September 7th, 2010
If you use mobile elevated work platforms, then you should obtain a copy of IPAF’s Best Practice Guidance for mewps.
IPAF is the International Powered Access Federation and they promote the safe and effective use of powered access worldwide. IPAF is a not for profit members’ organisation that represents the interests of manufacturers, distributors, users, rental and training companies.
Even if membership is not for your company, visit the IPAF website and benefit from some of the free information and publications that are available.
Need assistance with H&S, Environment or Quality Management Systems, then contact us now.
Posted in Health Safety | No Comments »
September 4th, 2010
Lord Young’s report is expected to be delivered early next month. We wait with baited breath for its arrival. But what can we expect?
In an interview in the Daily Telegraph (27th Aug) Lord Young stated ” What we have got to do with health and safety is to reduce bureaucracy. it is all accumulative and adds to costs.”
These comments were welcommed by representatives of small businesses.
Lord Young also indicated that no-win, no-fee lawyers were also firmly in his sights. He went on to say that these firms are inciting people to bring claims. They are not bringing cases that will win in court but are just looking to bring cases that will last two or three letters until the other side pays them off.
The Law Society refuted any suggestions of the existance of a “compensation culture.”
That old saying “You cannot please all of the people all of the time” could well change to “You cannot please any of the people at any time.”
I am sure that all of us with a vested interest in health and safety will watch all the ensuing arguments with interest.
Posted in Health Safety, Legislation | No Comments »
September 3rd, 2010
Sensible Safety Solutions Ltd. acknowledges that the authors of the following report are Managed Support Services (MSS).
Many schools may be in breach of health and safety legislation according to new research from building services and compliance business Managed Support Services (MSS). The Health and Safety Performance at Schools annual survey and benchmark study suggests that as many as 78 per cent of the 55 schools that participated are not fully compliant, with fire safety a particular area of concern.
The online survey involved 40 questions regarding each school’s existing arrangements and covered five main categories: Health and safety policy, risk assessments, fire safety, first aid and health and safety management. Although most schools performed well for health and safety policy and first aid, the results were increasingly mixed for the other sections.
Fire safety appears to be an area of health and safety that needs to be urgently addressed with almost half of the schools surveyed seemingly in breach of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. In particular, around 30 per cent of the schools stated that they had not complete a fire risk assessment in the past year and are therefore not compliant with the legislation.
Elsewhere, 55 per cent of schools indicated that they have not completed (or reviewed) DSE workstation assessments in the last 12 months, whilst only 24 percent of schools claim that they consult with staff on health and safety issues and 71 per cent of schools acknowledged that they do not complete health and safety briefings with pupils at the beginning of each term.
When asked how competent they think they are at completing specific health and safety activities, Making staff feel involved in H&S and Embedding a positive H&S culture in the school received the most negative response with 29 per cent and 31 per cent respectively rating these as poor or not competent enough.
Andrew Baylis, Managing Director of MSS Health & Safety commented: “The findings of the study show there are some clear areas of improvements needed to ensure universal compliance within the education sector. Furthermore, simply complying with the minimum requirements of health and safety is just the tip of the iceberg, because enforcement authorities want to see a positive culture that is embedded in the school, so there is still some way to go.”
Sensible Safety Solutions Ltd has extensive experience providing fire risk assessments and health and safety support to schools in the public and private sector. Working with our associates, we can provide Nationwide coverage to help you to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Contact us now !
Posted in Fire Prevention, Health Safety, Legislation | No Comments »
September 2nd, 2010
Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes has a very diverse mix of communities, religions and cultures. To ensure that this wider community can have access to fire safety information, the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service have made available Fire Safety Leaflets in English and 31 other languages.
These leaflets are free to download, click here to access your copy now.
Posted in Fire Prevention, Health Safety | No Comments »
August 5th, 2010
Netregs provides free environmental guidance for small and medium sized businesses in the UK. They will help you to understand what you need to do to comply with environment law and protect the environment. They may even help you to save money by showing you ways to use your resources more efficiently.
This government website provides guidance by business type, by environmental topic and identifies both current and future legislation.
Why tell you there is free information? Because you have a right to know that it is available. It may be that you need further help, and if you do, then Sensible Safety Solutions Ltd could be your first choice.
Take a look at Netregs, subscribe to its emails and if you still need help, contact us.
Good Luck.
Posted in Environmental, Legislation | No Comments »
July 16th, 2010
A new free “Health for Work Adviceline” has been created by the NHS to provide owners and managers of small businesses with expert advice and support they need to help employees affected by ill health.
The advice line was introduced as part of the government’s initiative to help people stay in work or quickly return to work if they developed a health condition or impairment.
Visit the advice line for more information or call them on 0800 077 8844.
If you require help with your environment, or health and safety systems, contact us now.
Posted in Health Safety | No Comments »
July 16th, 2010
Liverpool, UK – 13 July 2010: A report by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University reproduced below, has found that workplace safety has been put at risk due to changes in health and safety policies over the past decade.
The report, ‘Regulatory Surrender: death, injury and the non-enforcement of law’, reveals that policy changes have affected the ability of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to enforce health and safety law. Researchers found that the number of inspections made of business premises has fallen by 69% and investigations of health and safety incidents has declined by 68%. The report also shows a 48% reduction in prosecutions of companies who have breached HSE regulations.
The Government has recently announced a wide-ranging review of health and safety laws in response to claims that UK industry had been `saturated’ by health and safety legislation under the Labour government. Researchers at Liverpool, however, have found that the HSE’s power to inspect and enforce health and safety regulations has been reduced, resulting in increased numbers of employers at risk from accident or injury at work.
Dr David Whyte, Reader in Sociology at the University of Liverpool, said: “The idea that health and safety has ‘gone mad’ does not seem to hold true. The collapse in inspection, investigation and enforcement has dramatically reduced the chances of businesses being detected and prosecuted for committing safety offences. Most serious injuries now are not even investigated. For example, only a third of amputations are now investigated by the Health and Safety Executive.”
Professor Steve Tombs, at Liverpool John Moores University, said: “HSE’s senior’s management have effectively surrendered to the Government’s lighter touch regulatory agenda. Not only is the agency now more vulnerable to further ‘reviews’ of regulation, but workers too are increasingly vulnerable – as managements are far less likely to respond to workers’ demands to comply with the law in the absence of a credible enforcement threat.”
Irrespective of the findings of this report and Lord Young’s review, we should still be preventing injuries at work.
If you need help to improve safety in your business, then contact us now.
Posted in HSE, Health Safety, Legislation | No Comments »
July 2nd, 2010
The HSE has just released the fatal injury statistics for 2009 / 2010. The provisional figure shows 151 fatalities compared with 178 last year. Although this reduction is commendable we must not forget that 151 people did loose their lives, many more friends and family members have the heartache and grief of losing a loved one. Also let us not forget those persons who witnessed these accidents. They could be traumatised, may be unable to continue work adding further to the sadness and misery each fatality brings.
Last year the UK was in recession with output and activity down. Are the fatality figures therefore, a true reflection?
We are told that the fatality rate for 2009 / 2010 represents a statistically significant decrease compared to the average rate for the last 5 years. Ideally we need to see the number of fatalites reduce year on year or at the very least, remain constant and not rise as Britain continues to come out of the recession.
We all have a role to play in reducing accidents in the workplace, accept your responsibilty.
Follow this link to see the HSE’s fatal injury statistics and the worker fatalities by industry.
Please contact Sensible Safety Solutions Ltd now if you need any help with your health and safety, fire risk assessments or environmental concerns.
Posted in General, HSE, Health Safety, Our Views | No Comments »
July 1st, 2010
Prior to the general election, David Cameron stated that if he wins and becomes the PM, he would introduce changes to the way the government handles health and safety issues. Well he got the job, so what is he going to do about it?
According to the government manifesto document, H&S law will be left largely untouched with any initial significant changes designed to address the way the Health and safety at Work etc Act covers the police and affects the duties of police officers.
Lord Young has been appointed by David Cameron to review health and safety law and his initial report is expected at the end of July. The areas of focus were:
providing greater clarity on terms such as “so far as is reasonably practicable”.
Ensuring that businesses know when they have to complete a formal risk assessment, and if they do, jut how detailed and comprehensive does it have to be.
To introduce a minimum standard of qualification for health and safety consultants.
Remarkably, anyone with limited health and safety knowledge or experience can set themselves up as a consultant and provide advice to businesses. This is clearly an opportunity to ensure that only qualified and competent consultants can provide this service.
When I talk to clients about hazards and risks, many of them tell me “that is common sense”. How right they are. It will be interesting whether “so far as is reasonably practicable” will relate to the use of common sense.
In short, do not let any unscrupulous firms try to influence you through unsolicited emails or mails shots. There will be changes but for the time being everything remains largely the same. If you need to use a consultant, ensure that they are qualified, ideally a Member or Chartered Member of IOSH or equivalent.
Contact us now if you require further help or advice.
Posted in General, Health Safety, Legislation | No Comments »
