The way in which the skin interacts with our environment is far more complex than many realise. It is all too easy to take action that appears logical, but that can actually increase the risk of damage which may then be irreversible and sufficiently serious to prevent that person from any further employment. Chris Packham offers some advice on how to recognise and control risks surrounding workplace skin exposure.
Every year, hundreds of accidents occur in warehouse environments throughout the UK, and only a third of all RIDDOR reportable injuries are actually reported. Tom Bivins says many companies still have a great deal to learn.
Falls accounted for 23 or 50% of fatal injuries in construction. But work at height need not be dangerous or deadly. Most falls occur when people use inappropriate equipment or methods to work at height explains the International Powered Access Federation.
New from the UK trade body representing the interests of manufacturers, assemblers, installers, distributors and end users of personal protection equipment used for work at height and rescue, the Work at Height Safety Association (WAHSA) is a suite of technical guidance notes produced specifically for anyone involved in work at height – from managers and supervisors to users themselves.
SAEMA, the Specialist Access Engineering and Maintenance Association which is focused on raising standards in the permanent and temporary façade access industry has launched a free seminar presentation designed to inform and educate anyone responsible for specifying, managing and maintaining façade access systems.
‘Not on your life!’ is a new safety initiative from PASMA, the trade body representing the mobile access tower industry. Launched at The Health & Safety Event at the NEC in Birmingham earlier this year, it champions the use of only those mobile access towers that satisfy the requirements of EN1004, the European product standard for towers that sets out the minimum safety criteria.
Earlier this year the Ladder Association welcomed the decision by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) not to change the Work at Height Regulations (WAHR) following HSE’s completion of the review recommended by Professor Ragnar Lofstedt.
FASET, the trade body representing the fall arrest and safety net rigging industry, has launched a brand new training course for riggers needing to access open steelwork to rig safety nets for roofs and floors where other forms of access – such as ladders and MEWPs – are not practical.
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 Dougie Collin, Director of Occupational Hygiene & Faculty Oil & Gas Topic Group Leader.
All workplaces have the potential to put the health and safety of employees at risk, but employee behaviour is often a major contributing factor too. Understanding that many injuries and deaths in the workplace can be attributed to human behaviour is important for any business seeking to improve health and safety standards, says Mary Clarke.
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