Welcome to the July/August 2024 edition of Keep It Safe
Again, we encourage our members to submit their accident data from the previous year Once collated this data provides a crucial management tool enabling companies to benchmark their current OSH performance against that of the BFFF members in the same sector
Your data is processed confidentially and anonymously in the final report For 2022, the data reported from our membership represented 37,584 employees.
We now need you to submit your 2023 data, it only takes 5 minutes, please visit our website at: Page Statistics British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF)
Should you experience any difficulties in submitting your data please contact:
INITIATIVES BFFF Health & Safety group meets at Arco RDC
BFFF delivers successful Workplace Transport Safety day
FIRE SAFETY
Essex County Fire & Rescue Services - Emergency plans, staff training & fire drills – your responsibilities
Alarmingly high number of office workers said to be unaware of fire door safety
New policy on automatic fire alarms
MEMBER FOCUS
Arco launches working at height equipment range
BFFF
Work releated fatal injuries in GB 2023/24
Health & Safety leadership
OSH governance in supply chains
Coffee shop staff to wear body cameras as new safety measure
IOSH calls on new prime minister to invest further in legislation which prevents workers from being harmed
UK businesses to insist on increase in office attendance
TRANSPORT HUB
Use of mobile gas cookers in cabs OSH
B F F F I N I
The British Frozen Food Federation Health & Safety Group met recently at the Arco RDC in Hull.
This group is made up of 33 senior OSH professionals from 21 member companies, who meet 3 times per year to discuss industry hot topics
Topics discussed this time were:
The new government & OSH
The debate on -15°C
Risk assessments for MHE/Lithium-ion
Electrical safety (LOTO)
Coldstore guidance and
Managing contractors
Our guest speakers were Keith Grimsley and Mike Clayton from Arco professional services on working at height
To conclude the day, we had a fascinating tour of the Arco laboratory As a responsible company Arco tests all PPE before putting into to the marketplace to ensure its meets current safety standards The tour included looking at how the company tests hi-visibility clothing for luminescence and work clothing for durability, fire resistance, water resistance and sustainability. They also demonstrated cut resistance testing on gloves, ballistic testing on eyewear and impact testing and slip resistance on footwear.
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B F F F I N I
We all gained some continuous professional development (CPD) and witnessed at first-hand what goes on behind the scenes to ensure PPE does its job when you actually need it!
We would like to thank Arco for being the perfect hosts and allowing us to use their state of the art facilities in Hull. Thanks to all our members that dedicate their valuable time to be part of this group
To find out more about the work carried out by the BFFF Health & Safety group please contact: simonbrentnall@bfff co uk
B F F F I N I T I A T I V E S
The latest HSE Statistics (2023/24) show the second cause of fatality in the workplace is struck by moving vehicle. With this in mind BFFF held its Workplace Transport Safety day recently at Mentor FLT Training.
In the morning we listened to sessions on Materials Handling Equipment (MHE), this risk is often underestimated The session included case studies on fork lift truck prosecutions, the challenge or production versus safety, MHE innovations and how to complete a workplace transport risk assessment.
In the afternoon, things were 'hands on' with polymer barrier technology (PAS13:2017) from ASafe UK, MHE pre-use checks and defect identification from Mentor Some delegates got to operate reach trucks and counterbalance fork trucks for themselves. This provided a first-hand experience from an operator's perspective and undertaken in controlled conditions We have received some excellent feedback from our delegates taking some new essential skills back to the workplace
BFFF's Head of H&S Simon Brentnall states:
'This is a great example of how a trade association can collaborate with its members to deliver best practice across the frozen and wider food and drink industry Thanks to all our members that attended, to Mentor for hosting and the support received from ASafe UK'
This is just one of many initiative the federation delivers to its members, to find out about future events please watch this space!
Consider a family member, or close friend, is seriously injured as a result of being caught up in a building fire. I’m sure you would want answers to questions such as, how could this happen when there are ‘laws’ in place? were they given instructions to leave by staff during the event? was there an emergency plan in place and was it followed? was the building safe at the time of the fire? did the fire alarm work etc etc
All very valid questions, ones for which you would expect the Fire Authority to pursue until a satisfactory conclusion and those responsible for any shortcomings to be held accountable
As my time as an inspecting Officer I have seen dozens of examples of emergency procedures and evacuation plans. In many cases these are very ‘generic’ derived from an online template but with no specific reference to the site concerned There is also some misunderstanding of where responsibility lies whether this is the employer or to what extent the employee
It is critical that employees and managers, charged with the task of writing and organising emergency evacuation procedures do this in consultation with staff to ensure they are adequately prepared and have left nothing to chance Most businesses are aware of their ‘legal responsibilities’ for ensuring that there is an emergency plan, that staff are given fire safety training and given the opportunity to practice the buildings emergency plan with fire-drills to enable them to understand the procedures.
F I R E S A F E T Y
The Fire Safety Order gives us the underpinning legal requirements for having emergency plans, providing staff training and for practice drills It also offers the basis for the requirement of employees to assist and cooperate with the employer in their efforts to provide this essential safety requirement which is also a moral obligation.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Article 15: ‘Procedures for serious and imminent danger and for danger areas’
Emergency plans are not a ‘one size fits all’ and should always be written in a bespoke fashion to ensure that all eventualities have been considered. This process will include consultation with staff to find out any specific issues within their workplace location and any foreseeable difficulties in operating the plan in ‘real-time’
The variety of roles and responsibilities are numerous and will differ vastly from one site to another The size and scope of a building, or site, as well as the activities carried out there, have a huge impact on how the emergency plans are delivered The complexity of a site layout, as well as the numbers of staff, and where relevant, presence of customers and visitors, must all be taken into account when planning.
Staff acting as fire marshals must be fully cognisant of what is expected of them and be able to complete the actions necessary in the expected ‘timeframe’ available. Staff not assisting in the evacuation should support the fire marshals in doing their job by following instructions and having an understanding why they are being instructed to leave a building or given information during the evacuation
Good understanding comes through training and practice. Once the plan has been developed training is needed where staff have the opportunity the learn what is expected of them
Article 15 (1) (a) tells us that the responsible person (employer) must ‘’ establish and, where necessary, give effect to appropriate procedures, including safety drills, to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger to relevant persons’’ It also goes on to say that the RP must ‘’ nominate a sufficient number of competent persons to implement those procedures in so far as they relate to the evacuation of relevant persons from the premises’’
F I R E S A F E T Y
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Article 21: Training
When training is delivered you should consider if the content is relevant to your business and site circumstances Many training packages are ‘off the shelf’ and general in the information they provide and do not reflect the site emergency plans Although the information provided within the fire safety training package will offer valuable details on how to prevent fires, how fires start and spread and the behaviours and actions required by fire marshals, they do not generally give details on how the emergency plan is delivered ‘locally’ The writing of emergency plans and delivery of fire safety training should not just be a tick-box to compliance
Just as a fire procedure document can be a ‘downloaded’ template so can the training content which may be a ‘tick in box’ toward compliance Whether delivered online, or face-to-face, training must provide an opportunity for staff to discuss the procedures and expectations placed upon them and give them the ability to discuss any problems that could arise
The frequency of staff training will vary depending on different factors such as when staff are available to attend, how many staff are needed to fulfil the procedures, including people to deputise for absences and the availability of appropriate resources to deliver the training
When supported by routine fire-drills this will reduce the need to continually ‘re-train’ personnel. You should check that you current fire training package reaches the desired outcome and consult with staff on its effectiveness Through the Primary Authority Partnership scheme businesses can be provided with comment and feedback on their fire plans and training packages ECFRS are currently developing fire training packages with a view to making this available to its Primary Authority partners and associated businesses.
Opportunity to discuss the details of the emergency plan will also come when completing practice drills This is also the time to check the effectiveness of the plans
F
Fire-drills provide a way for staff to familiarise themselves with the emergency plans and the tasks they have been asked to perform ‘Practice makes perfect’ and staff should be given the opportunity to practice regularly and not just ‘periodically’ to ‘meet the legal requirement’ The FSO does not specify the frequency or number of drills necessary so it will be down to the organisation to exercise its due diligence in this requirement
When drills are practiced, you should use the opportunity to ‘simulate’ various scenarios including assisting someone less able bodied and to familiarise with any evacuation aids To consider where exits or routes in the building might be compromised by the fire and smoke so using routes and exits less familiar, and importantly open conversation to express concerns or suggest improvements.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005: Article 23: General duties of employees at work
Turning to one final consideration I would like to make you aware of the duties expected of employees
Article 23 (1) states: ‘’Every employee must, while at work’’ (b) as regards any duty or requirement imposed on his employer by or under any provision of this Order, cooperate with him so far as is necessary to enable that duty or requirement to be performed or complied with.
F I R E S A F E T Y
This includes the duty to assist in the evacuation of the premises as well as to participate in the relevant training and practice drills This fulfils the other requirement both within this Article and under Health and Safety Law which is to ‘’take reasonable care for the safety of himself and of other relevant persons who may be affected by his acts or omissions at work’’.
Employees must also be able to express and offer information to improve their own safety including any concerns about the effectiveness of the emergency planning and training input
Failure to meet these requirements could lead to prosecution of the business, disciplinary action for staff and result in large fines or imprisonment Ultimately the creation of efficient plans, training employees in how to manage the plan and ensuring its effectiveness through drills will prevent not just the risk of prosecution but more importantly give your organisation the preparedness to prevent injury and loss of life
If you need further advice or information on how to develop plans and training, please contact your representative for The British Frozen Food Federation about how the Primary Authority can assist
Author: Jonathan Dixson Essex County Fire and Rescue Primary Authority Manager
Most (75%) fire doors in Britain do not meet required standards, with 31% of doors having been installed incorrectly in the first place, meaning that they were never able to offer adequate protection. These claims come from a new study, which has been investigating how knowledgeable the typical UK worker is about fire doors, in particular whether they can tell when such doors are in correct working order
F I R E S A F E T Y
Researchers asked 1,000 UK office workers about a list of fire door faults and asked them to identify which were problems Of those asked:
80% appreciated that fire doors should not be wedged open and kept closed.
41% reported having seen fire doors wedged or propped open
57% understood that cracked glass in the window was as an issue
43% recognised that it would be a problem if the lock had been removed from the door.
22% identified that gaps around the door frame would be an issue
13% said that missing door screws would present a problem
9% knew that signs of wear and tear marks on the door’s hinge would need actioning.
17% said they had seen a fire door at their workplace locked
The survey also asked respondents about their experience of fire doors at their place of work, identifying how much training they had been given when they started
Some 35% said they had not been shown the fire exit route at their workplace, ending with the final fire exit door that leads to a place of safety.
The survey asked people’s opinions of how a fire door ought to be kept when not in use Over a third gave an incorrect answer at 34%, while 8% thought a fire door should be kept completely open, and 7% thought it should be propped or wedged ajar Research was based on a survey of 1,000 UK office workers and all data was collected online between 28 June and 1 July 2024
To find out more about fire safety please remember as a BFFF member you have access to industry level advice through the coordinated primary authority partnership with Essex Fire & Rescue. For more information on OSH or Fire Safety please contact: simonbrentnall@bfff.co.uk
F I R E S A F E T Y
Later this year, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) is changing its approach to how it responds to automatic fire alarms in non-residential buildings From October 2024, LFB will stop attending automatic fire alarms in most commercial buildings between 7am and 8:30pm, unless a call is also received from a person reporting a fire This includes buildings such as office blocks or industrial estates The Brigade will continue to always respond to all automatic fire alarms in residential buildings and in schools, nurseries, hospitals, care homes, heritage sites, other exempt premises, and during the night in all buildings
According to LFB, between April 2023 and March 2024, it attended around 52,000 false alarms generated by automatic fire alarms
The changing policy is in line with almost all other UK fire and rescue services and is specifically designed to utilise firefighters time more effectively to help keep communities safe
For clarity, LFB will continue to respond to automatic alarms between the hours of 8:30pm and 7am
Common causes
The policy will only apply between the hours of 7am and 8 30pm Outside of these hours, the Brigade will attend all automatic fire alarms in any building
Common causes of false alarms include:
Poor alarm design or maintenance
Dust inside detectors
Steam
F I R E S A F E T Y
The Brigade suggests that recurring false alarms can often be resolved quickly and easily; businesses who experience recurring false alarms are urged to investigate each occurrence in order to find the cause, including contacting the alarm system company
Prepare early
Businesses must ensure that automatic alarm systems are correctly managed and maintained to minimise false alarms and ensure that staff are suitably trained to understand their responsibilities under fire safety legislation
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires Responsible Persons (normally an employer, rather than an individual) in non-domestic premises to undertake a risk assessment and implement fire precautions Specifically, Article 13 of the Order requires that fire detectors and alarms are installed where it is necessary for life protection The systems must be maintained in an efficient state, efficient working order and in good repair (Article 17).
With these requirements in mind and ahead of the policy change coming in October, London-based businesses should prepare by:
Reviewing their fire risk assessments and staff training and update where necessary, focusing on actions employees should take in the event of a fire alarm sounding during working hours Specific guidance should be provided for action required during response and non-response periods where shift work occurs
Ensuring employees understand the need to dial 999 in the event of a fire. Assigning responsibility for the action required to individual employees can support this
Establishing an early identification system when the fire alarm is activated This will determine whether it is a false alarm or an actual fire that requires the premises to be evacuated and the Fire and Rescue Service to be called.
Delivering training to the relevant members of staff that addresses the messages displayed on the fire alarm panel This will help with early identification of which detector has been activated within the premises
Ensuring that the fire alarm system has been regularly maintained by a competent contractor to prevent false alarms
Preparing early will help London-based businesses to plan accordingly, so that risk assessments are in order and employees are effectively trained before the policy change comes into force in October.
Company’s safety services experts have helped design and develop new own brand offering
Safety specialist Arco has launched its own range of working at height equipment, designed and developed with experts from its safety services division, along with its fall protection manufacturing partners
The new range introduces an own brand offering to add to the wide selection of fall protection equipment Arco already offers from some of the biggest brands in the safety industry.
The range features 17 products, including safety harnesses; anchorage slings; arrest, restraint and positioning lanyards; and self-retracting blocks, all designed to keep workers safe when carrying out tasks at height and in confined spaces
The harnesses and lanyard are used together to prevent accidents when there is a risk of a fall from any height The self-retracting blocks are designed for lower-height applications, instantly locking on impact to prevent falls.
Arco Professional Safety Services experts are already using the new equipment in the field and when delivering training courses at the company’s five safety centres across the UK
Mike Clayton, technical lead for working at height at Arco Professional Safety Services, said: “The new Arco working at height equipment range has been designed, developed with help from our own experts to bring total assurance and quality to the safety products market
“Arco leads the market in working at height expertise with our joined-up safety solutions tailoring the perfect combination of products and services.
“Bringing our own working at height product range to the market furthers this offering, with another avenue for our core purpose, keeping people at work safe ”
Falling from height is the most common cause of death in the workplace, accounting for 36% of fatal injuries in 2023/24, according to recent HSE statistics[i]
As a trusted safety provider with 140 years of experience, Arco offers working at height equipment for sale and hire, as well as safety solutions such as consultancy, training and equipment maintenance services through its Arco Professional Safety Services division.
See the new Arco working at height equipment range
Find out more about Arco Professional Safety Services’ working at height solutions
On Tuesday 13th August, members of the BFFF team attended a live webinar on Stress Management in the Workplace, hosted by BFFF member Latus Group Joined by Neil Shah from the Stress Management Society, the webinar explored several areas including:
The cost of poor mental health
Understanding stress
The Bridge Analogy
Wellbeing GPS
Seven E’s framework
If you would like to watch this webinar or share it with others in your network, all of their past webinars are available to watch on demand here: www latusgroup co uk/webinars/
This is the second Latus webinar we have attended, both of which have been excellent, so we would highly recommend you take a look as there are delivered monthly
If you’d like to keep up to date with news and announcements about Latus Group webinars, please follow their LinkedIn newsletter ‘Latus Link’ here: www latusgroup co uk/webinars/
E N F O R C E M E N T
A wholesale firm has been fined £776,286 after one of its employees was badly injured in a workplace accident
T Quality Limited, a UK food wholesaler with 12 sites across England, was fined following multiple injuries suffered by an employee at its Avonmouth depot in Bristol.
The company pleaded guilty to four offences under health and safety laws at Bristol Magistrates Court and was ordered to pay a total of £776,286 30 This includes a fine of £760,000 and £16,286 30 prosecution costs
The case followed an incident in April 2022, in which an employee was buried under a pallet of frozen chips that fell on him as he walked into the freezer, leaving him with multiple serious injuries
An investigation by Bristol City Council’s Public Protection Team identified that the RIDDOR report submitted by the company was inaccurate.
The initial report alleged that a 28-year-old employee had only suffered a broken ankle, however it was later discovered that the full extent of the injuries sustained was much more severe
The employee suffered multiple injuries which required intensive care and underwent a total of three operations It would then take a further three months before the employee could return home with the help of a support worker
The investigation showed that on the morning of 15 April 2022, space was restricted in the freezer warehouse, leading to two pallets of frozen food being stacked on top of each other. When the employee walked into the freezer the top pallet fell onto him.
Further investigation showed that the way in which goods were stacked had not been assessed and a Prohibition Notice was issued to prevent this from happening again
Following a health and safety inspection of the site, four Improvement Notices were also served due to:
The lack of suitable and sufficient risk assessments for stacking of goods.
The lack of separation of pedestrians and vehicles for both employees and visitors to the site
Failing to ensure that racking was maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order, and in good repair
E N F O R C E M E N T
Stephen Williams, chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee said: “All businesses in Bristol are required to meet their health and safety obligations and have a duty of care to all employees in their care T Quality Limited did not meet these obligations and as a result, one of their employees has suffered significant injuries
“The council takes the safety of Bristol workers very seriously and we remain committed to ensuring all businesses meet their responsibilities so that employees can carry out their work confidently and safely I hope that today’s verdict serves as a clear reminder of the importance of adhering to commercial health and safety protocols, as well as the consequences for those who do not.”
A property manager in Slough has been ordered to pay £22,646.82 for fire safety breaches following a prosecution brought by Royal Berkshire Fire Authority (RBFRS).
Mr Waheed Afzal pleaded guilty to six charges under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 The guilty plea followed an investigation conducted by RBFRS in early 2023
The investigation found that there were several serious fire safety deficiencies at a property managed by Mr Afzal above a restaurant on High Street, Slough
The breaches included:
A lack of a linked fire detection system between the commercial and residential units at the property.
Insufficient emergency lighting.
Inadequate fire doors
Non-fire resisting glazing that would have compromised the means of escape in an emergency
Mr Afzal was fined of £16,000 following the conviction which, in addition to the victim surcharge and the Fire Authority’s prosecution fees, brought the total cost paid by the defendant to £22,646 82
Michal Kosierb, Fire Safety Enforcement Lead at RBFRS, said: “This case shows that businesses must take their commitments to fire safety seriously and that we will take action where necessary in the interest of public safety
“As a Service, our purpose is to help keep businesses, people and communities safe We will continue to work with business owners to help them protect themselves and their livelihoods. However, cases like this demonstrate that, if people’s safety is at stake, we will take decisive action to ensure businesses comply with the law ”
G U I D A N C E
The HSE released its annual statistics for GB which are derived from RIDDOR for 2023/2024, these show 138 workers killed in work related accidents.
These statistics on fatalities really don’t show much improvement from recent years, this time we see falls from height being the biggest cause of fatal injury again, this is followed by struck by moving vehicle. These two causes alone represent 70% of all fatal injuries to workers in 2023/24.
By industry
The construction and agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors continue to account for the greatest number of workers killed in fatal accidents each year, between them accounting for just over half of all fatal injuries to workers in 2023/24.
By gender/age
Male workers continue to account for the vast majority of fatal injuries, with 95% of workers fatally injured in 2023/24 being men, a similar proportion to earlier years Furthermore, deaths to workers aged 60 and over continue to account for a substantial proportion of the total - 34% in 2023/24.
Fatal accident type
The most common kinds of fatal accidents to workers continue as falls from a height, struck by moving vehicle, and struck by moving object, between them accounting for around 70% of fatal injuries to workers in 2023/24.
Rate per 100,000 workers
Over the long-term, the rate of fatal injury to workers showed a downward trend, though in the recent years prior to the Coronavirus pandemic the rate had been broadly flat The current rate is similar to pre-Coronavirus levels.
Public
Eighty-seven members of the public were also killed in work-related accidents in 2023/24 (excludes deaths due to work-related accidents to ‘patients and service users’ in the healthcare and adult social care sectors in England reportable under RIDDOR).
BFFF urges its members to focus on safety for working at height, workplace transport and let’s not forget asbestos which statistics are off the scale https://www hse gov uk/statistics/fatals htm
G U I D A N C E
H
This guide for directors and managers from the British Safety Council stresses that effective leadership has long been recognised as a key determinant of organisational performance and is one of the most heavily researched areas of industrial psychology.
However, health and safety leadership remains relatively unexplored and untapped by many businesses Research has shown that workers’ perceptions of their leaders’ health and safety attitudes and behaviours predicts health and safety outcomes across multiple levels; and individual, team and organisational health and safety is improved through effective leadership practices.
This guide examines leadership in the context of health and safety, giving insight into the way in which directors can build a more effective and sustainable business
It points out that leaders are responsible for many aspects of health and safety management, and adequate management of workloads, supervision of staff, legal compliance, incident investigation and health, safety and wellbeing communication should be key duties Leaders also have many opportunities to reinforce, inspire and support employees to achieve high health and safety performance in the workplace.
Research into organisational climate and culture shows that employees’ perceptions of leadership contributes to the psychological environment in which work is performed Therefore, leaders can directly and indirectly influence the entire workforce’s attitudes, behaviours, actions, outcomes and performance around health, safety and wellbeing via the direct and implicit messages they send to workers.
The way a leader acts and talks about health, safety and wellbeing broadcasts a distinct signal, says the guidance, which, in turn, informs employees’ attitudes and behaviours at work For example, a leader who emphasises ‘production at all costs’ is essentially role-modelling a disregard for health, safety and wellbeing – and is increasing the likelihood of an incident occurring or an unsafe situation happening.
The law
UK employers are responsible for ensuring, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of their workers and others – such as contractors and the public – who could be affected by the organisation’s work activities
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G U I D A N C E
Under the law, an employer – including the organisation’s directors and senior officers – are responsible for ensuring the health and safety of:
Their employees and others who work for them, or on their behalf, in their premises, projects and business activities – such as contractors, temporary staff, agency workers and volunteers
Other people working in or visiting the premises – for example, customers, members of the public, suppliers and visiting delivery drivers
People outside the premises who could be put at risk – for example, passers-by who could be exposed to risks from moving vehicles or hazardous emissions
Anyone affected by products or services that the organisation designs, produces or supplies.
UK health and safety law requires employers to put in place suitable arrangements to eliminate or reduce risks to people’s health and safety arising from their work activities, as far as is reasonably practicable The guide outlines these duties
There are also specific legal duties and regulations around areas such as implementing adequate fire precautions; managing the risks from dangerous equipment and hazardous substances; providing a suitable working environment; preparing a plan for dealing with incidents and emergencies; and making appropriate arrangements for first-aid
Failure to comply with these requirements can have serious consequences – both for an organisation and the individuals who work for it, run, manage and own it
Legal liability of board members in the UK is also covered, and the guidance goes on to address the following:
Defining leadership
Why leadership is valuable
What does good OSH leadership look like?
Senior managers as OSH leaders.
Guidance on OSH leadership.
Translating leadership into practical steps.
Leadership in hazard industries.
Employee wellbeing: the role of directors and managers
Getting competent advice
See link to guidance here
G
An article published by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) looks into how the development of international supply chains during the last decades is challenging the traditional occupational safety and health (OSH) approach, analysing how OSH and working conditions is decoupled in both buyers and suppliers.
The article emphasises the integration of human factors into supply chain management and the implementation of OSH measures, aimed at securing safe and healthy workplaces This direct approach covers contractual measures such as CoC (Codes of Conduct), certificates (ISO 45001, Global GAP, BSCI or SEDEX) and audits of compliance with CoC and certificates.
It highlights practices that can support improvement of OSH and working conditions in supply chains It suggests that the best results can be achieved by a combination of contractual and relational governance The contracts should include OSH measures as well as transparent and fair conditions for suppliers. The direct contact between buyers and suppliers is essential for building mutual trust and create better conditions for suppliers and their workers.
However, the case studies referred to in the article cover best cases, and in most companies, OSH does probably not get a similar priority, it says, but these companies can get inspiration for a stronger focus on OSH from the cases presented above. Furthermore, many buyers rely on the value of certificates. Although certificates with third party audits can be useful, they are not always fully reliable, and buyers should therefore check by themselves the level of OSH at their suppliers
The EU green deal with new extensive requirements for reporting of ESG includes OSH and working conditions and these requirements can be expected to push for a much higher priority in supply chains governance, says the article. See below full article.
OSHwiki article in the spotlight: OSH governance in supply chains | Safety and health at work EUOSHA (europa eu)
G U I D A N C E
Staff at Pret A Manger are to wear body-worn cameras as a new safety measure
Confirming to Sky News, the company has said that six shops across London started trialling the new technology in July. It will be worn by team leaders and managers.
It said the cameras will only be switched on in “specific circumstances” and footage will only be accessible to Pret's security team
The introduction of the extra safety measure comes as companies reported increasing cases of shoplifting and aggressive behaviour towards staff in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic
Shoplifting has reached record highs in the UK with 16 7 million incidents recorded last year - more than double compared with 2022
In a bid to tackle the crime, retailers have spent around £1 8bn on measures such as CCTV, security personnel and body-worn cameras, according to a survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) in February
Lidl recently spent £2m on body cameras for staff in all of its UK stores, while English Heritagewhich manages historic sites across the country - has also deployed a similar tactic.
The BRC also reported a 50% increase in violence and abuse towards retail workers
An estimated 1,300 incidents occurred daily in 2022 into 2023, a rise of 50% from 870 the year before, the BRC said.
The British Frozen Food Federation works closely with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and sits on their industry specific group for Food and Drink We share the vision of a food and drink industry that is safe, healthy and sustainable
IOSH has recently called on UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his government to invest further in legislation which prevents workers from being harmed.
Such a move would reduce workplace accidents and work-related ill health and provide a “gamechanging prize” of improved performance and productivity which will support economic growth, it says
In a letter to Sir Keir, IOSH highlights the UK’s Health and Safety at Work Act, which was published 50 years ago, and says there is an opportunity to build on the foundations it created
It calls for an improved focus on mental health while adding it is encouraged by the government’s forthcoming Employment Rights Bill.
The letter is co-signed by IOSH chief executive Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher and board of trustee’s chair Professor Peter Bonfield OBE
In it, they say: “Fifty years ago, the UK’s world-leading Health and Safety at Work Act was introduced. Let’s invest further in this pioneering legislation and its regulator. Let’s protect working people’s safety, health and welfare and strengthen our ability to respond to the challenges and opportunities of new ways of working – including an improved focus on mental health at work
“The content of your Employment Rights Bill gives hope to millions of people who suffer poor working standards. We welcome protections for those in gig work, the informal economy and in global supply chains – as well as the right to ‘switch off’, which Labour promised before the election
Manifesto
Ahead of the general election, IOSH published its manifesto, in which it made five calls to action for the new government:
Protecting workers’ rights to safe, healthy and decent work
Strengthening and expanding the UK’s world-leading system that prevents harm at work. Supporting businesses to tackle new and emerging workplace hazards
Promoting a diverse, inclusive, skilled and motivated workforce
Building a more robust, sustainable economy
The Institution says it hopes to work closely with the government to ensure health and safety standards across the UK are as robust as possible.
G U I D A N C E
New research has found that almost two-thirds of UK businesses’ senior decision-makers will increase the number of times employees must attend their workspace
The findings come from an independent survey of 1,002 senior decision-makers within UK businesses The results revealed that 59% of respondents said their employees would be expected to be present at the office more frequently than they have over the last year.
Face-to-face interaction is clearly important When asked what the most important factor is when selecting a new workspace, networking and event opportunities were at the top of the list with 31% In addition, 65% of respondents said the technology they use in the workspace is essential for networking and collaboration.
Yet for a significant number, basic functions of their office technology are letting them down A quarter (24%) of those asked said that the mobile or online platform for booking meeting rooms and registering guests was poor, whilst 19% stated that the platform for communicating with other members or learning about events taking place in the space was also poor.
T R A N S P O R T H U B
Published by the European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA), this information highlights that incidents have been reported to EIGA involving a gas-cooker used inside a truckcab. Cases included truck damage, injured drivers as well as a fatality.
The risks are related to Carbon-Monoxide accumulation in under-ventilated truck cabs, as well as fires that destroyed the truck and injured drivers. In the case of the fatality, it is assumed, that the use of a liquefied petroleum gas fuelled cooking appliance resulted in either asphyxiation or carbon monoxide poisoning of the driver.
Still, the use of portable gas-cookers in cabs appears to be a common practice and is a major risk to gas company truck drivers, says the document
Not only is there a risk of asphyxiation or carbon monoxide poisoning there is also a fire hazard These cookers are acceptable for outside use but present an unacceptable risk when used inside closed truck-cabs
It is strongly recommended that the use of gas-cookers be prohibited inside truck cabs and substituted with safer alternatives.
To achieve this, EIGA recommends:
Having a policy in place that prohibits the use of liquid or solid fuelled cookers inside truckcabs.
Not allowing open flames in driver cabins
Repeatedly training all drivers in the risks associated with the use of liquid and solid fuelled cookers as well as open flames.
Ensuring that drivers have alternative means of heating food or drink on their rest-breaks, for example specifically designed microwaves for in-cab use that are installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations so as to avoid electric shocks
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