Health & Safety Update - November 2018

Health & Safety Update | NOVEMBER 2018

TOP CATEGORY FIRE ALARMS Fire alarm systems for community housing are raised to Top category protection with Aico

Industry News - Fire Safety - Safety & Security - Facilities Management - PPE

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WELCOME November 2018

Contents

22 COVER STORY Fire alarm systems for community housing are raised to Top category protection with Aico

10 Construction firms targeted in new health inspections.

Construction firms across Great Britain will be targeted on their health standards by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)..

04

Industry News

12

Fire Safety

20

Safety & Security

32

Facilities Management

40

PPE

44

CUTTING THROUGH THE NOISE

A person’s life and wellbeing can be severely affected if their hearing is damaged by working in an environment where there is a daily exposure to extreme sound levels.

4 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

industry news

One in four admits leaving a job due to mental ill-health, survey finds One-in-four employees has left a job because of mental health issues, according to an online survey by charity St John Ambulance.

Nearly two thirds also admitted that they would feel uncomfortable asking for a mental health sick day and more than a quarter said bosses did little or nothing to provide support. Six out of ten surveyed said they felt their employer should be doing more to support employees with mental health issues.

The survey of 1,000 employees who mainly work in human resources and administration revealed also that a further 43% had considered leaving a job due to stress or mental health issues.

Respondents cited embarrassment as the top reason why they would not ask for a mental health sick day, followed by not liking to take time off work and not wanting to let colleagues down. Comments ranged from “I would feel judged as they wouldn’t understand”, and “I would not get paid”.

St John Ambulance conducted the survey in August, which was sent to employees on its database. Most

of those surveyed work in human resources and administration and are responsible for booking first aid courses with the charity.

Debbie Adwent, operations manager for St John’s Ambulance, said: “We believe these results reflect the experiences of the wider workforce and urge employers to take the mental health and wellbeing of their workforce seriously.”

In a separate online survey, which was carried out in September and which sampled 800 employees who had attended St John Ambulance’s general first aid courses, 94% said their organisations should have a mental health policy in place.

Last year St John Ambulance joined forces with Mental Health First Aid England to provide mental health courses to raise awareness of mental ill-health. The charity is hosting its first national summit on mental health best practice in the workplace in December.

Building firm’s MD banned over unsafe London site The managing director of a London construction company has been prosecuted under s 37 of the Health and Safety at Work Act after dangerous conditions were discovered at a building site.

Kewie Doherty’s company, C J Langs, was also sentenced after inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found unsafe work-at-height practices, a lack of suitable equipment, and untrained operatives working without supervision.

They had visited the site in Sherborne Gardens, Ealing, following an accident in January 2017, Westminster Magistrates’ Court was told.

C J Langs pleaded guilty to breaching reg 15(2) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 over its failure to plan, manage and monitor the work. It was fined £80,000 and ordered to pay £6,000 costs.

Doherty pleaded guilty to breaching s 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act. He was disqualified from being a company director for three years and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid community work. He must also pay costs of £1,673.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 5

industry news

Managers put employers’ interests above staff wellbeing, says BITC report Although awareness of mental health issues at work is high, employers need to urgently ramp up the breadth and quality of support they provide to staff, including “high-quality” training for line managers, according to the third workplace mental health report by the Business in the Community charity.

It also highlights that one-quarter of employees are struggling to make ends meet and financial concerns have caused threefifths to experience mental health symptoms. The figure is even higher among younger workers.

Mental Health at Work 2018 Report – Seizing the Momentum found that 64% of managers put the interests of their organisation above staff wellbeing at some point, while 12% admit to doing so “every day”.

The proportion of managers who have had mental health training stands at 30% in 2018 from 22% in 2016, but BITC says that progress is slow and that “it is not acceptable for 67% of line managers to have received no training in mental health”, either as part of general management training or a specific mental health course.

The report is based on the online National Employee Mental Wellbeing Survey, compiled via a YouGov panel of 4,626 full and parttime UK employees chosen to be representative of gender, age, race, industry sector, region and business size.

Despite the welcome growth in awareness of mental health – where 71% of respondents say they would recognise the symptoms compared to 64% in the 2016 survey – the survey found that 61% of employees have experienced a mental health issue where work was a contributing factor.

Concerningly, 11% of respondents who disclosed a mental health issue subsequently faced disciplinary action, demotion or dismissal.

The report contains five anonymised case studies of workers whose disclosure of a mental health issue led to a worsening of their situation at work.

BITC also highlights a “disconnect” between what senior leaders believe about their organisations and the reality of employees: while 58% of senior leaders think that their organisation supports its staff, only 42% of employees with no managerial responsibility felt the issues were being addressed.

In other findings, the report also points to a lack of measurable evidence of what interventions are effective and no consensus regarding guidance on “reasonable adjustments” for mental health at work.

It also identifies that younger staff are more vulnerable to mental health issues, with 37% of those aged 18-29 have been formally diagnosed with a mental health condition, compared to 29% of employees over 50.

The report reveals that Public Health England is planning a three-year mental health marketing programme called “Every Mind Matters” which is due to debut in spring 2019, to raise awareness of the fact that looking after mental health is as important as physical health.

The report also looks at the particular experience of BAME workers, LGBT+ staff and those working for SMEs, and also address conditions in particular industries.

In another survey on the impact of poor mental health at work, the St John Ambulance charity questioned 1000 administrative and HR staff who contacted the charity to book first aid at work courses, finding that one in four of them had previously left a job due to mental health problems.

A further 43% said that they had considered leaving a job due to stress or mental health issues and yet less than a fifth (19%) of organisations where they worked had mental health policies in place.

Nearly two thirds (65%) said they would feel uncomfortable asking for a mental health sick day – with embarrassment being the top reason cited, followed by not liking to take time off work and not wanting to let colleagues down. Over a third (37%) said their employer recognised stress as a valid condition and worked to help.

6 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

industry news

Doctors need more mental and occupational health support, SOM urges The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) has published a new review of research evidence demonstrating that doctors in the UK are at greater risk of work-related stress, burnout and depression and anxiety than the general population.

What could make a difference to the mental health of UK doctors?

A review of the research evidence draws on findings from a number of recent studies, and was compiled

by Professor Gail Kinman of the University of Bedfordshire and Dr Kevin Teoh of Birkbeck, University of London.

The report is launched as the SOM, Faculty of Occupational Medicine and NHS Health at Work Network make the case for better provision of occupational health support to NHS staff in their response to the consultation on the future plan for the NHS. For instance, the SOM report cites: data from the 2017 NHS Staff Survey that sampled 34,255 medical and dental staff, revealing that 33% of consultants and 36% of trainee doctors reported feeling unwell due to work-related stress in the previous 12 months.

The British Medical Association’s (BMA) Quarterly Survey in 2017, which found that 50% of 422 respondents had felt unwell due to work-related stress during the previous year. During this period 61% felt their stress levels had increased, while only 6% indicated they had reduced. An estimate that the suicide rate for doctors is between two and five times that for the general population according to a paper in the British Journal of Psychiatry Bulletin by Dr Clare Gerada. A work-related suicide is not included in the HSE’s work-related death statistics, but junior doctors in the BMA have lobbied for full investigations of doctor suicides.

The report highlights several factors that increase doctors’ risk of mental health problems, including high

workload and potential exposure to traumatic events, rapid change in the healthcare sector and low levels of autonomy and support. The report also links current working conditions and associated mental health problems to poor retention and high turnover rates, along with implications for patient outcomes and the financial performance of healthcare organisations.

40 under 40Consultant occupational physician and chair of the NHS Health at Work Network Dr Shriti Pattani said: “The report highlights the importance of support in the workplace for doctors including emotional support.

Occupational health services are the experts on the relationship of health and work and are well placed to support doctors. Investment in NHS occupational health services is important if they are to provide support to all healthcare workers.”

Meanwhile, the case for more investment in occupational health services to support doctors and other NHS workers has been has

been made by the SOM, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and the NHS Health at Work Network in their joint response to the NHS England consultation on the future of the NHS. The response argues that the “entire NHS workforce in primary and secondary care should have access to good occupational health support”, including the 174,000 GPs and staff working in England’s 7,454 GP practices. According to the response, current occupational health provision within the NHS is not uniform and standards are not mandated. But even current levels cannot be sustained against a background of annual reductions in funding.

“Continual reduction in NHS occupational health budgets within trusts is reducing staff health and wellbeing,” says the response, pointing to a serious shortage of specialists in occupational medicine.

The number of NHS consultants in this field has declined from 80 to 60 over the past two years.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 7

industry news

Quarry operator fined £30k for employee’s conveyor injuries

New guide helps managers tackle poor mental health Updated guidance has been published to help managers support staff with mental health problems.

The handbook, People Managers’ Guide to Mental Health, was launched last week by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and mental health charity Mind. It gives advice on how to identify the warning signs and suggests practical ways to promote good mental health at work.

Line managers who know their staff and hold regular catch-up meetings with them are “well placed to spot any signs of stress or poor mental health” early on, the guide says. Often a change in typical behaviour is a key indicator, such as aggression, euphoria, increased sickness absence and “apparent overreaction to problems”.

A Scottish quarry operator must pay £30,000 after its failure to prevent a maintenance worker from accessing a conveyor belt on an unisolated screener unit resulted in severe injuries to his hand and arm.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that MacAulay Askernish, which operates Askernish Quarry on the Isle of South Uist, had failed to install an adequate guard on the screener unit and did not isolate dangerous moving parts while the maintenance work was carried out on 2 November 2016.

Maintenance worker Donald Campbell was able to lean through the opening in the screener’s conveyor frame to fix a slipping belt. His hand was pulled into the nip point between the machine’s drive drum and conveyor belt and his arm became entangled, causing severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

HSE inspectors also found that MacAulay Askernish, which offers plant hire, carries out civil projects and provides utility services to the public sector, most notably for Scottish Water, had failed to ensure the unit was maintained properly. Officers found other guard panels were not in place on the machinery.

MacAulay Askernish, of Hillside Office, Lochboisdale, Isle of South Uist, pleaded guilty to breaching reg 6(1) of the Quarries Regulations 1999 at Lochmaddy Sheriff Court.

The guide advises people to talk about their mental health. It says that a wellness action plan (WAP) drawn up by employees “opens up a dialogue” between them and their manager and demonstrates the employer’s commitment to staff wellbeing.

A WAP covers workplace triggers for stress or poor mental health, what support employees need from their line manager, and agreed steps to take if the staff member experiences a mental health issue.

Information on good practice in recruitment and the return-to-work process is also included in the publication, as well as where help can be found.

Mental ill health is the primary cause of long-term sickness absence for more than one UK organisation in five (22%). Recent research by the CIPD found that one in three organisations (32%) train line managers to support staff with poor mental health, while a Mind survey of more than 44,000 employees found only 42% felt their manager would notice they were struggling with a mental health issue.

The free resource was first produced in 2011. It has been reviewed and updated following the publication of the government-commissioned Thriving at Work employment review last October, which made recommendations to employers about how to better support people with mental health problems.

Rachel Suff, senior employment relations adviser at the CIPD said: “The role of line managers in employee wellbeing is vital. They are often the first port of call

8 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Contractor Willmott Dixon trials ‘exoskeleton’ vest as aid to manual handling Top 20 building contractor Willmott Dixon is trialling an “exoskeleton” vest for construction workers, designed to reduce the exertion of lifting and ultimately extend working lives.

The trial follows news that a leading vegetable growing and packing company, G’s, has also fitted some staff with the “bionic” vests to reduce the effort needed to pick lettuces, with successful results.

Willmott Dixon is testing the Eksovest, which has also been trialled at two Ford plants in the US, on employees and subcontractors at the Cardiff West Community High School site.

The upper body vest supports workers’ arms when lifted above chest height, transferring the strain usually imposed on the shoulders, back and upper arms to the legs to reduce fatigue and injury risk.

The device was developed by US-based robotics company Ekso Bionics. Each “back pack” unit costs approximately £5,650, with the funding supplied by Willmott Dixon’s central research and development fund, Eureka.

Speaking to Health and Safety at Work, Willmott Dixon design manager Chris Townsend explained that the device transfers load to a wearer’s legs via spring-loaded links between the arm, back and waist pieces.

“One worker said that he could feel it making a difference within an hour” Chris Townsend, Willmott Dixon design manager However, the Eksovest is not in itself powered. “The manual handling limits don’t change,” Townsend stressed.

The Cardiff trial is focusing on tasks where workers spend much of the day with their arms raised, such as

installing dry lining or ceiling tiles. “One worker said that he could feel it making a difference within an hour,” Townsend said.

By providing lift assistance to the arms when the springs are activated, the worker will get a noticeable level of support for overhead tasks, including using tools above head height.

The trial is intended mainly to gather worker feedback, since firm evidence in terms of reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) would only become apparent in the longer term.

However, Townsend also estimates that exoskeletons could enable construction workers to continue working for an extra five or six years.

Under a programme running until summer 2019, further trials are due to be undertaken for a month at a time at other sites within Willmott Dixon’s Wales and South West division, involving different supply chain partners and different tasks such as installing pipe work.

“We want to try and get a good cross-section,” said Townsend.

Meanwhile, an exoskeleton developed by Laevo of the Netherlands has been tested in the UK by vegetable grower and packer G’s.

The company’s head of health, safety, risk and continuous improvement John Boyle addressed the annual IOSH food and drink manufacturing health and safety conference last month.

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10 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

INDUSTRY NEWS

Construction firms targeted in new health inspections Construction firms across Great Britain will be targeted on their health standards by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

These inspections will be the first time the regulator has targeted the industry with a specific focus on respiratory risks and occupational lung disease, looking at the measures businesses have in place to protect their workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica and wood dust.

Inspectors will be visiting construction businesses and sites across the country throughout October and will specifically be looking for evidence of construction workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the right controls, and if necessary will use enforcement to ensure people are protected.

HSE’s Peter Baker, chief inspector of construction said: “Around 100 times as many workers die from diseases caused or made worse by their work than are killed in construction accidents. Annually, work-related cancers,

mainly linked to asbestos and silica, are estimated to kill 3,500 people from the industry. Thousands of others suffer life-changing illnesses from their work. Not all lung diseases take years to develop. Some, like acute silicosis or occupational asthma, can occur more quickly.

“As a result, we’ve launched this inspection initiative to find out what exactly businesses in the construction industry are doing today to protect their workers’ health, particularly when it comes to exposure to dust and damage to lungs.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 11

INDUSTRY NEWS

“We want construction workers to be aware of the risks associated with the activities they carry out on a daily basis; be conscious of the fact their work may create hazardous dust; and consider how this could affect their health, in some cases irreversibly. We want businesses and their workers to think of the job from start to finish and avoid creating dust or disturbing asbestos by working in different ways. We want to see construction firms encouraging their workers to firstly keep the dust down and wear the right mask and clothing.

“Ultimately, we want construction workers’ lungs to be protected from ill health, so they can go home healthy to their families and enjoy long careers in this important industry.”

For more information on the programme of inspections and to download our free #DustBuster selfie cards visit: https://bit.ly/2QWLYib and follow the campaign on Twitter at @H_S_E, on Facebook @hsegovuk and @SaferSites. You can also join the conversation at #WorkRight

12 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

FIRE SAFETY

Advanced Emergency Lighting Protects Exclusive Knightsbridge Hotel One of London’s most prestigious hotels, The Berkeley in Knightsbridge, London, is now protected by a Lux Intelligent emergency lighting test system and MxPro fire panels from Advanced.

With a history dating back to the 1800s, the current 214-bedroom Berkeley Hotel was built in 1972, incorporating elements of the original building, and it has recently been subject to a major refurbishment covering all bedrooms, suites, terraces, the lobby, the restaurant, the iconic Blue Bar and the main entrance.

Lewis Bowden, spokesperson for Surrey-based Alarm Commuication Ltd, the company that specified and installed the system, explained: “Hotels require state of the art emergency lighting systems to safeguard their staff and residents in an emergency situation, helping to facilitate an orderly evacuation and also to guide firefighters coming into the building. As a long-time Advanced partner, we believed that Lux Intelligent, alongside Advanced MxPro fire panels, was the right choice for The Berkeley, offering the stand-out capabilities, features and reliability required of a system of this type.

More than 200 Advanced luminaires have been installed in the historic hotel, on Wilton Place, which is part of the same stable as Claridge’s.

They are monitored and controlled by a Lux Intelligent panel, connected to the building’s fire system. Most of the luminaires are from the Advanced LED-Lite range, which can be recessed into ceilings, offering an aesthically pleasing solution in the public areas of the prestigious building.

Etienne Ricoux, Head of Sales for Advanced, said: “Our Lux Intelligent system offers many benefits including real peace of mind, the ability to work with almost any light, and cost and admin savings. Alsongside the MxPro multiprotocol fire panels, we’re proud to be providing market protection to the staff and residents at the Berkley.”

Lux Intelligent, ensures all emergency lighting is functioning and compliant to BS5266-1. The system can be retrofitted onto existing wiring and luminaires, keeping installation costs to a minimum. It is one of the most flexible systems available with panels supporting 1-4 loops, 249

devices per loop and up to 200 panels in a network. Lux Intelligent is also compatible with most third party lights and luminaires, including LEDs, giving installers and end users unprecedented purchasing freedom.

Lux Intelligent systems can be remotely managed and monitored using web and iOS apps via the Lux Intelligent Cloud. Users can add any site in their portfolio to the cloud service and get live system data from site, right down to device level. Fault, test and maintenance reports can be generated from a whole site right down to individual devices. These can be shared with colleagues or maintenance partners in a click.

The MxPro is the industry’s unbeatable multiprotocol fire panel.

Built on almost two-decades of market leadership it offers greater freedom to specifiers, end users and installers and includes two panel ranges, the flagship EN54-2, 4 & 13 approved MxPro 5, and the benchmark MxPro 4. Both come in 1-8 loop formats, are compatible with Apollo, Argus, Hochiki and Nittan protocols and can be networked into 200-panel strong systems.

Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. Its legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use sees its products used in prestigious and challenging locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large multi-site networks. Advanced products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, emergency light testing, extinguishing control and fire paging systems.

More details on Lux Intelligent can be found on the website www.luxintelligent.com.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 13

Fire safety

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14 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

LONDON FIRE SOLUTIONS London Fire Solutions specialise in passive fire protection ensuring complete fire safety compliance and maintenance of fire doors and screens within the public & private sectors. With an enviable number of accreditations from industry bodies and robust systems in place to maintain the highest standards of safety they are able to offer their clients ongoing service maintenance programmes to ensure continual compliance.

Although traditionally operating within the South East, further awareness of the hazards that poor fire safety can create have led LFS to grow their operational base and the geographic coverage of its service to that of a national provider of passive fire safety solutions.

With an expanded manufacturing base that boasts the latest machinery and technology they are leading the way on providing a one-stop service; including the surveying, manufacturing, installation and certification of fire doors and screens.

Their fully liveried mobile workshops are manned by BM TRADA Q-Marked trained operatives who use approved repair techniques.

Furthermore their Repairs and Maintenance service provides clients with ongoing compliance and includes access to PASSIFIRE, a bespoke app with barcode and handheld technology, enabling

swift response and quick repairs. Following some misinformation from the Government recently, which dictated that timber fire doors should be tested from both sides, LFS have taken the initiative to fire test their timber doors.

Despite the Government now retracting this ruling LFS believe it’s prudent to reassure their customers particularly Local Authorities that their timber doors are

fully tested on both sides. Furthermore in light of this, LFS have previously fire tested both sides of the glass in their glazed doors successfully.

This additional testing demonstrates LFS’s determination to stay at the forefront of passive fire protection and it is through this continual testing and certification with all of the major fire industry bodies that puts them ahead of their competitors in this field.

For further information contact Rebecca Coffey 07930 204921

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16 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Irish regulators launch farm inspection campaign to minimise work at height risks Inspectors on both sides of the Irish border will be visiting farms to check that work at height is carried out safely in a two-week campaign. regulators have found that serious and fatal falls often occur when farmers are repairing storm-damaged buildings.

The Health and Safety Authority in the Republic of Ireland and the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) are launching the campaign today, which will include a special focus on the risks of work on fragile roofs.

Many agriculture buildings use fragile roofing materials that cannot support a person’s weight. The Irish

Inspectors will visit farms and advise that only competent individuals should undertake roof work. They will also highlight the importance of farmers risk-assessing all work at height, paying attention to fragile roofs.

Inspectors will emphasise the importance of selecting a suitable system of work and equipment before carrying out any work.

The campaign will highlight also the dangers of falling objects such as

round bales and other feed items, which are often stored at height.

Inspectors will advise farmers on the importance of safely stacking and handling these items to minimise the risk of falls and related crush injuries.

Although only around 6% of the Irish working population is employed in the agriculture sector, the Irish regulators report that the industry accounts for up to 50% of workplace deaths.

Since the start of this year, 16 people have died south of the border and five in Northern Ireland from farming accidents. One fatal fall occurred in each country.

CEOs and MDs are worst driving offenders, survey finds The most senior managers in UK organisations are more likely to have attracted driving penalties than their subordinates, according to a new survey.

The online poll of 1,000 drivers, commissioned by mobile workforce management technology company BigChange, found that while 9% of respondents who had no managerial responsibility admitted to having incurred a driving ban, the figure rose to 12% for middle managers and jumped to 25% for board level executives.

The worst culprits were chief executives and managing directors, 51% of whom admitted they had been banned.

Only 16% of commercial van drivers and 12% of all employees who drive on company business had received similar sanctions. The survey, conducted by research consultancy Opinium during August, also found

that chief executives and managing directors were likely to have accrued the most penalty points on their driving licences, averaging 4.8 points for chief executives and 3.7 points for managing directors. This compared with 2.7 points for van drivers.

A third (32%) of all board level executives surveyed admitted to speeding at least once week, while a quarter said they used a mobile phone while driving on a weekly basis. The publication of the research coincides with the launch of a new BigChange campaign, Leaders for Life, which is designed to encourage business leaders to promote safer driving at work.

Department for Transport figures show that 1,792 people were killed

on Britain’s roads in 2016, the highest annual total since 2011.

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns at road safety charity Brake, which supports the campaign, said: “Speeding and mobile phone use are illegal and highly dangerous driving behaviours which can all too easily result in devastating consequences. Nearly a third of all road deaths involve someone driving for work and that won’t change until business leaders take charge of their own driving habits and those of their employees. This research shows that anyone who gets behind the wheel can be guilty of dangerous driving, and business leaders must do more to manage the behaviour of everyone on their behalf.”

18 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

FIRE SAFETY

AIR QUALITY RELIES

ON COMPLIANCE Maintaining ongoing ductwork compliance with TR/19, especially in your kitchen extract system, is essential, as Gary Nicholls, Managing Director of Swiftclean Building Services, and member of the Building and Engineering Association (BESA) steering group for TR/19, explains.

All ventilation ductwork must be cleaned regularly in accordance with TR/19 ‘Cleanliness of Ventilation Systems’, the leading industry guidance document on ventilation hygiene, issued by the Building & Engineering Services Association (BESA).

One of the most critical areas to keep compliant is your kitchen extract system, because this can harbour a potentially serious fire risk. The airborne grease, fat and oil which is produced by cooking gives rise to grease deposits on the inside of the extract system ductwork. Should a fire occur, the grease will act as fuel for the fire, while the ductwork provides a route for fire to spread to other parts of the building, often the upper floors and the roof space.

These grease deposits must be strictly controlled to keep this fire risk to a minimum. The grease layer should not exceed an average thickness of 200 microns, which is about half the thickness of an average business card. Failing to control this fire risk can be deemed negligence, for which the responsible person can face criminal charges and a possible custodial sentence.

How often the extract system needs to be cleaned depends how heavily it is used.

TR/19 contains very helpful tables which indicate how frequently each system must be cleaned, depending on how often and for how many hours the kitchen is used.

If in doubt, your specialist TR/19 cleaning provider can help you establish a regular cleaning programme to keep your premises compliant.

Before & dirty

Negligence can have other consequences.

If you do experience a fire, and you are shown not to be TR/19 compliant, there is a distinct possibility that your insurance company will not pay out, because you have not followed best practice or fulfilled your legal duties.

You must also have robust documentation of your compliance. Should the worst happen, you need to demonstrate that you did all you could to comply. You need to ensure that your cleaning provider provides you with before and after photography to demonstrate that your system has been cleaned to make it TR/19 compliant.

A specialist TR/19 cleaning provider will be able to provide you with help and advice as well as expert services to help you achieve and maintain compliance.

After & clean

www.swiftclean.co.uk.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 19

FIRE SAFETY

Fire Dampers...

Essential fire protection Ÿ In a fire, will your building's fire

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If the building you are responsible for has fire dampers you must test them every 12 months.

Stay compliant, lives may depend on it.

Call us now on 0800 243 471 www.swiftclean.co.uk/fire-damper-testing

20 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

fire safety

Kingston Joinery and West Port Windows and Doors join forces to bring ‘exceptional’ new fire door product to market Two of Britain’s leading timber fenestration businesses are joining forces to bring a new high-performance fire door-set to market.

A new distribution deal will see East Yorkshire’s Kingston Joinery and Cumbria’s West Port Windows offer a complete turnkey package to some of the UK’s biggest commercial developers and contractors.

West Port’s best-in-class, Secured

by Design-accredited fire door has withstood temperatures of almost 1000 degrees Celsius in testing and contained fires for 42 minutes – 40% longer than required for FD30 status.

Kingston Joinery, meanwhile, are registered with International Fire Consultants (IFC), allowing their supervisors to self-certify on site, offering clients a quick and easy route to fully-accredited installations.

“The product we’re offering is an ideal solution for local authorities with high-rise towers, and is perfectly suited for flat entrance doors, communal doors, corridor doors and stairwell doors,” comments Craig O’Leary, Kingston Joinery’s Managing Director.

“Developed with one of the UK’s leading timber window manufacturers, and delivering the highest standard of fire protection, it’s an outstanding way to meet and excess increasingly stringent fire regulations.

“We’re delighted to be working with West Port to offer such comprehensive installation and accreditation package and feel it could make a really positive impact in the commercial development and refurbishment sectors.”

Sean Parnaby, West Port Managing Director, comments: “Grenfell Tower was a long-overdue wake-up call for everyone in construction. Finally,

fire safety regulations are being tightened, and now, as an industry, we’re responsible for producing and fitting fire door-sets that perform to the highest standards. Together, that’s what West Port and Kingston can offer.

“Every door we provide has exceeded standard fire resistance times by 40% and comes supplied with relevant markings to verify the door’s fire integrity, as well as lowlevel thresholds for disability access.

“Available with five to seven-week lead times, this is an ideal solution for major UK developers, main contractors, local councils and housing associations.”

Kingston Joinery has previously worked on large-scale developments for the likes of Bam, Balfour Beatty, Galliard Homes, Galliford Try, Interserve, Kier and Morgan Sindall.

For more information call West Port Windows & Doors on 01900 814225 or visit www.west-port.co.uk

Introducing the

FD30 timber fire door

that lasts 40% longer At a time when fire doors are in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, finding a supplier you can trust with a tried and tested product can be challenging.

For more information about our range of fire doors call 01900 814225, email sales@west-port.co.uk or visit west-port.co.uk

If you can relate to that statement you need to talk to West Port. Subjected to rigorous testing by both Cambridge Fire Research and BRE, our FD30 timber fire door has beaten the 30-minute test by 40% - withstanding 800-degree temperatures for an impressive 42 minutes 7 seconds.

What’s more, it’s one of the few FD30 doors that also carries Secured by Design accreditation, offering complete peace of mind for you and your customers.

Made in the UK

West Port Timber Windows & Doors

Solway Industrial Estate | Maryport | Cumbria | CA15 8NF

22 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNITY HOUSING ARE RAISED TO

TOP CATEGORY PROTECTION WITH AICO Watford Community Housing has completed the installation of Grade D, LD1 fire detection systems in two 16 storey tower blocks using Aico Multi-Sensor Fire Alarms and accessories, wirelessly interconnected with Aico’s award winning RadioLINK+ RF technology.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 23

Abbey View and Munden View tower blocks on the Meriden Estate, which recently celebrated their 50th anniversary, are iconic Watford landmarks. They are part of Watford Community Housing’s property portfolio of over 5,000 homes located across South-West Hertfordshire.

Domestic Fire Alarm installation is guided BS 58396:2013 which clearly identifies both Grades of alarm system to use and Categories of protection. Grade D is the most common and requires one or more interlinked mains powered alarms, each with an integral stand-by supply. LD3 and LD2 are the most common categories, but Watford Community Housing has chosen the highest category, LD1, for the two tower blocks. David Wright, Surveying Manager at Watford Community Housing explains: “Our tenants’ safety and wellbeing is our highest priority. With this in mind, and due to the known risks around high-rise buildings, we decided that full detection would be appropriate.”

The decision to install alarms to the highest category possible was made some time ago, as part of an organisational review of housing stock. The housing association has been using Aico alarms for many years: “We believe the products deliver the best in safety for our tenants,” comments David. “We are also aware of what is required from a maintenance point of view, helping us to minimise the time we spend in the properties.”

This was one of the considerations for Watford Community Housing when specifying alarm types, which led them to Aico’s Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm. “We identified these alarms as a way in which we could protect and future-proof our properties” states David. “The wireless capabilities and the possibility of being able to potentially test properties without having to gain entry was a real selling point. Data extraction was also a real plus for us in making this decision. We were also looking to address the issue of false alarms and we believe that the dual aspect of this product will help to reduce nuisance alarms.”

Aico’s Multi-Sensor Fire Alarm uses two sensor types, optical and heat, to constantly monitor smoke and heat levels which are processed through intelligent detection software to provide the best response to all fire types, as well as reducing potential false alarms; the latter is enhanced through a dust compensation feature.

Three to four Multi-Sensors have been installed per flat (depending on the number of bedrooms), plus an Ei164e Heat Alarm in the kitchen and a wall mounted Ei450 Alarm Control Switch. The Switch allows residents not only to test all alarms on the system, but also silence them and locate the trigger alarm from a safe, accessible location.

The devices within each flat are interconnected wirelessly using Aico RadioLINK+ RF technology which helped meet tenants’ concerns. “When we consulted tenants,” states David, “one of their main concerns was that they didn’t want masses of surface-mounted trunking over the ceiling. RadioLINK allows for minimal trunking use, which meets our residents’ wishes and also helps to reduce labour costs.”

A further Aico product – the Ei414 Fire/CO Alarm Interface – has been installed to provide a dedicated connection between the Aico Part 6 Fire Alarms in each property and the Part 1 system in the communal hallway. Also benefitting from RadioLINK+ wireless interconnection technology, the Ei414 did not require any apertures to be made for wiring which was vital as Watford Community Housing had recently carried out compartmentation within the fabric of the buildings. A highly flexible device, the Ei414 will also enable the Part 6 Fire Alarm systems to be readily interconnected to sprinkler systems which Watford Community Housing is considering for a later date.

“Our tenants’ safety and wellbeing is our highest priority.

With this in mind, and due to the known risks around high-rise buildings, we decided that full detection would be appropriate.”

The Multi-Sensor comes with two types of data extraction technology. The award winning AudioLINK enables real time data to be extracted from each alarm directly to a smartphone or tablet via a free App to create an Alarm Status Report. RadioLINK+ can extract total system data from a property, for a valuable record of the alarm system in each and every property managed, which is useful for both asset management and maintenance purposes. As an added bonus RadioLINK+ data extraction doesn’t even require access to the property, thus avoiding disturbing tenants.

Aico has provided considerable support on this project, as David comments. “Aico are great! It’s been said that the RSMs [Regional Specification Managers] don’t sell Aico products which is true, they’re there as consultants on the products. Chloe’s [Chloe Vickery, RSM] help has been invaluable in this project”.

Aico, an Ei company, is the market leader in residential fire and CO protection in the UK. All alarms are designed and built in Ireland specifically to meet the UK standards and regulations.

For more information please go to www.aico.co.uk or contact Aico on 01691 664100 or enquiries@aico.co.uk.

24 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

SAFETY & SECURITY

MITIE VISION

Mitie Group has agreed to acquire Compass Group UK and Ireland’s security specialist business, Vision Security Group (VSG).

Mitie to acquire Vision Security Group VSG offers integrated security systems, manned guarding and key holding services, with a team of approximately 6,000 employees servicing more than 1,400 guarding locations and over 5,000 systems locations across the UK and Ireland.

The acquisition of VSG will strengthen Mitie’s Total Security Management business as one of the leading providers of integrated and risk-based security services in the UK. In particular, the combination will offer opportunities to accelerate the growth of Mitie’s premium technology-enabled and intelligence-led security solutions.

The consideration of £14 million will be paid in cash at completion, subject to any adjustment for final completion accounts, and will be funded through Mitie’s own cash resources.

VSG reported revenue of £192.1 million and losses before tax of £2.7 million in its statutory accounts for the year ended 30 September 2017. At that date, VSG had gross assets with a value of £42.4 million. Although final accounts have not yet been closed, it is expected that VSG will report modest profitability for the financial year ending 30 September 2018.

Phil Bentley, Chief Executive Officer, Mitie, commented: “As a core part of Mitie, our security business has delivered a strong performance over the last three years, with sales growing by over 30 per cent. This acquisition gives us the leadership position we seek to maximise value from our technology-led solutions.”

The acquisition is expected to complete by the end of October 2018.

This acquisition gives us the leadership position we seek to maximise value from our technology-led solutions.”

26 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

SAFETY & SECURITY

SAFETY STUDENTS LEAD THE WAY The Association for Project Safety celebrates top student designers Top student designers in construction were recognised at the Association for Project Safety’ (APS) annual student designer awards today (Wednesday 12 September 2018). Projects highlighting how best to manage risk demonstrate how future construction leaders will help make construction projects safer for workers and end users.

First prize: Faye Sedgewick Northumbria University This project promotes intergenerational living aimed at tackling the older people living in Newcastle upon Tyne, who are facing challenges of social segregation, loneliness and maintaining their independence. This mixed-use development minimises the potential risks to the well-being of a diverse community, whilst respecting the historic and social legacy of the Keelmen and the local context.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 27

SAFETY & SECURITY Second prize: Daniel Tomko, Birmingham City University This was a complex brief consisting of three distinctive uses incorporating a sustainable research facility for urban farming, a visitors’ centre with lecture theatre located in a 20m cantilever plus exhibition gallery running in parallel, and an archive above the visitors’ centre counterbalancing the weight of the cantilever and establishing an architectural statement.

Third prize: Mohammed Shaed, Birmingham City University His project, The Forest School of Hydroponics, is the development of a small secondary school and a hydroponics production space for the community to use for the making of natural medication. The strategy is integrated as part of the landscape within Druids Heath, Birmingham providing a semi-underground building with green roofs, roof lights and soft and hard landscape. The development comprises of classrooms, laboratories, hydroponics production and community spaces.

APS President Bobby Chakravarthy said: “It is time to shout out for safety and celebrating student designers certainly signposts routes to safer construction. I am delighted to recognise the talents of the winners and entrants to this year’s annual Association for Project Safety’s (APS) student designer awards.

“Over recent times we have seen how the failure to build safety into the very fabric to design and construction health and safety risk management can lead to personal tragedies and even national disasters. So I am particularly pleased to see how tomorrow’s professionals can teach the old dogs

some new tricks. Students currently studying any of the construction discipline can help challenge our established ways of working and make us see risk through new eyes. They bring lively thought and ideas to what is often thought of an industry that is set in its ways. The winners and entrants to this year’s Association for Project Safety’s annual student designer awards prove that the future of design and construction health and safety risk management is in good hands.”

The awards were presented at the Stoller Hall of Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester.

28 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

Safe & security

Stress, bullying and overwork top safety reps’ caseloads, TUC survey finds Work related stress once again tops the list of most common workplace hazards encountered by union health and safety representatives across all sectors and industries, according to a biennial TUC survey. concern by 36% of respondents in 2018, down from 40% in 2016.

“It’s easy to make light of ‘health and safety culture’. But it’s no joke lying awake at night from stress, falling ill through working long hours, or being subjected to bullying in the office. Employers and managers need to do more to identify and reduce risks and to provide support to employees struggling to cope” TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady

In Focus on health and safety, published on 5 October, 69% of union safety reps named stress as one of the top five hazards they dealt with. This was slightly down on the figure of 70% recorded in the 2016 survey.

Concern over stress was higher in the public sector where it was named as a top five hazard by 74% of respondents, compared to 64% in the private sector.

The top hazards most frequently reported by reps were: Stress: 69% Bullying/harassment: 45% Overwork: 36% Back strain: 32% Slips, trips and falls: 31% Long hours: 29% Lone working: 25% Repetitive strain injury: 23% Violence and threats: 23% Display screen equipment: 18% Working in central government appears to generate a high amount of stress, with 90% citing it as a top five concern, ahead of health

services (85%) and education (84%).

Stress has also risen markedly in local government, where the proportion of representatives citing it was 80%, up from 72% in 2016.

The second and third highest concerns in the survey are bullying/ harassment and overwork.

“Employers and managers need to do more to identify and reduce risks and to provide support to employees struggling to cope.”

The proportion of safety reps citing bullying/harassment as a top five concern was 45%, down slightly from 48% in 2016, split between 49% of respondents in the public sector and 44% in the private sector.

Once again, concern was more widespread in the public sector (43%) than in the private sector (27%). But the picture in central government has substantially worsened since 2016: 63% of reps cited it in the latest survey compared to 47% two years ago.

The survey notes that the HSE and local authorities have been unwilling to take enforcement action over stress and workload issues in the past, but says that “the increased emphasis that the HSE is giving to this area is therefore welcome”.

It adds: “Overall, the findings show that a wide range of preventable workplace hazards are still all too prevalent across sectors and industries. The TUC will continue its campaigning to ensure they areprevented.”

Again, central and local government seem to generate more cases of bullying and harassment than other sectors, with 71% and 64% of reps listing it as a top five hazard.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “It’s easy to make light of ‘health and safety culture’. But it’s no joke lying awake at night from stress, falling ill through working long hours, or being subjected to bullying in the office.

The survey notes that it is more of a problem in larger workplaces with 100 or more employees. Meanwhile, overwork was cited as a top five

“Employers and managers need to do more to identify and reduce risks and to provide support to employees struggling to cope.”

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 29

WELCOME

HEALTH & SAFETY

Health, Safety & Wellbeing Initiative of the Year – Overbury PLC & Cowry Consulting

HEROES CELEBRATED The Association for Project Safety announces winners of annual CDM awards Projects and professionals showcasing ways to cut the risk of death and life-changing injury and illness were celebrated today (Wednesday 12 September 2018) at the annual Association for Project Safety’s (APS) awards ceremony. The awards aim to drive up skills and professional practice across design and construction health and safety risk management and to help the industry respond to and prevent a disaster like the Grenfell Tower fire.

Client of the year - Earls Court Partnership Limited

Prizes were awarded for: • Principal Designer of the Year - Prosurv Consult Limited & Safety for Design Limited • CDM Consultant of the Year - Safer Sphere CHS Limited • Client of the year - Earls Court Partnership Limited • Health, Safety & Wellbeing Initiative of the Year – Overbury PLC & Cowry Consulting

CDM Consultant of the Year Safer Sphere CHS Limited

APS President Bobby Chakravarthy said: “A rigorous, professional and innovative approach to health and safety is vital in winning the war on the risks that are inherent in the construction industry. Beacons – like today’s winners of the Association for Project Safety’s annual CDM awards - highlight best practice and new thinking. They are vital to educate, enlighten and encourage all professionals in health and safety risk management. Our winners lead the construction sector to challenge and improve its ways of working.

“There are still too many people killed, injured or permanently robbed of good health because of work in construction. But, increasingly, the professional specialism of design and construction health and safety risk management must look beyond the building site to the whole life of all buildings and projects. We have all seen the tragic effects of cutting corners and we need to redouble our efforts to put safety first.

“The winners and worthy runners-up in this year’s APS CDM awards showcase how everyone can play a part in making design and construction risk management safer. I applaud them all and encourage professes across the sector to learn from their leadership.”

The awards were presented at the Stoller Hall of Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester.

Principal Designer of the Year - Prosurv Consult Limited & Safety for Design Limited

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 23

PREMISES

CRITTALL WINDOWS HELP KEEP TROUBLED YOUNGSTERS SAFE

A state-of-the-art residential unit for vulnerable children and adolescents in the North West of England features Crittall’s Fendor CleanVent security windows.

Junction 17, designed by architects Gilling Dodd, was commissioned by Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust to provide facilities for the care of 24 inpatients aged between 13 and 17. The unit, at Prestwich, is a Tier 4 CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) facility for young people with significant mental health needs and who may pose a high risk to themselves and others.

Typical symptoms or conditions may include self-harming behaviour and psychosis.

For this reason windows in rooms to which patients have access must have an antiligature feature.

Junction 17 has been designed with full input from the professional users of the building with the intention of providing a modern, uplifting and non-institutional appearance.

In addition to the inpatient accommodation there is an intensive care suite, therapy and activity spaces and a fully-equipped college and learning zone.

The aluminium CleanVent windows specified complement this modern, non institutional feel while satisfying the anti-ligature requirements, meeting the security level of the building as well as providing natural

ventilation. Crittall also supplied doors and curtain walling.

CleanVent is a unique, patented, sliding security window providing SecureLock access to the protected glazing behind the security mesh.

The windows can be internally or externally opened depending on the security lever required. It has been developed as a direct result of feedback from NHS Trusts across the UK and following extensive research and testing.

The Junction 17 facility has met with universal acclaim from staff, patients and families alike with the quality of the spatial design and healing environment attracting particular praise.

A detailed post-project evaluation carried out by the Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust concluded that there was improved quality of clinical care, improved patient environment, safety and security. www.crittall-fendor.co.uk

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 31

Industry

Says Ben Farrar, Traka Market Development Manager: “Healthcare estates and universities require the optimum Health & Safety and security standards. Achieving them is not without its difficulties, especially in the current climate with stringent budget demands. Our aim at UHEI is to demonstrate how utilising latest technology, with integrated capability, can help bridge the gap in the ‘weak links’ in security and safety processes. Key management can automate the simplest of hardware (keys), enabling authorised personnel to restrict access and monitor usage, creating flexibility and cost efficiency and enhancing processes for all who work and use the facilities.”

Traka On Call at University & Healthcare Estates & Innovation

Traka provides intelligent key management and equipment management access control to better protect important equipment - resulting in improved security and efficiency, reduced downtime, less damage, fewer losses, lower operating costs and significantly less administration.

Traka is attending the University & Healthcare Estates & Innovation (UHEI) 2018: Birmingham, to present ways for Estate Managers to maximise efficiencies, safety and security for the benefit of staff, visitors, students and patients.

To find out more, please visit Traka at UHEI 2018 Birmingham, taking place from 27 – 28 November 2018 at Cranmore Park in Birmingham, or visit www.traka.com

UHEI conference and exhibition, taking place from 27 – 28 November at Cranmore Park, presents key issues facing the University and Healthcare sectors. The conference addresses each issue from a University perspective, and then from a Healthcare perspective - allowing delegates to gain insight into both areas.

As the industry leader in intelligent key cabinets and locker solutions, Traka will be on stand 37, displaying its latest innovative solutions for university and healthcare facilities, including the exclusive ability to control and manage drug distribution through a specialist dual authorisation process.

Visitors will also be able to discuss bespoke requirements and see live demonstrations of key cabinets and locker solutions for health and education services, whilst learn more about their capability to integrate into existing access control networks.

32 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

CORDANT ON STAGE AT SHAKESPEARE’S GLOBE

Cordant Security has landed a contract to provide a wide-range of security solutions at Shakespeare’s Globe, the iconic theatre based on Bankside, London.

Under the terms of the deal, Cordant will supply a 24/7 staffed security solution 365-days-a-year as the theatre continues to prioritise the safety of its visitors and employees.

Services will include search and screening, patrolling, overt and plain clothes security, and access control, including keyholding, deliveries and car park management. Experienced officers will monitor CCTV and report and respond to any incidents.

They will also be equipped with specific customer service training to answer queries from members of the public.

Sandra Lynes Timbrell, Director of Exhibition & Tour and Visitor

Experience, said: “It is our objective to provide a first-class experience for our guests, many of whom come from right across the world, and we must ensure they remain safe at all times. Cordant Security has an outstanding reputation for providing a proficient and high-quality service to its clients. This gave us the confidence to sign this contract and we are pleased to embark on this important partnership.”

Brendan Musgrove, Managing Director at Cordant Security, said: “Shakespeare’s Globe is one of the city of London’s most famous landmarks and we are privileged to secure this contract. We possess the vital expertise and knowledge to

deliver world-class security solutions to any significant building, including this iconic venue, and we fully understand that the safety of guests and employees is of paramount importance.”

Shakespeare’s Globe comprises the Globe Theatre, Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, education faculty and exhibition & tour, attracting over a million visitors each year.

VODAFONE CALLS ON MITIE FOR CONTRACT EXTENSION Mitie has been awarded a two-year extension to its existing facilities management contract with Vodafone UK. The extension (subject to formal contract), will commence on 1 April 2020, and follows an initial six-year contract.

Mitie will continue to provide a wide range of integrated FM services at almost 1,250 Vodafone properties across the UK, including data centres, corporate buildings and retail stores. Services will include planned and reactive mechanical and electrical maintenance, security, catering, cleaning, waste, energy management and project work.

The initial contract period achieved substantial savings for Vodafone, reducing cost by over 15 per cent of the contract value by changing the service design.

Mitie will deploy its connected workplace technology to further increase efficiencies.

Speaking about the contract extension, Carlo Alloni, Managing Director, Engineering Services, Mitie said: “We are delighted to be continuing our relationship with Vodafone UK. The two-year extension is a testament to the hard work of the operational team as we continue to look for ways to deliver smarter and more efficient services using our Connected Workspace technology to support Vodafone’s property strategy.”

www.DurableFMJ.co.uk

34 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

ERA LAUNCHES LOCKDOWN – EMERGENCY DOOR SECURITY

E

RA, the UK’s leading home security specialist, has launched Lockdown, the UK’s first emergency barricade device designed to provide high performance security in the event of a threatening situation.

ERA’s Lockdown product is designed for use in commercial/community settings with high footfall from schools and hospitals to travel hubs, offices, workplaces, hotels, shopping centres and leisure/ tourist attractions including theatres, cinemas, pubs, bars and restaurants. Lockdown is simple and easy to fit (no fumbling with keys or padlocks) making doors inaccessible to intruders and creating a safe hiding place for civilians in the event of an attack.

Robust and lightweight, Lockdown is available for both single and double doors, whether inward or outward swinging and fitted with or without traditional locks.

ERA’s Group Marketing and Innovation Director, Will Butler, said; “Sadly, we now live in a world where terror isn’t a distant menace, it can strike at the heart of our community. Public and businesses are being advised by the government and associated bodies to be extra vigilant and pre-plan how they might react if caught up in a threatening situation.

The over-arching advice being to RUN, HIDE, TELL and when hiding, barricade yourself in.

“For example, we are seeing dummyruns in schools where pupils are being taught what to do in certain scenarios and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) has updated safety advice for employees suggesting that they develop dynamic lockdown procedures and use secondary devices for ‘invacuation’ rather than evacuation to barricade people in a room safely and keep the external threat out.

“Here at ERA, community safety is at the heart of our products, so we are very pleased by the overwhelmingly positive response received at the Security and Counter Terror Expo at London’s Olympia earlier this year.”

Tested to PAS24 impact r esistance standards, single door Lockdown fits doors from 650mm-1100mm width, weighs 4kg and takes seconds to fit.

The double door option fits doors up to 60mm, weighs 1.6kg and again takes seconds to create a secure barricade to outside entry. Pricing for the Lockdown varies and depends on numbers and configurations required.

For further information on ERA Lockdown and other security solutions, visit www.eraeverywhere.com.

Interested parties should contact the sales team on 01922 490 000 or email info@eraeverywhere.com.

Contact us at rics.org/charteredfm and charteredfm@rics.org

36 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

INDUSTRY

Pirelli fined £0.5m for failing to learn from broken arm Tyre maker Pirelli Tyres has been fined more than £500,000 after two employees were injured in separate incidents at its factory in Carlisle, Cumbria.

Both accidents happened on the let-off machine, a unit at the start of the production line comprising a reel wrapped with rubber ply, and a bobbin.

During operation, the rubber ply was fed on to the conveyor belt while the protective liner wound around the bobbin.

On 29 November 2013, machine operator Paul Irons was manually adjusting the bobbin with the unit in the loading position.

The machine was running at a production speed of 18 m per minute and he was drawn into the exposed in-running nip, sustaining a broken arm.

After the accident Pirelli disabled the run-out function to ensure the machine could no longer operate while in the loading position.

However, the nip-point remained unguarded.

Matthew Tinsley, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector who carried out the investigation, said: “Pirelli reviewed the machine and carried out a new risk assessment. They took action in terms of disabling the run-out function, which would prevent the exact same accident happening again, but they missed that the nip was still accessible when it was in the production position.”

As a result, employee Karl Davidson received similar injuries on 31 August 2015 when he was caught in the same in-running nip. The unit

was in the production position and operational when he saw that the liner was not wrapping around the bobbin correctly. He attempted to rectify the issue but became caught in the nip point.

to pay £5,820 costs at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court. After the sentencing on 25 September, Unite issued a statement in which it said Pirelli had a history of safety issues at the Carlisle factory.

“Pirelli reported both accidents to the HSE under RIDDOR but neither met its incident selection criteria and were not investigated. “With the incidents being the best part of two years apart and on the basis of the limited information provided by Pirelli, there was nothing to tell us they both happened on the same machine,” said Tinsley.

The union’s regional officer, Malcolm Carruthers, said: “There have been historic problems with health and safety at this site that were caused or exacerbated by the attitude of looking to blame individuals who had an accident, in a blame-shifting exercise, rather than address the root cause of the accident.

The HSE launched an investigation in 2016 after it became aware the injuries were caused by the same piece of machinery. It found that the let-off unit had been unguarded since 2003, when Pirelli manufactured it in-house.

The company later fitted it with fixed guards and an active optoelectronic protective device, which cuts out the machine when the beam path is interrupted, before decommissioning it.

Tinsley said: “Machines that are built in-house for a company’s own use must meet modern guarding standards, just as if they were going to be placed on the open market.”

Pirelli pleaded guilty to two breaches of reg 11(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations.

It was fined £512,000 and ordered

“This case shows that lessons were not learned from the first incident that should have prevented a further occurrence.”

Pirelli was fined £150,000 in 2015 after employee George Falder died when he became trapped in an industrial autoclave, which heated tyre parts up to 145°C. In making his sentencing remarks, District Judge Chalk noted that credit could not be awarded to Pirelli for a good safety and health record.

He fined the company £12,000 for the first accident because it was before March 2015, when new legislation was introduced granting magistrates’ courts powers to issue unlimited fines for safety and health offices in England and Wales. See box below for how the judge applied the sentencing guidelines to the second offence.

Visit mccue.com/uk call 01908 365511 email UKsales@mccue.com

38 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PROTECTING THE WITH SMART TECHNOLOGY

The sheer scale of modern facilities, density of occupation and growing user demands present particular challenges for fire safety and protection. The speed of detection is crucial as it enables users to intervene at the earliest possible opportunity and prevent further escalation.

Intelligent smoke, flame, heat and carbon monoxide detectors will detect minute smoke particles and will provide an instant fire alert.

Importantly, they will also determine false fire phenomena due to issues such as toasters, poor housekeeping, airborne particles, welding, humidity and temperature change, and will not alarm in these instances. The impact of false alarms on the workplace is immense, as lost working hours and the upheaval of evacuating premises adds up to significant financial loss.

Modern smart devices can even be adapted to reflect environmental changes in room usage.

In the event of a fire or major alert, rapid and orderly evacuation is of the highest priority.

Emergency evacuation highlights the need for greater control during a major incident and voice alarm systems play an integral role in managing these critical situations. Studies reveal that many people do not know how to react to conventional alarms such as bells or sirens. Many assume that it is a test or false alarm; others remain confused and unsure of what to do. Comprehensive messages about the nature of the incident, and the appropriate action to take, using clear language will minimise the potential for panic or confusion.

Zoned voice alarm involves the delivery of highperformance messaging across multi-level, multi-occupancy buildings, offering controlled evacuation where selected floors are evacuated, while others are simultaneously alerted. Evidence has shown that multiple alerts are more effective; the combination of audio and media such as SMS has a greater success rate. Automatic coloured lighting systems can then be employed to direct personnel to the most appropriate emergency exit routes to further ensure personnel safety during the evacuation. It is vital to only evacuate those at risk and this combination of verbal instructions, messaging alerts and wayfinding will maximise safety procedures.

Safe and phased evacuation is vital during a major incident

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 39

WORKPLACE Integrated fire protection from a single source will maximise life safety

Smart detectors will only alarm if there is a genuine fire

www.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies

40 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE

Protos Integral Helmet GmbH of Austria and Woolpower of Sweden as well as other brands.

M

odern technologies and materials have enabled manufacturers to develop more advanced helmets to cater to the demands of specialist industries and job roles. Now is the time to turn our attention to the general industrial helmet.

Why should the majority of hard hat wearers have to put up with ill fitting, uncomfortable safety helmets that fall off easily, particularly when attachments are added for various tasks.

Adding attachments to your helmet can cause neck strain, discomfort and also increase the risk of being caught up on objects in your work environment.

How often has your helmet fallen off your head when having to perform a task that requires you to tilt your head, lean over, or work underneath an object? It can be a real nuisance and for employers it can be a worry.

Some workers may even remove their head protection to perform the task due to the frustration of a loose fitting safety helmet.

With this in mind, and how head protection is so important, we did some research and we came across this company, Outwear Ltd, the sole UK and Ireland distributor for Protos GmbH and Pfanner Schutzbekleidung

Outwear Ltd offer an extensive range of headwear. One such product is the PROTOS® INTEGRAL. They boast that it is the first integral safety helmet of its kind. With over 12 years of development, the goal to integrate ear, facial and neck protection, as well as chin strap and rear ventilation between the inner and outer shells, has been pursued and successfully implemented.

Investing in a high quality safety helmet will not only show your employees that you care about them, but also it will show customers how professional your business is. With a modern look and customisable colour scheme, including corporate branding, you can ensure that your team looks equipped to take on any challenge.

Some advantages of the Protos Integral design: •

Accessories are fully integrated inside the helmet shell – greatly reduces the chance of ear defenders and visors being caught up or snagged within your work environment.

•

Very comfortable - Fully customisable fit. The diameter and height of the cradle can be adjusted and a patented closure mechanism ensures security every time.

•

Weight distribution considered – all attachments are designed to add no strain to the wearer, therefore reducing fatigue and injury.

•

Durability – by having all accessories stored inside the shell the wear and tear is reduced, thus reducing replacement costs from damage.

•

Safety – enhanced features and crash absorbers ensure that the Protos is one of the safest helmets on the market.

NEW BLUETOOTH COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Protos® have set the next milestone in the field of occupational safety.

With the wireless Protos® BT-COM, the most innovative head protection is now complimented with another ground-breaking feature. The Protos® BT-COM technology provides, even under extreme use, stable and interference-free communication.

Advanced Bluetooth wireless technology allows the connection of 4 BT-COM communication units, providing uninterrupted intercom connection between up to 4 operators.

The Protos® BT-COM capsule connects into the existing Protos® ear defender bracket. No wiring, drilling or clamps are required to fit to your Protos® helmet. All of the

BT-COM technical components are incorporated in the ear defender capsule and with no cables and connectors, this guarantees maximum comfort with no risks of snagging.

With a range of up to 600 metres and a battery operating time of up to 12 hours, the Protos® BT-COM will go through one working day without problems. Recharging the battery is easily done via the USB on the Protos® charging bracket.

42 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE

These Boots Were Made For Building Scruffs Hatton Boots £39.95 vat free.

Here at Scruffs we know it’s important to kit out the masters of work in workwear that matches their expertise and keeps them safe, but that’s no all. We also help people in the trade and beyond to look good.

This mid-ankle safety boot is slip resistant and uses the latest Microfresh (R) technology that prevents the growth of mould to reduce odours, which is especially important for the warmer summer months.

Our latest creation, the Hatton Boot, is a stylish composite toe capped boot with steel midplate that offers lightweight toe protection and sole penetration at a competitive price.

With a price point under £40 RRP the full grain nubuck leather Hatton boot is a ‘reseller must stock’ with great on-shelf appeal.

Order online at www.birchwoodpricetools.com, call 0115 938 9000, or email sales@birchwoodpricetools.com for more information on our full range and latest seasonal products.

The new Falcon and Apollo From Solid Gear High Tech Safety Boots For The Winter Incorporating some of the most advanced technical features in safety boot design.

With a focus on comfort and S3 safety, Solid Gear’s Falcon (shown left) and Apollo boots are probably the most robust boots you can get for the winter months. With durable uppers these heavy-duty boots will keep your feet dry and insulated so you can work comfortably in the roughest conditions on site. What’s more, the new oil- and slip resistant Vibram soles deliver outstanding grip on snow and ice – even at low temperatures.

The Apollo has a premium full-grain impregnated leather upper while the Falcon is a mix of full grain leather and a Cordura Rip Stop fabric.

Both boots deliver better water repellency and breathability than many other boots, while their fiberglass toecaps feature multilayer technology for a roomier toe box, while the new thinner and stronger composite plates add extra flexibility.

There’s over 30 boots and shoes in the Solid Gear Safety Footwear range, all of which integrate modern designs and sporty looks with best in class materials for comfort, protection and durability.

To get more information on Solid Gear - the Next Generation of Safety Footwear, visit the website at www.solidgearfootwear.com alternatively, call the Helpline on 01484 854788.

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 43

PPE

It’s Time to Gear Up for Changeable Weather – with Snickers Workwear.

NEW stretch garments and body-mapping layers deliver extreme working comfort and protection – whatever the weather.

It’s hard work on site when the weather starts to get worse in the autumn. That’s why Snickers Workwear continues to improve its working clothes with brand new weatherproof stretch Trousers and Jackets.

With great fit and superb value for money – they’ll be first choice for outside work that demands maximum comfort, mobility and protection.

The new and extended range of AllroundWork and FlexiWork jackets include waterproof and Hi-Vis garments for both men and women to keep the wearer warm, dry and visible.

Rain, drizzle, hail or snow – whatever the weather, Snickers Workwear can deliver a jacket to suit what you’re doing on site.

Getting information on the new Snickers’ Workwear autumn working clothes is easy. You can call the Snickers Helpline on 01484 854788, checkout the website and download a digital catalogue at www.snickersworkwear.co.uk or email info@snickersworkwear.co.uk

ENGEL - COOL COMFORT

STRETCHED TO THE X-TREME X-treme cool-stretch trousers and all Engel workwear available from www.wtc-workwear.co.uk and www.anchorsafety.co.uk For more information visit: www.fe.dk/en email: Mark McBrayne at mmc@f-engel.com or telephone: +44 (0) 7933 150197

WORKWEAR

44 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

PPE

Cutting through the

NOISE NOISE A person’s life and wellbeing can be severely affected if their hearing is damaged by working in an environment where there is a daily exposure to extreme sound levels.

To ensure its customers understand the best ways to manage noise levels and maintain a safe working environment for their employees, Arco, the UK’s leading safety company, has launched a noise awareness campaign, providing employers with key advice and guidance. The campaign also highlights the importance of issuing workers with the most appropriate hearing protection when other noise control measures cannot be achieved, to prevent the health risks of noise exposure such as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).

NIHL is one of the biggest occupational health problems facing the UK today, with more than 20,000 new cases reported in the workplace annually.[1] Whilst damage can be irreversible, the condition is preventable and Arco is committed to helping employers find solutions for noise problems.

Although everyone can be affected, workers in the construction, demolition, road repair, manufacturing and engineering sectors are at particular risk due to the frequent use of power tools. Whenever an individual’s personal exposure limit exceeds 85 decibels in any sector, action must be taken to reduce noise levels and PPE provided in-order to protect workers from the associated health risks.

In April 2018, the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 reclassified all hearing protection against harmful noise to Category III, which is designed to protect against very serious risks where the hazard is not immediately obvious. The effects of hearing loss are now recognised as being severely damaging to a person’s quality of life.

As part of Arco’s commitment to keeping people safe at work, the safety company has created a toolbox talk exploring the negative effects of noise in the workplace and the steps that need to be taken to assess, reduce and control noise.

For more information, please visit, www.arco.co.uk/noise

Redefining

performance comfort and style uvex is an internationally renowned manufacturer of personal protective equipment (PPE) recognised worldwide for its comprehensive portfolio of products which provide outstanding protection; comfort and most importantly, a high degree of wearer acceptance.

All uvex products are totally uncompromising where quality and dependability are concerned. The uvex range comprises of:

Safety Eyewear

Hand Protection

Safety Footwear

Hearing Protection

Respiratory Protection

uvex-safety.co.uk

46 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

INDUSTRY NEWS

The Vital Importance Material in Prescription > By uvex

Almost 70% of people in the UK wear glasses or contact lenses some or all the time, the third highest proportion in Europe, and this number is steadily rising.

S

afety eyewear suppliers are increasingly providing prescription safety spectacles or goggles to safeguard people’s eyes in the workplace, since ordinary prescription glasses do not offer adequate protection.

Amongst many features that must be considered when buying protective eyewear, such as fit, comfort, suitability and style, the correct lens material is one of the most important.

It is crucial to match the correct lens material to the job in hand, understanding the requirements of the wearer and the hazards they may be exposed to.

CR39 For everyday glasses and users of visual display units (VDUs), CR39

(Columbia Resin 39) lenses made of plastic polymer are commonly used, replacing the glass lenses of old, which were thicker, heavier and shattered easily.

CR39 lenses have some advantages, such as being lightweight and offering good chemical resistance.

However, CR39 does not have the impact strength of new, polycarbonate lenses, and is therefore not suitable for hazardous workplace environments where impact may pose a risk, since it may break and shatter.

In addition, a UV coating must be added to CR39 lenses to protect the eyes from the sun’s harmful rays that can cause cataracts, macular degeneration or other eye diseases.

CR39 is also thicker than more recently-developed impact-resistant

lens materials, making spectacles heavier and distorting the appearance of the eyes, rendering them less appealing cosmetically.

Polycarbonate lenses Originally developed for the aerospace industry, polycarbonate is now the ‘go to’ material for safety eyewear.

Made by injection moulding, polycarbonate lenses are up to 10 times more impact-resistant than plastic or glass lenses and give high optical quality. They naturally provide 100% protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays without needing a special coating to be added.

Polycarbonate lenses have exceptional strength and resilience and will survive the impact of a steel ball travelling at 160 km/

HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE 47

INDUSTRY NEWS

of the Correct Lens Safety Eyewear hr (45 metres per second) without cracking, chipping or breaking.

They are 25% thinner and 20% lighter than CR39 lenses, making them more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing for the wearer.

Owing to its versatility and robustness, polycarbonate can be used for rimmed, rimless and half-rimmed spectacles, allowing manufacturers to offer a large choice of lens and frame options to wearers.

Polycarbonate lenses are slightly more expensive than CR39 lenses, but they are still very affordable, and their benefits more than make up for this.

Because polycarbonate is a relatively soft material, which is what makes it flexible and able to absorb energy without fracturing, so a hard, scratch-resistant coating must be applied to the lens to help protect it and prevent surface scratching before use.

Check your glasses Prescription lens wearers may not be aware that some high-street opticians will automatically supply eyewear with CR39 lenses unless polycarbonate is specifically requested, potentially leaving them at risk from impact injuries at work.

You can check your glasses by looking at the lens markings, which will be either at the top or on the side of the lens. Look for the letters

‘S’ or ‘F’. If you can see an ‘S’, your glasses are likely to be CR39.

In conclusion, it is important to ask the optician which lens material will be supplied in your safety eyewear and to ensure it is the right one for you.

Download the free uvex RX App (available on itunes) – a virtual assistant that helps wearers of safety spectacles who need prescription lenses to select the best product for them.

48 HEALTH & SAFETY UPDATE

‘Get a Grip’ on Ladder Safety The Ladder Association, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to keeping people safe when working at height, is urging ladder users – and those responsible for managing the safe use of ladders – to take a fresh approach to ladder training.

In a sector blighted by myths and misconceptions, ‘Get a Grip’ on ladder safety is a new campaign that aims to put ladder training at the top of the height safety agenda. When it’s right to use a ladder, use the right ladder and get trained to use it safely, says the Association.

With that in mind, the Association has created a free Ladder Safety Pack providing vital information on the recent changes to European ladder standard EN131. It details

the correct way to use and inspect ladders and, most importantly, the route to obtaining a LadderCard through official Ladder Association training.

With falls from height still one of the leading causes of workplace fatalities and injuries – accounting for 35 fatalities in 2017/2018 – and with businesses facing record fines for failing to keep workers safe, the campaign sets out to ensure that everyone using a ladder is fully trained and competent to do so.

A contractor using any other piece of access equipment would automatically look to train their staff, so what’s different about using ladders asks the Ladder Association? By stepping up ladder safety through training, the Association aims to reinforce the message that ladders are a safe, practical and versatile solution for low risk and short duration work at height.

Chair of the Association’s Training Committee, Steve Booker, said: “Safety and competence in the workplace begins with thorough and consistent training. The saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ is all too familiar where ladders are concerned.”

“It’s an attitude that encourages a complacent, over-confident and potentially dangerous mentality.

“The Work at Height Regulations require that everyone involved in the work is competent, so successfully completing a Ladder Association training course – and getting a LadderCard – is one way of helping to demonstrate that competence.”

For more information, click here.

www.firmanglass.com

Anti-Slip GlASS RAnGE

INTERNAL USE ONLY

10mm DREAM BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 64

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 55

10mm DREAM CLEAR BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 64

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 19

INTERNAL USE ONLY

10mm ELEGANCE BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 61

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 43

10mm ELEGANCE CLEAR BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 61

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 34

• Tested To UK and European Standards • Toughened and Laminated

• Multi Laminated with Vanceva Coloured Interlays 10mm SECRET BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 62

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 51

• Can be processed, Shaped, Drilled as required

10mm TRUST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 62

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 47

• GLASS FLOORS • BRIDGES • STAIR TREADS • WALK-ON ROOFLIGHTS 10mm COMFORT BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 60

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 44

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

FIRMAN SANDBLAST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

NEW PRODUCTS 2017 NEW

NEW

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

10mm TRAIL BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 52

FIRMAGRIT BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 71

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 68

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 59

10mm COMFORT SANDBLAST BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 65

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 61

CAN BE APPLIED TO ANY GLASS THICKNESS

AVANT GARDE BS 7976-2 Av.DRY 72

BS 7976-2 Av.WET 61

To find out more visit www.firmanglass.com Firman Glass,19 Bates Road, Harold Wood, Romford, Essex RM3 OJH Tel: 01708 374534 Fax: 01708 340511 Email: sales@firmanglass.com www.firmanglass.com