HSE advises on the importance of fitting RPE correctly

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is advising healthcare workers currently using respiratory protective equipment (RPE) on the importance of ensuring it is fitted correctly. A respirator that is incorrectly fitted will not protect the wearer. Tight-fitting respirators rely on having a good seal with the wearer’s face. It is vital that before using a respirator for the first time, or before using a different brand of respirator, wearers pass a fit test for the model and size of respirator they are going to use. This is to make sure the equipment fits to their particular facial characteristics.

Not so good vibrations – Prosecutions for failures to adequately manage the risks from vibration remain a priority for the HSE

Over recent years there has been a noticeable increase in prosecutions by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for failures to adequately manage the risk from vibration and where Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) has been suffered by employees. This has resulted in a number of sizeable fines being imposed on employers. The HSE recently issued updated guidance on the governing legislation, The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.  HAVS is a preventable but debilitating condition which affects the blood vessels, nerves and joints of the hands and arms and commonly manifests as vibration white finger or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Fire safety failures result in £88k fine

The owner of a property in Westcliff, Southend has been fined £88,000 for a ‘string of failures’ in the home, including fire safety issues.  According to local reports, the prosecution involved freeholder Mr Arise, whose full name was not provided by Southend Council, over 17 ‘failures of management’ at the property. The council received reports of antisocial behaviour ‘from, and associated with’ the house in multiple occupation, and undertook a site visit, during which they discovered the property was in ‘poor condition’.

HSE includes Covid-19 in reporting regs

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has updated statutory reporting regulations to clarify how Covid-19 incidents should be reported as injuries at work. The RIDDOR regulations cover serious workplace accidents, occupational diseases and specified dangerous occurrences. They apply to all areas of employment, including roles in waste and recycling.

Carrying out thorough examination and testing of lifting and pressure equipment during the coronavirus outbreak

HSE  recognises the potential challenges when carrying out legal requirements for  thorough examination and testing (TE&T) of plant and equipment as a result of additional precautions people need to take to help reduce risk of  transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19).  The law for Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) remain in place.

Competent Advice remains absolutely vital in the application process for SSIP certification with SMAS Worksafe

SMAS have provided clarity regarding their application process during the Covid-19 crisis as regards competent advice. 

Even though the changes in application mean that we can enable our members to opt to use information from the previous years assessment, (providing this comes with confirmation it reflects their current procedures) it still remains vital that this information is still overseen and managed by a professional acting on behalf of a company as their competent advice.

SMAS Workafe must see evidence that an organisation has access to competent Health & Safety advice at point of assessment. 

It is crucial that a competent person with the relevant skills, knowledge and experience has ensured the Health & Safety management system the organisation has in place is both appropriate and applicable.

We will communicate this to our members directly too but would encourage you to speak with your own clients due to renew their SSIP certification to explain that the changes to the application process provide some flexibility on documentation but that the presence of expert competent advice is still a critical element of the approval requirement and therefore your continued involvement in supporting them with SSIP renewals is important.  

Most construction firms say they can run sites safely, says survey

Most businesses believe they can follow coronavirus health guidelines and still keep sites open but face a challenge to convince workers that they are safe.  That’s according to a new survey conducted by Construction Manager and the Chartered Institute of Building of more than 1,000 industry professionals.  More than half (56%) of those surveyed said their organisations were keeping all or some sites open. Of these, 57% said sites were staying open because their employers believed health guidelines and rules around social distancing could be followed.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – HSE Stakeholder Bulletin

Welcome to the HSE Stakeholder Bulletin for Coronavirus (COVID-19) providing a round-up of the latest news and updates out this week on workplace health and safety issues.

The HSE website has the latest guidance and information for employers and employees, including updated advice.

Social distancing in the workplace during coronavirus (COVID-19): sector guidance

Government advice for employers on social distancing during coronavirus (COVID-19).  

This is a list of tailored advice for different scenarios as an example of how social distancing and other measures might be implemented by employers in England to help protect their workforce and customers from coronavirus while still continuing to trade. 

These are not intended to be comprehensive or to represent every business’s situation, but are illustrative examples.

Health and Safety Executive updates welding fume extraction regulations

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released an updated best practises guide on welding fume extraction.  In response to the new guide, Engweld, a supplier of engineering and welding equipment, has summarised the update and highlighted the key changes which may affect its customer base.  New enforcement expectations require all businesses undertaking welding activities to ensure that effective engineering controls are provided and used correctly to control fumes arising from welding activities.