I could not quite believe it!
The below is a short recording while on site this week, I could not quite believe it when the roofer started throwing broken tiles from the top lift of the scaffold into the uncovered skip below!!
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NEW REPORT CALLS FOR FATIGUE RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO PROTECT DRIVERS
A new EU-wide report has found that around a third of drivers has fallen asleep while driving at least once in the past year.
The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) is calling on employers to introduce company-wide fatigue risk management strategies to combat the problem after its report, which is the first EU-wide study in 15 years on driver fatigue in commercial transport, also found that 60% of truck drivers and 66% of bus and coach drivers regularly feel tired when driving.
The study, which was undertaken last year, has two objectives, according to the ETF, which represents more than 3.5 million transport workers from more than 230 transport unions and 41 European countries.
The first is to describe the nature and extent of driver fatigue in the road passenger and freight transport sector in Europe while the second is to examine the specific working conditions of professional drivers and how they lead to endemic fatigue in this transport sector.
This is a very large “Real” problem.
GUIDANCE ON FIRST AID COVER DURING OUTBREAK
The Health and Safety Executive has issued fresh advice on first aid cover during the coronavirus outbreak.
Sharing first aid cover with other businesses and extending first aid certifications are two of the measures recommended by the safety watchdog, ‘If first aid cover for your business is reduced because of coronavirus or you can’t get the first aid training you need, there are some things you can do so that you still comply with the law,’ the guide says.
It suggests sharing the first aiders of another business, but reminds dutyholders to be sure that they have the knowledge, experience and availability to cover the first aid needs of their business. It also warns whoever provides the temporary cover to ensure they do not adversely affect their own first aid cover.
The regulator is also offering first aid certificate extensions to those who hold a first aid certificate that expired on or after 16 March 2020 and cannot access requalification training because of coronavirus.
MODIFIED PODIUM STEPS LED TO WORKER’S 2 M FALL
MODIFIED PODIUM STEPS LED TO WORKER’S 2 M FALL
A company has been fined after a worker fell two metres when the podium steps he was working on toppled over.
An employee was welding metal components while working at height on a set of podium steps which had been taken from another factory when the accident happened in November 2017. The steps toppled over, causing the worker to fall about two metres to the floor and fracture two vertebrae.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation revealed that internal procedures had not been followed, and the company had failed to carry out a risk assessment nor determine a safe system of work.
In addition, the podium steps had been modified with the addition of incorrect feet, contrary to the manufacturers’ instructions. Stabiliser bars had not been fitted and workers had not been trained in their correct use.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching reg 6(3) of the Work at Height Regulations. It was fined £54,000 and ordered to pay costs £1,544 in costs.
HSE inspector said the wholly avoidable incident was caused by the failure of the company to adequately plan its work, and put basic safeguards in place.
“The case highlights the importance of following industry guidance in order to select and correctly assemble access equipment, along with implementing the necessary training, instruction and supervision to prevent such falls occurring,” “Podium steps are a recognised safe solution for working at height however, if they are used incorrectly, they can become a danger themselves.” https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2020/02/18/modified-podium-steps-led-workers-2-m-fall
LADDER FALL LANDS PC WITH £1.1M PENALTY
LADDER FALL LANDS PC WITH £1.1M PENALTY
A principal contractor has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an engineer lost half his bloodstream when he fell almost three metres from an extension ladder.
The worker was testing a sprinkler system for leaks at a site in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire when the incident happened on 5 September 2016. He climbed onto an internal roof and was inspecting the leak from an extension ladder. The ladder slipped and he fell between the internal roof and the external wall. He suffered severe blood loss, amounting to around half of his bloodstream. He required a blood transfusion and needed 14 stitches to his head. He also sustained a fractured vertebrae and suffered soft tissue damage.
HSE investigators discovered that the principal contractor for the job, had failed to take reasonably practicable measures to prevent a fall from the internal roof for both the engineer and other contractors working on the roof.
Luton Crown Court was told that Modus had failed to discharge its duty to ensure those not in their employment were not exposed to risks, in particular that of falling from height.
Following a five-week trial, the principle contractor – which had a turnover of £96 million in 2018 – was fined £1.1 million plus costs of £68,000 after it was found guilty of breaching section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Speaking after the sentencing, HSE inspector said the case highlights the importance of taking reasonably practicable measures when planning and managing the risks regarding work at height within the construction industry.
‘The engineer’s injuries were life-changing and he could have easily been killed,’ he added. ‘This serious incident and devastation could have been avoided if basic safety measures had been put in place.’
https://www.ioshmagazine.com/2020/05/29/ladder-fall-lands-pc-ps11m-penalty