition, it’s called the Ecolift for very good reasons because it’s battery, power and oil free, so virtually maintenance- and running-cost-free.
It is prudent to use ‘push around vertical equipment’ where possible (to avoid the risks associated with mechanised equipment) and this, again, fits the bill perfectly being lightweight and easy to manually manoeuvre but with a safe working load of 150kg (1 person + tools). And, as an added bonus, IPAF (the International Powered Access Federation, the industry leader in powered access to height) has a specific Push Around Vertical Course (IPAF-PAV) for users.
GENERAL NEWS
TINNITUS
With the advent of the Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (not to mention the general health & safety duties within the Health & Safety at Work Act going way back to 1974), occupational hearing loss and tinnitus should be a thing of the past. Sadly, it isn’t and many are still subjected to unreasonably high levels of noise of spells of exposure. Obviously, noise exposure can occur at home as well as at work (rock concerts can still break the sound barrier!) and it’s up to all of us to take care of ourselves. But there’s no excuse these days for legal requirements to be ignored or unenforced (refer to the article above about the HSE Noise Calculator).
Noise exposure can result in, not only deafness, but a range of other debilitating conditions as well such as tinnitus (ringing in the ears). It may sound improbable but tinnitus can become so intense that it’s becomes all-consuming and, in at least one case, has resulted in suicide.
Chris Martin of Coldplay spoke out last year about how debilitating his tinnitus had become over the years. He had apparently ignored the initial signs of tinnitus, developed as a young lad listening to loud rock music, and then performed without hearing protection when he joined Coldplay in 1996. Like with so many musicians, hearing loss isn’t taken seriously but the consequences have been profound for Chris and he’s now an advocate for spreading awareness of the issue within the industry.
Admittedly, rock music is perhaps an extreme example of exposure to unreasonable noise levels – but there are still regular prosecutions against business for failing to assess and control noise exposure for their employees. Now may the time to go back and review what you have in place before it’s too late. Make sure you know the noise levels for all equipment – but also make sure you know the likely total noise levels when several pieces are working at once. How long is each employee exposed to noise and what controls are in place (remember that, legally, PPE is a ‘last resort’ only)? And is health surveillance in place?
As highlighted before, the HSE has a long-term campaign to enforce health surveillance so take notice of the HSE advice about what’s required relating to noise, as well as COSHH and vibration:
https://bit.ly/3vV4xXW
COVID FINANCIAL SUPPORT
For those self-employed workers who haven’t yet received financial support when their work has ceased due to Covid, it may be advisable to log into the Government’s gov.uk website to see whether you can claim a grant against the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS):
https://bit.ly/2RKesAA
This tranche of the grant will cover 80% of 3 months’ average trading profit and can be claimed from April 2021. If this doesn’t affect you, maybe you know of friends or relatives who could benefit? It covers all industries.
In addition, for workers who have to work from home (either normally or due to Covid) can claim tax relief of £6 per week to cover costs. Not a huge amount but every little helps, as they say!
https://www.gov.uk/tax-relief-for-employees/working-at-home
NATIONAL LIVING WAGE
There are a few increases in statutory rates from April 2021 of which everyone should be aware.
New National Living Wage (NLW) for:
23+ year olds – £8.91/hour note the threshold has decreased to include 23 and 24 year-olds
21-22 years – £8.36/hour
18-20 years – £6.56/hour
16-17 years – £4.62/hour
Apprentices – £4.30/hour
New maternity/paternity/etc – £151.97/week
New sick pay – £96.35/week
New max limit for redundancy calculations – £544/week
KICHSTART SCHEME
The Government’s Kickstart Scheme (which aims to give young people a helping hand because of obstacles through Covid) currently runs to 31 December 2021. It provides 100% NLW, NI and pension contributions for 25 hours a week work by 16-24 year-olds; employers can pay more voluntarily. However, the posts must be new; they cannot be existing roles or vacancies.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/kickstart-scheme
As an interesting footnote, NASC report than over 400 Kickstart places have been successfully provided by 77 of its members – a great example of the huge potential of this scheme in the construction industry:
https://nasc.org.uk/blog/article/nasc-kickstart-numbers-soar-past-400-placements/
AND FINALLY
Work at height…as usual
We usually concentrate on prosecutions; however, these alone don’t give a fair picture of just how bad the situation still is after so many years of specific work at height legislation, developed best practice and HSE campaigns. So, this time we begin by including a number (but not an exhaustive list – there are many, many more) of recent deaths and serious injuries related to work at height which are pending HSE investigation.
- Grant Maloney, a 55-year old father of 7 who had been a roofer since he was 16, died in January after falling from a ladder in Kent: https://bit.ly/3uEvIWH
- Michael Harrison, a 42-year old scaffolder, died when he fell from height in Holmes Chapel in February. https://bit.ly/3o3P2Km
- A 50-year old worker died after falling from scaffolding in Gwynedd in March. https://bit.ly/3hcZnlR
- A 36-year old worker died after falling from the roof of a building in Warrington in February. https://bit.ly/2RHaSXY
- Two fatalities on farms. A man was killed in Cheshire in February when he fell from an unsecured wooden crate being lifted by a forklift while he carried out roof-work. A farm worker was killed in Dorset in January when he was struck on the head by falling concrete. https://bit.ly/3tzHMar
- A contractor suffered life-changing injuries after falling 25 feet from the roof of a care home in Lincolnshire in February. https://bit.ly/3bcuDxC
- 36-year old, Filipe Abreu, was left fighting for his life after he fell from scaffolding in Jersey in February. https://bit.ly/3haKNvk
- A worker suffered life-changing injuries after he fell 14 feet through a sky-light in Southampton in March. https://bit.ly/3o4MMCD
- A worker sustained a broken ankle after he fell from height in Suffolk in March; more serious injury was prevented as he ‘became stuck’ someway off the ground. https://bit.ly/3eB3SoG
- A tree surgeon was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital after an accident that happened in a garden in the Isle of Wight in March. https://bit.ly/33vopof
Work at height…and still the prosecutions keep coming
- In January, the governing body of Christ the King Catholic High School & Sixth Form Centre in Southport was fined a total of almost £16,000 after an employee fell 3m from a roof whilst trying to retrieve balls.
- A reminder that the rules apply to ALL employers in ALL circumstances for a very good reason!
- In February, R4 Industrial Roofing Cladding Systems Ltd fined a total of almost £186,000 after an employee died falling 10m through a roof-light.
- In March, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy was fined a massive total of over £549,600 after an agency worker fell 1.8m from a turbine blade under manufacture at its factory in Hull suffering multiple broken bones and a punctured lung. Again, a reminder that the rules apply to ALL employers in ALL circumstances for a very good reason!
And in April alone:
Just note how many of these prosecutions have resulted from observations, not accidents.
- Bradley Demolition Ltd was fined a massive total of almost £222,000 after the operator of a boom-type cherry picker became trapped between the platform rail and the roof of an industrial shed, sustaining life-changing injuries.
- Greenway Partnership Ltd was fined a total of almost £28,000 after an apprentice fell 2m from an unprotected flat roof at a school undergoing part-demolition (photo), suffering head and facial injuries.
- Mark Wakefield, trading as Mark Wakefield Construction, was fined a total of £3,400 after a worker fell 4m through the fragile roof-light of an agricultural building, sustaining multiple fractures to his spine.
- The joint clients of a housing project in Canvey Island, Richard Balls and London & Essex Property Partnership Ltd, and principal contractor, Ludovic Calo, were given sentences ranging from 29-week suspended jail terms and 3-month electronic curfews (for the 2 individuals), a £20,000 fine (for London & Essex), and orders to each pay £5,000 costs after the public reported multiple safety breaches including work at height.
- JNR Developers Ltd was fined a total of £40,000 and Director, Mehrded Chegounchei, given a 6-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty of multiple safety breaches including work at height.
- SSF Construction Ltd was fined a total of over £51,000 after being observed during a routine HSE visit carrying out unsafe work at height.
- Ron Richardson Construction Ltd was fined a total of over £21,000 after two employees were clearly seen working close to the unprotected edge to a flat roof (photo)
Footnote:
During April 2021 alone, there were 9 prosecutions with a total of £1,189,219 in fines alone being levied, plus significant HSE and court costs attached to each. An accident may result, not only in a death, it may also result in the death of the offending company.
And just a final note of warning, just in case anyone is tempted not to report an accident:
Paul Adams, trading as Surrey Conversions, was jailed for 24 weeks and ordered to pay costs of over £2,000 for failing to report an accident on his site that resulted in an amputation.
This case demonstrates both the legal responsibility to report and the high importance placed on investigation to prevent recurrence.
WHS is working for you; help us to help you.
Our aim is to keep people safe and to keep your company working.
To contact WHS, ring: 01952-885885