Investigation of a fatal incident by HSE has identified that unintended movement of some mobile crushers can occur when there is an earth/ground fault. This can result in unintended movement of the machine track(s) and the potential for injuries from being struck by or trapped by the machine.

Where damage/deterioration of the electrical control cables can lead to a risk of unintended movement, the actions outlined in the safety notice should be taken.

Read the Safety Alert in full to find out what action to take – http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/mobilecrushingplant.htm?ebul=gd-cons/nov11&cr=1

Over the next month, construction sites across the country will be visited as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death and injury in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries.

During 2009/10, 42 workers died while working in construction, nationally, & nearly three quarters of these occurred during refurbishment, repair and maintenance activities; these will be the main focus of the latest inspections by the HSE.

On the unannounced visits – starting today – the inspectors will ensure that sites are managing work at height safely and that they are in good order, as well as checking that the risk of exposure to asbestos is being properly managed.

Last year inspectors visited 2014 sites and 2414 contractors. They were forced to issue more than 350 prohibition notices to stop dangerous work – much of it relating to working from height.

Be proactive – call Spectrum in today to help your business before you’re forced too!

The HSE has signed an agreement with the Building Control Alliance (BCA), in a bid to work more closely to improve health and safety standards in the construction industry.

The agreement sets out how HSE and building control professionals will cooperate to help and support each other, for example in providing health and safety advice to the construction industry, but clearly distinguishes their separate regulatory roles and responsibilities.

The BCA represents those Building Control professionals responsible for ensuring compliance with Building Regulations, whether in Local Authorities or the private sector, and the professional bodies that accredit them. Building Control professionals regularly visit sites and are in an excellent position to promote good health and safety practice to duty holders.

Construction is one of Britain’s most dangerous industries. Over the last 25 years, 2800 construction workers have died. Despite a welcome reduction in construction fatal accidents in recent years, a large number of construction workers still die or suffer major injury or serious ill health as a result of their work.

Body shop workers are being encouraged to do more to protect themselves when paint spraying, as new research suggests that some are still putting themselves at risk of developing asthma.

A HSE report into the use of two-pack paints containing isocyanates has identified that there are still a number of areas of concern; HSE estimates that vehicle spray painters are 80 times more likely to develop occupational asthma than the average worker because they fail to take the correct precautions.

HSE found some sprayers and managers remain unaware of the link between breathing in isocyanates contained within the invisible spray mist, and developing occupational asthma.

Almost one in five managers did not know their booth clearance times. This, combined with the finding that many sprayers are still unaware of the dangers of invisible spray mist puts workers at risk of re-entering booths too soon, making them more vulnerable to breathing in isocyanates.

The study found that 85% do wear air-fed breathing apparatus; however, many continue to put their health at risk by lifting their visors to check the finish before the paint is dry, potentially exposing themselves to the isocyanate-containing mist.

The research also considered how factors such as size of business, working hours and bonus systems, health surveillance, personal protective equipment and training impact on health and safety practices in isocyanate paint use.

HSE’s key messages for safe working practices in the motor vehicle repair industry are:

• Never spray outside a spray booth or room
• Know clearance times
• Sprayers should always wear air-fed breathing apparatus, and
• Anyone exposed to isocyanates must have regular health surveillance.

For more information on the affects of occupational asthma in the motor vehicle industry, contact Andrew on 07870 777303

The use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP’s) are currently under investigation by the HSE following  a number of fatal and serious accidents where operators have become trapped between the guardrails or other equipment on the platform and adjacent obstructions.

 The selection and application of MEWPS need to be carefully managed and implemented by competent people. New guidance deals specifically with preventing entrapment and has been prepared by contributors with extensive experience of MEWP use and accident investigation and captures that experience to share with others who might not appreciate the dangers.

 Anyone engaged in the supply or use of MEWPS should familiarise themselves with the guidance and act on its recommendations. The guidance is relevant to anyone using MEWPs, not just those in the construction industry.

Key areas for attention are as follows:

• Effective work planning
• Selection of equipment for the specific tasks and environment
• Training of managers and operators including on the specific machine to be used
• Preparation and practice of detailed procedures to be followed if someone is trapped and needs to be rescued quickly to minimise harm.

 HSE inspectors will consider enforcement action where they believe there is a risk of entrapment which is not being managed effectively.

MEWP’s – avoiding trapping & crushing to people in the platform