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There are many cases of machinery accidents where the end results are limb amputations and serious crushing injuries. Always make sure that the hazards associated with your machines have been identified, and that employees are aware of the consequences of tampering with any guarding put there to protect them.

5 Tips for Maintaining Safe Machinery

1. All machines should be subject to a risk assessment before they are used for the first time. The assessment should refer to any manufacturer’s information on the correct operation and potential hazards relating to use, as well as legislation and industry guidance. Make sure these findings are communicated to employees.
2. Operatives must be trained in the use of the machines before they can use them. Less experienced employees may also need close supervision whilst they obtain a high level of competence. In my experience, all operatives require refresher training on the safe use of machinery at regular intervals, no matter how experienced. Over time everyone gets a little complacent.
3. Introduce safe working procedures and method statements, for maintenance and cleaning operations as well as production activities.
4. Ensure all machines with dangerous parts are effectively guarded, preferably by fixed or interlocking guards rather than removable guarding. Regularly inspect guarding for signs of wear, dirt or tampering.
5. Make sure that all emergency stop buttons are positioned near dangerous machinery parts so that they are visible and can be reached easily. Include them in your documented inspections of the machine, ensuring they are kept clean and in good working order.

If you require assistance contact us.

Asbestos is the silent killer that can take many years to catch up with those who breathe it in. Unfortunately, in many cases, it leads to mesothelioma and other cancers for which there is no cure. Something as simple as planning the work properly – and sticking to that plan – can stop people breathing in these deadly fibres.

5 Steps to Take Before Asbestos Removal Starts on Your Premises

1. Before any work takes place, make sure you have shared all of your organisation’s findings in relation to your asbestos survey (including the location, type of asbestos and the amount) and your asbestos risk register (detailing the up-to-date information on any asbestos removals, changes or deteriorations in any areas).
2. Ensure that the asbestos removal company has undertaken a risk assessment and has a method statement which details how the work will be done safely and what control measures are needed. The written plan should include how they intend to prevent exposure to those in the vicinity, and how they will reduce the spread of a potential release into the air, as well as emergency procedures.
3. Depending on whether high-risk asbestos-containing materials are involved, your contractor may need to be licensed to do the work. Check with your local HSE Inspector or Environmental Health Officer – but it’s safest to work on the basis that a licensed contractor will be required.
4. Check what training the contractors have received in asbestos removal – there are different levels of training depending on the nature of the work.
5. Establish beforehand how the asbestos is to be disposed of – it is a legal requirement that all asbestos-containing materials are removed as hazardous waste.

If you require further advice, please contact us at Walker Health and Safety Services.

Indicators of stress:

• fatigue, anxiety, poor motivation
• making mistakes, having accidents
• deteriorating relationships with colleagues, irritability, indecisiveness, absenteeism, excessive smoking, drinking, overeating, etc
• physical symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness and general aches and pains.

Long-term health effects:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• ulcers
• thyroid disorders
• gastrointestinal disorders
• psychological effects, such as anxiety and depression
• other behaviours, like skipping meals, drinking too much alcohol and excessive smoking.

Work-related stress hazards:

• poor physical or environmental conditions, eg noise, heat, lighting or cleanliness
• excessive workloads
• irregular working patterns
• changes in working times or unsocial hours
• task-related factors – physically or mentally beyond the individual’s capacity, repetitive or boring, etc
• interpersonal factors – day-to-day interaction with people, abuse and harassment
• role ambiguity – no clear idea of what is expected
• role conflict – opposing demands are made
• little or no recognition for work done
• personal threat – to personal safety or fear of redundancy or dismissal
• lone working
• major changes occurring within the organisation
• pressure from time constraints or deadlines, etc

Your responsibilities

• Raise any issues of concern with your line manager or human resources department
• Accept opportunities for counselling when recommended
• Cooperate and be meaningfully involved in the risk assessment process
• Be supportive of colleagues

Report cases of bullying or harassment!

Did you know?

Fact 1: According to the HSE, work-related stress accounts for over a third of reported ill health.

Fact 2: 480,000 people in Britain believe that they experience work-related stress at a level that makes them ill.

Fact 3: The cost of stress to society as a whole is over £3 billion per annum.

Do you know?

• Where to obtain information and guidance?
• How to seek help and support?

Talk to your health and safety representative if the answer is NO to either of these questions.

Alternatively contact us!

Training is essential to the achievements of a business.  Perhaps its most positive benefit is better employees.  A company develop the potential of an employee, and part of the way a company encourages improvement is through training.  Often, good training is just as important as a good benefits package for an employee.

Health and safety training is essential in order to stay compliant with current regulations. Walker Health and Safety Services can offer various health and safety training in Shropshire and the West Midlands.

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires you to provide whatever information, instruction, training and supervision as is necessary to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety at work of your employees.

This is expanded by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which identify situations where health and safety training is particularly important, e.g. when people start work, on exposure to new or increased risks and where existing skills may have become rusty or need updating.

You need to assess the risks to your employees while they are at work and to any other people who may be affected by the way you conduct your business. This is so that you can identify the measures you need to take to comply with health and safety law.

We offer a full training program, contact us with your requirements for a tailor made program to suit your business.

Some companies who wished they had trained their staff. Please don’t fall into the mistakes they have made along the way.

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/telford-engineering-firm-fined-after-worker-suffers-crush-injuries/

http://press.hse.gov.uk/2015/company-fined-after-16-year-old-injured-by-machinery/

http://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/lack-of-planning-and-training-lay-behind-roofworkers-fall

1. You must plan, organise and supervise work at height to ensure it is carried out safely. Begin by assessing the risk and include the height of the task, duration and frequency and the condition of the work surface. Don’t overcomplicate things. Remember, the legislation places emphasis on the elimination of the need to work at height, but if you cannot avoid it, you must prevent falls by either using an existing place of work that is already safe, or the right kind of equipment. Where this is not reasonably practicable, you must minimise the distance and consequences of a fall through the use of collective fall prevention measures (e.g. guardrails, barriers), collective fall protection measures (e.g. airbags, nets) and individual fall prevention and protection measures (e.g. work restraints, harnesses and personal positioning techniques).
2. It is important that you follow the risk assessments that you produce, together with the hierarchy of controls: avoid, prevent, mitigate.
3. Make sure you inspect and maintain work and safety equipment as appropriate.
4. Ensure workers are provided with training and instruction in fall prevention and protection measures.
5. Only permit working at height when weather conditions means it is safe to do so.
6. Write a plan for dealing with emergencies and for safe rescue.

If work at height is properly planned and organised, you will avoid the risk of prosecution and reduce costs. Don’t leave it to chance!

Contact us if you require assistance.