The HSE recently announced that from October 2009 there will be changes to the way first-aiders in the workplace are trained.

From 1 October 2009, HSE is introducing new arrangements to the first aid training regime.  This will not require any change to the current Regulations.  The new first aid training arrangements state that to comply with regulations first-aiders provided by an employer in the workplace for the purposes of the regulatory requirements must hold a certificate of competence in either:

• first aid at work (‘FAW’ – reduced from a four-day to a three-day course), issued by a training organisation approved by HSE;
• Emergency first aid at work (‘EFAW’ – a one-day course), issued by a training organisation approved by HSE or a recognised Awarding Body of Ofqual/ Scottish Qualifications Authority eligible to award an accredited qualification in EFAW applying a training standard set by HSE.

The HSE guidelines also emphasise the need for refresher courses, with a strong recommendation that qualified first-aiders undertake annual refresher courses

The minimum first aid provision on any work site will remain as: 

• an appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements;
• a suitably stocked first aid box;
• information for employees about first aid arrangements.

Contact The Health and Safety People on 08456 122 144 for more information about our First Aid at work courses, or use our email contact form here

The Mirror’s Asbestos Timebomb campaign got a boost this week when Barbara McQueen, the wife of the King of Cool himself, finally broke her 28-year silence over her husband’s untimely death from asbestos-induced mesothelioma in support of the campaign goals.

Steve McQueen was diagnosed with mesothelioma (a type of cancer associated with asbestos exposure) in December 1979. Having been told by U.S. doctors in July 1980 that there was nothing further they could do for him, he travelled to Mexico for unconventional treatment in a last desperate bid to prolong his life. A fight he was ultimately to lose in November 1980.

Barbara McQueen has been reluctant to speak about it, despite a simmering anger that so little has been done since then to prevent, treat and cure this “industrial” disease.

However, this week she broke her silence to praise the Mirror’s asbestos campaign.

She comments:

“My husband’s death was a long and painful ordeal, and I can readily identify with those who have been exposed to asbestos as well as their loved ones.”

The Mirror’s campaign makes a number of demands, including the setting up of a public register of all asbestos surveys carried out on public buildings and increased funding for the HSE facilitate the inspection of asbestos removal work.

The health and safety people are proud to announce the launch of our new BS OHSAS 18001 Consultancy Service.

The health and safety peoples OHASA 18001 consultancy service is designed to enable your business to achieve UKAS accreditation to the OHSAS 18001 2007 Standard by establishing and implementing an Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) management system within your organisation.

You can find more about this new BS 18001 OHSAS consultancy here or call 08456 122 144 to find out where you are and how we can help you get where you need to be.

The HSE run a regular series of articles debunking some common H&S and given the time of year this months is about the “Banning” of pancake races on the spurious grounds of “elf and safety”

They say:

A straightforward event like this one only needs a short, simple risk assessment. And when an event has taken place lots of times before, all that’s needed is a review of the previous assessment - just to check nothing has changed - so that the fun can go ahead!

You can read more at the HSE myths page here

If you think that the worst will never happen to you then this recent article, concerning Marks and Spencer’s previously unblemished health and safety record, will make you think twice.

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When you are out and about, driving in bad weather conditions, the advice is to be well prepared.  Make sure you know exactly where you’re going, what roads you’re taking, and check conditions before you leave.  Listen to travel and weather news so you know what to expect.

 If really bad conditions are forecast, think about whether you need to travel at all, even if you are only going on a short, familiar journey.  And make sure your vehicle is in good running order before you leave.

Our quick guide will give you a head start.

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A roofing company director found guilty of manslaughter after one of his employees was killed in a 6m fall has been jailed for 12 months.  Colin Cooper, the owner of South-east firm IC Roofing, was sentenced on 27^th January to the jail term as well as being handed down a £10,000 fine over the 2005 fatality.

His company was also fined £20,000 and Mr Cooper was disqualified from holding a director’s position for three years.  Last Thursday (22^nd January) a jury at the Lewes Crown Court found Mr Cooper guilty of manslaughter due to gross negligence over the death of 20-year-old Darren Hoofe.

Mr Hoofe died while carrying out roofing repairs floor at a unit at the Bellbrook Industrial Estate in Uckfield.

The court heard he had not been wearing a harness, there was no safety net in place to catch him when he plunged through a skylight on to the concrete floor and that Mr Cooper had failed to carry out the necessary risk assessment procedures for the work.  Mr Hoofe died in hospital the day after the fall.

During the 13-day trial, jurors also heard that Mr Hoofe, a trained electrical engineer, was “inexperienced” and had only received limited training during the six months he had been employed by the company.

Mr Cooper had already pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safety of an employee under the Health and Safety at Work Act following an investigation by the Sussex Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

The Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 came into force on Friday, 16 January 2009. This new Act will increase penalties and provide courts with greater sentencing powers for those who break health and safety law, and is being welcomed by the Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (more…)

Following the deaths of two factory workers, killed when they were cleaning the inside of an animal feed mixer which started up unexpectedly, the Health and Safety Executive has issued a warning to companies of the dangers of failing to properly isolate machinery before inspection, cleaning, repair or maintenance work is carried out.

The two men were cleaning the inside of the feed mixer when the mixing paddles inside it started to rotate, resulting in their fatal injuries. Although the men had switched the machine off and pressed the emergency stop button prior to entering it, a wiring error in the machine’s control system allowed it to start up under the control of a computer system. If the electrical power supply to the machine had been isolated, it would not have been possible for it to have started while the men were working inside it, even with the wiring error in the control system.

Galloway and MacLeod Ltd were fined £25,000 after pleading guilty to a charge under Regulation 16 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Barr Electrical Contractors Ltd were also fined £60,000 after pleading guilty to a charge under Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. Both fines were reduced by 25% following guilty pleas being tendered.

The HSE’s Principal Specialist Inspector (Electrical Engineering) John Madden said: “This incident, involving the tragic deaths of two men, could have been easily prevented if the power supply to the machine they were working on had been properly isolated. The process of isolation means establishing a break in the power supply, normally by using a lockable switch, and then securing the switch in the ‘off’ position using a padlock to prevent it being switched back on until the work is finished. (more…)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently lent its support to CO (carbon monoxide) Awareness Week, organised by campaign group CO Awareness.

Often referred to as ‘the silent killer’, CO fumes are particularly dangerous because they cannot be smelt, seen or tasted and in extreme cases can kill in hours.

Speaking at the launch of CO Awareness Week in the House of Lords, Lord McKenzie, DWP Minister with responsibility for Health and Safety, said: “Those who have lost relatives and friends during the last year as a result of CO poisoning know how important it is that we get the right messages across to gas consumers.  This is especially so at a time of rising fuel prices when consumers may be tempted to cut corners on servicing and maintenance of their gas appliances. ” (more…)