Given the number of TV series and documentaries recently broadcast about Chernobyl and the interest they have generated prompted us to think about the UK’s nuclear safety record. This article gives a high level overview of Health and Safety in the UK nuclear industry. The UK built its first nuclear reactor in 1947. In the […]
Each year the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes a business plan outlining their key areas of work. It identifies how the HSE will use regulatory, engagement, and assessment methods to continue to prevent work-related fatalities, injuries and ill health, and respond to current issues. This year these issues include preparing for the UK’s departure […]
With the latest high budget Marvel blockbuster hitting cinemas lets take a look at health and safety in the film industry. In the movies, many stories would not be possible without disregard for serious health and safety issues in the workplace. Where would the superhero genre be without villains falling from height into a vat […]
Some of the most common injuries for people working in an office setting are related to the fact that most of their day is spent seated at a desk and working on a computer. This makes them prone to musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle strain and lower back injuries. However many of […]
Successful businesses continually strive to be better. An essential part of that process is gathering data and using it to improve performance. This process is usually associated with production, profit and growth, but it can also drive up standards in health and safety performance. Key Performance Indicators One way to measure performance in business is […]
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is any garment or device that is worn or used by a worker to protect them against health or safety hazards. An employer is responsible for providing and replacing PPE. But when should these items of safety equipment be renewed? Maximum Periods of Use The most common types of PPE have […]
Annual statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show 1.4 million workers were suffering from work-related ill health and around 555,000 from non-fatal injuries in 2017/18. During this period there were 144 fatal injuries at work, and 493 cases were prosecuted and resulted in a conviction. Fines from these convictions came to a total […]
The definition of a near miss in a workplace context is an unplanned event that has the potential to cause but does not result in, human injury or fatality, damage to equipment or the environment, or interruption to normal operations. The HSE estimates that there are about 90 workplace near misses for every accident that […]
Visibility is critical for worker safety, especially for those working around moving vehicles and equipment, and especially in busy environments like warehouses, construction sites, roads and railway lines. In these circumstances, a worker needs clothing (high-visibility clothing) which enables them to be seen in low lighting conditions, even at night. What Is High-Visibility Clothing? High-visibility […]
A news release from the RAND Corporation in November 2016 stated that a lack of sleep leads to the UK losing around 200,000 working days a year and was costing the economy up to £40 billion per annum. In addition to the effect on the economy, fatigue can also cause serious work-related accidents and even […]
Although the number and rate of injuries to construction workers have fallen in recent years, it is still a high-risk industry and accounts for a high percentage of fatal and major injuries. However, construction is also a high-risk industry for health issues. Statistics show there are more working days lost due to work-related illness than […]
In this article we take a look at event safety management and a number of health and safety topics an event organiser will need to consider in their risk assessments. The Venue When it comes to event safety management it’s the organiser’s responsibility to, as far as is reasonably practicable, ensure the safety of visiting […]
