From 1 June 2015, the United Nations’ Globally Harmonised System on the classification and labelling of chemicals became legal under the CLP Regulations.

The updated designs originally came into force in 2010, but companies have had until 1 June to implement the changes and replace the old style orange HSID symbols with the new CLP hazard pictograms.

The new regulations will replace the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2009.

There are only 9 Pictograms, all with white backgrounds, a red diamond frame and a black hazard symbol – see the diagram below.

Make sure you comply.

Does your workforce use abrasive wheels?

Do you need to make sure you & they are fully trained and aware of the law?

A horrific workplace injury which resulted in the death of an employee has been highlighted by the HSE as, once again, it emphasises Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to employers.

The worker was using a hand-held grinding machine with no guard when an abrasive disc exploded. He was killed when a shard from the disc hit him in the mouth. A HSE investigation found the abrasive disc was nine inches in diameter although the grinder had a maximum permissible tool diameter of only two inches unless guarded. It was also attached to the grinder using a non-proprietary tool. In addition the disc was rated for 6650 rpm but the grinder was running at 12,000 rpm.

As a result, the company involved was fined £150,000 and ordered to pay £24,000 in costs after admitting breaching the act which states: ‘It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.’

Call Matt St John on 01525 851752 who will be able to offer advice and training options for your workforce to prevent such accidents. Sister-company C&C Training offer a half-day course in Abrasive Wheels or can design a bespoke option for your workforce.

Forklift Trucks – is your workforce safe?

Did you know that a forklift truck is one of the most dangerous methods of workplace transport in the UK?

Every year, more than 800 workers are seriously injured. Despite these figures, the UK still has the lowest accident record in Europe thanks to Risk Awareness – much done by the Forklift Truck Association.

This has been achieved through safety campaigns and initiatives, including the National Fork Truck Safety Week. The HSE, manufacturers, dealers and employers have all worked together to increase awareness of the dangers and steps needed to reduce risks and the ambitious Safer Site Programme is now into its ninth month.

The vital point has to be that employers must meet their legal obligations to ensure that all operators receive adequate training as required by law.

By following the Approved Code of Practice and Guidance (L117) you will know that you are in line with 10 pieces of legislation relevant to forklift truck operations.

Work continues to make sure that everyone working with or near to a forklift truck is operating safely.

Here’s where C&C Consulting can help. Make sure your staff are trained, give C&C Consulting a call today for expert advice along with excellent training opportunities with our sister-company C&C Training.

There is also more help and advice available through free fact sheets, posters and safety resources available from The Fork Lift Truck Association’s website and you can sign up to the Safer Site Programme.

Victims of HAVS look set to rise

It is estimated that in the UK 300,000 employees have advanced symptoms of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome and over two million are at increased risk because they are exposed to HAV levels above the limit set by the HSE.

A recent report by Reactec highlighted the cost to employers is around £1.32 billion and only a rise in further compensation claims from employees has made bosses sit up and start to take notice.

The HSE sets out minimum requirements for HAVS risk management, enforced by the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. The regulations clearly state that tool users must not be exposed to levels of vibration above the daily exposure action value of 2.5m/s²A(8) without action being taken to control exposure, and must not exceed the daily exposure limit value of 5m/s²A(8).

Despite clear guidance many companies struggle to maintain an effective HAV risk management policy or even keep it on their to-do list, as it is wrongly perceived as a lower risk than other issues.

It can be a challenge to create a procedure to monitor and manage HAV that is supported by all individuals in the company and is accurate, efficient and effective.

This is where C&C Consulting can help . . .The fact is, HAVS is preventable if effectively monitored and reporting systems are used as part of the overall risk reduction plan.

Give C&C Consulting a call to assist your company to implement the right systems to monitor exposure to harmful levels of HAV, it is not only good practice from a health and safety perspective, but will also help to prevent the unnecessary costs associated with a diagnosis of HAVS in the workplace.

HSE guidance on controlling HAV is available at: www.hse.gov.uk/vibraton

Working at Heights Accident can be prevented

The HSE has this week highlighted a case of a Working at Height accident and the investigation which was launched as a result.

In the case, it was revealed that those involved had received inadequate training and as a result had been badly injured.

The HSE advised that falls from height are the biggest single cause of workplace injuries and deaths in the construction industry.

Companies involved who are found not to have trained their staff on the equipment being used are facing crippling fines running into thousands of pounds. Many are based on being in breach of the Work at Height Regulations 2005.

Don’t wait to receive your fine. C&C Consulting can help you implement control measures to make sure it never gets that far. C&C Training also offer a Working at Height course which includes safe use of steps, ladders and towers. Also including the safe use of Fall Arrest equipment. Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) training is also available.

MBE for workplace safety campaigner

Motivational speaker & fall-survivor Jason Anker has been awarded an MBE in the 2015 New Year Honours.

Many people attending health and safety courses, especially the NEBOSH National General Certificate 1 here at C&C Training, will be familiar with his behavioural Safety DVD – A fall from Height.

Described as life-changing presentations, Jason speaks with personal experience. In 1993, he fell from a ladder at his place of work aged 24 years old leaving him paralysed from the waist down. He now talks openly about the accident, but it took him 22 years and a chance meeting with a man who convinced him to share his story to educate others.

Last year, Jason, in person, delivered 320 health and safety presentations to a global workforce helping to spread awareness into the dangers of ignoring health and safety guidelines. Over 40,000 people in the last five years have heard his moving journey of how he has turned his life around since the accident which saw him battle depression and drug and alcohol abuse. He has earned UK and global acclaim for his advice on safe working practices.

Jason has just released a second DVD called Proud 2B Safe.

New 60 mph speed limit for HGVs

From yesterday (April 6), all lorries travelling on dual carriageways can now travel at 60 mph. The move falls in line with rises to speed limits in July 2014 for single carriageways – all previously set at 50 mph.

The rules governing HGVs have been modernised across England and Wales by Transport Minister Claire Perry with the hope lorry drivers now have speed limits that are better suited to a modern transport network.

Transport Minister Claire Perry said: “It is really important that speed limits for lorries reflect the needs of a modern transport network and improved vehicle technology.

“Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world and I am determined to ensure this continues. This change is about ensuring rules for lorry drivers’ speed limits are in line with other larger vehicles on our roads, creating a fairer and more proportionate system.”

The changes to speed limits will update previous regulation dating back to the 1980s.

Care for your fleet

Vehicles at work continue to be a major cause of fatal and major injuries. Every year there are over 5000 incidents involving transport in the workplace. About 50 of these result in people being killed.

HSE have webpages dedicated to Vehicle & Transport Safety. This includes sections on Lift Trucks, including pages on repairs, training and thorough examination, People’s Safety  including training, medical fitness to drive and managing visitors & contractors and Site Safety which includes traffic management and routes, driving surfaces and speed.

Construction Dust – Industry Survey Report

Over 500 UK construction workers a year die from lung cancer caused by silica, with construction dust (often containing wood dust) also causing other serious lung diseases like asthma, silicosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.

A newly-published industry survey conducted jointly by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) and the Construction Dust Partnership (CDP) has found that workers believe the construction industry needs to do more to face up to the challenge that dust created on the job poses to employees’ health.

You can get more information about dust and how to protect your health by visiting  The Construction Dust Partnership.  For more health and safety advice on wood dust visit HSE’s Woodworking Website.

Give C&C Consulting a call to put your risk assessments in place.

And now for ‘The Weather . . .’

We British just love talking about the weather so it would only seem right to include snippets of two issues which have made Health and Safety news recently.

The sun has started to make an appearance over recent weeks (thank goodness we hear you sigh!). However, the HSE has had to sort out a problem already on the subject of sun screen/lotion. Just to put the record straight – Companies are not obliged to supply sun screen to its outdoor workers, however, there is nothing under health and safety law to prevent it doing so – not even in case of allergy worries, so responsible bosses should not be quoting ‘Health & Safety’ as an excuse. Instead, the HSE wants to encourage employers to provide advice on sun protection for those who work outside.

Meanwhile, it is advisable for all outdoor workers to make their own arrangement for sun screen whether it be lotion or protective clothing.

Make plans now for bad weather

Hopefully we have seen the back of the bad weather for at least 8 months! However, employers are being urged to assess the risks and take responsibility for its employees who may be required to drive in appalling weather conditions. Snow and ice is probably the furthest from our thoughts at the moment but during the summer months why not implement a plan to make sure drivers are fully equipped for next winter.

Draw up a plan to adjust journey times and routes in advance so delivery schedules are not disrupted and if you have a fleet of vehicles, ensure they are properly equipped to operate in poor weather, specifically with winter tyres and anti-lock brakes. Drivers may also benefit from training on how to carry out routine checks to tyres, lights, windscreen wipers and washer fluid etc.

Give C&C Consulting a call if you need help.

New Busy Builder leaflets from the HSE

The HSE Construction Division has created four new Busy Builder leaflets – containing simple, straightforward guidance for trades and anyone who runs a small construction site. The leaflets also show real examples of good and unacceptable practice on site.

• Preventing injury during plasterboard handling: What you need to know as a busy builder
• Preventing injury from handling heavy blocks: What you need to know as a busy builder
• Construction dust: What you need to know as a busy builder
• Old lead paint: What you need to know as a busy builder 

Free information sheet – the selection,  The selection, management and use of mobile elevating work platforms

L46 – Consulting workers on health and safety (second edition with amendments)