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/
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.
- Attendance is absolutely vital once booked; 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.
- Basic refreshments will be available; however, no lunch is provided and candidates are to make their own provision (bring their own or there are shops nearby and a small café on site).
Candidates must arrive by 8.15*am for registration; all courses start at 8.30am and finish at around 4.30pm.
* Please reiterate to all candidates the absolute need to make their way up to the WHS offices and log their vehicle registration numbers immediately upon arrival in the car park to avoid being charged for parking.
CITB SITE SAFETY COURSES
- Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS)
Duration: 5 days; 1 day per week
Dates:
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- 9, 16, 23, 30 November & & December 2023 (Thursdays)
- 8, 15, 22, 29 January & 5 February 2024 (Mondays)
- 26 February, 4, 11, 18 & 25 March 2024 (Mondays)
Cost: £495 + VAT per person
- Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) Refresher
Duration: 2 days
Dates:
-
- 24 & 25 October 2023 (Tuesday & Wednesday)
- 13 & 14 December 2023 (Wednesday & Thursday)
- 19 & 20 February 2024 (Monday & Tuesday)
Cost: £285 + VAT per person
(10% discount when booking 2 or more people on all courses)
- Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS)
Duration: 2 days
Dates:
-
- 1 & 2 November 2023 (Wednesday & Thursday) limited spaces available; book early
- 10 & 11 January 2024 (Wednesday & Thursday)
- 6 & 7 March 2024 (Wednesday & Thursday)
Cost: £250 + VAT per person
(10% discount when booking 2 or more people on all courses)
- Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) Refresher
Duration: 1 day
Dates:
-
- 4 December 2023 (Monday)
- 7 February 2024 (Wednesday)
- 15 April 2024 (Monday)
Cost: £170 + VAT
(10% discount when booking 2 or more people on all courses)
- CITB 1-Day Health & Safety Awareness
Duration: 1 day
Dates:
-
- 7 November 2023 (Tuesday)
- 19 December 2023 (Tuesday)
- 31 January 2024 (Wednesday)
Cost: £145 + VAT per person
(10% discount when booking 2 or more people on all courses)
LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT COURSES NEW
- Developing Yourself as a Team Leader
Duration: 1 day
Date: 12 January 2024 (Friday)
Cost: £115 + VAT per person
- Achieving Performance Through People
Duration: 2 days
Date: 8 & 9 February 2024 (Thursday & Friday)
Cost: £225 + VAT per person
- Handling Difficult Situations
Duration: 2 days
Date: 1 & 2 February 2024 (Thursday & Friday)
Cost: £225 + VAT per person
- Delivery of Site Management and Logistics
Duration: 2 days
Date: 25 & 26 January 2024 (Thursday & Friday)
Cost: £225 + VAT per person
CITB ASBESTOS AWARENESS NEW
Half-day CITB asbestos awareness open course
Date: 24 November 2023 (Friday)
Cost: £60 + VAT per person
OTHER COURSES
UKATA ASBESTOS AWARENESS
Half-day UKATA asbestos awareness open course
Date: 10 November 2023 (Friday)
Cost: £60 + VAT per person
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
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 – 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/
ASBESTOS RISK MANAGEMENT
Between September 2022 and March 2023, the HSE carried out 400 inspections in schools to assess how they are managing the risks from asbestos. Whilst the majority were found to be broadly compliant, a significant number (7%) had failed in their legal duties to identify, assess, manage and monitor asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
Full report details can be found on the HSE’s website:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/education/asbestos-management-report.htm
The significant number of non-compliant schools highlights, yet again, an extremely important issue – that WHS is seeing increasing evidence that contractors carrying out work in schools (and, of course, this applies to all work on existing structures, whatever their function) are also failing to insist on seeing the legally-required Asbestos Management System before they start work.
We reiterate that it’s everybody’s responsibility to ensure that no ACMs are disturbed during contracting work (except by a licensed or appropriately competent contractor) or the day-to-day business of a company. Therefore, if no information is available before you start work, it is your legal responsibility to refuse to start until the relevant information is forthcoming. No excuses – if ACMs are later found to have been disturbed, the culprit contractor will be prosecuted along with the client.
There’s ample information on the HSE’s website and within the WHS Health & Safety Manual about responsibilities and procedures. And anyone who has yet to have asbestos awareness training, or hasn’t had it for over 2 years, needs to contact the WHS office urgently on 01952-885885.
SUPPORT FOR DUST KILLS CAMPAIGN
The Institute of Carpenters has joined forces with the HSE in its Dust Kills in woodworking campaign. IOC board member, Paul Preston, commented:
“Many woodworking accidents are frequently dramatic, bloody, unforgettable events that often make the pages of the press. Most woodworkers are acutely aware of lightning-fast cutter blades that can cause lifechanging cuts and loss of fingers. Care and respect are given to the sharp end of the cutting tool.
In contrast, dust doesn’t offer us such immediate, gruesome images to compel us to take precautions; no drama for others to witness or fear. The silent intake of dust, little and often is enough to afflict lifechanging illness – often emerging years later.”
Further in-depth information about the campaign and safety in woodworking can be found on:
https://rb.gy/f6pr6
https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/wis23.htm
MANAGING RISKS OF LOADING & UNLOADING
Loading and unloading can be amongst the most hazardous activities carried out on site or 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 RISKS OF MATERIALS HANDLING
We advised a while ago that the HSE is actively targeting the moving and handling of materials on sites as part of its strategy against work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The intensified campaign will run for at least another 4 weeks, maybe longer.
So, act now to ensure that you are doing everything possible to reduce the need for the manual handling of materials. As always, there is ample advice and guidance on the HSE’s website and in the WHS Health & Safety Manual and generic risk assessments. But don’t forget that generic assessments are not enough; manual handling of materials must be included in your site or task specific risk assessments.
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.
Remember that construction has the highest incidence of male suicide in the UK.
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.
- 2 Counties Construction (Midlands) Ltd was fined £12,000 plus £4,139 costs after a bricklayer fell 4.5 metres through a stairwell opening on a first floor and fractured his skull.
The company had been overseeing the refurbishment of agricultural barns in Telford – not very well, evidently!
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.
- 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.
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 on site. 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.
Asbestos
- Esskay Construction Ltd was fined £90,000 plus costs and surcharges totalling £6,199 after exposing workers and the public to asbestos during a renovation project. After concerns were raised, LA inspectors found large amounts of asbestos-containing debris stacked at the front and the rear of the building and along a public highway.
The HSE then placed prohibition notices on both the work and the area surrounding the property whilst a licensed contractor was brought in to carry out a clean-up. No asbestos survey had been commissioned by Esskay.
Compliance!
- Amro Construction Ltd was fined £20,000 and its managing director, David Taylor, personally fined £3,000 (both plus costs) after the HSE visited a timber-frame housing site and found a catalogue of safety failings including an open flame gas stove amongst large volumes of combustible materials! In fact, fire risks had not even been considered at all. Other failings included inadequate welfare and poor site security.
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