The industry has been waiting for some time, to access this revised guidance.  The aftermath of Grenfell and the new and updated legislation for the management of high rise premises meant that there would surely be an impact on the construction industry. Though not directly mentioned as there was no construction element involved in the Grenfell fire, the wider impact of elimination and managing fire risk in premises during the pre-construction and construction phase has been expanded, to give focused guidance inline with the expectations of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015. Continue reading…

A frequent observation by our H&S advisors is that of employees not wearing the PPE/RPE provided by their employer, or worse still, not wearing it correctly.

Although PPE/RPE is issued as a last resort in risk management, meaning it is considered the last line of defence between the wearer and the exposed risk it has been provided to protect against, there are clear benefits of correctly worn PPE includng the reduced likelihood of long-term illness and serious damage from potential workplace incidents, and of course better compliance with both internal and external health and safety systems.  Here are some considerations that, as an employer, may assist in encouraging your employees to wear their PPE/RPE Continue reading…

Many cleaning operations involve the use of chemicals and equipment. Managers must ensure that cleaning staff are appropriately trained and that they are familiar with the risks associated with the performance of cleaning tasks in their specific work locations. Risks should be controlled so that cleaners, and any other users of buildings, are kept safe and free from danger of injury. Continue reading…

As the world becomes ever more reliant on technology and the benefits of digitisation are becoming more widely felt, health and safety management systems are now starting to follow the trend.  Manual, paperbased and spreadsheet systems are being replaced by cloud-based systems that provide instantly accessible and real-time information and here’s why: Continue reading…

Construction HSE Inspectors will be conducting random site inspections focusing on dust control from the 6 June 2022 on a month long campaign.

The inspections are checking employers and workers know the risks, plan their work and are using the right controls to protect workers from inhaling construction dust including respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and wood dust. Continue reading…

Employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment while effectively managing risks to the health and safety of all workers, including women of a childbearing age.

You must carry out an specific individual risk assessment for pregnant workers and new mothers. This applies to workers who:

• are pregnant
• have given birth in the last 6 months, or
• are currently breastfeeding

Continue reading…

Ventilation or air-conditioning systems, if poorly designed or maintained, can be a source of contamination.  The resulting poor air quality may cause ill health symptoms such as headaches, eye nose throat or skin irritation, allergies coughs or wheezing. Continue reading…

Why should employers keep their workers informed of changes?

Professional drivers are on the road for company business. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers have a duty of care to their employees, and for the safety of other people who could be affected by the company’s work.  This would include other road users when employees are driving for work. Continue reading…