News

Directors Role for Health and Safety

Increasingly more and more directors are taking a hands-on approach to the health and safety aspects of their business. According to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), "Failure to include health and safety as a key business risk in board decisions can have catastrophic results. Many high-profile safety cases over the...

SAFEcontractor

If you are applying for SAFEcontractor, the UK's fastest growing health and safety assessment scheme, you may have noticed that their lengthy questionnaire does not take into account if you have another SSIP (Safety Schemes In Procurement). However, if you do hold one, such as CHAS, just simply email a copy...

Demonstrating leadership

In her recent blog the Chair of the HSE, Judith Hackitt, commented on the need for managers to take ownership and how important them demonstrating leadership is. This related to the recent tragic helicopter incident in Scotland but demonstrates that hazards need to be controlled: keeping Health and Safety at...

Warehouse fined for storing fireworks

A cash and carry warehouse in Nottingham has been prosecuted at Leeds Magistrate Court. This was because they were illegally storing large quantities of fireworks, and had committed a number of other fire safety offences in the run-up to this year's Bonfire Night on the 5th of November. The warehouse was...

Basic Health and Safety Mistakes that are Crippling the Industry . . .

Poorly maintained or misused ladders The majority of falls from height in the workplace are falls from ladders. Whether poorly maintained, not fit for purpose or incorrectly used (like these guys here with their makeshift trestle below). If a ladder is the right tool for the job, employers need to...

How Much Does Justice Cost?

You probably haven’t seen or heard that from 29 July 2013 employment tribunals are now going to cost money simply to make a claim; this will be the first time that an English Law Court will have an indiscriminate fee for simply applying. Let’s start with the basics; a claim...

HSE Consultation on Removing Legendary Acts

Until 12 July the HSE are being consulted on the effect and impacts of removing 12 pieces of H&S legislation, including the legendary Factories Act 1961. What is a legislation consultation I hear you ask . . . put simply, it means that the government think they’ve had a good...

Health and Safety Policy – How Changes in Legislation or Best Practice can Affect Yours

We all know the importance of efficiency right, and especially those who run businesses will understand the need for procedures and controls to be effective. The core of almost every organisations' Health and Safety Management system is a documented Health and Safety Policy. The policy must reflect the individual business and set out...

RIDDOR 2013 – changes coming into effect 1 October

The following HAS to be reported: Deaths All deaths of workers and non-workers, with the exception of suicides, must be reported if they arise from a work-related accident; including an act of physical violence to a worker. Specified injuries to workers The list of ‘specified injuries’ in RIDDOR 2013 replaces...

Killer boiler flues!

Boilers are everywhere; whether you’re at work or at home you are guaranteed to be near one at some point during your day. A recent warning from the HSE has indicated a vital problem which relates to boiler flues which are hidden in voids in buildings which cannot be inspected. ...

NEW COURSE – CITB Directors Role for Health and Safety

We have just received approval to deliver CITB's 1-day Directors Role for Health and Safety training course. Following several requests and after a bit of research, it turns out there aren't many providers delivering the training it in the Northwest; so we decided to take the plunge and add it to our portfolio!...

SMSTS 2 Day Refresher

Do you need to update your SMSTS qualification? We run a CITB accredited SMSTS 2 Day refresher course each month. Click here to see a list of upcoming dates we will be running the course, or if you require some further information about the course. If you have attended the 5-day SMSTS...

Health and Safety Gone Mad Again?!

A Supervisor at a branch of the supermarket chain Waitrose, has refused to allow a member of staff to fillet a trout. The supervisor told the bemused customer that the fish could not be filleted because it was too slippery! Claiming health and safety rules prevented them from filleting slippy fish, even...

Calls for Safer Installation of Fireplace Surrounds

HSE is aware of several instances where heavy stone components forming part of a modern fireplace surround have fallen causing damage and injury. These incidents have happened because the fireplaces were not securely, mechanically fixed in place. There have been calls for safer installation of fireplace surrounds after two, separate...