Health and Safety – mastering the basics
Health and Safety – mastering the basics Protecting your employees in the workplace doesn’t have to be difficult so long as you follow a few basic principles. When starting out, there are four steps to building your first health and safety policy – completing each one will help raise standards across your business, keeping your …Read the Full Post
Change Ahoy! All New Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
Change Ahoy! All New Construction (Design and Management) Regulations Do you work in the construction industry? Then you’d better pay attention – because there’s the smell of change in the air – and it’s not from my new high-fibre diet. The all new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations are set to come into force on …Read the Full Post
Don’t Get Caught In A Tight Spot!
Don’t Get Caught In A Tight Spot! Working in confined spaces is a bit tricky at the best of times. So it’s pretty handy to have a polished up version of the Approved Code of Practice in time for a brand new year! Even if you don’t think that you’re technically in a “confined” space …Read the Full Post
Two men jailed for health and safety failings
Two men jailed for health and safety failings Just days after we wrote about the problems the HSE faces in bringing corporate manslaughter cases to court, two men have been successfully convicted and jailed for a total of four years for failing to protect employees. Company director Conrad Sidebottom was given a three year three …Read the Full Post
Safety Alert! Tower Crane Slew Brake Warning
Safety Alert! Tower Crane Slew Brake Warning The collapse of a tower crane can be catastrophic. It’s almost certain that the fallout would involve a truckload of fatalities. And after investigating repeated incidents of collapsing tower crane jibs, the HSE has responded with a safety alert for all tower crane owners and users. Any major …Read the Full Post
On-Site Traffic – Don’t Get Run Over!
On-Site Traffic – Don’t Get Run Over! Just last month a major UK construction was fined £100,000 for allowing on-site traffic conditions which saw an unfortunate worker get hit by a 9-tonne dumper truck. On average 7 workers a year are killed on construction sites by vehicles every year, it’s the second most common cause …Read the Full Post
Is the Proposed CDM 201X a Stitch in Time?
In order for any industry to be efficient and effective in its operations, it needs to constantly evaluate and re-evaluate its regulations, methods, processes and in the case of the construction industry, compliance. This is imperative not just in improving performance and remaining relevant, but in the case of the construction industry, this is especially …Read the Full Post
Working at heights – what about suspension trauma?
When considering working at heights, most consideration is devoted to the practicalities of ladders, scaffolding and safety harnesses. However additional consideration needs to be provided for staff wearing safety harnesses or who will be suspended freely for any period of time – suspension trauma. What is suspension trauma? Also known as “harness hang syndrome” (HHS), …Read the Full Post
Backing up your PPE with welfare facilities
Maintaining construction site Health and safety can be complicated with so many factors to consider. Most businesses understand the importance of personal protective equipment (PPE), but this does not stop some failing to issue their employees with it. But PPE is just one factor employers need to consider. Equally important is the provision of welfare facilities …Read the Full Post
Health and Safety – Everyone has a part to play
Although the ultimate responsibility for site safety lies with the employer, every employee has their part to play in raising standards. Businesses committed to improving safety engage and involve employees at all levels, helping to share the burden of spotting and reporting issues. The value of consulting your employees Employers that encourage open dialogue with …Read the Full Post