Employers have been advised to develop an emergency response plan for monkey pox (mpox), so they are better prepared to manage a potential outbreak of the infectious disease, especially any strains that have not been reported yet in the UK.
Monkeypox is a viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, which is related to the smallpox virus. It primarily spreads through close contact with infected animals or humans, contaminated materials like bedding or clothing, and respiratory droplets. Symptoms can include:
The rash usually goes through several stages before forming scabs and falling off, and the illness typically lasts 2-4 weeks.
What to do if you catch it:
Monkeypox is generally mild but can be more severe in people with weakened immune systems, young children, and pregnant women.
Here is a link to an article written by IOSH.
UK employers advised to develop emergency response plans for mpox | IOSH magazine
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DSEAR stands for Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, which requires employers to keep workers safe from the risks of fire, explosions and substances corrosive to metals.
DSEAR ensures that people are protected from these risks to their safety in the workplace, and to any members of the public that are in proximity of the working activities.
Both fire and health and safety assessments can be carried out to highlight where DSEAR regulations need to come into place, where the assessments find any issues involving dangerous substances and explosives that aren’t properly managed and controlled.
If a fire assessment was to flag a potential fire or explosion risk due to dangerous substances, DSEAR regulations can then be put in place to control and prevent an incident from taking place.
Fires and explosions create harmful physical effects, such as thermal radiation, oxygen depletion and overpressure effects. Substances that are corrosive to metal may cause damage to structures containing metal, which can reduce structural integrity.
Employers must:
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The importance of LEV inspection & testing Many jobs across different industries involve work processes that create dust and fumes, which when breathed in can cause diseases, such as asthma, lung scarring and cancer.
Employers are required by law to provide safe working environments and protect employee health, as outlined in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations and HSG258 Guide to LEV
Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems, also known as extraction or fume control, are used by businesses to control dust and fumes. Over time, the performance of LEV systems can decline, due to wear and tear or blockage. This is why regular inspection and testing – every 14 months to comply with COSHH – is necessary to ensure the systems are operating effectively and hazardous substances are kept controlled.
Safety First carries out LEV inspection and testing in the workplace to help companies ensure that they are fully compliant with COSHH regulations.
Our qualified occupational hygienists are experts in local exhaust ventilation systems. They will monitor and analyse system performance data, as well as perform qualitative evaluations on the control of potential contaminants. Measurements from the test results are compared with the original LEV specification and performance criteria outlined in HSG258.
Safety First will produce reports and records that will assist your business in improving control measures, plus serve as evidence of your company’s compliance with COSHH regulations.
If you require assistance contact us.
Hand Arm Vibration (HAV) can pose a serious health risk, and many firms are not doing enough to help prevent it. Once the damage has been caused, it is permanent, yet it can so easily be prevented. Under the Control of Vibrations at Work Regulations 2005, employers must protect workers from health risks caused by vibration. Failure for your business to have good practice in place can lead to long-term sickness or claims for compensation – potentially damaging your business.
The Health and Safety Executive has released some good practice advice in order for businesses to understand what they need to do to help prevent Hand Arm Vibration health risks. There are several different factors to consider, and ideally assessment should come from a professional Occupational Hygiene expert such as Safety First Group, in order to identify the risk factors.
HSE has identified some of the following risks and solutions to consider for Hand Arm Vibration:
Selection of work equipment – Employers should demonstrate a sound procurement policy for power tools and hand-guided machines, ensuring that the tool is suitable for the job.
Limiting daily exposure – Maximum times can be determined using the exposure points system or supplier’s “traffic lights” tool categories, but these should be derived from sound “real use” vibration emission values.
Other risk controls – Control of HAV risk by means other than reducing vibration exposure such as aids to support weight or provision of warm clothing and gloves
Information, instruction and training – Employees at risk from vibration should have received information on the risks from HAV and how to help reduce them, and arrangements for health surveillance and their duty to cooperate.
Health Surveillance – Particularly required where the exposure to arm vibration is likely to be exceeded. Employers as a minimum should use a periodic health screening questionnaire – ideally annually and for new employees. Arrangements for referral of relevant cases to an occupational health provider with HAVS expertise for diagnosis and ongoing monitoring should be made.
If your business is unsure of whether you have the sufficient protocols or monitoring in place to protect from the risk of HAV, then contact us. We work with technicians who are highly-qualified and experienced in assessing your workplace for HAV risks and proposing measures for eliminating or minimising these risks.
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If you don’t use them properly, they can kill and injure people. Follow this advice to help you and those you work with stay safe.
Operating
Always:
■ carry out a pre-shift check of the lift truck;
■ wear operator restraints, where fitted;
■ look all around before moving off;
■ look in the direction of travel;
■ travel at a speed suitable for the location and the load you are carrying;
■ travel with the forks lowered, but clear of the ground;
■ watch out for pedestrians;
■ watch out for obstructions;
■ avoid sudden stops and violent braking;
■ slow down at corners, doorways, and at every danger spot and sound the horn where necessary;
■ apply the parking brake when leaving the lift truck;
■ face the lift truck and use steps and handholds when getting in or out.
Never:
■ operate a lift truck unless you are trained and authorised to do so;
■ use a lift truck or equipment you know is not working properly;
■ operate controls from outside the cab, unless it is designed so you can do this;
■ stand on or near the controls to reach the load or anything outside the cab;
■ travel on uneven ground unless the lift truck is suitable for this;
■ run over unprotected cables or flexible pipes;
■ try to carry out repairs – leave this to a qualified maintenance engineer;
■ operate a lift truck when under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
■ use mobile phones or other hand-held devices while operating or travelling.
Loads
Always:
■ observe floor loading limits – find out the weight of the laden lift truck;
■ ensure there is adequate clearance for the lift truck and load, including overhead;
■ lower loads at a safe speed;
■ use suitable attachments for lifting unusual or wide loads and follow the manufacturer’s instructions;
■ ensure you are properly trained, competent and authorised to operate the lift truck with the attachment being used.
Never:
■ lift loads greater than the capacity of the lift truck;
■ move a load that appears unsuitable or unstable (including on a damaged pallet);
■ travel with a bulky load which blocks your view;
■ travel with a raised load, unless the lift truck is designed for this;
■ use an attachment unless a competent person, an authorised dealer or manufacturer has derated the lift truck (reduced the actual capacity).
Slopes
Always:
■ travel slowly when going down slopes;
■ when carrying a load, ensure the forks face uphill when travelling up or down slopes;
■ without a load, ensure the forks face downhill when travelling up or down slopes;
■ adjust the tilt (where fitted) to suit the gradient and raise the forks to clear the ground.
Never:
■ attempt to turn on or travel across a ramp or a slope;
■ leave a lift truck on a gradient except in an emergency, in which case always chock the wheels.
People
Always:
■ use a safe work method when using working platforms.
Never:
■ lift a person on the forks, or on a pallet, or similar, balanced on the forks;
■ carry passengers, unless the lift truck is designed for this;
■ allow people to walk under raised forks or loads;
■ pick up a load if someone is standing close to it.
When you have finished working
Always:
■ park the lift truck on level ground, never on a slope;
■ leave the lift truck with the mast tilted forwards and the forks fully lowered, with the tips on the floor;
■ apply the parking brake, select neutral, switch off the engine and remove the key;
■ return keys or other activating devices to their place of safe-keeping.
Contact us if you require further information.
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