Episodios

  • RIDDOR Reporting | NI, GB and Ireland

    RIDDOR Reporting | NI, GB and Ireland
    Jan 2 2024

    In this guide, we break down RIDDOR NI, GB and Ireland accident reporting into bitesize chunks to help you understand what needs to be done for your business.

    It can be a confusing subject to tackle, and the requirements vary slightly depending on what part of the UK you are in. Firstly then, what is RIDDOR?

    What is RIDDOR?

    The RIDDOR Regulations in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) & Northern Ireland require employers, the self-employed and those in control of premises to report specified workplace incidents.

    Incident and accident reports generated as part of the RIDDOR reporting requirements are sent to the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) or HSENI.

    Let's look at how you might go through the process of reporting in this scenario..

    Do You Know what RIDDOR Stands for?

    RIDDOR stands for the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (2013).

    The regulations form an important aspect of health and safety management for those responsible for reporting.

    Now you know what RIDDOR stands for, for more must-know information for the RIDDOR Regulations, such as, who should report, how to report and when to report - keep reading...

    Accident Reporting Support Bundle

    Download our editable Accident Report Form template bundle below to keep an accurate record of accidents/incidents & investigations in your workplace.

    • Accident Report & Investigation Templates
    • Includes 30-page Expert Guide
    • Editable for your Business
    • Prepared by Chartered H&S Professionals
    Why is RIDDOR important?

    It's not valuable just to know the answer to the question 'What is RIDDOR?', you need to be able to understand why it is important!

    In 2017/18, an estimated 555,000 injuries occurred at work and 1.4 million working people were suffering from a new or ongoing work-related illness. For more in-depth stats, check out our post on UK Health and Safety Statistics.

    The RIDDOR regulations are in place to help keep you and your colleagues safe at work. The legislation is also important because it helps to keep employers accountable to what goes on under their watch.

    In theory, this should also encourage people to follow health and safety procedures in the workplace, which helps to reduce the number of accidents. At least, that is the aim!

    When you follow the RIDDOR reporting requirements, it helps the HSE to gather important data on work-related illness and injury. The information allows them to monitor and track trends, allowing them to invest resource towards education and prevention strategies in future.

    As you can see from the chart above, slips & trips and manual handling are the cause of >50% of the non-fatal RIDDOR accidents.

    When it comes to fatalities, we can also see that the trend is that over 50% of fatalities are caused by either falls from height or being struck by a vehicle or moving object.

    If employers ignore the RIDDOR regulations and fail to report incidents, they are breaking the law.

    I...
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    12 m
  • Safety Glove Ratings | Changes to EN388

    Safety Glove Ratings | Changes to EN388
    Aug 17 2022
    Safety Glove Ratings | Safeti School Thanks for joining us for this short podcast on Safety Glove Ratings | Changes to EN388. As discussed in the podcast, here is a visual depiction of the coding and a couple of examples snippets from actual safety glove ratings on the products themselves. If you have any questions, drop us a message via chat! Here is our YouTube short showing the difference between a Cut Level 1 (Old Test) glove and a Cut Level F (New Test) glove. https://youtube.com/shorts/LXDTC5Wk7Fo Safety Glove Rating | Check the Code
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    4 m
  • How Many First Aiders Do I Need? | First Aid at Work

    How Many First Aiders Do I Need? | First Aid at Work
    Jul 1 2022
    We are often asked this question by a range of Client's, 'How many First Aider's do I need?'. Let's cut to the chase and try to answer the question.... How Many First Aiders Do I Need? Firstly, we need to determine if your workplace environment is considered low risk e.g. offices, shops. Or, if you operate in a higher risk environment e.g. construction, food processing. Secondly, we must identify how many people are employed by your business. Once you have answered both of the questions above for your business operations, follow the appropriate guidance from Option 1 (Low Risk) and Option 2 (Higher Risk) below: The recommendations below are for guidance purposes only. First Aider needs may vary according to the size, nature and location of a business or organisation and should be assessed by a Competent person. Option 1: Low Risk Environment < 25 Employees The HSE recommends that if work activities are low level hazard (e.g. office or shops) and there’s fewer than 25 employees, only one appointed person as a minimum may be suitable and a first-aider may not be required at all. > 25 Employees If the number of employees in this scenario increases to between 25 and 50, then at least one EFAW first aider is needed. If more than 50 people are employed, then at least one first aider trained in FAW for every 100 employed. 2. Higher Risk Environment <5 Employees If a workplace has higher level hazards present (e.g. warehousing, construction, food processing, heavy engineering), then at least one appointed person is required if there are fewer than five employees. >5 Employees For 5 to 50, at least one first aider trained in FAW or EFAW (depending on the type of injuries that may be sustained) is suggested. When the number of employees exceeds 50, at least 1 first aider trained in FAW for every 50 employed. Do you Need a First Aider? The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations require employers to provide first aid facilities and support that is proportionate to their working environment. (1) An employer shall provide, or ensure that there are provided, such equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for enabling first-aid to be rendered to his employees if they are injured or become ill at work. First Aid Employers Responsibilities Employers must make sure employees get immediate help if taken ill or injured at work. The law applies to every workplace and to the self-employed. You must have:
    1. a suitably stocked First Aid Kit
    2. an appointed person or people to take charge of first aid arrangements
    3. information for all employees telling them about first aid arrangements
    What 'adequate and appropriate' first aid arrangements are depends on the work you do and where you do it. You're best placed to understand the nature of your work, so you should assess what your first aid needs are. You must consider:
    • the type of the work you do
    • hazards and the likely risk of them causing harm
    • the size of your workforce
    • work patterns of your staff
    • holiday and other absences of those who will be first aiders and appointed persons
    • the history of accidents in your business
    You might also consider:
    • the needs of travelling, remote and lone workers
    • how close your sites are to emergency medical services
    • whether your employees work on shared or multi-occupancy sites
    • first aid for non-employees including members of the public
    You don't have to write down your findings, but if you do, it will allow you to record how you've decided...
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    9 m
  • Hierarchy of Control Measures | 5 Key Pillars to Reduce Risk

    Hierarchy of Control Measures | 5 Key Pillars to Reduce Risk
    Jul 1 2022
    The risk Hierarchy of Controls or risk hierarchy is a system used in workplace environments to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazards. It is a widely accepted system promoted by safety organizations. As discussed in the podcast, we recommend you check our Health and Safety Risk Assessment - Complete Beginner's Guide resource. The risk control concept is taught to managers in industry, to be promoted as standard practice in the workplace. Various illustrations are used to depict this system, most commonly a triangle. Let's take look at what it looks like... Hierarchy of Control Steps | The Triangle The levels in the risk hierarchy of control measures are, in order of decreasing effectiveness:
    • Elimination
    • Substitution
    • Engineering controls
    • Administrative controls
    • Personal protective equipment
    Hierarchy of Controls EXPLAINED! As you see above the risk Hierarchy of Controls is often represented by a triangular diagram that depicts the different controls in order of how effective they might be in controlling risk. Our explainer video series below looks at these options in much more detail... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijXc7-XU4Eg&t=62s Free Risk Assessment Training

    We've created an Approved Trainer-led, online course for Risk Assessment.

    This video course, hosted by Chartered H&S professional Richard Collins, takes you through a step-by-step, interactive tutorial & activities to help your team carry out Risk Assessment with confidence.

    Enrol in the free Course here!

    Enrol Now HSE Hierarchy of Controls Steps | Recap Hopefully our video has given you a valuable overview of the hierarchy of controls - now, let's recap on those different levels of control available once we assess the risk. At the top of the Hierarchy of Controls, we start with the most effective option - Elimination. 1. Elimination Physical removal of the hazard — this is the most effective hazard control. For example, if employees must work high above the ground, the hazard can be eliminated by moving the piece they are working on to ground level to eliminate the need to work at heights. 2. Substitution Substitution, the second most effective hazard control, involves replacing something that produces a hazard (similar to elimination) with something that does not produce a hazard - for example, replacing lead-based paint with titanium white. To be an effective control, the new product must not produce another hazard. As airborne dust can be hazardous, if a product can be purchased with a larger particle size, the smaller product may effectively be substituted with the larger product. Substituting the material may result in a reduction of risk to respiratory health. 3. Engineering Controls The third most effective means of risk control is engineered controls. These do not eliminate hazards, but rather isolate people from hazards. Capital costs of engineered controls tend to be higher than less effective controls in the hierarchy, however they may reduce future costs. For example, a crew might build a work platform rather than purchase, replace, and maintain fall arrest equipment. "Enclosure and isolation" creates a physical barrier between personnel and hazards, such as using remotely controlled equipment. Fume hoods...
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    8 m
  • Manual Handling Principles | 5 Steps for Safer Lifting

    Manual Handling Principles | 5 Steps for Safer Lifting
    Jun 30 2022
    Manual Handling Principles | Intro Manual handling and lowering the risk of injury is not an exact science, every lift and every environment requires unique consideration. However, to avoid manual handling or musculo-skeletal injuries, performing a sufficient manual handling risk assessment and applying a few simple manual handling principles can help reduce risk. The 5 P's or 5 Manual Handling Principles to avoid injury that we refer to are summarised as follows;
    1. Plan - plan your lift adequately
    2. Position - centre the body & feet correctly
    3. Pick - lift item using good posture
    4. Proceed - move toward desired location
    5. Place - set object down safely
    Watch our Manual Handling Training If you are interested in taking advantage of our free online Manual Handling course for yourself, your team or your business, you may benefit from watching our YouTube bitesize version of the training (without quizzes etc.). Watch our Manual Handling training right here.. https://youtu.be/KYSvGF94GzI

    What do the principles of safer manual handling help you to do?

    The key principles of manual handling help us to take a measured approach to transporting or supporting a load by hand or bodily force. Using a step-by-step approach to planning manual handling activities, helps us determine the level of injury risk and allows us to implement suitable mitigation measures to reduce that risk to an acceptable level. Remember, it is best to try eliminating and reducing the manual handling required before you proceed. Let's move on to look at the 5 Manual Handling Principles, starting with number 1. PLAN. Manual Handling Principles | Related Products 5 Key Manual Handling Principles

    1. Plan

    The thing we all forget to do, which is perhaps most important, make a PLAN! Before you lift the object, you should trace the entire path of travel to the final location to make sure the entire way is clear for the load. Tripping over obstacles or having to put down the load midway are hazards that can easily be avoided. Just looking at an object can give you some idea of whether another team member or mechanical assistance will be needed to get the object from “point a” to “point b.” Many packing labels will specify weight, and the size and shape of the package can indicate if a truck or dolly will be necessary. Usually it's wise not to lift cumbersome or objects heavier than around 25kgs/55lbs (or less depending on your strength) without help. Use the Weight Guide opposite to help determine an acceptable weight distribution. Lifting and Lowering Weight Guide: HSE (UK) If there is no easy way to ascertain the weight of a load, a quick shove or nudge can indicate whether outside help will be needed. Know your limits, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. It is always preferable to lift and put down a heavy object close to the height at which it will be carried. Appropriately stage/prepare materials that must be moved, where possible to do so. You can check out our Manual Handling TILE post for more details on assessing your lift.

    2. Position

    Approach the load evenly, with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Move the center of your body as close as possible to its center before lowering yourself to lift the object. Get a Grip:
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    9 m
  • When should Risk Assessments be Reviewed? | Step 5

    When should Risk Assessments be Reviewed? | Step 5
    Mar 15 2022
    We've got to the fifth and final part of our five step risk assessment process and that is simply to record and review your risk assessment. A question we often get asked is 'When should risk assessments be reviewed?' When should Risk Assessments be reviewed? Once you have completed and recorded your risk assessment, it's time to decide and determine when your risk assessment will need a review.. There is no set frequency for when risk assessments should be reviewed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GvVX-ebqdU&t=5s Therefore, you should make a decision that's appropriate for the risk profile of your business. There are certain times when it's more obvious that the risk assessment should be looked at and reviewed. Examples of when risk assessments should be reviewed: Here are just a few common examples;
    • Changed or new process that's been introduced into your workspace
    • New plant, equipment or machinery that's been purchased for example there may be
    • New employees or contractors that have joined your workforce that need to be considered
    • You may have had a recent near miss, incident or accident, in which case risk assessment/s may need reviewed and/or updated
    Depending on your business risk profile, industry & regulatory standards and internal management systems, it may also make sense to have a regular review of your risk assessments e.g every 12 months. Any frequency should be based on the nature of the operations and should be specific to each activity and/or organisation. The purpose of this would be to make sure that you have not missed anything new or significant that could present a risk to employees, or others. This type of regular oversight is often complimented by other safeguards such as a management of change (MoC) process. Now that we have tackled the 'when should risk assessments be reviewed?' question, let's learn more about recording and communicating them. Do you have to record Risk Assessments? In reality, the Health and Safety Executive in the UK clearly states that risk assessments should not be unnecessarily complicated and only focus on the significant hazards. It makes sense, because you have to be able to effectively communicate the outcomes of them. In the UK, your obligation as an employer is that you must risk assess the work activities for which your employees are involved. If you have 5 or more employees, you have to keep a record of any risk assessment that you have done. But don't panic, it's not as bad as it sounds! How to communicate Risk Assessments Sharing the key risk information effectively with the people that matter is critical. As you've put the work into the risk assessment process, we must remember the importance of communicating your findings to the people that are affected. You should take some time to consider the best way to do this for your particular business. If your team, for example, are located locally to you then it...
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    11 m
  • Manual Handling TILE | Dynamic Risk Assessment

    Manual Handling TILE | Dynamic Risk Assessment
    Feb 17 2022
    Manual Handling TILE If you have ever taken manual handling training, it's likely you may have came across the manual handling TILE acronym. In terms of manual handling, the TILE acronym stands for Task, Individual, Load, and Environment: This is also often extended to TILEO (to include 'Other Factors'). Sometimes, you will also hear LITE in manual handling training - it's simply a rearranging of the letters and will usually relate to the same principles. Before we move on to learning more about the individual elements of Manual Handling TILE principles, let's take a quick peak at why manual handling training is so important across different industries. Manual Handling Injuries | Why Worry? In Ireland, Manual handling injuries are the most common workplace injury (see image), with over 30% physical injuries relating to the back, arm or shoulders. For GB, in the 2020/21 business year, there were approximately 470,000 (yes, ~0.5 Million!) work-related musculoskeletal (MSK) disorder cases. 81% of these were related to the upper limbs, neck or back. How much lost time does this equate to for the workforce I hear you ask?! HSA Injury Statistics 2019 The HSE (GB) estimates that 8.9 Million working days were lost due to these MSK disorders. Manual handling, awkward or tiring positions and keyboard work (DSE) or repetitive action are regarded as the key causes of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. https://youtu.be/ODNO4RSvBco Check out bitesize Manual Handling training video right here. Don't forget, if you or your team would like to take our certificated online course on Manual Handling, you can enrol right now in our free Manual Handling course. What does TILE stand for in Manual Handling? The manual handling TILE acronym that aims to help you carry out a manual handling risk assessment. Using TILE or TILEO prompts you to consider each essential area of the activity in order to reduce the risk of injury. T | Task This means considering the manual handling activity itself, i.e. the lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing or pulling, and looking at how it may affect your health and safety. For example, does the task involve repetitive movements, strenuous movements, long distances, or uneven weight distribution? In most workplace manual handling scenarios, the priority should be to avoid, before assessing and reducing risk where employees are required to perform manual handling tasks. Products to Help Avoid Manual Handling I | Individual This means considering the person who will be carrying out the manual handling activity, i.e. you or another colleague. The physical attributes of an individual as also important to consider. For example, how strong, fit or able is the person? Is manual handling something they do on a daily or regular basis? An essential aspect of assessing the individual is considering how much instruction and manual handling training they have received. Do they need more training before carrying out the task? L | Load This means considering the object or person that is being moved, and looking at how this may affect health and safety. For example, is the load particularly heavy, bulky, hard to grasp or unstable? If so, have you really considered all of the
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    16 m
  • COSHH Assessment Guide | 5 Steps to Protect your Employees

    COSHH Assessment Guide | 5 Steps to Protect your Employees
    Oct 4 2021

    What is COSHH?

    In the UK, ‘COSHH’ is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health. You can prevent or reduce workers exposure to hazardous substances by:

    • finding out what the health hazards are;
    • deciding how to prevent harm to health (risk assessment);
    • providing control measures to reduce harm to health;
    • making sure they are used ;
    • keeping all control measures in good working order;
    • providing information, instruction and training for employees and others;
    • providing monitoring and health surveillance in appropriate cases;
    • planning for emergencies.

    Most businesses use substances, or products that are mixtures of substances. Some processes create substances. These could cause harm to employees, contractors and other people.

    Sometimes substances are easily recognised as harmful. Equally, common household substances such as paint, bleach or dust from natural materials may also be harmful.

    In other circumstances, the potential harm caused by a substance or material may not be easily recognised or even understood.

    COSHH Meaning | What does COSHH Stand for?

    In the UK, COSHH stands for ‘Control of Substances Hazardous to Health’ and under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, employers need to either prevent or reduce their workers’ exposure to substances that are hazardous to their health.

    COSHH covers most substances that are hazardous to health. It’s very important to be aware that these ‘substances’ can take many forms and include:

    What do the COSHH Regulations 2002 cover?

    • chemicals
    • products containing chemicals
    • fumes
    • dusts
    • vapours
    • mists
    • nanotechnology

    And that’s not all! The COSHH regulations also cover these…

    • gases and asphyxiating gases and
    • biological agents (germs). If the packaging has any of the hazard symbols then it is classed as a hazardous substance.
    • germs that cause diseases such as leptospirosis or legionnaires disease and germs used in laboratories.

    It’s also worth noting the key hazardous materials that the COSHH Regulations do not cover. You may have heard of them before…

    • lead
    • asbestos or
    • radioactive substances

    COSHH Assessment – 5 Steps to Assess Risk

    You are probably already aware of many risks in your trade or industry. A COSHH assessment concentrates on the hazards and risks from substances in your workplace.

    Remember that hazards and risks are not limited to substances labelled as ‘hazardous’.

    Here are 5 steps to making a COSHH assessment, beginning by walking around your workplace:

    Is there Po...
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    12 m