By definition, working at height refers to any task that takes place in a location from which a person could fall and be injured. As Amanda Bowles, HSEQ advisor at HSS Hire explains, there are many safety hazards involved in this kind of work.
As the UK Safety market is aware the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) and its membership are dedicated to ensuring that the UK workforce receives the protection, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is designed to deliver.
Each issue, we put the spotlight on PPE and worker safety & health by asking BSIF members to share their thoughts and insight. This issue, we talk to John Gill, managing director at uvex Safety UK and chairman of the BSIF.
BSIF welcomes Dunlop Protective Footwear as the latest member of the federation.
A number of companies who specialise in the installation of Permanent Fall Protection Systems (PFPS), which protect those who work at height, have come together to define and champion the minimum levels of competency and specialist knowledge they feel their customers deserve, and have a right to expect.
Laws do not stipulate you must have evacuation chairs, however, there are requirements for responsible persons, as determined by legislation, to ensure suitable and sufficient procedures are in place to ensure the safe evacuation of all users of their premises in the event of an emergency – without the dependence on the emergency services.
When people think about what needs to be considered in terms of health and safety, a number of standard risks will spring to mind. Buildings and electrics need to be fit for purpose, avoidable hazards from poorly fitted furniture to items lying around precariously on the floor are considered and dealt with. Often, observes Gemma Twitchen, senior audiology specialist at Action on Hearing Loss, health and safety is seen by many as the avoidance of visible physical harm.
Sibtain Naqvi, UK product marketing manager for workwear at Berendsen examines the 10 key considerations when choosing workwear for the food industry.
Manufacturer Witton Chemicals had a critical decision to make when selecting forklift trucks operating in Zone 2 hazardous areas, as standard trucks would be a source of an ignition in the event of a flammable gas or vapour release.
Each issue HSM speaks to a member of the BOHS about the challenges and rewards of working as an occupational hygienist. This issue we talk to Justina Sebag-Montefiore, senior occupational hygienist at Babcock International Group.
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