COMPANY NEWS
TRAINING
When booking courses, all necessary criteria and restrictions will be personally communicated both directly at the time of booking and again through joining instructions ahead of all planned courses. It is vital that these are understood and relevant information clearly passed to candidates.
And do please be sure to inform us ahead of the course date of any candidate who may require assistance in any way, especially with reading or writing; we need advance notice to be able to provide this help.
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. In addition to those below, please enquire about our other courses available; the full range is also detailed on our website: https://wenlockhealthandsafety.co.uk/
FIRST AID
1-day Emergency First-Aid at Work course dates are listed below; specific requirements and controls will be advised within the joining instructions.
Dates:
- 4 October 2023 (Wednesday) very limited spaces; book immediately
- 30 October 2023 (Monday) fully booked but a wait-list is operated
- 29 November 2023 (Wednesday)
- 18 December 2023 (Monday)
- 24 January 2024 (Wednesday)
- 28 February 2024 (Wednesday)
Cost: £85 + VAT per person
MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
1-day FAA Award in First Aid for Mental Health (Level 2 RQF) see also the item in General News below
Dates: 23 October 2023 (Monday)
Cost: £85 + VAT per person
IOSH MANAGING SAFELY
3-day IOSH Managing Safely course
Duration: 3 consecutive days
Dates: 21, 22 & 23 February 2024 (Wednesday – Friday)
Cost: £395 + VAT per person
UKATA ASBESTOS AWARENESS
Half-day UKATA asbestos awareness open course
Date: 10 November 2023 (Friday)
Cost: £60 + VAT per person
RENEWAL PACKS – CONTENT
You will be familiar with the fact that all WHS annually-subscribed customers receive full renewal packs with each re-subscription. The packs contain the updated Health & Safety Policy, Employee Induction and Safety Manual and it’s extremely important to replace previous documents with these and to re-issue them to appropriate staff.
But it’s also important to review the templates, etc that are also included in the renewal packs as previous versions may have been updated or new templates added. For instance, a new template has just been added to the suite related to investigating near-misses; this will filter through at your next renewal, as will any other changes or additions.
We often get queries from customers about whether we have templates for various issues; use your renewal as an opportunity to go through everything once more to make sure you are familiar with everything that’s been issued, and make sure the right documents are then issued/re-issued to the right people.
RENEWAL PACKS – FORMAT
As IT rapidly progresses, we find less and less WHS customers require hard copies of the renewal packs. You will be asked at renewal whether you are happy to receive the pack electronically and, if so, what format is suitable (USB or CD). This saves an immense amount of paper and unnecessary resources; however, please do say if you still require hard copy.
Similarly, following the lead of many other organisations (e.g. SSiP), we will also be issuing the subscription certificates in electronic format from now on unless otherwise requested.
HSE NEWS
SAFETY ALERT – MV WORKSHOPS
The HSE has issued a safety alert for the motor vehicle industry concerning the Bendpak XPR Series Two-Post Vehicle Lift Arm Restraint.
Some bolts used to fix the arm restraint to the lift have been found to be of inadequate strength, resulting in a serious risk of a major incident. The full Safety Alert and actions required can be viewed on:
https://rb.gy/uu27g
Users are also reminded of a previous Safety Alert (2018) concerning Bendpak locking mechanisms:
https://rb.gy/h0zyg
And following these and many previous warnings, the latest having been issued 3 February 2023:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/UKHSE/bulletins/3467710, the HSE still finds incredibly dangerous situations involving MVR workshops. To illustrate the point, it draws attention to the following very recent prosecution (4 August 2023) where a trader was jailed for 10 months after a man was crushed to death when a tipper van fell on him; refer to the prosecutions at the end of this newsletter.
There is ample HSE advice and guidance about safe working with motor vehicle repairs, including: https://rb.gy/o4494 There is no excuse for poor practice and the HSE will not hesitate to prosecute where this is found; but, more importantly, poor practice can result in loss of life.
SAFETY ALERT – PPE FOR ELECTRICAL WORK
The HSE has been made aware of a serious issue regarding the testing of safety footwear to an American standard: ASTM F2412-18A. It seems that this standard is NOT SUITABLE for live electrical work for many reasons, leaving the wearer at serious risk of electrocution.
Any item of PPE to be used against electric shock has to be regarded as a Category III item and requires independent quality assurance. So, it’s important to check the Declaration of Conformity that accompanies the footwear to ensure it has been subjected to third party approval; it should be marked with a 4-digit number next to the CE (or UKCA) marking which identifies the third party.
MANAGING RISK FROM RAAC
You will all no doubt be aware of the sudden emphasis on managing the risks presented by RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) and the significant consequences of various governmental agencies ignoring the problem for so long. RAAC was only ever intended to have a shelf life of around 30 years and, as it was used between the mid-1960s and mid-1980s, it’s obvious to anyone that the issue should have been addressed decades ago. And, because RAAC can fracture or collapse without warning (as has already happened, luckily without injury), the seriousness of the problem is obvious.
The HSE has now issued guidance on its website covering identification, assessing and managing the potential risks: https://www.hse.gov.uk/education/raac.htm
Although the main focus of the recent warnings has been aimed at school establishments, many other buildings have already been identified as containing RAAC e.g. hospitals, airports (including Heathrow and Gatwick!), police stations, public buildings and factories. Therefore, there’s no reason to discount any building constructed within that period which comprise concrete roofs, floors or walls; it is essential that all such buildings are checked by structural engineers.
Although most building owners or managers were unaware of the dangers, or even of the existence, of RAAC (although warnings have been issued over several years in certain professional circles), now that this has been highlighted and the risks identified as extremely high, it would be within the legal health & safety duties of owners and managers to properly risk assess their buildings and follow guidance if they do prove to contain RAAC. And nobody can risk assess without adequate and competent information, so the best course of immediate action is to urgently engage a structural engineer.
Further information about RAAC can be found through the Institution of Structural Engineers:
https://www.istructe.org/resources/news/istructe-statement-reinforced-autoclaved-aerated-c/
METALWORK INSPECTION CAMPAIGN
From October 2023 to March 2024, the HSE will be actively targeting manufacturing businesses who may use metalworking fluids or coolants in their machining processes; inspectors will be focusing predominantly on how employees are protected from the mists generated by CNC machines and checking that health surveillance is in place.
Metalworking fluids can cause serious harm to unprotected skin and mists can cause lung diseases such as occupational asthma and pneumonitis. LEV and adequate PPE must always be in place, and the monitoring of employees’ health is essential even when effective controls are in place. In addition, fluids should also be regularly checked for concentration, pH, bacteria and contaminants.
In-depth information can be found on the HSE’s Work Right website: https://rb.gy/a47h3
Check your processes are compliant now, before the HSE come knocking!
Footnote:
Also, WHS would again remind all companies working with LEVs that the HSE is actively targeting the use and maintenance of LEV equipment. Over the last 12 months, the HSE has issued many enforcement notices for non-compliance, such as:
- inadequate contaminant capture or containment
inadequate air flows (i.e. reduced or no detectable airflow) - badly damaged ducting and hoods
- blocked ductwork
- damaged or missing filters
And, unbelievably, an LEV testing house was prosecuted for providing inaccurate results, putting staff in the many establishments they served at risk! Clearly this can be an issue so do your homework before appointing a maintenance, servicing or testing engineer.
MANAGING RISKS OF LOADING & UNLOADING
Loading and unloading can be amongst the most hazardous activities carried out in a workplace. The HSE’s statistics illustrate this with a high incidence of people being struck by vehicles, materials or moving equipment, or falling from height. The HSE is reminding all employers of their duties to:
- risk assess every aspect of the working environment
- ensure the competency of all involved – drivers, equipment handlers and those on the ground
- demarcate specific pedestrian walkways and safe areas away from vehicle/plant
Refer also to the prosecution highlighted at the end of this newsletter which clearly illustrate the points.
MANAGING DRUGS AND ALCOHOL MISUSE AT WORK
This issue has always been a tricky one to manage as often suspicion arises from hearsay which can never be taken as the truth for obvious reasons. However, suspicions, however arising, should never be discounted as employers have legal duties to protect the health, safety and welfare of both the individual/s involved and colleagues who may be affected.
Of course, it’s not just misuse actually at work; heavy drinking or drugs used outside work hours might well affect the capabilities of the individual/s during work hours. The Employee Health & Safety Induction provided by WHS states quite clearly that no such behaviour will be tolerated. But don’t forget that signs of drugs or alcohol misuse at or outside work may also well be an indication or deeper issues and mental stress (refer also to World Mental Health Day below).
The HSE has step-by-step guidance on its website: https://rb.gy/hilep
Along with advice on how to develop a drugs and alcohol policy: https://rb.gy/6xfng
And how to support the individual/s involved: https://rb.gy/y3te5
If you do need assistance in this respect, please do feel free to call WHS for further guidance and HR advice.
GENERAL NEWS
BLANKET SPEED LIMIT THROUGHOUT WALES
Despite ongoing protests, the Welsh Government has now imposed a blanket 20mph speed restriction on ALL roads that were previously designated 30mph. Those businesses who operate from or in Wales must ensure that all employees are made aware of this important change.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
10 October 2023 is World Mental Health Day and the theme for this year, as set by the World Foundation of Mental Health, is that ‘Mental health is a universal human right’. The Foundation’s website encourages people to come together to talk about mental health with family, friends and colleagues:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day
But it is important also to reiterate that all employers have a duty of care to recognise signs of individuals who may be struggling with mental health issues, either at work or at home, and to try and assist. If you have not done so already, do consider attending the WHS Mental Health First Aid course mentioned above; the information is invaluable to know how to recognise problems, what to do and where to get professional help.
AND FINALLY
Work at height
Across UK industry, the number of workers dying from falls from height continues to increase, accounting for 40 fatalities in 2022/23 (an increase of 38% on the previous year) and 30% of all workplace fatalities.
So, as usual, here a few examples of totally avoidable accidents and the consequences. If employers follow the legislation and HSE guidance, these things wouldn’t happen; legislation is there to protect people.
- Williams Haulage Ltd was fined £100,000 plus £8,400 costs after a worker fell 1.25 metres from a loading bay and died. He had been preparing a load with one foot on the loading bay and one on the back of a lorry, which then pulled away. CCTV caught the incident on camera:
This case is astonishing in this day and age; risk assessment and controls had been established but there was no monitoring or supervision and, therefore, no evidence of adherence to the rules. In addition, nobody had made sure that foreign drivers (the victim was Polish) understood those rules.
This case also clearly demonstrates just how easy it is to die from a fall from height; this fall was only 1.25 metres. Hence, there is no legal limit at which controls must be put in place; it’s all down to risk assessment and, as this case shows, even a low fall onto a concrete slab can kill.
- CK Steelwork & Cladding Ltd was fined £16,000 plus £4,463 costs after a man fell 10 metres through a fragile roof of an industrial unit, sustaining multiple serious life-changing fractures. The roof was known to be fragile and safety netting was being erected beneath; however, a company supervisor took the man to a yet unprotected area of the roof to assess the job.
The poor man shattered most of the bones in his face, hands and wrists, lost four teeth and severely damaged his knee. He spent 6 weeks in hospital, was confined to a wheelchair for many months and has not been able to return to work; however, he was lucky to survive as he had fallen headfirst.
- SOG Resources Ltd was fined £13,000 plus costs of £2,666 after a worker fell almost 4 metres through a fragile roof, sustaining life-threatening injuries including a fractured skull and collapsed lung; rubber matting on the ground probably prevented a fatality. The victim had been carrying out repairs to a roof at a business park but, despite regular checks by the engineering manager, no measures had been taken to cover or barrier off fragile skylights or in any way prevent falls through them.
Plant & vehicle safety
- A 26-year-old ventilation engineer died in August whilst working under Laing O’Rourke on the new Everton FC Stadium; he had suffered severe head injuries when he was caught between the scissor lift on which he was working and a beam above. Investigations are ongoing.
What makes this case even more poignant was that the young victim had been a life-long Everton fan and had been “happy” to be working on the project; a memorial will be created at the new stadium.
- RO Donnell Plant & Civil Ltd was fined £80,000 and Readle Construction Ltd fined £40,000 (both plus £3,784 costs) after a ground worker suffered horrific injuries when a number of pipes, each weighing 160kg, fell on him.
The pipes had been suspended on the forks of a telehandler to be moved elsewhere and, when the ground worker tried to re-position a dangling skid so the pack could be lowered, the load fell on him. Clearly not a safe system of work; the operation had been unplanned and not appropriately supervised.
- VB Farms Ltd was fined £60,000 plus costs of £11,715 after a driver was electrocuted and died, when his tipper wagon came into contact with 11kV overhead power cables. He had been delivering aggregate to the farm to be used to upgrade farm tracks but VB Farms had failed to risk assess or even consider the danger posed in that area by the cables.
The driver was electrocuted as he left the cab – it’s vital to remember that, if this should happen to you, never leave the cab. If you have to for a life-threatening reason, then jump well clear. Never make the contact between the vehicle and the ground.
The HSE commented that, with plant and farm machinery getting bigger, there is an increasing risk of contact with overhead power lines – as has been evidenced by the increasing number of such incidents over recent years. It is essential to carry out full risk assessment for all operations in all areas potentially affected and to properly control the risks. Better still, arrange for the overhead lines to be moved in advance of the work!
Machine safety & MVR
- Sole trader, Joseph Jones of JJ Tyres & Recovery, was jailed for 10 months after a man, who was helping him salvage spare parts beneath a tipper van, was crushed and killed when the van fell on him. The HSE found that no safe system of work had been established at all; even the support arm which is intended to prop the tipper bed while in position had not been in place.
- Celloglas Ltd was fined £100,000 plus costs of £5,165 after an employee’s hand was crushed by a laminating machine. He had been trying to fix the machine when his hand was drawn in, crushing it between two rollers. No safe system of work had been established and the machine was not adequately guarded.
- Mountfield CNC Ltd was fined £18,000 plus £3,094 costs after a worker was left paralysed from the chest downwards; he had been setting up a CNC machine when he became entangled in the machine’s rotating saw. The interlocking guards had been previously disabled, allowing unguarded movement.
COSHH
- Associated Metalmasters Ltd was fined £20,000 plus £3,896 costs after failing to protect its employees from welding fume emanating from MIG welding. Despite initially complying with two improvement notices served for the MIG welding processes, compliance was allowed to lapse. The managing director, Darren Spittle, who was in charge of the MIG welding, was therefore personally fined £2,000.
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