The workplace is no place for risks
The workplace is no place for risks Risk-taking is unacceptable when it comes to issues of health and safety, but why do some people still do it, and how can you move away from a risk-taking culture? There are many ways to define ‘risk’, but in terms of health and safety, the following is a… Read the Full Post
New Health and Safety apprenticeship announced
New Health and Safety apprenticeship announced The UK marketplace is no stranger to skill shortages, but for the first time, lives could be at risk (outside the healthcare industry). The shortage this time is in the area of health and safety. According to statistics reported by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), half… Read the Full Post
Health and safety advice from a UN weapons inspector
Health and safety advice from a UN weapons inspector A UN weapons inspector may be used to working with bioweapons – but their health and safety advice is still useful. The Guardian newspaper recently ran a report on accidents at laboratories tasked with handling biohazardous materials like Ebola, the Plague and Dengue virus. It was… Read the Full Post
Finally! The Supreme Court resolves tribunal confusion
Supreme Court finally resolves tribunal confusion A recent decision by the Supreme Court should help to reduce time and cost of overturning an incorrect prohibition order. Businesses issued with HSE prohibition notices in error will find the process of overturning them slightly easier in future. The Supreme Court has recently ruled on a long-running case,… Read the Full Post
Lessons from history – the Sampoong department store disaster
Lessons from history – the Sampoong department store disaster The collapse of a department store building 28 years ago still has lessons for construction contractors today. The Sampoong Department Store collapse is one of the worst peacetime disasters in modern history. When the shopping centre fell, 502 were people killed, making It the deadliest building… Read the Full Post
How to choose the right dust masks for your team
How to choose the right dust masks for your team Dust masks are an essential item of personal protective equipment (PPE), preventing workers from contracting potentially fatal occupational diseases. Choice of a mask (or respirator) is actually a matter of life and death. Under UK law, masks must meet certain standards according to an application.… Read the Full Post
Health and Safety lessons from Carillion
Health and Safety lessons from Carillion The collapse of Carillion comes as a significant blow to the UK construction industry – particularly smaller businesses who were working with them on a subcontract basis. It is hard to see any positive outcomes from the current situation – but the Carillion story does offer important lessons about… Read the Full Post
Poundstretcher, Whistleblowers and a Warning for All Employers
Poundstretcher, Whistleblowers and a warning for all employers High street retailer Poundstretcher has been handed a £1,000.000 fine for health and safety failings recently – but we can all learn something from the case. The firm was found guilty of 24 counts of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in three of their… Read the Full Post
Construction site safety over the Christmas break
Construction site safety for a safer Christmas break Many sites shutdown between Christmas and New Year – here’s your checklist for increasing construction site safety over that period. The gap between Christmas and New Year is the perfect time to shut down a construction site, allowing workers a well-earned break with their family. Poor weather… Read the Full Post
Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and the Construction Industry
Robotics, Artificial Intelligence and the Construction Industry Technology is already changing the way we work – but does it threaten jobs in the construction industry? Technology has dramatically changed the workplace in recent years, and several industries have been transformed completely. Traditional newspapers are being forced to merge or close as people read more online… Read the Full Post