On Safe Lines QHSE Software

Saturday 6 February 2016

DICS v5-0-01 Released - Documented Information Control System Software

On Safe Lines QHSE Software is pleased to announce the release of version 5.0.01 of our popular Document Control software DICS.

Summary of v5.0.01 Changes;

Wording for registration instruction updated.

http://www.onsafelines.com/dics-home-page.html

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

• Health and Safety Risk Assessment Management Software > TIRA Download Page
• Accident at Work Investigation and Management Software > AIM Download Page
• Documented Information Control Management Software > DICS Download Page
• Employee Absenteeism and Sickness Trends Software > SMART Download Page
• First Aid at Work Risk Assessment Management Software > FARM Download Page
• Hazardous Substances Risk Management Software > HAZS Download Page
• Workplace Risk Assessment Management Software > WRAM Download Page
• Work Equipment Risk Assessment Management Software > WERAM Download Page
• Fire Premises Risk Assessment Management Software > FIRE Download Page
• General (Tasked Based) Risk Assessment Management Software > GRAM Download Page

Wednesday 3 February 2016

TIRA - Company Task Inventory and Risk Assessment Software

TIRA takes the hard work out of risk assessing and simplifies the risk assessors workload.

TIRA helps the risk assessor complete suitable and sufficient risk assessments the following occupational health and safety risk assessments:

Task Inventory (break the task down)
Task Based (general risk assessments)
Display Screen Equipment
Manual Handling
Work Equipment
Workplace
Hazardous Substances
Fire
First Aid
Personal Protective Equipment

Learn more http://www.onsafelines.com/tira-home-page.html

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

• Health and Safety Risk Assessment Management Software > TIRA Download Page
• Accident at Work Investigation and Management Software > AIM Download Page
• Documented Information Control Management Software > DICS Download Page
• Employee Absenteeism and Sickness Trends Software > SMART Download Page
• First Aid at Work Risk Assessment Management Software > FARM Download Page
• Hazardous Substances Risk Management Software > HAZS Download Page
• Workplace Risk Assessment Management Software > WRAM Download Page
• Work Equipment Risk Assessment Management Software > WERAM Download Page
• Fire Premises Risk Assessment Management Software > FIRE Download Page
• General (Tasked Based) Risk Assessment Management Software > GRAM Download Page

SMART - Employee Sickness and Absenteeism Management Software

SMART is a comprehensive employee sickness and absenteeism management program with extensive trend analysis capabilities.

SMART allows organisations to manage employee sickness (and attendance if required) efficiently and effectively by easily keeping track of who, where, when, and what actions has been undertaken in regard to an employee’s sickness records and sickness management.

SMART will allow for analysis of employee sickness patterns and locates trends and hence allow you to take control of employees who may be playing the system...

Key Features of SMART;

Easy to set up, maintain an input data.
Comprehensive records of employee sickness records, both current and historical
Intelligent trend analysis on employee sickness, including;

10 or more days of sickness in 52 weeks
2 or more occurrences off sickness in the last 13 weeks
2 or more occurrences off sickness in any 13-week period in the last 52 weeks
5 or more separate sickness in a 52 week period
5 or more continuous days off with sickness in a 52 week period
Comprehensive reports that cover all aspects of employees sickness and sickness trends.
Comprehensive statistics on sickness figures
Historical sickness records are maintained for the employees working career with your company.
Monitor employees on sickness disciplinary, from first warning to dismissal
Monitors employees on disciplinary and automatically clears the monitoring when sickness improves

Learn more http://www.onsafelines.com/smart-home-page.html

DICS is a Documented Information Control System Software

DICS is a Documented Information Control System designed to meet document control standards. Version 5 updated to more closely align to international standards such as ISO 9001:2015 whereby documents can be controlled in different mediums such as paper, magnetic, electronic, computer storage devices, digital and standard photography i.e. anything capable of holding meaningful data. It allows companies to manage their controlled information processes from the initial review, validation and issuing of a document to the sign-off and any subsequent amendments, updates or withdrawal requests.

DICS has been design to manage the following processes:

Indicate approval of documented information adequacy prior to issue
Record and update as necessary and re-approve documented information
Ensure that changes and the current revision status of documented information are identified
Ensure that relevant versions of applicable documented information are available at points of use
Ensure that documented information of external origin are identified and their distribution managed
Control of obsolete documented information
Allow easy auditing of the documented information control system

Learn more http://www.onsafelines.com/dics-home-page.html

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

• Health and Safety Risk Assessment Management Software > TIRA Download Page

• Accident at Work Investigation and Management Software > AIM Download Page

• Documented Information Control Management Software > DICS Download Page

• Employee Absenteeism and Sickness Trends Software > SMART Download Page

• First Aid at Work Risk Assessment Management Software > FARM Download Page

• Hazardous Substances Risk Management Software > HAZS Download Page

• Workplace Risk Assessment Management Software > WRAM Download Page

• Work Equipment Risk Assessment Management Software > WERAM Download Page

• Fire Premises Risk Assessment Management Software > FIRE Download Page

• General (Tasked Based) Risk Assessment Management Software > GRAM Download Page

Independent editor's review of AIM - Accident Investigation and Management

Independent editor's review of AIM carried out by Vladimir Ciobica of www.softpedia.com
Click here to read

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Others/Finances-Business/Accident-and-Investigation-Management.shtml

Tuesday 2 February 2016

AIM - New version Workplace Accident Investigation and Management Software Released

Accident Investigation and Management

On Safe Lines QHSE Software is pleased to announce the release of version 6.1.02 of our popular Occupational Accident Investigation and Management software AIM.

http://www.onsafelines.com/aim-home-page.html

Summary of v6.1.00 - 6.1.02 Changes;

v6-1-00 Changes
---------------------
Help file integration updated
fdlg_Staff_Search added (miss off in previous upgrade)
Report margins standardised
Registration massages amended
Improvements to the Attachment input form
Improvements to the links form
Memo editor integration expanded
Spell Checker added to Memo checker
frmDates redesigned to incluced Pie chart section
frmDates section dates section redesigned
3 New Barcharts added
5 New Piecharts added
New quick amend core data navigation form added
Sort A-Z, Z-A button added to core data input forms
SQL to and from date calculation code amended
v6.1.01 Changes
---------------------
frm_Accidents layout amended
auto generate unique ID feacture added
frm_Accidents_Detailed layout amended
form created to check if accident unique numbers previously used
Layout and style of buttons throughout program amended
Several forms, busy icon added to indicate to user program processing user enquiry
v6.1.02 Changes
---------------------
Additional navigation controls added to frm_Accidents
frm_Accidents_Detailed split into separate forms and access integrated into frm_Accidents (tabcontrol removed)
Slight chances to the menu ribbon
Records loading progress bar fixed
Several minor enhancements
Program icon updated
Program version number added to registration message box

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

• Health and Safety Risk Assessment Management Software > TIRA Download Page
• Accident at Work Investigation and Management Software > AIM Download Page
• Documented Information Control Management Software > DICS Download Page
• Employee Absenteeism and Sickness Trends Software > SMART Download Page
• First Aid at Work Risk Assessment Management Software > FARM Download Page
• Hazardous Substances Risk Management Software > HAZS Download Page
• Workplace Risk Assessment Management Software > WRAM Download Page
• Work Equipment Risk Assessment Management Software > WERAM Download Page
• Fire Premises Risk Assessment Management Software > FIRE Download Page
• General (Tasked Based) Risk Assessment Management Software > GRAM Download Page

Saturday 17 March 2012

CDM Regs FAQ - Work Engagement

Worker engagement

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007

How do the CDM Regulations encourage better worker engagement?

Regulation 24 places a duty on principal contractors to make and maintain arrangements to enable effective cooperation between all parties on site, and to consult with all workers on site. Consultation means not only giving information to workers, but also listening and taking account of what workers say, before making health and safety decisions. Part of the purpose of consultation is to make sure the measures taken on site to protect workers’ health and safety are effective.

Principal contractors are encouraged to develop a variety of methods of communication and consultation with the workforce to develop collaboration and trust. When matters of concern are raised by workers these should be actioned and feedback given. Evidence that this is happening provides assurance that effective worker engagement is in place.

Involving the workforce in identifying and controlling risks is crucial in preventing accidents. Whether projects are notifiable or not, contractors have a duty in regulation 13 to inform workers of their procedures for stopping work in the event of serious and imminent danger, and to provide training where necessary. This should make sure

workers are willing and able to intervene to prevent an accident sequence developing.

Source HSE

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

Risk Assessment Software
Accident Managenent Software
Document Issuing and Management System
Staff Sickness and Absenteeism Management and Trend Finding Software

Thursday 15 March 2012

CDM Regs FAQ - The plan and the file

The plan and the file

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007

What is the difference between a construction phase plan and a health and safety file?

The construction phase plan is prepared by the principal contractor, for notifiable projects, to outline the arrangements for managing health and safety on site during construction work.

The health and safety file is prepared or revised by the CDM co-ordinator, for notifiable projects. It will require the CDM co-ordinator to liaise with the client, designers, principal contractor and contractors. The file will contain information necessary for future construction, maintenance, refurbishment or demolition to be carried out safely, and is retained by the client or any future owner of the property. (Where a client gets non-notifiable work done, and a health and safety file already exists for the premises, it should be updated if necessary.) The file should be a useful and valuable document for the client.

Source HSE

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

Risk Assessment Software
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CDM Regs FAQ - Duties of the Principal Contractor

What are the main duties of the principal contractor?

The main duties of the principal contractor are to:

plan, manage and monitor the construction phase to make sure, so far as is reasonably practicable, it is carried out without risks to health or safety
ensure adequate welfare facilities for those working on the site
draw up and implement the site rules as necessary
draw up and implement the construction phase health and safety plan
provide a suitable site induction and make sure those working on site have received the training they need to carry out the work safely and without risks to health
make sure the site is suitably fenced and prevent unauthorised people from entering the site
ensure co-operation between those working on the site, and that work is co-ordinated in such a way as to prevent danger
ensure suitable arrangements for effective consultation with the workforce
ensure the right health and safety information is provided to the right people at the right time

Source HSE

For more information on the Principal contractor click here

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

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Accident Managenent Software
Document Issuing and Management System
Staff Sickness and Absenteeism Management and Trend Finding Software

Wednesday 14 March 2012

CDM Regs FAQ - information on HSE Notification / F10

FAQs relevant to both the electronic and manual F10 forms

When must I complete an F10 form?

You should complete an F10 form when you think you are undertaking a project that will last more than 30 days or involve more than 500 person days. This is a legal requirement under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. An F10 does not need to be filled in for domestic projects.

What information must I provide to HSE?

The exact information that you must provide to HSE is outlined in Schedule I of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) 2007. On both the E-Form and the manual F10 forms, the information you must provide is marked with an asterisk (*).

Source HSE

To read more information on Notification/F10 click here

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

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Tuesday 13 March 2012

CDM Regs FAQ - What are the CDM Regulations about?

What are the CDM Regulations about?

The CDM 2007 Regulations are about focusing attention on effective planning and management of construction projects, from design concept onwards. The aim is for health and safety considerations to be treated as a normal part of a project’s development, not an afterthought or bolt-on extra. The object of the CDM 2007 Regulations is to reduce the risk of harm to those that have to build, use, maintain and demolish structures.

Source HSE

To read more on this subject click here

Free to try QHSE Software Solutions for Businesses

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Monday 12 March 2012

CDM Regs FAQ - Who are Domestic Clients

Domestic clients

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007

What is the definition of a domestic client?

The CDM Regulations 2007 define ‘client’ as a person who in the course or furtherance of a business seeks or accepts the services of someone to help carry out a project, or carries out a project themselves. Domestic clients are people who have work done to their own home or the home of a family member (which they live in or will live in), that does not relate to a trade or business, whether for profit or not. Local authorities, housing associations, charities, landlords and other businesses may own domestic property but they are not domestic clients.

Note: See separate questions for property developers and management companies.

It is the status of the person procuring the work that will determine if the Regulations apply, not the nature of the premises. For example, where alterations are carried out on a domestic house to improve disabled access, and that work is procured by a local authority, then the client will be the local authority and CDM client duties will apply, even though the work is being done in domestic premises for the benefit of the householder.

Source HSE

To read more about domestic clients click here

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Sunday 11 March 2012

CDM Regs FAQ - Designer

Designers

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007

Am I a designer?

To be a designer you have to be in a trade, business, or undertaking that involves you in preparing designs. In the Regulations the term ’designer’ relates to the function performed, rather than the profession or job title. So, for a construction project there could be ’traditional’ designers, such as architects, structural engineers and civil engineers, a design and build contractor etc. Building services engineers/consultants and quantity surveyors etc are also designers. You will also be a designer if you prepare drawings, specifications and bills of quantities.

Source HSE For information on CDM Regs and who is a designer click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - Main duties of contractors

Contractors

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007

What are the main duties of contractors under the CDM Regulations?

Contractors must co-operate with each other and with the principal contractor to co-ordinate their work activities. (This applies to adjoining sites as well as the project they are directly involved in.) Contractors should be competent for the work they are doing; plan, manage and monitor their own work to ensure health and safety; and provide suitable information and training for their workers to ensure their health and safety.

As a contractor, what should I do if the job is not notifiable and there is no principal contractor?

The contractor will be required to:

* inform the client of the their CDM 2007 duties if this has not already been done
* plan, manage and monitor the construction work to make sure it is carried out without risks to health and safety
* provide information, training and a suitable site induction for their workforce
* make sure the site is suitably fenced and prevent access by unauthorised persons
* ensure adequate welfare facilities for those working on the site

Source HSE

To read more on contractors duties under CDM Regs click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - Is Competence is a key issue in the CDM

Competence

Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007.

I have heard that competence is a key issue in the CDM Regulations. Why is this?

CDM 2007 competence is about being able to do your work safely, not endanger others and meet the legal health and safety requirements. There is justifiable emphasis on competence, because competent people are generally recognised as safer.

The duties in the Regulations work both ways. People making appointments have to take reasonable steps to make sure those appointed are competent for what they are expected to do. Likewise, those accepting such appointments should only do so if they are competent to undertake the activity.

What is the definition of competence?

To be competent an organisation or individual must have:

* sufficient knowledge of the tasks to be undertaken and the risks involved
* the experience and ability to carry out their duties in relation to the project, to recognise their limitations and take appropriate action to prevent harm to those carrying out construction work, or those affected by the work

Sourse HSE To read more on competence and the CDM Regs click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - Clients

As a client, what do I have to do to comply with regulation 9 of CDM 2007?

You need to make sure that:

 designers, contractors and other team members that you engage are competent, adequately resourced and appointed early enough for the work they have to do
 you allow sufficient time for each stage of the project, from concept onwards
 you co-operate with others involved with the project to allow other dutyholders to comply with their duties under the Regulations
 you co-ordinate your own work with others involved with the project to ensure the safety of those carrying out the construction work, and others who may be affected by it
 there are suitable management arrangements in place throughout the project to make sure the construction work can be carried out safely and without risk to health – this does not mean managing the work yourself, as it is unlikely that clients have the expertise and resources needed, and it can cause confusion
 your contractors have made arrangements for suitable welfare facilities to be provided from the start and throughout the construction phase
 any fixed workplaces (eg offices, shops, factories, schools) which are to be constructed will comply, in respect of their design and the materials used, with any requirements of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
 relevant information likely to be needed by designers, contractors or others to plan and manage their work is passed to them

Source HSE To read more about CDM Clients click here

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CDM Regs FAQ - CDM co-ordinators

The main duties of CDM co-ordinators are to advise and assist the client in meeting their duties as a client under the Regulations, in particular the duty to:

 appoint competent designers and contractors
 make sure adequate arrangements are in place for managing the project
 notify HSE about the project
 co-ordinate design work, planning and other preparation for construction, where relevant to health and safety
 identify and collect the pre-construction information and advise the client if surveys need to be commissioned to fill significant gaps
 provide promptly – and in a convenient form – to those involved with the design of the structure, and to every contractor (including the principal contractor) who may be or has been appointed by the client, such parts of the pre-construction information as are relevant
 manage the flow of health and safety information between clients, designers and contractors
 advise the client on the suitability of the initial construction phase plan and the arrangements made to ensure welfare facilities are on site from the start
 produce or update a relevant user-friendly health and safety file suitable for use at the end of the construction phase

Source HSE

To read more about CDM co-ordinators click here

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Saturday 10 March 2012

COSHH frequently asked questions

COSHH frequently asked questions

Contents

 COSHH assessment
 Safety data sheets
 Keeping records
 Working with hazardous substances
 Training

COSHH assessment

I have just completed COSHH essentials, is this sufficient to use as my COSHH assessment?

COSHH essentials produces generic advice. The legal requirement is that the risk assessment must be suitable and sufficient, so check that the downloaded sheets fully describe the task you do. If so, follow the advice in the sheets. Otherwise, think about how else you could use the advice to avoid workers health being harmed. You should take into account any information you have on levels of exposure, such as the results of monitoring, or health checks.

Source HSE

For further information click here

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Complaints about workplace health and safety

Complaints about workplace health and safety

 Is HSE the correct enforcing authority for you?
 How can you resolve your concerns?
 Reporting your complaint about workplace health and safety to HSE
 What happens after a complaint is made to HSE?
 What we will do
 How will you know what has happened as a result of your complaint?

The law requires employers and the self-employed to conduct their business in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that persons affected are not exposed to risks to their health or safety. This includes providing essential welfare facilities for employees.

Sourse HSE

To read more on this subject click here

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Asbestos-related lung cancer

Asbestos-related lung cancer

Summary

Asbestos has been recognised as an important risk factor for lung cancer for many years. However, there are a number of other agents that can cause the disease - most importantly, tobacco smoke - and lung cancers resulting from asbestos exposure are clinically indistinguishable from those caused by these other agents. This means that the total number of asbestos related lung cancers has to be derived from statistical estimates based on evidence from epidemiological studies rather than direct counting of individual cases.

Source HSE

To read more on this subject click here

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ALARP "at a glance"

ALARP and SFAIRP

“ALARP” is short for “as low as reasonably practicable”. “SFAIRP” is short for “so far as is reasonably practicable”. The two terms mean essentially the same thing and at their core is the concept of “reasonably practicable”; this involves weighing a risk against the trouble, time and money needed to control it. Thus, ALARP describes the level to which we expect to see workplace risks controlled.

Source HSE

For a fuller discription of the ALARP principle please click here

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Health and Safety and Drug Misuse

Current legal base and any legal developments

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, section 2

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

It is an offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 for any person knowingly to permit the production, supply or use of controlled substances on their premises except in specified circumstances (e.g. when they have been prescribed by a doctor).

Key messages

Drug and other substance (e.g. solvent) misuse is everyone's concern. In the context of work, not only does it damage the misuser's health, but it can cost employers through absenteeism and reduced productivity.

The HSE provide more information on this subject, click here

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Tuesday 24 January 2012

Lead and You - The Risks

This is a useful document (INDG 305) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Working safely with lead

Working with lead can affect your health. This leaflet tells you about:

■ health problems that can occur if you absorb too much lead;
■ what your employer should do to protect your health;
■ precautions you should take.

Click Here to Read More > Lead and You

Source HSE

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Leptospirosis Are You at Risk?

This is a useful document (INDG 84) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

What is leptospirosis?

Two types of leptospirosis infection can affect workers in the UK.

■■ Weil’s disease:
This is a serious and sometimes fatal infection that is transmitted to humans by contact with urine from infected rats.

■■ The Hardjo form of leptospirosis:
This is transmitted from cattle to humans.

Click Here to Read More > Leptospirosis

Gas Safety - Engineers

This is a useful FAQ Document by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Gas safety - Engineers

Click here > Gas safety - Engineers

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Gas Safety - Landlord and Letting Agents

This is a useful FAQ Document by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Gas safety - landlords and letting agents

Who is a landlord?

Click here > Gas safety - Landlord

Sunday 6 November 2011

Gas safety - Tenants

This is a useful FAQ Document by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Gas safety - Tenants

Who is a tenant?

Click here > Gas safety - Tenants

Gas safety - Home owners

This is a useful FAQ Document by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Gas safety - Home owners

What should I do if I suspect an appliance is unsafe?

Click here > Gas safety - Home owners

Farmwise: Essential Guide to Health and Safety in Agriculture

This is a useful document (INDG 427) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Injuries and illness can ruin lives and businesses. Solutions are often simple and cheap and the people best placed to make farms safer are farmers and their employees. Health and safety is a fundamental requirement of a sustainable farming business and should be regarded as an essential part of farm business management. Unwise risk-taking is an underlying problem in the industry and those working on their own are especially vulnerable.

Click here > Farmwise: Essential Guide to Health and Safety in Agriculture

Choosing a Welding Set - Make Sure You Can Handle It

This is a useful document (INDG 390) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Manual welding can be a demanding and difficult job. It can involve precision work, with the welder’s body being in a fixed or awkward posture, often in a confined environment. This imposes high muscle loads. Welders also have to handle heavy materials and equipment.

All these factors may increase the risk of workers developing musculoskeletal disorders, such as back problems.

A study found that 51% of welders suffered at least one period of sickness over a two-year period, taking time off work due to disorders of the muscles, joints and tendons.

Welding sets are becoming smaller and lighter in weight so there is more individual manual handling, which can lead to injury if the risks are not properly assessed and managed.

This leaflet can help you identify the risks and manage them effectively. It contains an illustrated ergonomic checklist to help you make the right choice when selecting welding equipment.

Click here > Choosing a Welding Set

Why Fall for It - Preventing Falls in Agriculture

This is a useful document (INDG 369) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Falling from height is one of the main causes of fatal accidents in agriculture. Many accidents involving falls happen while agricultural buildings or other farm structures are being built or maintained. These jobs typically involve working at height, and require some form of temporary access to height, for example ladders, scaffolds, or other temporary working platforms.

Falls frequently occur because no precautions are taken, or any equipment that is used is defective, not appropriate, or used incorrectly. Often people about to do a job believe it will ‘only take a few minutes’, and take a risk in the hope that simply being careful will be enough.

Click here > Why Fall for It - Preventing Falls in Agriculture

Saturday 5 November 2011

Noise at Work - Guidance for Employers

This is a useful document (INDG 362) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Loud noise at work can damage your hearing. This leaflet is to help you as an employer understand what you need to do under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (the Noise Regulations 2005) and how you can protect your employees from noise. It will also be useful to employees and safety representatives.

This leaflet tells you about:

. how loud noise can damage hearing;
. what you have to do under the Noise Regulations 2005 to protect the hearing of your workers;
. how to assess and control noise at work;
. choosing quieter equipment and machinery;
. different types of hearing protection;
. when to inform and consult your workers;
. health surveillance.

Click here > Guidance for Employers on the Control of Noise at Work

Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions

This is a useful document (INDG 286) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Diesel engine exhaust emissions have the potential to cause a range of health problems. This leaflet is a short guide for employees to the hazards posed by the emissions, and describes the precautions that employers and individuals can take.

Click here > Diesel Engine Exhaust Emissions

Fatal Traction - Practical Advice on Avoiding Agricultural Transport Accidents

This is a useful document (INDG 279) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

On average a quarter of all fatal accidents in agriculture and forestry involve moving vehicles. If you add to this the death toll from overturning vehicles then this comprises a very large proportion of all deaths in agriculture and forestry.

Click here > Fatal Traction - Practical Advice on Avoiding Agricultural Transport Accidents

Leadership for the Major Hazard Industries: Effective Health

This is a useful document (INDG 277) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

This booklet was originally designed for the offshore industry, but it has been revised by the Hazardous Installations Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to help industry leaders further improve the health and safety performance of all major hazard industries, both on and offshore.

The booklet is divided into four sections:

> Health and safety culture
> Leading by example
> Systems
> Workforce

Click here > Leadership for the Major Hazard Industries: Effective Health

Safe work in confined spaces

This is a useful document (INDG 158) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

This document is aimed at employers and the self-employed who carry out work in confined spaces, and forms part of HSE’s commitment to make simple and practical guidance available for small firms. It will help them take the necessary action to meet the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997. It will also be a useful source of information to anyone involved in carrying out work in confined spaces.

Click here > Safe work in confined spaces

No Second Chances - Farm Machinery Safety Step-By-Step Guide

This is a useful document (INDG 241) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Over a five-year period, HSE Agricultural Inspectors investigated nearly 7000 accidents. This guide is based on a detailed analysis of over 1000 of these accidents which involved maintenance and blockage clearing.

In this booklet you will find practical advice on working with mobile and stationary agricultural machinery – particularly machine maintenance and dealing with blockages.

Remember, the time to consider safety is before something goes wrong, not afterwards.

Click here > No Second Chances - Farm Machinery Safety Step-By-Step Guide

Friday 4 November 2011

Gas appliances - Get them checked, Keep them safe

This is a useful document (INDG 238) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

Every year about 14 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained. Many others also suffer ill health. When gas does not burn properly, as with other fuels such as coal, wood or oil, excess carbon monoxide is produced, which is poisonous.

You can’t see it. You can’t taste it. You can’t even smell it. But carbon monoxide can kill without warning in just a matter of hours.

You are particularly at risk when you are asleep because you cannot recognise the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These include tiredness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, pains in the chest and stomach pains. These symptoms can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with flu or simple tiredness.

Click here > Gas appliances

Preventing contact dermatitis at Work

This is a useful document (INDG 233) by the UK Health and Safety Executive.

What is contact dermatitis?

Contact dermatitis is inflammation of the skin caused by contact with a range of materials. These include detergents, toiletries, chemicals and even natural products like foods and water (if contact is prolonged or frequent). It can affect all parts of the body, but it is most common to see the hands affected.

There are three main types of contact dermatitis:

> irritant contact dermatitis
> allergic contact dermatitis
> contact urticaria

Click here > Preventing contact dermatitis at Work