Due the Health & Safety Act 1974, Great Britain has one of the world’s best health and safety records and in 2014 Health & Safety Week was launched to celebrate its achievements, raise awareness and bring attention to areas in need of improvement.
In 2015 the focus of the event was occupational health. These are the long term effects that the workplace can have on employees and not the immediate hazards, such as trips and falls. However, in 2016 the event is focussed on giving recognition to those providing excellence in their organisation, awarding the rising star in Health and Safety award.
How does this affect you? Latest statistics show that approx 102 million people are suffering from a work-related illness and 142 people have died at work.
Work-related illnesses include:
Cancer; from asbestos, silica
Other asbestos-related illnesses
Respiratory diseases
Noise induced hearing loss
Work related skin disease
Stress
Mental health
Hand arm vibration
The aim of Health & Safety Week 2016 in the workplace is instigating initiatives and programmes throughout the year. For more information visit the Health and Safety Week website where you can find out how to get involved and host your own programmes.
Employers have the largest degree of responsibility for workplace health and safety, their legal obligations include:
Taking precautions to ensure the safety, health and welfare of workers
Providing and maintaining a safe workplace, equipment, tools and systems
Ensuring all workers and supervisors are aware of hazards in the workplace as well as the precautions for their protection
Employees are responsible for their own actions and their Health and Safety responsibilities include:
Taking the time to familiarise yourself with your company Health and Safety policy
Correct use of safety equipment, clothing and devices
Taking reasonable care to protect themselves and others who may be affected by their actions
One way an employer can limit exposure to harmful substances is through Hazardous Storage Cabinets. As CoSHH 2002 states harmful substances must be stored correctly, these substances can come in many different forms:
Gases
Fumes
Chemicals
Vapours
Mists
Dusts
Biological agents
Asphyxiating Gases
Nanotechnology
CoSHH requires companies that work with harmful substances to do all that they can to prevent and reduce the risk of employees becoming exposed to such substances. The HSE release Approved Codes of Practice to clarify and simplify the practical advice which is available to help employers comply to the CoSHH regulations. Risk assessments should be completed to identify if any hazardous substances are used in your line of work. This will then help in implementing any preventative measures such as:
Providing correct and sufficient CoSHH storage for substances
Regularly checking preventative measures still work and are being maintained
Reducing exposure by using hazardous storage cupboards, local exhaust ventilation and or providing PPE
Safety Direct2U’s NEW range of Hazardous Storage cabinets offer quality performance for hazardous substance storage and protection. The cabinets have many special features such as fusible links which hold doors wide open for ease of access to stored substances and leakproof sumps that meet EPA requirements.
Specification
Adjustable levelling feet to make it easy to balance cabinets on uneven surfaces
Built-in grounding connector on the outside
Stainless steel; 3-point bullet self latching system, providing easy, fail safe, door
closure
Patented Spillslope safety shelves direct spills and leaks to the back and bottom of 2in leakproof sump which meets EPA requirements.
Dual vents
Welded construction of sturdy 1mm double wall steel holds squareness for long life
Highly visible HazAlert reflective label provides a warning
How to select a safety cabinet
Size and type of container: Determine if you are storing safety cans, 110 – 200L drums, smaller paint cans, 4L bottle, aerosols, dispenser cans for example
Capacity: Select speciality cabinets to support your needs; larger cabinets for expanded or large quantity storage
Type of Chemical: Easily identify, organise and segregate liquids by using the correct colour cabinets
Door Style: Select from manual or self-closing door style cabinets. Cabinets with self-closing doors provide an extra measure of protection. Since the human element of remembering to close the door is neutralised by the automatic closing feature.
Manual – economical manual-close doors permit doors to open a full 180℃. Push the door closed and it will automatically self-latch.
Self close – This style self-indexes and self-latches at automatically shut doors upon release. Mechanism is concealed in the top wall, maximising available shelf space. In the event of a fire, fusible links will melt at 74℃ to automatically close doors.
How to maintain a cabinet
Always store chemicals in closed containers. Clean up spills promptly. Make sure the cabinet is level and located indoors in a well ventilated, low humidity environment. Never drill into a cabinet wall – this will negate the FM approval.
Ensure cabinet doors are fully operational; that they close correctly and engage the 3 point latch.
