Category Archives: Health and Safety


Health and Safety Enforcements and what to look out for

risk-assessment

Health and Safety Enforcements and what to look out for

If you’re found to be in material breach of Health and Safety law, you will have to pay for the time it takes the inspector to identify the breach and subsequently advise what you need to do to put things right. This includes investigating the issues themselves and taking any enforcement actions.

There are several key areas we’ve discovered are becoming more popular for the HSE to focus on. So, in addition to making sure your risk assessments are in place and up to date, here are some of the most common ones, and the most important checks you can make to make sure that you’re covered should an inspector turn up at your door.

CoSHH and occupational hygiene

Have appropriate COSHH assessments been completed for substances in use in your business?

If you’re welding, do you know the makeup of the fume and required control measures?

If welding is undertaken, can the fume be controlled at source via the use of on-tool extraction? Is Local Exhaust Ventilation a suitable alternative?

If you use metalworking fluids, have you assessed the risks to workers of long term exposure and  inhalation? Do you have bacterial testing measures in place with records kept?

Has appropriate training, instruction and supervision been given to employees about hazardous  substances within the workplace (consider cutting fluid, wood dust and welding fume) themselves? Have you communicated the risk / CoSHH assessment findings?

Has air/exposure monitoring been undertaken and recorded to ascertain suitable controls are in place?

Is Respiratory Protective Equipment required, if so what type?

Is a minimum assigned protection factor required?

Has face-fit testing been completed? (using a Fit2Fit accredited tester)

Has a DSEAR assessment been undertaken if required?

Can the dangerous substances identified be substituted for a less hazardous alternative, the quantity reduced, or the work process changed to reduce the risk?

Are measures in place to reduce employees exposed to effects of dangerous substance?

Do drivers have required training and licensing to drive the vehicle?

Is an appropriate evacuation and emergency procedure in place?

Noise and vibration

Have noise risk assessments been undertaken for the workplace and hearing protection zones / control measures implemented?

Have Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) and Whole Body Vibration (WBV) assessments been undertaken for the workplace and control measures implemented?

Is health surveillance in place where required for: Hazardous Substances, Noise and Vibration?

Machine maintenance and guarding

Has the task been risk assessed and a safe system of work developed?

Are all respective guards or interlocks in place? Have you inspected these prior to use?

Has the operational manual been reviewed to consider requirements for maintenance?

Have the operators and engineers been appropriately trained in process and maintenance  requirements?

Is there a lock-out, tag-out procedure in place?

Prior to starting the work has the machinery been purged of any stored energy or hazardous substances?

Workplace transport

Has an appropriate risk assessment been completed that considers transport?

Has this considered blind spots? Bends? Pedestrian interactions? Gradients?

Is the site large enough for activities required? Loading/unloading, reversing etc.

Are vehicle routes wide enough for the types of vehicle needed?

Do drivers have required training and licensing to drive the vehicle?

Has a one way or traffic management system been implemented? What are the pedestrian segregation controls?

Working at height

Is a suitable and sufficient Risk Assessment in place?

Has it been completed by a competent person with involvement of the employees undertaking the work?

Has it been communicated to relevant parties? (i.e. those completing the work and those who may be affected by hazards arising from the work.)

Is the work at height planned, organised and carried out by competent persons?

Are ladders being used? Are they the correct type? Have they been inspected before the task is carried out?

Has adverse weather been considered if working outside?

Is access equipment being used? If so, what is the maintenance schedule? Is it the right equipment? Has it had its LOLER examination?

Is a work-restraint system in place? Is it suitable to prevent employees from accessing the edge/an area where they could fall?

 

  • Did you know?
  • As of April 2022, the cost recovery rate for the Fee For Intervention is £163.

 

Contact us if you require further information.

Modern Slavery: Quick Facts

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Modern Slavery: Quick Facts

In England and Wales, modern slavery is defined within the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (and similar legislation within Scotland and Northern Ireland). It includes the following crimes.

  • Slavery (whereby someone exerts ownership over another person).
  • Servitude (where someone is obliged to provide services through coercion and cannot change their position).
  • Forced or compulsory labour (where someone is forced to provide work or services under the fear of a penalty).
  • Human trafficking (arranging or helping someone to travel with the intention of exploiting them on arrival).

Modern slavery, which encompasses forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking, is a heinous crime still taking place in the UK. Perpetrators exploit their victims, using them as a commodity for economic gain. It is often hidden in plain sight, taking place in workplaces such as car washes, construction sites, fields and factories across the country.

Construction is a high-risk industry for modern slavery. The reasons are several-fold. The sector has a high reliance on temporary, agency and migrant workers, and workers are often employed in low-skilled jobs that attract the minimum wage. This type of employment already brings with it a high risk of exploitation, but the industry’s business models exacerbates the situation by relying on tight margins and a race to the bottom when contracting work. This combination can price out high ethical standards, and create an environment that criminality can infiltrate.

This topic covers the supply chain transparency requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, as well as specific information on how slavery can be tackled within construction.

  • In England and Wales, modern slavery is defined within the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (similar legislation exists in Scotland and Northern Ireland). It includes the crimes of slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking.
  • Slavery is found throughout the UK. Victims come from every nationality, including people who are British and those who have a right to work in the UK.
  • The Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires all businesses with an annual turnover of more than £36 million supplying services or goods to the UK to publish an annual statement outlining the steps taken by the business to ensure its supply chains are free from slavery.
  • Although there is no set format for a modern slavery and trafficking statement, the Act defines the minimum requirements and suggests what should be covered.
  • Good practice within supply chains and procurement can help deter and protect against instances of slavery within the supply chain.
  • Organisations should have a clear policy on how to respond to potential cases of slavery.
  • Sector-specific initiatives such as the Construction Protocol are designed to tackle slavery in the construction industry.

Employers’ Duties

  • Under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and its equivalents in Scotland and Northern Ireland, companies with a turnover of more than £36 million who provide goods or services within the UK are required to publish an annual human slavery and trafficking statement.
  • All companies, regardless of size, have a duty to ensure that they are not complicit in any act of human slavery or trafficking and that their employment practices do not infringe on human rights. They have a moral responsibility to ensure that their supply chains are free from modern slavery.
  • All companies must ensure that employees have a right to work in the UK and that their documentation is valid.

Employees’ Duties

  • Employees should abide by any Codes of Conduct or policies relating to anti-slavery and human trafficking initiatives.
  • To be vigilant at work and, where instances of slavery are suspected, employees should report these to the relevant authorities.

Training

Training is an important part of any programme to raise awareness of modern slavery and to give employees the knowledge and competencies they need to spot the signs, know what to do if modern slavery is suspected, and conduct their work in a way that proactively reduces risk.

It should be carried out at every level within the business — from management to construction site workers — and should be specific to the area of work. Training for procurement professionals, for example, is going to be different to that of site supervisors.

Contact us if you require training or guidance with this topic.

 

Working at Height Toolbox Talk

Why have this talk? More than one third of accidents that killed workers in 2019–20 were from falls from height. 50% of all falls over 2 metres result in death.

What will this talk cover? The hazards faced and how to prepare if you are working at height.

Working at Height Toolbox Talk

Working at Height Toolbox Talk

What is working at height?

Any work situation where you could fall and injure yourself and others. So it includes working above or below ground level on platforms, trap hatches, on top of vehicles as well as ladders and roofs.

Hazards to consider when working at height

  • The type of work.
  • How many people will be working at height and for how long.
  • Whether there are different access points and bottlenecks.
  • Whether falling objects (such as dropped tools) present a danger.
  • How far is the potential fall and therefore risk of injury.
  • What equipment can mitigate the risk (eg guard rails, toe boards, harnesses) and how often are they inspected/maintained.
  • To what extent the weather (rain, ices, snow, wind, sun) will affect working conditions, surfaces and safety.
  • The competency of the workers involved.
  • Evacuation and emergency procedures.

Before working at height

  • Consider whether the work can be done from the ground, or even if parts of it can be done on the ground.
  • Before any work at height or access onto a roof, fragile materials should be identified, and control measures defined and implemented.
  • Roof-edge barriers (or scaffold), also known as edge-protection, must be erected to prevent people and materials falling.
  • Any ladders used for access to the area where work at height is taking place must extend at least one metre above the stepping off point and must be secured.
  • Where access ladders rise above nine metres, a safe intermediate platform must be provided.
  • Ladders must be rested at the correct angle (1 unit out of 4 units in height).
  • Training must be provided for workers.

Safe working on roofs

  • Only competent operatives may be used for roofing work.
  • Crawling boards or ladders must be provided and used where the roof is liable to collapse under a person’s weight or the roof is sloping with a pitch over 10 degrees.
  • Where work is of short duration and the provision of guard-rails and toe boards is impracticable, safety harnesses must be used with suitable anchorage points provided.
  • Openings must be covered or guarded, if removed for the passage of workers or materials, it should be replaced immediately.

Questions for employees

  • What should be assessed before work at height starts?
  • What should you have if an access ladder extends beyond nine metres?
  • When would you use crawling boards?
  • Where work is of short duration, what practical safety precautions can be taken?

Contact us for further information

 

Published · Updated

What is RIDDOR?

What is RIDDOR?

What is RIDDOR?

RIDDOR rules and regulations

There are certain rules and regulations regarding RIDDOR, these include keeping all records up to date, having an accident book so accidents that don’t need to be reported to RIDDOR can be recorded.

RIDDOR 2013 changes

There are certain rules and regulations regarding RIDDOR, these include keeping all records up to date, having an accident book so accidents that don’t need to be reported to RIDDOR can be recorded.

It is advised that RIDDOR records are kept for 5-6 years however the minimum they must be kept for is 3 years.

In October 2013, new RIDDOR regulations came into place, there were some changes, the list of ‘major injuries’ in RIDDOR 1995 was replaced with ‘Specified injuries’ in 2013.

The 1995 schedule that detailed 47 different types of industrial disease was replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness.

There was also a change in the types of dangerous occurrences that needed to be reported, in 2013 there were less.

Who is the responsible person?

In many different workplaces RIDDOR applies, In 2013 RIDDOR was revised, now it requires a responsible person to report to the enforcement agency, as well as keeping records.

A responsible person is –

  • An employer (or employee who works for the employer).
  • A self-employed person.
  • A person in control of a premises.
  • A specified person for mines, quarries and offshore activities.
  • We can help direct you, Walker Health and Safety Services

The responsible person only needs to report to the HSE when a accident or incident has occurred in relation to work. So, if something happens to a worker when they are on their way home from work. It doesn’t need to be reported under RIDDOR.

What is RIDDOR reportable?

RIDDOR reportable, deaths and injuries must have occurred – As a result of an accident to workers, self-employed and non-workers that has caused injury to them.

Or from a work-related accident that arise out of or in connection with work, the work itself must have contributed to the accident, as well as whether any plant, substance or equipment were involved. The condition of the workplace can also have an impact on whether an accident is reportable.

It is important to report any accidents and incidents as they are warnings that there are uncontrolled hazards that need identifying and eliminating to help prevent any more accidents in the future, or worse a serious accident that could cost someone their life.

What doesn’t need to be reported under RIDDOR 2013

There are certain things that don’t have to be reported under RIDDOR 2013, it is important to know what these are so that you don’t end up not making a RIDDOR report when you should have done.

  • If someone dies, or is injured, as a result of receiving dental or medical treatment.
  • If armed forces personnel are killed or injured whilst on duty.
  • If someone dies, or is injured, in a road traffic collision. However, if someone is killed or injured whilst unloading/loading a vehicle, whilst working adjacent to the road, by a train, or by a substance escaping from a vehicle, then this is reportable under the regulations.

Contact us for further information.

 

Warehouse health and safety tips

Warehouse health and safety tips

Warehouse health and safety tips

Why health and safety in a warehouse environment is so important

Health and safety procedures are paramount in any workplace, but warehousing roles present specific risks that all workers should be aware of. First, it’s important to note that we understand how easy it can be to to let initial training fall to the wayside as you grow in confidence and find yourself in an everyday routine – this is normal in many jobs.

However, letting your guard down in a high-risk environment can not only put you in danger, but it can also expose your colleagues to the risks of the work place too. So, it certainly pays to be educated when it comes to warehouse health and safety.

What are the warehouse requirements in the UK?

Whether you are an employer or an employee, there are certain requirements that must be met within the warehousing industry. Below are some of the main legal requirements for employers in the UK warehousing industry:

  • Employers, supervisors and managers must provide employees with adequate and appropriate welfare facilities. These include appropriate toilet facilities, adequate rest breaks and somewhere safe to eat and drink.
  • Environmental requirements such as lighting, temperature, cleanliness, floor conditions, falls or falling objects, ventilation and transparent doors must all be addressed by an employer by law.
  • Best practice must be maintained by management to ensure employees feel listened to, valued and considered in work place decisions.

It is imperative that all aspects of health and safety training are covered by management. These include training in:

  • Fire safety
  • Vehicles safety
  • Slips and falls
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Manual handling

Why is training so important for warehousing staff?

Warehousing logistics are complex, and typically this type of work environment never sleeps. For this reason alone, it can be a manic environment to be in, especially if you’re not up to date with recent training strategies.

There are a huge range of benefits to training warehousing staff, not least to improve efficiency, increase staff morale and offer job fulfilment, but also to equip staff with everything they need to stay safe at work.

As we have stated, warehouses pose a plethora of risks, from moving vehicles to high objects, there is the potential for all kinds of incidents to occur, and so it is vital that every person on the premises is equipped with the skills and knowledge to safely handle any workplace eventuality.

Fire safety

Due to the size and layout of most warehouses, the need for up to date and accurate fire safety training is absolutely paramount. Regular fire safety assessments and subsequent training is actually a workplace requirement regardless of the industry you’re in, but in the case of warehouses which have a number of hazards, it’s even more important that this is kept on top of.

Did you know?
In 2004 (England and Wales) fire and rescue services attended over 33,400 fires in non-domestic buildings. These fires killed 38 people and injured over 1,300.

Things that must be carried out by employers, supervisors or management include:

  • Appointing a person or persons to carry out any preventative or protective measures required by the Fire Safety Order.
  • Make all employees aware of the risks of fire in your particular premises.
  • Allocate appropriate people to carry out certain fire safety related roles.
  • Inform any visitors (non-employees) of the risks of fire in your particular premises.
  • Must consider the presence of any dangerous substances and the risk this presents to relevant persons from fire.
  • Provide appropriate information and training to employees during normal working hours, about fire precautions in the workplace. This must first be done as soon as employment commences, and be updated regularly.

Some important fire safety measures which should be carried out in the workplace include:

  • Regular fire drills– offering regular (weekly) fire drills will help to enforce the fire safety procedure for all employees and will help to prepare the team in the case of a real-life fire.
  • Weekly fire alarm testing– testing your fire alarms once a week in accordance with fire alarm regulations ensures your fire alarms are fully operational at all times.
  • Emergency lighting – Emergency lighting and exit signs are vital parts of a thorough fire safety procedure, and in the case of warehousing where there can be many hazards and obstacles this is a crucial aspect of the overall health and safety of employees.
  • Fire evacuation plans and wardens – it is important to ensure a plan has been put in place by management and has been effectively communicated to all relevant employees as to what to do in the case of a fire, and which individuals will be on hand to act as fire wardens in these scenarios.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Effective and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is often required as part of a larger health and safety strategy within a warehouse environment. It is important to ensure that you are wearing the appropriate attire to carry out your role, however this must be in conjunction with other measures in the case of your PPE failing.

It is a legal requirement here in the UK to supply all workers with appropriate PPE, and in a warehouse environment these can include:

  • Hard hats
  • High visibility jackets
  • Safety shoes
  • Eye protection
  • Hearing protection
  • Respiratory masks

Along with appropriate training in the appropriate PPE, regular risk assessments must also be carried out in the warehouse to ensure the right PPE is in place. Where new risks occur, old measures may need to be removes, and different PPE may need to be put into place.

Vehicle safety

In most warehouses in-house vehicles are an essential aspect of every day. Used typically for the safe moving and handling of goods, workers operating such vehicles are required to hold specific licenses.

Did you know?
According to RIDDOR, there were 26 deaths in the workplace caused by being struck by a moving vehicle in the year 2016-17.

Training is essential not just for those handling warehouse vehicles, but also for others who may come into contact with vehicles during their working day. Thorough training on how to use vehicles, and knowledge of best practice can help to maintain a safe environment. Here are some things to consider:

  • Regular vehicle maintenance to ensure things are running as they should be
  • Enforce a strict speed limit for warehouse vehicles. This may differ depending on whether pedestrians are active in the area, but typically you must never exceed 5mph
  • Any employees being trained up to use vehicles such as forklifts must be of the correct legal age, which is 18 years of over

Slips and Trips

In any work environment there’s likely to be a risk of slips and trips, whether that’s in the kitchen or out on the shop floor. In a warehouse it can occur more easily due to things such as the surface of the floor, cables from vehicles or spills.

Here are some things you can do to avoid accidents from happening:

  • Make sure that things are neatly put away, so that they don’t cause falls or are in people’s path
  • Cord covers need to be placed across cords, if they are on the footpath or in an open area, this helps to prevent them as a trip hazard.

Manual Handling

A huge part of your work in a warehouse will likely involve moving and handling large, often heavy goods. Doing so without the proper training however can lead to severe injuries, some of which can even put you out of work.

Did you know?
Injuries whilst lifting, handling or carrying represents the largest number of non-fatal injuries in the workplace. In 2016/17 there were 122,000 reported injuries of this nature.

Luckily, there are simple things you can do to prevent injury from moving and handling goods, these include:

  • Ensuring control measures are in place. If you are unaware of any, speak to your supervisor or manager about this. Control measures are there so that people don’t end up hurting themselves or getting an injury from lifting something too heavy
  • Use appropriate machinery as and when necessary such as lift trucks, pallet trucks and trollies to avoid accidental injury – these should be used wherever possible
  • Ensure your manual handling training is up to date – do you know the manual handling weight limits? It’s 20-25kg – if you don’t know this, or the proper ways to handle heavy goods then ask for more training first

Incorrect handling can lead to a wealth of physical conditions, including the following:

  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Repetitive strain injury
  • Work related upper limb disorder

Packing

As well as the way you hold yourself and handle goods in transit, the way you pack them can also make a huge difference to your physical wellbeing. Below are some of our tips for the safe packing of goods:

  • Make sure that pallets are packed correctly, this can ensure the stability of the load
  • Securing your packed loads is important. Use shrink or stretch wrapping to offer additional support to pallets
  • Are your pallets safe before loading? If you can spot any splinters, breaks, holes or other obvious damage – then don’t load goods onto it
  • Don’t apply unnecessary weight by climbing or leaning on the pallets either before or during use. Standing on pallets before they are used can cause significant damage and can compromise the safety of the load

Are you up to date with healthy and safety procedures in the workplace?

Health and safety aren’t as straightforward as we might like, especially in high-risk environments such as warehouses. But it’s crucial that we stay educated and up to date with both theoretical and practical training in order to stay safe at work.

If you are unsure about any aspects of today’s guide, it may be worthwhile to have a conversation with your manager about training opportunities. After all, it pays to be prepared.

Contact us for further information.