27 October COSHH – culling chemicals Are you at risk of failing before you start? Many organisations quail when faced with the sheer number of substances to capture with their COSHH Assessments, to the extent that they don’t know where to start. Desmond Tutu once wisely said “there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.” … Read More
27 October Can’t cope with COSHH, then sign up to the COSHH Competence Clinic Concerned about Chemicals? We have a solution for you. After several months of to and fro, I have finally decided to introduce a New Service in the New Year: the COSHH Competence Clinic (CCC). This will be a premiere subscription service providing interesting insights into the world of COSHH. Details of the cost for this … Read More
23 October Protecting workers from Laboratory animal allergens (LAA) Laboratory animal allergens (LAA) are proteins found in the dander, hair, scales, saliva, urine, and other body wastes of laboratory animals. These protein allergens can become airborne (where they can be breathed in) and can contaminate surfaces or clothing, leading to sensitisation and allergic reactions in individuals who are exposed. Laboratory animal allergens are a … Read More
21 October Take steps to avoid the flu, and other winter diseases There are several actions that can help businesses avoid winter flu and maintain a healthy workplace. Here are some effective strategies for workplace health and safety you could consider rolling out. Promote Vaccination: Encourage employees to get the flu vaccine. You could even consider organising on-site vaccination clinics to make this more convenient and improve … Read More
21 October An Inspector Calls What should you do if an HSE Enforcement Officer turns up at your business? We have laid out some steps to follow if an Enforcement Officer arrives at your site. The overall message is: treat them with due respect, be honest, talk about your business positively: Stay Calm and be Cooperative: Greet the inspector(s) politely … Read More
23 August One Year On: Mandatory Isocyanate Training for Worker Safety Today (August 23 2024) marks the one-year anniversary of the regulatory updates that mandated training for workers handling isocyanates and diisocyanates. This significant change in isocyanate training was brought in to enhance workplace safety and protect workers from the harmful effects of these chemicals. One year on, have you taken the required action to stay … Read More
22 August Celebrating 50 Years of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 50 Years – A Milestone in Workplace Safety This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, a landmark piece of legislation that has significantly shaped workplace safety standards in the UK. Since its inception, the Act has been pivotal in protecting the health, safety, and welfare of … Read More
4 August Compliance versus Culture – do you need a guide? “… the work had not been ‘properly planned, supervised or carried out safely, and the assessment of the risks arising from the work was both unsuitable and insufficient.” Not a great indictment of any company. This sort of wording is all too common in HSE comments made after prosecutions for serious injury and death. If you … Read More
17 July Diisocyanates – Hazards and Controls Diisocyanates (usually referred to as isocyanates in the UK) are a family of highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals. They are widely used in the manufacture of flexible and rigid foams, fibres, coatings such as paints and varnishes, and elastomers, and are increasingly used in the automobile industry, auto body repair, and building. While they … Read More
17 July Prosecution: Local Authority Fined After School Worker Loses Finger A recent prosecution has highlighted the importance for ensuring suitable workplace health and safety training has been carried out before machinery is used. Suitable training ensures that employees are knowledgeable about the safe operation of machinery, understand potential hazards, and are equipped to handle emergencies, significantly reduces the risk of accidents and enhancing overall workplace … Read More