Foreword – October 2019

Posted on Friday 1 January 2010

AS WE turn to the colder months, we need to make sure that we are taking better care of ourselves. There are different hazards in the workplace as floors can become slippery and more dangerous, illness is rife – which can lead to poor concentration, and even taking care of our skin needs to turn up a notch.

For workers that work outdoors, or even in colder environments such as warehouses, protecting our hands from extreme conditions is more important than ever. Our hand protection feature explores cold-related illnesses and offers advice on how to add protection.

With the recent realisation that welding fume is more dangerous than we previously thought, employers need to ensure that workers are protected from this carcinogenic. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) changed the enforcement expectations for mild steel welding, as general ventilation is not providing adequate control. As part of our Airborne Hazards feature, a professor from the Institute of Occupational Medicine takes an in-depth look at this topic.

Also in this issue is our A+A preview. From 5 to 8 November the Leading International Trade Fair for Safety, Security and Health at Work takes place at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre. You can find out about the features and the products at the show by reading our preview.

Safety & Health Excellence Awards 2020

Entries are now being welcomed for the Safety & Health Excellence Awards 2020, which this year will include a new safer logistics award.

The awards are completely free to enter and the deadline to enter is 31 January 2020. The winners will be announced at a gala awards ceremony at the Vox in Resorts World, NEC Birmingham on 29 April 2020. which will be hosted by comedian Hugh Dennis (sponsored by Shawcity).

This year’s headline for the Safety and Health Excellence Awards is Lyreco.

The new safer logistics category is a celebration of safety excellence in the logistics and supply chain sectors. The award recognises the most impressive achievements in a safety campaign or project throughout the industry over the past 12 months, honouring the key individuals and teams involved. The Awards will also once again incorporate the British Safety Industry Federation Awards. These will have a small fee to enter and you can do so by visiting www.bsif.co.uk

We had more than 200 entries last year and the shortlist is complied by an independent panel of judges who are industry experts. It only takes a few minutes to enter and it offers the opportunity for your team or brand to be recognised by your peers.

The Safety & Health Excellence Awards are FREE to enter and the deadline is 31 January 2020. You can enter now by visiting www.she-awards.co.uk

In the next issue we will look at forklift safety, footwear, workwear and hazardous work conditions. We will also be publishing the BSIF annual guide to health and safety.

Kelly Rose

Editor

BOX OUT

SHE Awards category list

HSM Health and Safety Manager of the Year – Sponsored by Alcumus
Health and Safety Team of the Year – Sponsored by NEBOSH
Alan McArthur Unsung Hero Award – Sponsored by 3M
Best Health and Safety Project
Best Health and Safety in Construction – Sponsored by Turner and Townsend
Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by Southalls

Safer Logistics Award – Sponsored by Toyota Manual Handling
Best Health and Safety in Manufacturing
HSM Rising Star Award
Innovation of the Year for Fire
Campaign of the Year (Fire, Security or Health and Safety)