Health & Safety

OSCHR has compiled a list of five signs to watch out for that may indicate that you're suffering from an asbestos-related disease.

Lucie Stephens, the daughter of a teacher who died of cancer linked to asbestos exposure, is campaigning for schools to be obliged to warn staff and pupils of its presence. Please sign and share the campaign as we think it’s one that deserves our support.  Here’s Lucie’s story: “Parents have been kept in the dark about asbestos risks for too …

A scaffolding company was sentenced today for safety breaches after a scaffold clip fell approximately 20m (60 ft.) and hit a member of the public walking below. Westminster Magistrates Court heard that, on 20 March 2017, the injured person was walking along Upper Street in Islington, London when he was hit on the head by the clip. He sustained numerous …

The Contractors Health and Safety Assessment Scheme (CHAS) and The National Federation of Builders (NFB) have announced a new partnership to raise health and safety standards in the UK and make the world of work safer. The NFB represents small to medium-sized builders, regional contractors and house builders across England and Wales. As one of the UK’s longest standing trade bodies, …

A company has been fined after an employee died following a fall through a skylight. Leicester Crown Court heard how the deceased was working with another employee on the roof, re-siting a heater and new chimney flue when the incident occurred. He suffered severe injuries and died from these injuries approximately 6 months later. An investigation by the Health and …

HSE is reminding companies of the necessity of monitoring workers’ health after a South Wales Housing Association was fined for exposing workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard how Charter Housing Association Ltd. reported six cases of HAVS following a health surveillance programme launched in June 2015. The affected employees were all part of the maintenance …

As the chilly weather sets in JSP has launched a new thermal helmet beanie called the Surefit Beanie which is fully approved to be worn with all the JSP Evo range of Safety Helmets. Compatibility is key when combining PPE and this new Beanie will prevent workers from wearing incompatible and dangerous alternatives such as hoodies under their helmets. Designed …

A company undertaking excavation work has been fined for safety breaches, when a worker was burned after striking underground electrical cables. Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court heard that in February 2016 an employee was excavating the ground at a site on Spare Lease Hill in Loughton, Essex. He struck an electrical cable and was set on fire. He received significant burns to his …

A Paisley based utility services company has been fined for exposing four of its employees to asbestos during work at Anderson Tower in Motherwell in 2014.

The latest annual injury and ill-health statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that the construction sector continues to suffer significantly higher injury rates than other industries with slips, trips & falls remaining the biggest cause of injuries. The latest HSE stats show 1.3 million workers were suffering from work-related ill-health – a decrease on 2015/16 (144) – …

MSA Safety is challenging the perception of fall protection with its new V-SHOCK self-retracting lifeline for building contractors.

A builder has been sentenced after a father and son fell almost five metres when a work platform became disconnected from a telehandler.

A construction company has been fined after a worker suffered serious injuries after a fall which could have been prevented with simple precautions.

Wearable technology which could reduce risks to drivers and lone workers has been trialled by highways engineers working for service provider Amey. Biometric and location devices which detect when the body is under stress and help workers raise instant alarms at the touch of a button were piloted on a technology maintenance contract, where working in higher risk environments is …

Construction projects across Britain are being urged to act now to ensure the health and safety of their workers is protected as the second phase of a targeted inspection initiative gets underway this week. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says 43 workers were fatally injured in 2015/16, and an estimated ten times that number died from construction related ill-health, …

The Revolution Infinity safety shoe from Solid Gear comprises a high degree of cushioning and comfort and has a ‘bounce back’ mid-sole which is designed to give a 55% energy return that will put a spring in your step to reduce fatigue and stress on the back, legs and feet. The shoe’s stretchable upper with Cordura is water-resistant and is said to offer excellent performance when it …

Two scaffold Inspectors have been prosecuted after a worker fell through a gap between the scaffolding and the building, resulting in serious injuries. Greater Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard how on 26th March 2014, the 49-year old worker was working on a re-roofing project. As he stepped down from the untiled roof onto a fixed scaffold, he fell through a gap …

A survey of over 200 trainee roofers has suggested that fear of injury or death is the biggest concern for 43% of them. Of the 212 surveyed by Redland, 63 said that they were most worried about falling from height, 12 cited health and safety issues, 11 said injuries and five said they feared death. The budding roofers are all …