News

Company Fined After Employees Exposed To Silica

A playground installation and landscaping contractor has been fined after failing to provide employees with adequate control measures to prevent exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS). The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out an unannounced inspection at Playscape Design Ltd in Bury. Here the HSE inspector served a Prohibition...

Is More Action Needed to Remove Asbestos From Schools?

We are all now well aware of the dangers of asbestos and the link the material has to mesothelioma. However, this was not always the case. The use of asbestos in construction was only banned in 1999. And from 1950 to 1980, it was widely used building material. Unfortunately, this...

HSE – Falls from Height Biggest Cause of Fatalities in the Workplace

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have released their annual workplace fatality figures and found that there have been 147 fatalities in the workplace between April 2019 and March 2019. The biggest cause of these fatalities was falls from height with 40 fatalities in the past 12 months. This is...

CITB Big Six Initiative

CITB have set up their ‘Big Six’ initiative where they attempt to tackle 6 skills challenges for the construction industry. These are: Make construction an attractive career to a broader range of recruits. Developing a ‘site-ready’ workforce. Get more construction learners to join the industry. Grow number and diversity of...

How to get a CSCS Card

CSCS cards are used as a form of evidence to let your current, or potential, employer know that you have the necessary qualifications and training to perform the job you are required to undertake on site. Therefore, it is important to ensure you always have an up to date card....

Changes to the H,S&E Test

The updated Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) Test went live on 26 June 2019. Changes have been made to make the test even more robust so that operatives can continue to be safe on the job, whilst being confident that their fellow workers are just as qualified to contribute to...

NEW: Online Courses Available Now

We are delighted to announce the launch of our brand new range of online training courses, which are all accessible through our website. Visit the E-learning page to see a list of one-on-one, tutor-led, online courses which can be completed from the comfort of your office, home or even on...

Noise Action Week 2019: “Prevention is better than cure”

170,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, ringing in the ears, or other ear conditions caused by excessive noise at work. Noise can also be a safety hazard, interfering with communication and making warnings harder to hear and is often cited in stress complaints as a health and safety issue....

HSE Increases Fee for Intervention (FFI)

HSE’s cost recovery rate for Fee for Intervention (FFI) has increased to £154 per hour with effect from 6th April 2019. Businesses found to be in material breach of health and safety law will be charged at the new rate for intervention by HSE. As of 6 April 2019, businesses...

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome & How Important Health Surveillance Is

What Is Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome? Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome, also known as HAVS, is the catch all term used for injuries in the fingers, hands an arms caused by the vibrations which occur when using machinery. Injuries caused by vibrations are usually split into three different categories. Neurological disorders, vascular injuries...

Top Tips For Driving in Winter

Winter is on the way, and will bring the likely event of difficult driving conditions. Winter requires all drivers, whether personal or business related, to take more care and be well prepared for all conditions. Further to our vehicle safety tips article. Here is some more information about keeping safe on...

Does Shift Work Affect Health? How you can Reduce the Risks.

Increasingly, we are moving toward a 24-hour world. Because of this, there is an increasing demand for employees to work around the clock. This means workers are being required to work shifts at unsociable hours. Researchers are now aware of the risks involved with working at night. So employers need...

Council Fined After a Member of the Public Contracts Legionnaires’ Disease

Tendring District Council have been fined £27,000 and ordered to pay £7,500 in costs. This was due to a member of the public, who was a regular user of council-run leisure facilities, contracting Legionnaires' Disease. The council were found by Colchester Magistrates' Court to have breached Section 3(1) of the Health...

Courtley Health & Safety Award 2018 Winners – Spectrum Drylining Ltd

Every year we choose one organisation that has shown outstanding commitment to raising standards of workplace safety and has a positive health and safety culture, to be presented with our prestigious Courtley Health & Safety Award. The award is not only to recognise the effort the organisation has made over...