E-Learning – Offering flexibility in training

Have you discovered our E-Learning? 

 
E-Learning offers the benefits of providing the chance for your candidates to gain essential Health and Safety knowledge and expertise, without needing to release them to classroom-type training that might involve the time and expense of travel and being out of the business. 

We offer a variety of health and safety related training courses and assessments, providing an accessible and flexible way of training staff.  E-Learning is web-based and can be accessed at work or at home, at any time.  Our courses are visual and interactive and demonstrate examples of workplace safety issues and how to deal with them.  Courses can be completed a module at a time if necessary – just pick up where you left off when you log back in.

Our most popular E-Learning courses include Manual Handling, Working at Height, Slips, Trips and Falls and Asbestos Awareness.  Other courses available include Fire Safety Essentials, Display Screen Equipment, PPE and Fire Warden training, all at very competitive rates.  To register candidates, we only need their full name and the email address they wish to use to access their login details.  Upon successful completion of a course, candidates can print a certificate of their achievement.

The full range of courses and assessments we offer are shown below:-

·         Asbestos Awareness	·         Code of Conduct	·         Contractors Safety Procedures
·         CPR Essentials	·         Cyber Security	·         Drivewize Training
·         Ebola Virus and Disease	·         Electrical Safety	·         Ergowize – DSE Training
·         Evacuation Procedures	·         Fire Safety Essentials	·         Fire Wardens
·         Food Safety Essentials	·         Hazardous Substances (COSHH)	·         Health and Safety Induction
·         Homeworking Policy	·         Legionella	·         Lone Working Essentials
·         Managing Health and Safety	·         Manual Handling	·         Modern Slavery
·         Money Laundering	·         Noise at Work	·         Pandemic Awareness
·         Pandemic Procedures	·         Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)	·         Prevent Duty
·         Risk Assessment	·         Safeguarding	·         Security and Terror Alerts
·         Slips, Trips and Falls	·         Social Media Policy	·         Whistleblowing
·         Working at Height

HR Courses

·         Alcohol and Drug Awareness	·         Anti-Bribery and Corruption	·         Bullying and Harassment Policy
·         Data Protection	·         Disciplinary Policy	·         Equality and Diversity Policy
·         Grievance Policy	·         Internet User Policy	·         New and Expectant Mothers Policy
·         Resource Efficiency	·         Stress Awareness

Assessments

·         DriveWize Assessment	·         Ergowize Assessment	·         Expectant Mother’s Risk Assessment
·         Homeworker Safety Risk Assessment	·         Lone Worker Risk Assessment	·         New Mother’s Risk Assessment

FREE TRIAL – find out more about E-Learning and a free trial of any of our courses by contacting us on 0333 577 0248 or admin@rhssltd.co.uk.

 

HSE Health and Safety Myths Buster

Can you stock plasters in a first aid box?

Issue

An employee had cut her finger in the workplace and a colleague tried to obtain a plaster from the first aid kit but there were none. The employee asked a manager if they could restock them but she replied that due to health and safety reasons i.e. allergies, plasters were no longer supplied for the first aid kit. The employee has since heard of other cases in workplaces that will not stock plasters in their first aid kits for similar reasons.

HSE Mythbuster Panel decision

There is no health and safety regulation which bans the provision of plasters, in fact HSE’s own guidance recommends that a first aid box should stock plasters. If the concern is about the small risk of allergic reaction to some types of plaster then this can be easily managed by stocking the hypoallergenic variety or simply asking the person being treated if they are allergic to plasters before they are applied.

Source: www.hse.gov.uk

 

Do you know your responsibilites under Construction and Design Management Regulations 2015?

 

Health and Safety in the news this week

Workplace deaths are down – but it’s “no cause for celebration”

The HSE’s latest provisional workplace fatality figures show that 137 people died at work in 2016/17, the second lowest year on record. But many key figures across health and safety are speaking out about the “hidden figures” of between 20,000 and 50,000 deaths each year due to past poor working conditions of heart and lung diseases and work cancers.

Work related suicides are now also thought to be more than 100 per year, and over 2,500 people each year are dying from mesothelioma, with the UK having the highest incidence of disease in the world.

The headline figures

Overall fatalities:

• 2015/16 – 147 workers died
• 2014/15 – 142 workers died
• 2013/14 – 136 workers died
• 2012/13 – 150 workers died
• 2011/12 – 171 workers died

Fatalities by sector:

This year the construction and agriculture sectors had the highest number of deaths:

• 30 construction
• 27 agriculture
• 19 manufacturing
• 14 logistics
• 14 waste industry
• 33 Other

Fatalities by accident types:

• Struck by moving vehicle 31
• Falls from a height 25
• Struck by moving object 20
• Trapped by something collapsing/overturning 10
• Contact with moving machinery 8
• Contact with electricity 8

The GMB union, which has members across every sector of the British economy, said the official workplace death figures hide tens of thousands of related deaths, saying that the figure of 137 is “just the tip of the iceberg” and that every death demands justice and enforcement.

A spokesperson for IOSH said: “Work-related fatalities are entirely preventable so we must strive to reduce this number further”.

A fuller assessment of work-related ill-health and injuries, drawing on the HSE’s full range of data sources, will be provided as part of the annual Health and Safety Statistics released on 1 November 2017.

Source: www.shponline.co.uk

HSE Health and Safety Myths Buster

Supermarket deli refused to leave plastic wrapping on liver sausage stating that it was a ‘choking hazard’

A Supermarket deli refused to leave plastic wrapping on liver sausage stating that it was a ‘choking hazard’.

The HSE Myth Busters Challenge Panel decided that there is no health and safety reason for refusing to leave the original plastic wrapping on fresh liver sausage. The decision to remove the plastic wrapping from the fresh food at point of sale makes no sense, especially as the product is likely to be wrapped in some other form of plastic bag before being handed to the customer. Claiming removal of the product’s original wrapping was necessary for health and safety reasons is indeed a myth!

Source: www.hse.gov.uk

 

Monitoring Health and Safety

Monitoring and reporting are vital parts of a health and safety culture.  Effective management systems provide both specific (eg incident-led) and routine reports on the performance of a Company’s Health and Safety Policy.

If your Company holds a formal review of performance in Health and Safety, much of the day-to-day health and safety information can be reported at this time.  However, a strong system of monitoring can ensure that a successful formal review of Policy can take place, and that incidents and events can be picked up in the period between formal reviews.

 A strong system of monitoring and reporting with have two main parts:-

Core Actions

To ensure that:-

·         Appropriate attention is given to reporting both preventative information, such as progress of training and maintenance programmes, and incident data such as accident and sickness absence rates;

·         Periodic audits of the effectiveness of management structures and risk controls for health and safety are carried out;

·         The impact of any changes, such as the introduction of new procedures, work processes or products, or any major health and safety failure, is reported as soon as possible;

·         There are procedures in place to implement new and changed legal requirements and to consider any other external developments and events.

Good Practice

·         Effective monitoring of sickness absence and workplace health can alert management to any underlying problems that could seriously damage performance or result in accidents and long-term illness;

·         The collection of workplace health and safety data can allow management to benchmark the Company’s performance against others in the same business sector;

·         Appraisals of senior managers can include an assessment of their contribution to health and safety performance;

·         Management can receive regular reports on the health and safety performance and actions of contractors;

·         Involving the workforce in monitoring can result in greater support for health and safety for the Company.

There can be other benefits to carry out regular monitoring and reviews, for example a Company may see a reduction in absence from work as a result of sickness or injury, which in turn, may lead to a reduction in insurance premiums.

Any monitoring, reporting, reviews or audits should be seen as a positive management tool which enables a Company to progress and improve their working practices.

HSE prosecution round up:

Company fined after the death of worker

A North East based contractor Pyeroy Ltd has been fined due to failings in their work at height rescue planning.

Plymouth Magistrates Court heard that on 21 October 2013 Mr Keith Stevens, aged 57, was helping to dismantle temporary roofing at Devonport Naval Base using a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP). His colleagues found him trapped between a roof beam and the controls of the MEWP. There was a delay in Mr Stevens being lowered to ground.  Mr Stevens died of a pre-existing heart condition.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Pyeroy had not properly planned the work on a MEWP in restricted overhead areas. It was also found that other Pyeroy employees had not received suitable training in the emergency lowering procedure of the elevated platforms and no practice drills had been carried out.

Pyeroy Ltd of St Omers Road, Western Riverside Route, Gateshead, has pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. The company has been fined £130,000 and ordered to pay costs of £14,388.36.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Helena Allum said:

“If Pyeroy had trained other employees to use the mobile elevated work platform in emergency situations, Mr Stevens would have been lowered to the ground more swiftly.

This case highlights the need for duty holders to properly plan all work at height beforehand, including emergency planning and rescue situations.”

Company fined after uncontrolled fire

Vertellus Specialties UK Limited has today been fined after an uncontrolled fire at the company’s Seal Sands premises in Middlesbrough.

Teesside Crown Court heard the large fire occurred at the premises in the early hours of 14 May 2014. The fire involved large quantities of dangerous substances including Vitride, which led to this fire being declared a major incident. The Vitride was in drums and each one burst open causing a large fireball.

No one was injured as a result of this fire, but police declared a major emergency and the road was closed for several hours.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Environment Agency (EA) and Cleveland Fire Brigade (CFB) found that Vertellus failed to adequately maintain its equipment; and failed to ensure the equipment was suitable to control temperature or prevent ignition to an uncontrolled release.

Vertellus Specialties UK Limited of St Anns Wharf, Newcastle upon Tyne, has pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4 of the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999.

The company has been fined £135,000 and ordered to pay costs of £37,653.12.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Stephen Britton said:

“Luckily no one was injured as a result of this uncontrolled fire.  Duty holders, particularly those who could be subject to a major incident, need to carry out robust planning to prevent and control major accidents. All engineering disciplines should be used, using outside assistance if needed. Here, there was a failure to recognise how a leak could develop into a larger problem.”

Source: www.hse.gov.uk

 

Fire Risk Assessment

What is a Fire Risk Assessment?

 

 

 

 

 

A Fire Risk Assessment is a systematic and structured assessment of the fire risk in the building in question.  This is completed for the purpose of expressing the current level of fire risk, determining the adequacy of existing fire precautions and determining the need for, and nature of, any additional fire precautions.

Why should I have a Fire Risk Assessment?
The reasons for having a Fire Risk Assessment fall into three main categories as described below:

1. Legal – To meet your legal obligation under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
2. Moral – To reduce the risk of a fire so far as is reasonably practicable therefore providing protection to all concerned.
3. Business Protection – To ensure that you reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring and the impact this would have on your business/premises should this occur.

At RHSS Ltd we complete all our Fire Risk Assessments following a format as set out in a Publicly Available Specification (PAS79).  As part of our service we offer full support for 90 days following the assessment which can include liaison with fire officers, insurers etc, and we guarantee the highest level of advice.

To find out more about our Fire Risk Assessment Service and how we can help your business, contact us on 0333 577 0248 or 0208 667 2028, or email us at admin@rhssltd.co.uk.

HSE prosecution round up:

Principal contractor fined for safety failings

A London based construction company has been fined for safety failings after complaints from the public.

Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard how Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd were working at a site St John’s Way in Corringham, Essex in 2016 when concerned members of the public contacted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd are the principal contractors for the development of a public house and 24 flats.

Acting on the public concerns, HSE carried out three inspections of the site. On each visit the inspectors and visiting officers found numerous breaches of health and safety legislation, including dangerous electrical systems, unsafe work at height across the site, and no fire detection alarm. There was no fire-fighting equipment, despite workers sleeping on site.

As a result HSE issued four Prohibition Notices (PNs) and three Improvement Notices (INs) on the firm.

Malik Contractors and Engineers Ltd of Neasden Goods Depot, Neasden, London, was fined a total of £52,000, and ordered to pay £4,415 in costs after pleading guilty to an offence under Regulation 13(1) of The Construction Design and Management Regulations 2015.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector David King said:

“This case highlights the importance of complying with enforcement action. Duty holders have the responsibility to provide their workers with appropriate training and equipment so they can work safely. In this case Malik Contractors failed to do so.

It is essential that those responsible for construction work understand they are also responsible for the health and safety of those on and around the construction site, and ensure suitable and sufficient arrangements are in place to plan.”

Source: www.hse.gov.uk

First Aid at Work

Have you reviewed or considered your ability to provide first aid at your workplace?  Do you have sufficient provision of first aiders for your organisation’s level of risk and number of employees?

 

RHSS can help you assess your first aid needs to make sure that you satisfy the requirements of the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981.  We can help you decide what you need to put into place to ensure that should an accident happen and someone is hurt at your workplace, help can be made available quickly and efficiently.

Once you have decided on the type of first aid you need, RHSS can offer training of first aiders either at your workplace, or a venue of your choice.  We offer Emergency First Aid at Work training, which is a one day course for smaller, low-risk organisations, or for larger organisations who want to make sure they have nominated first aid cover for holidays and absences.

There is also a three day First Aid at Work course which provides comprehensive training to give the first aider the skills required to give effective life support, diagnose and treat injuries or illness and maintain care and comfort for the casualty, with emphasis on dealing with life threatening situations to help ensure the casualty’s life is preserved until professional help arrives.  Successful candidates will achieve qualification for a period of three years.

If you would like more information about our training courses, have a look at our website www.rhssltd.co.uk, contact us on 0333 577 0248 or 0208 667 2028, or email us at admin@rhssltd.co.uk.

HSE prosecution round up:

Company fined after worker hurt while unloading heavy glazed doors

Munster Joinery (UK) Ltd has been fined after one of its workers was struck by a triple-glazed double door during unloading at a construction site.

Oxford Crown Court heard that in October 2013 the worker, Michael Jephcott, was part of a Munster team at a large house building site in Cholsey Meadow, Fairmile, Oxfordshire to deliver and install doors and windows. During unloading he was struck on the head by a set of double doors, knocking him unconscious and leaving him with whiplash and headaches. He required physiotherapy for some time afterwards.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found there had been several previous injuries to Munster site workers, during unloading and handling of heavy glazing units. The company had previously been warned by both HSE and their own safety consultant that they needed to implement a safe system of work for transporting, unloading and handling their products. However, the company consistently failed to properly investigate these incidents, didn’t ensure loads were secured safely, hadn’t clearly identified or marked the different weights of the glazing units and hadn’t monitored the availability of necessary equipment at delivery sites.

Munster Joinery (UK) Ltd of Stratford Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, was fined £300,000 and ordered to pay costs of £18,424.98.

His Honour Judge Peter Ross commented that “the culture of the business was at the root of the problem” and that “systemic management failings” were the cause of the breaches of the law and resulting injuries.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Dominic Goacher said:

“Our investigation found that workers at Munster were unable to follow a safe system of work. There is no excuse for this level of negligence when workers are required to handle heavy products regularly.

This case and the penalty awarded sends out a very strong message. The aim should be to move heavy objects mechanically wherever possible and to reduce the risk of injuries by other means where some manual handling is still required. Too many workers experience long term suffering because of unsafe manual handling.”