Dean Howells Essential Safety, Health & Safety Blog

Lofsted Health & Safety Report Summary - Posted 5th December 2011

Professor Löfstedt’s long-awaited report to Government entitled: “Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety legislation” was released last week. Following the report, The Government has announced plans to begin a major cut back of health and safety red tape as early as January next year. 

We have summarised the main recommendations from Professor Löfstedt’s report and will share these over the next few blog postings. Of course, much of the detail regarding implementation of these recommendations is still to be finalised, but these are our views, based on information currently available. 

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 should be amended to remove the requirement for HSE to approve the training and qualifications of appointed first-aid personnel.

Currently, all training organisations offering first aid at work course must be approved by the HSE.

If adopted, this recommendation could open up the provision of first aid training to a much wider group, and will almost certainly reduce costs.

 The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) and its associated guidance should be amended by the end of 2013 to provide clarity for businesses on how to comply with the requirements.

RIDDOR seems to be the perennial regulatory football at the moment, receiving a regular kicking from anyone and everyone tasked with looking into health & safety regulation.

The reality is that, without RIDDOR, we would have very little data to identify where and how accidents are occurring in the UK – And how to prevent them.

We predict clearer guidance for guidance for employers regarding exactly what is, and what is not, reportable under RIDDOR.

Essential

British Injuries Fall But Fatalities Rise - Posted 3rd November 2011

The HSE yesterday released figures showing the ongoing trend has continued for the decrease in injuries and people being made unwell at work. However there is a rise in fatalities from 147 to 171. Construction and agriculture are the most dangerous work environments.

"The statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that in Britain between April 2010 and March 2011:

• 24,726 major injuries were reported, such as amputations, fractures and burns, to employees - a rate of 99 injuries per 100,000 workers - compared with 26,268 in 2009/10.
• 90,653 other injuries serious enough to keep people off work for four or more days were reported - a rate of 363.1 injuries per 100,000 workers - down from 96,427 the previous year.
• An estimated 1.2 million people said they were suffering from an illness caused or made worse by their work, down from 1.3 million in 2009/10. Of these, 500,000 were new illnesses occurring in-year.
• 171 workers fatally injured - up from 147 the previous year."

Essential

 

How to Complete Fire Safety Checks & Inspections - Posted 11th October 2011

At Essential, we are often asked to clarify the requirements for fire-related tests & inspections at commercial premises. Although some premises may contain other specialist installations & equipment not addressed below, these are the main tests and inspections that should be carried out on a periodic basis:

Daily:

• Check the fire alarm panel for faults
• Visual inspection for defects or blocked escape routes

Weekly:

• Test the fire alarm from a different Manual Call Point (Breakglass)
• Carry out sprinkler & smoke control tests
• Check the batteries in torches etc.

Monthly:

• Carry out a functional test of all emergency lighting
• Visually inspect all fire extinguishers
• Check all fire doors and fire exit doors

6-Monthly:

• Ensure that the fire alarm is serviced by a competent engineer.

Annually

• Emergency lighting should be tested for it’s full duration (normally 3 hours) by a competent engineer.
• Fire extinguishers should be serviced by a competent engineer
• The fire risk assessment should be reviewed

With the exception of the daily inspections, all of the above should be recorded in the Fire Safety Log Book, retained on the premises.

For a free Fire Safety Log Book, email: info@essentialconsult.co.uk

HSE to Recover Costs from Non Compliant Organisations - Posted 22nd Sept 2011

The HSE have announced their intention to recover costs when there has been a breach of health and safety law which requires them to make a formal intervention. Under the proposals currently out for consultation, the HSE will charge for its time at a rate of £133 per hour, plus the costs of any specialists it considers necessary – all payable within 30 days.

Clearly, the total costs of a significant breach could be considerable, particularly if the breach is associated with an incident which led to serious injury – or worse.

The estimated average costs, which could be introduced as early as April 2012, to be charged to the duty holder by the HSE are:

Inspection which results in a letter - £750

Inspection which results in an Enforcement Notice - £1,500

Investigations - £750 to £00,000s

Essential Comment:

Given the financial pressure that all government departments are under, cost recovery by the HSE was always going to be a possibility. And it may not end there. The current proposals do not include cost recovery by Local Authorities carrying out equivalent work but we would not be surprised if this were included as a result of the current consultation, or at some point in the future.

And there are also suggestions that fire and rescue authorities in England and Wales could be handed the power to demand cash for attending false fire alarms.

We have always suggested that safety and profit are not mutually exclusive, and these latest proposals only confirm that view. As the HSE (and possibly Local Authorities) moves to a less pro-active, more punitive approach, it will become even more important that organisations manage health & safety effectively.

Next Health & Safety and Fire Training courses 11th & 12th October 2011, Corby

Essential Health & Safety Skills for Managers - 11th October 2011 - One Day Course

Corby Enterprise Centre - just £89 plus vat.

Essential Fire Marshal Training - 12th October 2011 - Half Day Course

Corby Enterprise Centre - just £39 plus vat

Contact Essential on 01536 460171 or email info@essentialconsult.co.uk

Health and Safety and Fire Marshal Training Courses - Posted 4th August 2011

Essential Health & Safety Skills for Managers Training Course 11th October 2011

Full Day Practical Course £89.00 vat.                                  For more details click here

Fire Marshall Training Course 12th Octoner 2011

Half Day Course £39.00 plus vat                                            For more details click here

Essential

 

Health and Safety Skills and Fire Marhsall Training Courses from Essential- Posted 27th July 2011

Current Training Courses on Offer from Essential - Location: Corby Enterprise Centre

Essential Health and Safety Skills for Managers - 12th October 2011- Full Day - £89 plus vat

A practical “How to” course, full of interactive, practical exercises and case studies delivered in an interesting and innovative style.

 

Fire Marshal Training - 11th October 2011 - Half Day - £39 plus vat

Fire Marshals / Wardens are considered by Fire Authorities to be a key component of most premises fire safety precautions. This course will cover all the aspects including a practical session using fire extinguishers.

Full details of the courses and how to book can be found on the Essential website.

Essential

 

 

 

Fire Marshal Training Courses - Posted 11th July 2011

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 places responsibilities upon the “responsible person” in respect of fire safety. The “responsible person” is anyone who has a degree of control over premises or systems, including managing agents, employers, occupiers or anyone else who has some control over premises. Good practice suggests that, where a Fire Risk Assessment recommends that Fire Marshals are nominated at a premises, that suitable training is provided.

We will be holding some half day Fire Marshal Training in the next few months at our training facilities at Corby Enterprise Centre. If you would like to be informed of the future dates please email our Director and lead fire consultant John Pratt, john@essentialconsult.co.uk.

Essential:    Essential Safety Ltd, Essential Fire SafetyLltd

Esential Safety Opens Essential Fire Safety Ltd - Posted 21st June 2011

Our recent move to new offices at Corby Enterprise Centre, has coincided with the formation of our new specialist Fire Safety company, Essential Fire Safety Limited. We have been  joined by a new director, John Pratt, who is a fire safety specialist with over 20 years experience in fire safety.

John has worked as a practitioner, technical advisor and more recently as a Fire Protection Officer for the Fire and Rescue Service, where he was responsible for the inspection of non-domestic premises and the enforcement of Fire protection standards and policy. Prior to this, John was a Leading Fire-fighter for the RAF, responsible for carrying out fire safety inspections and audits of MOD premises.

Fire safety advice and fire risk assessment has always been an important part of the service we provide to Clients. However, John’s considerable knowledge & experience significantly raises our levels of expertise and enables us to offer a broader range professional fire safety advice to businesses. John’s continuous professional development means he has up to date knowledge of fire safety legislation, enforcement and risk assessment, and he provides advice in a clear and concise manner”.

In addition to Fire Risk Assessments and Fire Safety Training courses, we can now also provide fire design services. This can involve the development of a fire strategy for a premise, along with design specifications for fire safety features, installations and equipment. By completing this work at the design stage of a premise we believe we can save clients time and money”.

At the Corby Enterprise Centre we have access to state of the art training facilities to deliver our Fire Awareness and Fire Marshal Training courses, which can include practical, hands-on fire extinguisher training.

Essential

HSE telephone advice line to end in September - Posted 7th June 2011

The HSE’s Infoline telephone service will end on 30^th September 2011 and it will move to a web based service. Enquiries from businesses and the general public will be directed to the HSE website.

In addition, from 12^th September 2011, the way in which reportable work related injuries and incidents are reported will also change. Whilst fatal and major incidents can still be reported by telephone, all other reportable incidents and injuries will move to an online system via the HSE website.

 Essential