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As workloads shift with the seasons, so do the risks we face. Now is a perfect time to reinforce safe manual handling practices and prevent musculoskeletal injuries across your team.

Whether you’re lifting, shifting, pushing, pulling, or simply standing for long hours—strains and sprains are the most common workplace injury in the UK. The good news? They’re also among the most preventable.

🤕 The Cost of “Just a Twinge”

We’ve all heard it: “It’s just a sore back—I’ll shake it off.” But injuries like:

• Pulled muscles
• Slipped discs
• Repetitive strain
• Shoulder or knee damage
  …can develop into long-term health issues, affecting productivity, morale, and even careers.

Many of these injuries result from poor lifting techniques, rushing tasks, or using the wrong equipment.

🛠️ 5 Manual Handling Tips to Share with Your Team

• Assess before you lift
  Is the load awkward, heavy, hot, or sharp?
  Do you need help or mechanical support?
• Plan your route
  Clear trip hazards.
  Know where you’re going and where you’re placing the load.
• Use your legs, not your back
  Bend your knees, keep your back straight, and lift smoothly.
  Don’t twist—turn your whole body.
• Don’t be a hero
  Ask for help or use a trolley, pallet truck, or forklift.
  Break heavier loads into smaller ones where possible.
• Put it down safely
  Mind your fingers!
  Lower with control—don’t drop or jerk.

📋 Don’t Forget: Employer & Employee Responsibilities

Under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, employers must:

• Avoid hazardous manual handling where possible.
• Assess risks when it can’t be avoided.
• Reduce those risks through controls and training.

Employees must:

• Use equipment and techniques provided.
• Follow safe systems of work.
• Report issues, injuries, or unsafe practices.

✅ What Can You Do This Week?

• Run a refresher toolbox talk on manual handling (ask if you want one ready to go!).
• Encourage team leads to observe lifting habits on site.
• Check whether mechanical aids are being used (or need servicing!).
• Revisit risk assessments for manual handling tasks.

👀 Remember: Good habits save backs, joints and time.

Small changes in how we lift, carry, and move can make a huge difference in injury prevention. Let’s keep sprains and strains off the sick list this summer.

Here is a toolbox talk to provide to staff – Click here Toolbox_Talk_Manual_Handling.

Contact us for further information.

Contact us if you wish to discuss your health and safety requirements 🙂

Health and Safety Consultants | Telford, Shropshire, West Midlands

Next week (9–15 June) is Men’s Health Week, and it’s a great opportunity for us to take a moment to reflect on how we look after ourselves and each other—physically and mentally.

Men’s health is often overlooked or quietly pushed aside, but it’s something we all need to take seriously. This year’s theme encourages small steps toward better health—whether that’s getting more active, checking in on stress, or just having open conversations.

Companies should consider sharing a few useful tips and resources around their departments:

• Everyday mental wellbeing
• Physical health checks
• Healthy habits for busy lives
• Starting conversations that matter

It’s not about big changes—just small actions that make a real difference.

Let’s keep the conversation going. If anyone has ideas or wants to share resources or activities during the week, feel free to get involved!

Contact us for further information.

#healthandsafetymanagement

#riskassessments 

#compliance 

#training 

As we move into summer, June brings rising temperatures and increased outdoor activity, especially in industries such as construction, agriculture, logistics, and grounds maintenance. While the sun may boost morale, it also presents serious health and safety risks. Heat stress, dehydration, and UV exposure can all affect employee health and performance—and if not managed properly, can lead to serious incidents.

This month, we explore how employers can effectively manage hot weather risks to keep staff safe, comfortable, and productive.

Key Risks of Working in Hot Weather

1. Heat Stress
   This occurs when the body can’t cool itself enough to maintain a healthy temperature. Symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, nausea, and confusion—dangerous conditions on any site.
2. Dehydration
   Dehydration reduces concentration, slows reaction times, and increases the risk of accidents.
3. Sun Exposure
   Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can lead to sunburn and, in the long term, skin cancer.
4. Fatigue
   Hot conditions can increase the physical and mental load on workers, leading to fatigue and reduced awareness—especially hazardous when operating machinery or working at height.

Employer Responsibilities

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers must provide a working environment that is safe and without risk to health—including managing environmental risks like heat.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 also require employers to assess risks (such as heat stress) and take appropriate control measures.

Practical Tips for Employers

1. Schedule Smart
   Plan strenuous tasks for cooler parts of the day (early morning or late afternoon) and rotate work to avoid prolonged exposure.
2. Hydration Stations
   Ensure fresh drinking water is easily accessible and remind workers to hydrate regularly.
3. Provide Shade and Cooling Breaks
   Create shaded rest areas and encourage frequent breaks—especially during peak heat.
4. Issue Sun Protection PPE
   Supply wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved breathable clothing, and high-SPF sunscreen as part of PPE provisions.
5. Train for Awareness
   Educate staff on recognising signs of heat-related illness and encourage a “look out for each other” culture.
6. Monitor Vulnerable Workers
   Pay extra attention to those with health conditions, new starters, and lone workers who may not report symptoms as readily.

Industry Example – Telford-Based Outdoor Workforces

Local Telford businesses—such as those in grounds keeping, road works, and warehousing with outdoor exposure—can benefit from proactive planning. Companies are well-placed to lead by example, demonstrating how to integrate weather-related risk assessments into daily briefings and RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statements).

Conclusion

Heat is more than just a comfort issue—it’s a serious safety concern. By planning ahead, engaging staff, and adapting working practices, employers can meet legal obligations and protect their teams from the risks of summer work.

June is the perfect time to review your heat management plans and ensure everyone stays safe under the sun.

If you would like further information, please contact us.

Health and safety isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about behaviour, culture, and consistency. Every time someone chooses not to wear PPE, skips a safety check, or “takes a shortcut,” they’re not just bending the rules—they’re putting themselves and others at risk.

Complacency in the workplace is a silent threat. It often shows itself in phrases like:

• “It’ll only take a minute.”
• “We’ve always done it this way.”
• “Nothing’s gone wrong before.”

But as any experienced professional knows, it only takes one moment of carelessness to cause an incident.

The Cost of Complacency

When people stop taking health and safety seriously, it can lead to:

• Near misses that go unreported.
• Unsafe behaviours that bypass risk controls.
• Accidents and injuries that were entirely preventable.

Real-world incidents have shown that a relaxed or reckless attitude can result in anything from minor cuts to life-changing injuries—or worse. And while some may dismiss safety protocols as over-the-top, the consequences of not complying are very real.

What the Law Says

UK health and safety law outlines the responsibilities of both employers and employees:

Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

• Section 2: Employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees.
• Section 7: Employees must take reasonable care of themselves and others, and cooperate with their employer on safety matters.

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

• Employers must assess and manage risks, ensure suitable training is provided, and monitor compliance.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

• Requires equipment to be suitable, safe, maintained, and used properly. Misuse or skipping checks is a breach.

Common Examples of Complacency and Carelessness

• Not wearing safety boots “just for a quick job”
• Leaving forklift keys in the ignition
• Ignoring a hazard rather than reporting it
• Skipping daily equipment checks
• Taking shortcuts with lifting or moving heavy loads

Fostering a Culture of Compliance

The solution isn’t simply more rules—it’s about reinforcing why safety matters and creating a workplace where:

• Everyone takes responsibility for safety
• Near misses are reported and discussed
• Unsafe behaviour is challenged constructively
• Leadership sets the standard from the top

Final Thoughts

Complacency and careless behaviour are often the root causes of serious incidents. Remember: compliance saves lives; complacency puts them at risk.

What may seem like an easy shortcut or minor rule-bend could have life-changing consequences. Let’s stay vigilant and responsible—not reckless.

Take Action Today

• Review your risk assessments
• Refresh staff with a toolbox talk
• Promote a speak-up culture
• Recognise and reward consistent safe behaviours

Think smart. Act safe. Stay compliant.

Contact us for further information.