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Health & Safety

Health & Safety Articles

Below is a list of articles that have been published on this topic.
Click on the title to view the whole article

Industrial Protection [Sep 2009]

New International Standards for fire protective clothing

Chemical Safety [Sep 2009]

Emergency safety showers and eye/facewash units

Ranking PPE [Apr 2009]

Protective clothing used in the explosives industry

Part 1 of this paper¹ considered the ranking of body clothing employed as personal protective equipment (PPE) for explosives workers, when evaluated using a moving manikin. The apparatus, explosives sources used and calculation method were all the same in the present study, which examines the performance of a range of protective headwear.

Breathe Easy [Apr 2009]

The how, why and when of RPE selection

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) has been placed fi rmly at the bottom of the hierarchy of control and is often referred to as a control measure of last resort. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations have enshrined the hierarchy in legislation for over 20 years. This hierarchy indicates the relative desirability and effi cacy of various forms of control. (See fi gure 1).

Safety at Height [Apr 2009]

The challenges facing the height safety industry

When entering the world of height safety some 18 years ago, I was astounded by the range and complexity of available products for ensuring the safety of people who choose to work at height.

Safety Footwear [Apr 2009]

Protection and comfort, beyond safety standards

Feet have a tough job to do in working life, a fact that is overlooked all too often. Prolonged standing, walking, climbing, handling heavy machinery, falling objects, and slippery or sharp surfaces are just some of the many workplace hazards that feet may be exposed to on a daily basis. According to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, slips and trips account for the highest number of work-related major injuries across all industry sectors, while TUC figures show that over two million sick days are lost every year owing to lower limb disorders.

Detecting Gases [Apr 2009]

What you can't smell can hurt you

Walking through a drill-site area, a worker smells rotten eggs and stops for a minute or two to assess where a gas leak might exist. Rubbing his itchy eyes as he investigates further, he notices that he no longer smells the tell-tale hydrogen sulphide odour. He does not realize that the gas has deadened his olfactory senses and unless he leaves the area within seconds, he could lose consciousness and possibly his life. A well-researched and planned gas-detection strategy can help reduce the likelihood of situations such as this.

Slips and Trips [Oct 2007]

Workers views on this important issue

This report presents baseline findings from a survey on IOSH members’ views on the issue of slips and trips. The findings build a picture of how the issue is currently perceived, what’s being done about it and what additional support IOSH members feel they’d like. Annual surveys in 2007 and 2008 will provide both IOSH and HSE with further valuable information on how the situation is changing.

Protective Gloves [Oct 2007]

Choosing gloves for specific applications

Appropriately selected gloves can provide users with invaluable protection against hazards that might otherwise cause injury. In order to achieve the best possible protection, however, it’s important to understand how gloves for protective applications are categorised and certified.

Confined Spaces [Oct 2007]

Good practice advice which you may find helpful

A number of people are killed or seriously injured in confined spaces each year. This happens in a wide range of industries, from those involving complex plant to simple storage vessels. Those killed include not only people working in the confined space but those who try to rescue them without proper training and equipment.

Far REACHing Objectives [Oct 2007]

The New European Chemicals Regulation

How do you objectively assess the risk of a chemical? Ever tried to compare safety data sheets on the same substance from different suppliers? What are the risk management measures you need when using a chemical in your factory? What should you do to minimise the environmental impact of a chemical when it leaves your site? Who really decides what constitutes an acceptable risk of using a chemical? Are chemical users across Europe playing on a level playing field and just where did those lists of banned chemicals come from?

Hearing Protection [Sep 2007]

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

Hearing protection is your final stop on the journey to control workplace noise and prevent people losing or damaging their hearing. Only when practical and managerial controls to reduce the intensity and duration of noise exposure have been exhausted should you consider hearing protection as anything more than a temporary measure.

Protective Helmets [Sep 2007]

Design principles, safety and performance

SATRA is one of Europe’s foremost European Notified Bodies for certifying protective helmets, and is able to carry out testing and EC type examination work using established European standards or in house developed test specifications. Deputy Chief Executive, Austin Simmons explains design principles and the tests involved.

A Safe Pair of Hands [Sep 2007]

Demystification of disposable glove legislation

The use of disposable gloves in the general working environment is widespread. Indeed they are such a big part of our working lives that glove usage in Europe has increased, but most dramatically the US has increased from less than 1 billion to over 20 billion. We tend to use disposable gloves for either process protection from human-borne contamination or for personal protection and often for both reasons. However, as safety in the occupational environment becomes an increasing concern, do we really understand what level of protection we are getting?

Streamlining Regulations [Sep 2007]

Control of the use and disposal of chemicals

REACH is the EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals which entered into force on 1 June 2007. It places duties on all manufacturers, importers and users of chemicals in the European Union, and is aimed at ensuring adequate control of risks to humans and the environment from the manufacture, use and disposal of chemicals.

Hearing Protection [Jul 2007]

Standards and testing methods

European EN 352 standards define testing methods for hearing protectors which satisfy the basic requirements of European legislation based on the New Approach. The basic requirements for the design, manufacture and use of hearing protectors against the harmful effects of noise are in Directive 89/686/EEC on Personal Protective Equipment of 21 December 1989. Directive 2003/10/EEC of 6 February 2003 defines the minimum health and safety requirements for workers regarding noise exposure.

Safe Flooring [Jul 2007]

A step in the right direction

The UK Health & Safety Executive is currently concentrating on the assessment of floor surface slipperiness as part of its “Revitalising Health and Safety” strategy. Dr. Paul Lemon and Dr. Marianne Loo-Morrey, scientists at HSE’s Health & Safety Laboratory, discuss the methods of assessment currently favoured by HSL ... and the problems associated with the use of many alternative test methods.

Confined Spaces [Jul 2007]

Choosing the best confined space gas detector

The “best” confined space gas detector doesn’t come from any one manufacturer; it’s the instrument that best fulfils the requirements for your confined space programme.

Gas Detection [Jan 2007]

Mining, health & safety practices, regulations

Mines can be hazardous environments and the possibility of fire, flood, explosion, asphyxiation, toxic gas poisoning and collapse has the potential to simultaneously affect a large number of people.

Testing for Protection [Jan 2007]

Eye-related injuries are prevalent in industry

In the UK it is estimated that almost one in ten workers employed in manufacturing industries and in agriculture, forestry and fishing will go to hospital in the course of the year as a result of a work-related accident. Of these, approximately 20% will be for eye-related injuries.

How Safe Is Your Floor? [Jul 2006]

Slipping on floors results in many injuries - the cost to industry in terms of the disruption, worker time off and compensation is thought to be huge - the UK's Health and Safety Executive has estimated it at £512 million.

Slipperiness Assessment [Jul 2006]

A Step in the Right Direction

The UK Health & Safety Executive is currently concentrating on the assessment of floor surface slipperiness as part of its 'Revitalising Health and Safety' strategy. Dr. Paul Lemon and Dr. Marianne Loo-Morrey, scientists at HSE's Health & Safety Laboratory, discuss the methods of assessment currently favoured by HSL ... and the problems associated with the use of many alternative test methods.

Regulations Will Affect You! [Oct 2005]

Important new regulations cover all industries

Preventing Disasters [Oct 2005]

New developments in the field of gas sensing technology allow for subsequent advances in the provision of better gas safety systems.

Safety Helmets [Oct 2005]

Expectations of protection and performance

Slips, Trips and Falls [Jul 2005]

The correct footwear will have a positive effect

Eliminate The Risks [Jul 2005]

The chemical protection of employees

They Have Ears But Hear Not [Jul 2005]

People have ears. Fish don't but they can still hear

Arc Protection [Jul 2005]

Protection against thermal hazards

Attack of The Killer Spaces [Jul 2005]

Mise en scène - It's more like a scene from a Hammer Horror B-movie than reality, but it actually does happen, at least once a year. Someone goes into a harmless-looking opening, perhaps to retrieve something they have dropped, or just for a look, and they don't come out.

Don't Fall Down on Protection! [Jul 2005]

Personal fall protection systems and equipment

Ergonomic Design at Work [Oct 2004]

Preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders by improving efficiency.

Advances in Sorbent Technology [Oct 2004]

'Patent Pending' - Air sampling for airborne gas & vapour contaminants

Do I Have to Carry Out Fit Testing? [Jul 2004]

The answer is almost always yes!

Lone Working [Jul 2004]

In his diary dated 17th September 1941, political Hugh Dalton wrote 'How I love a colleague-free day! Then I can really get on with the job' and actor John Barrymore (1882-1942) would quote from Genesis the text which says, 'it is not good for man to be alone' and then add 'But O my God, what a relief'.

Industrial Flooring [Jul 2004]

Most people give little thought to the flooring on which they work and walk each day, unless they slip, trip or fall or have feet, leg or lower back pain from standing.

Deep Mining [Jul 2004]

Still a risky business

Safe on Rail [Apr 2004]

Safety on railways is only achieved by a combined effort - the asset owner and
employers provide the recognised safe systems for work with Rules for workers,
signalmen and train drivers that are designed to protect the track worker.

Rope Access Systems [Oct 2003]

A permanent means to saftey clean and maintain buildings

On-site Medical Response [Oct 2003]

What could be more important than making provision for your employees for when things go wrong? Although PPE covers most eventualities and easily prevents most incidents requiring medical treatment there are occasions when these defences are breached. This article, split into three parts, aims to provide you with food for thought and solutions to potential problems.

The Heart of the Matter [Jul 2003]

Successfully protecting a workforce has moved beyond hard hats and rule books, says United Utilities. Health and safety has, quite rightly, worked its way onto and up the boardroom agenda over the last few years

High Frequancy Roof Antennas [Jul 2003]

Safety in their vicinity

Rescue - No Second Chance [Apr 2003]

A Re-Assessment of the Priority Given to the Question of Rescue at Height in Industry

Dont Let It Happen to You [Apr 2003]

The new European Union 'ATEX1' legislation provides a timely reminder of the dangers that lurk wherever flammable substances are present. There are too many grim pictures of the devastation that can be caused if the proper precautions are not taken.

Arcing Fault hazards and Worker Protection [Apr 2003]

Every year many workers are needlessly injured or killed due to electrical incidents. The impact on the workers, families, and businesses is significant. These deaths and injuries can and should be avoided.

Industrial Slip and Fall Accidents [Apr 2003]

Slips and falls are the major cause of accidents reported to the UK Health and Safety Executive. They account for 35% of non fatal major injuries (e.g. fractures and amputations) and 21% of over-three-day injuries (e.g. sprains, strains and minor fractures). A recent estimate of the costs to the UK of these accidents was £1bn p.a.