We have waited a while for the temperatures to rise, now that they have some people are enjoying it and some are not.
Forecasters say this is the longest period of hot weather since 2006, with no end in sight to the hot, sticky days and long, muggy nights.
With this in mind, employers and their employees should be reminded that heat in the workplace can lead to stress which is an ignored hazard in the workplace, hot environments can also lead to a rise in safety risks. The heat can be linked to lower mental alertness and physical performance, and consequently more injuries.
Have meetings with members of staff and ask for their opinions in relation to their work duties in the heat. Let them feel part of the decision, after all they’re the ones working in these conditions.
Remind them to drink more fluids and to seek guidance if they are feeling stressed.
If you need any advice contact Walker Health and Safety Services.
PC Exercises
For most office workers, being glued to their desks while typing away at their computers for an average of 8 hours a day is already a part of their normal routine. However, sitting at the computer all day may not exactly be good for the body, as it can bring about backaches due to poor posture and eye strain, among other effects.
On the other hand, being in a desk job does not have to be an ordeal for your health. If you’re one of those people who have to be at a desk all day long, there are some simple steps that you can follow in order to improve your posture and keep your health in check.
Eye blink – Make an effort to blink your eyes more often to prevent them from drying out.
Neck roll – Relax your shoulders and lower your chin, count to ten. Rotate your head so that your right ear is touching your right shoulder and count to ten. Do the same on the other side.
Neck shrug – Sit up straight in your chair and shrug your shoulders up towards your ears and relax, repeat and relax.
Upper back stretch – Sit up straight in your chair, place your palms of your hands on your shoulders with your elbows forward to shoulder height. Press your elbows together and count to ten. Repeat and relax.
Arm extension – Sit up straight with your arms out in front. Press your palms together and count to ten. Repeat and relax.
Wrist rotation – Let your arms fall to your sides and slowly rotate your wrists 5 times clockwise and anti clockwise. Repeat and relax.
Hand stretch – Relax your arms by your side and spread your fingers. Count to ten. Slowly pull your fingers into a fist, count to ten. Repeat and relax.
Everyone should try and do these exercises every day.
These exercises can be done anywhere, not just the office. Try them on the bus, in a restaurant or whilst queuing as we do love to queue!
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us – Walker Health & Safety Services
It’s really important that we are all ready to challenge stupid decisions made in the name of health and safety.
Not only do the jobs worth’s who make these ridiculous comments waste time and money, and interfere needlessly with harmless activities, they also undermine the efforts to reduce the number of people made ill, injured or killed by their work.
There’s a lot myths about what health and safety requires, and a good deal of confusion.
Top ten myths:
1. Driver refused to allow customer on bus with hot drink because of health and safety
2. Bar refused to let customer carry tray of drinks because they had not been ‘health and safety trained’
3. Charity shop has said that they cannot sell knitting needles for health and safety reasons
4. Public hall removed knives from kitchen on the grounds of health and safety
5. Shop refused to put coffee in customer’s own reusable cup on the grounds of health and safety
6. Airline passenger told boiled sweets were no longer provided on the grounds of health and safety
7. Hotel chain does not provide floor towels due to ‘Health and Safety’
8. Fish & chip shop told customer he could not have ‘batter scraps’ for health and safety reasons
9. School bans yo-yos on health and safety grounds
10 Office workers advised that kettles and microwaves were not allowed due to health and safety requirements
Call Walker health and safety services for no nonsense health and safety advice.
0845 834 0400.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is seeking views on proposed guidance on the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 (as amended).
It consulted in late 2012 on proposals to amend the 1981 Regulations. This was in response to Professor Ragnor Löfstedt’s recommendation (in his review of health and safety legislation, Reclaiming Health and Safety For All) to remove the requirement for HSE to approve first aid training and qualifications. This consultation seeks views on the content of revised guidance to help duty holders decide on appropriate arrangements for the provision of first aid at their business.
Subject to parliamentary approval, the intention is for the legislative amendments giving effect to this change to be commenced 6 October 2013.
DO you have trained members of staff competent to carry out first aid duties?
Contact Walker Health & Safety Serviced for advice.
0845 834 0400
