Health and Safety News

Asbestos training in the construction industry sinks to lowest level for five years

The coronavirus pandemic has seen the numbers of workers undertaking asbestos training drop by over 66%. Concerns have been raised by the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) over the lack of asbestos training in the construction industry that has been undertaken since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

First aid during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

HSE has guidance on First aid cover and qualifications. As an employer, when reviewing your risk assessment to include working during the pandemic, consider refreshing your first aid at work needs assessment. FAW or EFAW certificates that expired after 16 March 2020 can remain valid until 31 October 2020 or 6 months from date of expiry, whichever is later. All requalification training for these certificates should be completed by 31 March 2021.

Pipe firm hit with £100k PUWER fine after worker shatters hand

A manufacturer has been fined £100,000 after an employee's hand was crushed when it got trapped in the clamp of a socket machine. Scotland-based Emtelle, a global manufacturer of blown fibre and ducted network solutions for the telecommunications industry, admitted breaching the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) at its Jedburgh factory in November 2016.

Better protection of workers against cancer-causing chemicals

Each year, about 120,000 work-related cancer cases occur as a result of exposure to carcinogens at work in the EU, leading to approximately 80,000 fatalities annually. To improve workers’ protection against cancer, the European Commission has proposed to further limit their exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

Legal guidance: what if employees refuse to socially distance at work?

With the global pandemic still playing a significant role in people’s lives, unfortunately some individuals are getting complacent when it comes to social distancing and mask-wearing. This means, that even if you’ve set out a perfect plan to make your workplace COVID-secure, it may not matter. The health & safety of your employees is your responsibility, even if they’re the ones putting themselves and others at risk. So how do you manage an employee who is failing to follow your guidelines?

Health and Safety Executive cracks down on dust

Health and safety inspectors across Great Britain will be targeting construction firms to check that their health standards are up to scratch during a month-long inspection initiative, starting on Monday 5 October 2020. This is the fourth health-focused initiative of its kind. As in previous years, inspections will focus on respiratory risks and occupational lung disease; looking at the measures businesses have in place to protect their workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica and wood dust. This is part of HSE’s longer term health and work strategy to improve health within the construction industry.

Face coverings a ‘flashpoint’ for abuse of shop workers, survey finds

Retail staff fear customer abuse over mandatory face coverings, a survey by retail trade union Usdaw has revealed. The study of more than 2200 shop workers found that 42% has experienced aggression when enforcing the wearing of face coverings, while more than two thirds has received abuse when encouraging social distancing.

‘1 in 5 motorists are more anxious on the road than pre-lockdown’

COVID-19 has caused motorist anxiety and stress levels to rocket, a study by IAM RoadSmart has discovered. As local lockdowns continue to be enforced throughout the country and the risk increasing of a more widespread lockdown on the horizon, independent road safety charity IAM RoadSmart is concerned that increased anxiety, stress levels and diminished confidence levels in day-to-day driving could be triggered by a second prolonged period off the road, which could have road safety implications.

HSE missing ‘thousands’ of opportunities to investigate work-related Covid-19

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) may be missing ‘thousands’ of opportunities to investigate work-related Covid-19 cases because of gaps in its guidance around reportable incidents, a study has found. Employers have a legal duty to inform the HSE about any Covid-19 case with “reasonable evidence that it was caused by exposure at work”. However, many professions where the risk of Covid-19 exposure is high, such as bus drivers and security guards, are excluded from the requirement to report as they work with the general public.

Scaffolding company and director fined following ‘avoidable’ fall from height fatality

Wembley Scaffolding Services Limited has been fined following an incident where a worker fell five metres and suffered a fatal head injury. HSE adjudged that no suitable risk assessment was carried out prior to the incident. On 16 February 2017, two operatives were dismantling a scaffold on Cricklewood Broadway, London, during this process the scaffold collapsed resulting in one of the operatives falling at least five metres onto a concrete pavement, causing serious head injuries. He later died from these injuries on 4 March 2017.