Has health and safety gone too far?
Has health and safety gone too far? People often say “health and safety has gone too far”. But are they right? Complaints about health and safety are increasingly common; criticism from tabloid newspapers is increasingly loud and hysterical. And we’ve all heard the condemnation; “health and safety gone mad”, “wouldn’t have been a problem in… Read the Full Post
Improving Construction Site Fire Safety
Improving Construction Site Fire Safety London Fire Brigade chiefs are calling for more to be done to prevent fires on construction sites. Ever since the Grenfell Tower tragedy claimed the lives of 71 people, fire safety has never been far from the headlines. Worryingly, the construction sector has failed to raise standards – according to… Read the Full Post
How are the new HSE sentencing guidelines working out?
How are the new HSE sentencing guidelines working out? When HSE sentencing guidelines were strengthened, we predicted a large rise in fines – now we review the evidence. As part of a continued commitment to raising standards, sentences for health and safety offences were considerably strengthened in 2016. At the time, we warned that offending… Read the Full Post
What are the most dangerous jobs on a construction site?
What are the most dangerous jobs on a construction site? Construction remains one of the most dangerous industries in the UK – the HSE recorded 43 construction-related deaths between 2015 and 2016. All jobs on a construction site carry an element of risk, but some are decidedly more dangerous than others. These are four of… Read the Full Post
How to fake health and safety documentation
How fake health and safety documentation will earn you a jail sentence First, let’s be clear – learning how to fake health and safety documentation is a really, really bad idea. AKA how to earn yourself a jail sentence by faking health and safety documents. Not only is forging records a criminal offence but doing… Read the Full Post
Your desk is killing you
Sitting at your desk is killing you. The British economy is increasingly service driven, which means that more of us are spending the working day sat at a desk. Although many people will assume that office jobs are safer than working on a construction site, there are serious occupational risks here too. The fact is… Read the Full Post
Workplace deaths increase in Northern Ireland
Workplace deaths increase in Northern Ireland Disturbing news from Northern Ireland as workplace deaths increase by 30% in one year. Figures published by HSENI show that workplace deaths in Northern Ireland increased by 30% during 2016/17. The organisation responsible for monitoring, enforcing and promoting health and safety standards across Northern Ireland recorded a total of… Read the Full Post
Poor air quality – the forgotten productivity killer
Poor air quality – the forgotten productivity killer Good air quality is essential to employee productivity – so why do so many employers overlook it? Air quality is a crucial factor in employee productivity and wellbeing – but businesses outside heavy industry are apparently unaware of this fact. Respiratory diseases caused by inhaled particulates are… Read the Full Post
Horrific industrial Penis accident is a warning to men everywhere
Horrific industrial penis accident is a warning to men everywhere A man from Gloucestershire is recovering in hospital after suffering one of the most painful (and embarrassing) workplace injuries ever. Somehow, the man involved managed to cut off his own penis with a circular saw. Details of the accident remain sketchy, but the injury could… Read the Full Post
The Annual Saga of the School Shoes
The Annual Saga of the School Shoes Every year kids are sent home for wearing the wrong uniform – but it’s not usually a health and safety issue. Every year, at the beginning of September, hundreds (thousands?) of students are sent straight home for failing to wear the correct uniform, having a prohibited haircut or… Read the Full Post