Tel 01204 772977 or 07792 400 503
Comply at Work Upcoming Courses
P2-3
Risk Assessment Process
P4-5
HSE on a Health Kick
P6-7
Face-fit Testing
P8-9
Leap in Standards for Ladders In the Spotlight
P10-11 P12
October 2017
Sn Saf ip ety pe ts P2 | Safety Snippets
Tel 01204 77 29 77 mobile 07792 400 503
Comply at Work
OUR UPCOMING TRAINING COURSES…. Ask us about our special offers: Pick n mix sessions, free seminars and discounts for retained clients.
Pick and Mix sessions Tues 7 November and Friday 1 December Work at Height / Manual Handling / Asbestos Awareness Thursday 16 November and Fri 24 November Emergency First Aid Tuesday 5 December 1- 4 pm Fire Marshall Training Tues 12 December One Day Health and Safety Awareness Tuesday 19 December Emergency First Aid
e-mail info@complyatwork.co.uk www.complyatwork.co.uk
Safety Snippets | P3
Sn Saf ip ety pe ts P4 | Safety Snippets
Tel 01204 77 29 77 mobile 07792 400 503
Risk assessment process If your staff are asked to carry out general risk assessments, you can help them with our flow chart. It summarises the steps to be taken, with hints at how to complete each stage. Please let us know if you would like a free copy. For staff who are not working full time in a health and safety role, completing risk assessments can be challenging. Most employers put these staff through some kind of training course, which Comply at Work can deliver, but once they’re back at their desks will they manage to put pen to paper? Our flow chart - how to do a risk assessment can be used as a simple reference guide following training. It’s on a single page making it simple to read and understand. Our chart is designed to help staff completing general risk assessments such as those which cover a particular part of the workplace or a work activity. Planning The starting point at the top says, “It has been identified that a risk assessment is required”. It is assumed that someone, such as your safety manager or an inspector, has recognised that you have gaps in your risk assessment record. The second and third boxes invite you to appoint a competent assessor and determine the scope of the activities and premises which need to be assessed. Tip. Don’t plan too many individual assessments initially as this can create an unnecessary mountain of paperwork. Instead, start with a risk assessment which covers a broad range of activities or a large area and then decide later if extra risk assessments are needed. For example, a risk assessment for the administration department will be able to cover most hazards applicable to administrative staff. However, an assessment could identify that a more hazardous activity within a department warrants its own assessment.
Data gathering To encourage background research we have a box titled “Collect information”. It has a number of sub-boxes with instructions on how to: (1) identify hazards; (2) identify existing risk control measures; (3) find out who is at risk; (4) understand legislation; and (5) identify other relevant information such as manuals. Writing it down With the research phase complete, the flow chart leads you through to completion of the form, instructing you to document: (1) the hazards; (2) who is at risk; (3) the standards which apply; (4) the existing control measures; and (5) a risk rating. At this point any required additional control measures should be identified. Tip. Don’t stop once the risk assessment form has been filled out! This is a common mistake which results in beautifully filed documents but very little action. As indicated, ensure that the actions identified in the assessment are implemented and that a periodic review is planned.
Source: Indicator
e-mail info@complyatwork.co.uk www.complyatwork.co.uk
Safety Snippets | P5
Sn Saf ip ety pe ts P6 | Safety Snippets
Tel 01204 77 29 77 mobile 07792 400 503
HSE on a health kick The latest campaign from the HSE is branded “Go home healthy”. What is its focus and what can you expect from now on? All about health. In recent years the HSE has turned its attention on protecting the health of employees, rather than focusing on traditional safety risks. Note. It is still concerned with employers managing safety risks, but for at least the next three years, ensuring that health risks are being managed effectively will be its primary aim. What’s the latest? The HSE has launched a new campaign that’s focused on helping employers to send their staff home healthy. Its promotional material makes the case that the impact of work-related ill health is far greater than that of accidents. Large numbers. HSE statistics indicate that millions of working days are lost to ill health and tens of thousands of workers are losing their lives to work-related conditions. The number of deaths associated with work-related lung disease alone is 12,000. When compared with the much lower accident figures, it’s clear that the HSE has a good reason to focus on such issues. Specific areas. The three key areas are work-related lung disease, musculoskeletal disorders and stress. Statistically, these are responsible for the most deaths and lost days. Message. The campaign makes it clear that employers have a duty to protect the health of their workers and inspectors will be tasked with ensuring that this happens. Although it’s not written in so many words, assume that if you have dealings with the HSE any time soon, its inspectors will be taking a great interest in how you’re managing dust, manual handling and stress risks. Comply at Work can assist you with getting the appropriate precautions in place to manage these risks. We also partner with a reputable Occupational Health Organisation that can advise on specific and more complex issues. Just call us on 01204 772977 to discuss your requirements, with no obligation. For further information, please visit the HSE link below: http://www.hse.gov.uk/gohomehealthy/index.htm The OH toolkit also covers a variety of different occupational health issues. It could be especially useful when rehabilitating employees back into work after a serious illness such as stroke or cancer.Please find this useful link below: https://www.iosh.co.uk/Books-and-resources/Our-OH-toolkit.aspx
Source: Indicator
e-mail info@complyatwork.co.uk www.complyatwork.co.uk
Safety Snippets | P7
Sn Saf ip ety pe ts P8 | Safety Snippets
Tel 01204 77 29 77 mobile 07792 400 503
Face-fit testing What is fit testing? A face-fit test is a procedure which identifies whether a seal is made between the skin and the mask. These are required for all tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE), including full-face respirators, filtering facepieces (masks) and everything in between. Many employers believe that if they purchase an off-the-shelf pack of dust masks, they are exempt from face-fit testing. But this is not the case. What is the legal position? The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) require that where exposure to hazardous substances is not controlled adequately by other means, suitable RPE must be provided. To achieve suitability it has to fit the wearer. For this reason, the Approved Code of Practice which accompanies COSHH , requires that the selection process for tight fitting facepieces should include a fit test. When should it be carried out? Since a major cause of leaks in respiratory protection is poor fit, you must ensure that staff undertake a face-fit test to check that the model is appropriate. As there are many different makes and models available, it should be possible to find one which fits. Tip 1. Provide the face-fit test initially when the RPE is allocated, and for any existing users. It’s also good practice to repeat the testing periodically (no frequency is defined in law). Tip 2. Face-fit testing must be repeated if different RPE is to be used or there is a change to the user’s face, e.g. scars, weight gain or a broken nose. Tip 3. Inspectors visiting your site may well ask to see certificates for face-fit testing, so keep them handy. How is it done? A qualitative fit test is a simple pass or fail test. It is based on the user’s assessment of whether or not they can sense a test agent being used. Examples of such test agents include using a bitter or sweet tasting aerosol or an odour compound. If the user is able to sense the test agent, the seal is not fitting correctly to their face, so it’s a fail. This test is not a suitable option for a full-face mask but is suitable for other types. Face fit testing must be carried out by a competent assessor. We are able to offer this service at our Centre. Discounts are given to our Retained Clients. Please get in touch to make a booking. Ensure that you are legally compliant – Don’t be caught out! Call us on 01204 772977. Source: Indicator
e-mail info@complyatwork.co.uk www.complyatwork.co.uk
Safety Snippets | P9
Sn Saf ip ety pe ts P10 | Safety Snippets
Tel 01204 77 29 77 mobile 07792 400 503
Leap in standards for ladders The Ladder Association is promoting changes to ladder construction standards as “the most fundamental changes in a quarter of a century”. What are the new standards and are they really that significant? What’s new?
What differences will they make?
Brought in by EN 131 (known as BS 131 in the UK), new quality standards for portable ladders will apply within the European market from 1 January 2018. The changes include physical improvements plus it will be simpler to understand whether a ladder is fit for the application you have in mind.
The new standards include dimensional changes to improve stability, plus new requirements for increased strength tests and durability. One example is that all portable ladders will need to have a load capacity of 150kg as a minimum (this compares with the previous domestic grade at 90kg).
Note. The new standard covers all portable stepladders, extending ladders and combination ladders.
Tip 1. When purchasing, bear in mind that there are fakes out there, and the introduction of these changes may provide an opportunity for the scammers to take advantage of any confusion. One obvious sign of a fake is that it has a CE mark. If you see one, don’t purchase as this marking doesn’t apply to ladders.
Tip. For use in the workplace you will choose a EN131 Professional product. For home use, consumers will have the option of a less robust EN131 NonProfessional ladder. Simple This is an improvement in clarity over the old standards. Domestic users could select from BS1129 Class 3 and BS2037 Class 3, while EN131 was designed for trade use. Heavy industrial standards were covered by BS1129 Class 1 and BS2037 Class 1. Tip 1. There will be a transition period, during which ladders will be available which are certified to BS 1129 and BS 2037 while retailers clear old stock. No end date has been given as yet, but these standards will ultimately be phased out. If purchasing new ladders from now on it makes sense to choose a set meeting the new standard. Tip 2. The Ladder Association has produced a basic guide about the new standards which you may find useful as a handout for maintenance and construction staff, managers and purchasing colleagues: https://ladderassociation.org.uk/ en131/?utm_source=construction_manager&utm_ medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=EN131_guide
Tip 2. Look for a reputable make and supplier, labelling to show it meets EN 131 (or BS 131 ) and attached user instructions. The provision of an instruction set is an intrinsic part of the standard so a lack of one suggests it’s not a compliant product. Although the manufacturers’ standards for ladders are changing this doesn’t mean you’ll need to dispose of your own ladders. Tip. No doubt there will be sharp tactics by some companies wanting to sell equipment on the back of this announcement. Stick to your guns and only change your ladders if you need to, i.e. because they’re worn out or damaged. To summarise: BS 131 brings with it products with improved stability, strength and durability. The standard makes it straightforward to identify a ladder suited to the workplace. There’s no need to change your existing equipment as a result, but if you need to renew, look out for products marked EN131 Professional.
e-mail info@complyatwork.co.uk www.complyatwork.co.uk
Source: Indicator
Safety Snippets | P11
Comply at Work
in the spotlight We welcome our new Clients: Sawcon Plant Ltd, Salford Liverpool City Council Deane Medical Centre, Bolton Daubhill Medical Centre, Bolton Demeva Refrigeration Ltd, Formby Rinus Roofing Ltd, Darwen Candid Sky, Manchester Florist2Florist.com, Farnworth The Anderton Centre, Rivington
‌and some new Retained Clients Wells Electrical Contractors Ltd, Westhoughton Fishers Cleaning Services Ltd, Rochdale Benchmark Blinds, Bolton Open House Property Investment Ltd, Wigan KRW Electrical Ltd, Bolton Watcheye Services Ltd
Well done‌ Congratualtions to our retained clients GeoCon Site Investigations Ltd on achieing CHAS accreditation and Bartell Cottage Furnishings Ltd , Manchester who have once again acquired SMAS accreditation. AIM PLastering Ltd acquired SMAS certificationÂ
Stopress! Our Retained Clients are also soon to benefit from our new subsription to Barbour EHS who work with over 800 industry information providers to bring a comprehensive information service, keeping us, and therefore our clients up to date and on the pulse of all industry updates. This will ensure that our clients are not only compliant and well informed but have access via Comply at Work to even more tools and templates to assist in the day to day management of Health and Safety across all sectors.
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