2018 Comply at Work January

Tel 01204 772977 or 07792 400 503

Comply at Work Upcoming Courses

P2-3

Avoiding Icy Situations

P4-5

Violence at Work Policy

P6-7

Warning on DSE equipment

P8-9

Q & A

P10-11

R & D Funding and Tax Relief

P12-13

In the Spotlight

P14

January 2018

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.

Emergency First Aid at Work Thurs 22 February Thurs 29 March Thurs 26 April Just £85.00 + VAT including Manual, ID card, Certification and a lovely lunch!

Pick and Mix Training day Tues 20 February We have short 1.5 hour sessions on: Manual Handling Asbestos Awareness Work at Height COSHH Awareness Fire Safety Or let us know what you need…

We offer discounted rates for multiple sessions and larger groups – please enquire.

Fire Marshall Training Tues 6 March 1 – 4 pm for this course £75.00 + VAT pp

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

Avoiding icy situations Introduction Slipping accidents can cause major injuries and are especially common when temperatures are below freezing. But you can’t just blame Mother Nature. Even though it’s difficult, you still have a responsibility to do what you can to minimise the risks to those using your premises.

Our safety procedure - clearing snow and ice, is designed to help you reduce the risks during a cold snap please let us know if you would like our FREE copy.

This identifies what’s required for safe clearing of snow and ice by hand, including the skills, training and personal protective equipment needed.

We’ve also described the risks associated with the task, and additional factors which may affect the work being completed in a safe manner.

The main body of the procedure is a stepby-step guide taking you through what to do “Before”, “During” and “After” the task.

What’s covered?

Tip 1. If lone working is necessary, ensure there are arrangements in place to regularly check on the safety of the staff involved.

Our document begins with an introduction which outlines the factors you’ll need to consider when devising your safety procedure.

Tip 2. You must ensure that staff have suitable waterresistant and non-slip footwear (or non-slip overshoes).

One of the first points made is that it may not be possible for all routes to be made safe.

Tip 3. Any deep snow must be cleared before applying salt, otherwise you’re just wasting time and resources.

Tip. If you can’t clear everywhere consider which paths and car park areas can be closed off with signage and barriers.

The final stages

Other considerations include: (1) the operational impact of reduced staff numbers; (2) how you will liaise with any contractors who have been appointed for gritting and clearing; (3) ongoing monitoring of surfaces to ensure they are retreated as needed; and (4) the timing of clearing and gritting.

The blank boxes in our table will need to be completed with your own arrangements.

For example, input “Emergency procedures and contacts” and details of any relevant “risk assessments and other documentation”.

Clearing by hand

Tip. At the end of the procedure there is space for you to insert a site plan. This should show which areas need attention in priority order.

After the introduction, there is an easy to read safety procedure set out in table format. We’ve based this on normal small-scale gritting operations; tailor it to suit your premises.

Just send us an email info@complyatwork.co.uk for your free copy of this useful document.

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

Fork lift training just got tougher Higher standard

In practice

The change has been introduced by the Accrediting Bodies Association (ABA). This is formed of four of the six accrediting bodies which provide the qualifications for fork lift truck (FLT) driving. These are the: (1) Association of Industrial Truck Trainers; (2) Road Transport Industry Training Board; (3)Independent Training Standards Scheme and Register; and (4) National Plant Operators Registration Scheme.

When testing candidates, the examiner allocates penalty points for any mistakes made. Under the old ABA regime, the maximum penalty for any single error was three points. But under the new system it’s five.

Because of these changes it will be much more likely that a candidate will accrue more than 40 points and consequently fail the test. Another key change is that if a driver repeats the same safety-related fault, they will automatically fail and require further training before a re-test.

From September 2017 the ABA has updated the test taken by FLT operators at the end of their basic skills course to make it more relevant to the modern workplace. As a result of its review, the test now matches the tougher standard which was already being set by Lantra and the Construction Industry Training Board.

Tip. The changes introduced by ABA accredited bodies mean that there’s no longer a softer option. If you have a counter-balance or reach-truck, your drivers will be affected by a similarly tough testing regime whichever training provider you choose.

What’s changed?

Prior to use the FLT must be inspected to ensure that it is functioning safely. This is known as a pre-use inspection or a daily or pre-shift check. If you would like our FREE check form please let us know.

Previously, some tests didn’t include a practical test to ensure that the driver could undertake this preuse inspection effectively. However, all tests from September 2017 now include it. It will also be much more difficult to pass the practical and theory tests.

These have been updated by the ABA in response to concerns that they had become too easy.

Theory The written test via ABA trainers will continue to be a multiple-choice paper but for each question there will be a choice of four answers rather than three. There will be 20 questions in total, half of which are safety related and the other half, operational.

When will you be affected?

The changes to the FLT courses will affect new entrants as well as those undertaking refresher training.

Tip. The HSE advises that there is no legally required period for refresher training but it recommends that you arrange it for every three to five years. In addition, you should organise a refresher if there is good reason to believe it’s needed, e.g. someone has bad driving habits or has been involved in an accident.

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

Warning on DSE compliance Higher standard Low number. A study has identified that only 10% of employers are in compliance with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (DSE). The study, which was undertaken by Specsavers, focused on the fact that many employers fail to provide any eyecare for their employees.

Are the HSE interested? It’s safe to say that this is not an issue anywhere near the top of the enforcer’s radar. Plus, although Specsavers has decided that most employers are non-compliant, it’s not that straightforward. This is because the legislation is dated and there’s scope to interpret it in a number of ways.

Another fact that wasn’t mentioned is that in many instances eye tests are free, so there are no costs for the employer to cover anyway.

If you would like further guidance on the provision of eye tests for users of DSE and who an employer should comply, please let us know. We are also available to carry out DSE workstation assessments and offer advice on complex cases.

Source: Indicator

e-mail info@complyatwork.co.uk www.complyatwork.co.uk

Safety Snippets | P9

Sn Saf ip ety pe ts

v

P10 | Safety Snippets

Tel 01204 77 29 77 mobile 07792 400 503

Q&A - CE mark versus BSI kitemark Q. When looking to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) we’ve noticed that some items carry both a BSi Kitemark and a CE mark, whilst others only have the CE mark. Is there a significant difference?

A. The difference is in the amount of third party checking which is likely to have taken place. A BSi Kitemark gives greater quality assurance than a CE mark.

Tip. CE marking is compulsory for all PPE placed on the market. But watch out for fake products, even if they’re correctly marked. Many items of substandard equipment make their way onto the shelves. To avoid these, buy from reputable suppliers.

What’s involved in each mark? A CE mark is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product is compliant with essential safety requirements of relevant European directives. The hurdles to obtain the CE mark vary. The simplest PPE, such as gardening gloves, is self-certified by the manufacturer. Complex PPE, such as respiratory protection, goes through a much more rigorous regime before it gains a CE mark, a process which includes production quality monitoring.

On the other hand, the BSi Kitemark shows that the product has been through a stringent system of verification and testing which exceeds anything required for CE marking. For a product to gain a BSi Kitemark the manufacturer must implement a quality management system which is either based on ISO 9001, or is a recognised factory production control system. There must be product type-testing and third-party audits.

In summary - It is compulsory to mark PPE with the CE mark, so that’s the minimum to look for, but watch out for fake products as the CE marking process does not weed them out. If a product has a BSi Kitemark there’s an extra level of quality assurance.

Source: Indicator

e-mail info@complyatwork.co.uk www.complyatwork.co.uk

Safety Snippets | P11

Sn Saf ip ety pe ts P12 | Safety Snippets

Tel 01204 77 29 77 mobile 07792 400 503

R&D Funding & Tax Relief Many UK businesses are undertaking activities that they don’t even realise fall into the category of research and development. There is a significant number of funds aimed at supporting forthcoming projects as well as huge tax relief on work or projects that may have already been done or is currently underway.

As part of our thorough business review, we will be able to identify the elements of your work that are covered by these opportunities and in the case of the tax relief, be able to give you an indication of the likely return. Once identified we will help you through the process to enable you to obtain what you are owed, as quickly as possible.

Are we eligible for R&D Funding or Tax Relief?

Does your business undertake the development of new products/processes?

Do you spend money on staff costs, consumables, and/or subcontractor costs in order to undertake this development work?

Are you creating new or improved products?

Are you aiming to duplicate existing products or processes in an appreciably improved way?

Has your business made advancements in its field of work?

Does your business employ technical staff, engineers, software developers or scientists?

Do you consider your business to be technically innovative?

If you answer YES to any of the questions above, your business may be eligible We will look at R & D eligible activity going back over the previous 2 years accounts.

We have a 100% success rate with R & D claims to HMRC No upfront fees. We work on a success fee basis, so no risk to you.

Want to discuss? - Contact Carol Bartram to discuss on 07948 948666 and mention this Newsletter.

e-mail info@complyatwork.co.uk www.complyatwork.co.uk

Safety Snippets | P13

Comply at Work

in the spotlight

We are pleased to announce further successes with accreditations for our retained clients this month: Monoroof Ltd , Horwich - SMAS North West Maintenance Services Ltd, Wigan– SMAS A J Bretherton Groundworks & Plan Hire, Blackburn– CHAS

We continue to increase our retained client base and would like to welcome on board: Surface Solutions (Manchester) Ltd Protek Secure Systems Ltd, Manchester

Client Case Studies We pride ourselves on thorough, good quality work and would like to start to include occasional Client Case studies about how we have assited your business.

If you would like to be involved with this and be featured in this newsletter with a wide circulation, please let us know and we will work together on a short article to highlight the benefits of our involvement.

Finally, as our business contunues to grow, we are delighted to welcome on board two new staff:

Steve Winstanley Steve is a Chartered Health and Safety practitioner who has over 30 years’ experience in the discipline.

Steve has worked as Health, Safety and Facilities Manager in large, multi-site manufacturing, retail, distribution and production organisations and has been instrumental in the development of their Health and Safety management systems and pro-active safety cultures and behavioural projects.

Steve is an active member of the executive committee of the East Lancashire branch of IOSH and regularly attends meetings to keep up to date with health and safety best practice, and is also Chairman of the interview panel of IOSH to consider members for Chartered status of that body.

Shelagh O’Sullivan Shelagh is our new Health and Safety Co-ordinator who will be supporting Steve and our Principal Consultant, Helena Pixton.

Shelagh is currently studying for the Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health & Safety and is our expert on hazardous substances, holding a BSc. Jt. Hons.

Science (Chemistry & Biochemistry) Degree.

Shelagh is also a key member of the steering group of the North Manchester Health & Safety Advisory Group (NMHSAG).This is a voluntary organisation, geared towards sharing health & safety knowledge and experiences across a wide membership of like-minded professionals from local SMEs, educational and local authority organisations.

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