Updated HSE ACOP - Welfare Regs.

This month the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance for employers on how to protect the health, safety and welfare of their workers.

Following consultation, HSE has reviewed and updated the Workplace Regulations Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) (L24) to make it easier for employers to understand and meet their legal obligations and so reduce the risks of over-compliance.

Following recommendations by Professor Ragnar Löfstedt in his report ‘Reclaiming health and safety for all’, the ACOP was identified for review and revision, consolidation or withdrawal.

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and apply to most workplaces except for those involving work on construction sites, those who work in or on a ship and those who work below ground at a mine.

Legal responsibilities to protect workers’ health and safety are not altered by any changes to the ACOP.
HSE spokesman Chris Rowe said: ‘Across HSE we are working hard to ensure that employers have access to good-quality advice which makes clear what they need to do to protect workers.

‘The revised ACOP will help employers understand the regulatory requirements on key issues such as temperature, cleanliness, workstations and seating, toilets and washing facilities.’

The review of and subsequent revision to the Workplace ACOP was subject to public consultation and the changes were agreed by both the HSE Board and the minister of state with responsibility for health and safety.

More info: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l24.pdf

Safety Update - What to do about training?

Common questions we are asked at the training arm of the Up and Under Group, Entrainment:

• What training should we give our staff
• When should we do it?
• And of course, how much will it cost?

The HSE suggest a structured approach to deciding upon training needs which can also be applied to other types of training. All of this information is explained in their five-step approach:

• Decide what training your organisation needs
• Decide your training priorities
• Choose your training methods and resources
• Deliver the training
• Check that the training has worked

All of this sounds simple, but then most of the best ideas are. for the HSE guide to training INDG 345 go here.

If you need training provision or help with any of the 5 steps above call us on 01270 589615

Safety Update - Changes to RIDDOR

We would like to remind you that there is another change to safety legislation that came into effect today - RIDDOR 2013

The principal changes are:

"From 1 October 2013, RIDDOR 2013 comes into force, which introduces significant changes to the existing reporting requirements. 
The main changes are to simplify the reporting requirements in the following areas:

• the classification of ‘major injuries’ to workers is being replaced with a shorter list of ‘specified injuries’;
• the previous list of 47 types of industrial disease is being replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness;
• fewer types of dangerous occurrence require reporting.

There are no significant changes to the reporting requirements for:

• fatal accidents;
• accidents to non-workers (members of the public);
• accidents which result in the incapacitation of a worker for more than seven days.

Recording requirements remain broadly unchanged, including the requirement to record accidents resulting in the incapacitation of a worker for more than three days. "*

For more info see "Reporting accidents and incidents at work A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)"

*Source HSE indg 453

New First Aid Rules

Changes to the rules about the HSE approving First Aid training come into force tomorrow. The HSE have issued guidance for employers.

Under the amended regulations the requirement for workplace first aid training providers to be approved by the HSE is removed from 1 October 2013.The amendments cover carrying out a first aid needs assessment and selecting a first aid training provider.

Assessing Risks - "..they can never be eliminated."

It was refreshing to read Judith Hackitt's (Chair of HSE) Blog ,when talking about the offshore industry's response to the recent helicopter tragedy.  

She commented: "There is a maturity of understanding which is shared by everyone that risks can be managed, but they can never be eliminated."

I would like to believe that there is a similar attitude demonstrated in the best companies in the construction industry.  It is always interesting to note that the more hazardous an activity, the lower the relative number of accidents seems to be.

From my many years of climbing and mountaineering I can easily understand this.  You develop an internal sense that increases your level of attention as the number, and severity, of hazards increase.  What you are doing is assessing risks, constantly then responding.  THe effectiveness of the response is determined by training and experience. Even the best can get it wrong and suffer the consequences.

The formal written risk assessment does many things, a couple of the most useful being to share knowledge and communicate to all members of a team.  Often they are seen as a record for backside covering, but this is looking at the process from the wrong end.

Today I am back in real world after a brief excursion into the mountains, I won't forget that "...hazards never go away" (Judith Hackitt's Blog).

If we can assist you with preparing risk assessment or providing risk assessment training feel free to contact us on 01270 589615

Safety Update - Consultation on COSHH ACOP

The HSE has launched a consultation on changes to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).

The proposed changes would look to make it easier for employers to understand and meet their legal obligations and reduce the risk of over-compliance.

Understanding your responsibilities with regards to the regulations is essential with the wide range of substances available on the market.

Don’t forget to follow the priority of control measures and eliminate or substitute for a substance that is safer where ever possible.

Thinking outside the norm is what we do day to day. This has resulted in us successfully completing several high profile, environmentally sensitive projects by using products that would normally be more at home in the kitchen.

Oil stains, stonework, historic structure, marine environment – think ecover washing up liquid, safer than the alternative.

Speak to us if you have a project that might benefit from some lateral thinking backed up with many years experience in solving people problems.

Safety Monday

This morning I was greeted by the sight of  builder backside hanging over the edge of my neighbour's roof parapet, he was manfully wrestling a window frame from his precarious perch, and ………..I did nothing,

spot the safety provision

Although this attitude might just about be acceptable in private life it is not acceptable in a work environment, where we all have a responsibility to prevent (if possible) and report dangerous behaviour.

Holding on with his backside

I am a little ashamed to report that I am a little tired of approaching people in the street and bringing to their attention the risk they are taking.  Surprisingly, not once have my heart felt pleas received grateful thanks.  The usual answer, to my respectful concern for their safety, ends in “….. off!” so today I just walked past - I hope he is OK!

And following up on the subject of our attitude to health and safety, I read an interesting article in the Guardian this morning, I don’t think I have got that paranoid yet.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/12/health-and-safety-eh

And finally we have mentioned a number of public consultations on H&S legislation in the past.  If you are interested in what the next step is follow the link to find the Final Impact Assessment from the “CD243 - Public consultation on proposals to simplify and clarify RIDDOR reporting requirements”

http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd243-update.pdf

It gives some interesting insights into how decisions are made - that is if you can get through the jargon.

I’m off home now, hopefully there won’t be one of those body shapes from the cop shows on my neighbour's front lawn.

Work safely or you may damage a perfectly good lawn

Safety Update - Are Ladders Banned?

Ladders are banned aren't they?!?

Well, actually despite the over riding fear of their use, there are circumstances where they can be the safest means of undertaking a task.  The guidance from the HSE seems to be assess the task and choose the most suitable means of access. So Risk Assessment!

As with all access equipment, selection, storage, inspection and safe disposal are important issues that need to be addressed by a competent person.

Entrainment, our training division, offer courses dealing with a range of work at height issues including safe use of ladders and ladder inspection.  These courses can be offered at our training centre or at your site, subject to suitable training areas being available.

Want more info: Call 01270 589615

Acknowledgement: Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0

Legislation Update - First Aid Training

Following a review of First Aid Training Provision it was determined that the HSE's current approval process goes beyond the minimum requirement laid out in EU legislation.  Therefore it is expected that changes to the current edition of L74, ‘First Aid at Work’ (Approved Code of Practice and Guidance)  are expected in October 2013.

As an interim the HSE have published three draft guidance documents.

The documents deal with assessing First Aid needs in the workplace, the second addresses selection of appropriate training providers, while the third presents a selection of example scenarios to help employers with the assessment of First Aid needs. Full details can be found here

As progress continues with this important change we will keep you informed.  Remember the old regs still apply until the new ones are published.

If you need any health and safety advice please contact us 01270 589615

Safety Training is always available from www.entrainment.co.uk

Legislation Update - The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Repeals, Revocations and Amendments) Regulations 2013

Catchy title eh?  We flagged these revisions up earlier in the year and subject to Parliamentary approval it is now in place.

The full list of measures being removed are:

• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922
• Gasholders (Record of Examinations) Order 1938 
• Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulations 1960
• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 (Repeals and Modifications) Regulations 1974
• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 (Exemptions) Regulations 1980
• Gasholders and Steam Boilers (Metrication) Regulations 1981
• Locomotives etc Regulations 1906 (Metrication) Regulations 1981
• Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982
• Docks, Shipbuilding etc (Metrication) Regulations 1983
• Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
• Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances (Amendment) Regulations 2002
• Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes Regulations 2010
• Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes (Amendment) Regulations 2010

For more information see - http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/repeals-revocations.htm

 

We hope you find these regular safety updates useful.  If you would like any assistance with safety training, auditing or other guidance please contact us 01270 589615

HS Update - First Aid

It is likely that there will be a shake up in the landscape of first aid training if the HSE's Plan to stop formally approving providers of training goes ahead.

Consultation, which closed on 3rd December 2012, explored te idea that employers would have to satisfy themselves that training providers are suitable.  If the proposals are agreed, the changes could come into force in April 2013.

Watch this space we'll keep you informed with progress on this issue.

We provide a range of safety related services including

• Audits
• Consultancy
• Training

Want to know more?  Call us 01270 589615

Safety Update - Poor Safety Costs

And they are sending out the bills!

You might remember that a while back we advised you that the HSE would charge for a range of interventions where H&S breaches were found. Well an update on the governments 'Fee for Intervention' taken from the HSE Board meeting on 30 January 2013 revealed that first invoices were sent out the week commencing 21 January.

“The total sum invoiced for the first three months (Oct-Dec 2012) was £727,645 - in respect of 1,419 invoices. The average amount invoiced was £513 with 10% of invoices having a value greater than £1,000 and 70% less than £500. The independent members of the disputes panel have yet to be announced , though the panel is expected to meet for the first time in March.” - source: HSE published data.

You have been warned!  Health and safety Issues? let us help:

Health and Safety Consultancy - Call 01270 589615
Safety Training - www.entrainment.co.uk - we practice what we teach!

Safety Update - European Week for Safety

European Week for Safety and Health at Work, starts TODAY!, use this time to spotlight an issue, or start a new initiative in your business.

The campaign is backed by safety organisations across Europe and focuses on the importance of good leadership and worker involvement in cutting down accidents and ill health.

To order free resources and find out about activities you could do in your organisation during European Week for Safety and Health at Work, visit the 

European campaign webpage.

What are you going to do?

Safety Update - Breaking H&S laws just got costlier

On the 1st October 2012 the HSE’s new cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), came into force.

Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.

The many businesses that comply with their legal obligations will continue to pay nothing. However, it looks like the Treasury just found another way to raise revenue.

Legislation Update - Regulations to be removed

In May we advised you that the Government were conducting a review of Health and Safety regulation, specifically looking at the removal of 14 sets of H&S regulations which were considered redundant. These include Construction (Head Protection) Regulations and the Notification of Conventional Tower Crane Regulations. Consultation closed on 4th July and on 22nd August, HSE concluded that 13 of the regulations should be abolished, with a target abolition date of April 2013.

We'll keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Meanwhile if you have a safety question that you think we can help with contact us