Author Archive: direct2u

HSE: Firm sentenced after Forklift Incident

hse-forklift-incident

HSE has released information about a Scottish firm which has been fined for safety failings after an employee was seriously injured by a forklift. The incident occurred when the driver of the forklift truck reversed and then moved forward, which resulted in a collision with the employee concerned who was walking backwards at the time. The HSE investigation into the incident found that they had failed to ‘provide sufficient segregation between pedestrians and vehicles’ and that they had also failed to provide ‘sufficient instruction to control vehicle movements in the area while pedestrian were working’. The dangers of warehouse vehicles… Read more

28th July 2014 0

HSE on Hearing Protection

Hearing Protection

Hearing loss caused by working conditions is entirely preventable by using correct control measures and hearing protection. Yet, 17,000 people in the UK suffer deafness, ringing in the years or other ear conditions as the result of excessive noise at work (HSE). There are many ways of preventing hearing loss or reducing the noise that employees are exposed to. Some control measures to consider are: Quieter machinery or equipment in an attempt to reduce noise exposure to a minimum Introducing engineering controls such as adding material to reduce vibrations from machinery (known as ‘damping’) or fitting silencers Modifying the paths… Read more

30th June 2014 0

Effective Crowd Control Barriers

As the organiser of an event you will need to ensure the safety of crowds. Whilst certain elements of crowd control may be subcontracted to stewards etc. you will still retain the overall responsibility for the safety of the pupil as organiser. It is important to get crowd control right the first time, and this will involve planning and investing in effective crowd control barrier. Things you should be aware of when planning crowd control Pushing and crushing between people Crushing against fixed structures such as barriers or fences Trampling underfoot Sudden swaying, surging or rushing The possible collapse of… Read more

16th May 2014 0

Health and Safety: Working at Height Fines

Health and Safety: Working at Height Fines A West Midlands roofing company has been fined after a safety official passed them working and spotted an employee working unsafely at height with no fall protection in place at all.   The incident was reported by the safety official after the chance sighting on 26th September 2013 and the firm was prosecuted yesterday (28th April). Sandwell Magistrates Court heard that an inspector for the Health and Safety Executive was on the industrial estate when he saw two of the firms’ employees on a fragile roof of a nearby business unit. He noted… Read more

29th April 2014 0