The Safety and Risk Forum

HSE Construction News December 2007

Jane — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:10:13 +0000

SAFETY ALERT ON QUICK HITCHES

HSE has issued a safety alert to users of excavators fitted with quick hitch
devices. There have been a number of serious incidents in the construction
industry, including four fatalities, since December 2006. This alert
outlines the precautions which need to be taken with these devices. The
initial enforcement expectations for HSE inspectors will be to take robust
enforcement action where quick hitches are found to be in use without
adequate precautions.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/quickhitch.htm?ebul=cons/dec-07&cr=01

REDUCING MUSCULOSKELETAL RISK IN HANDLING HEAVY BLOCKS

Stakeholder Forum - HSE, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London, SE1 9HS

Manual handling is a key health issue that HSE and industry are addressing.
The handling of heavy blocks can lead to musculoskeletal disorders (more
commonly known as aches, strains and sprains) where the damage can be
gradual and progressive over a substantial period of time.

This event aims to look at the handling issues concerning heavy blocks from
different perspectives. Talks will be given by an HSE inspector, a designer,
a contractor the Concrete Blocks Association and the Builders Merchants
Federation.

The main emphasis is on discussion and debate focussing on:
- Does 2-person handling work in practice?
- How to reduce risk?
- What alternatives are available?
- What are the design alternatives?
- What does an enforceable standard look like in practice?

Limited places 'first come first served' - book now to reserve your place

http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/diary.htm?ebul=cons/dec-07&cr=02

EEF/HSE Vibration surgeries 2008

HSE is continuing its partnership with EEF - The Manufacturers'
organisation, to hold three vibration surgery events. The surgeries are for
anyone using machinery or hand-held vibrating tools or other vibrating
equipment who would like to learn more and share their experiences in
managing vibration risks.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/newsandevents.htm?ebul=cons/dec-07&cr=03

RECENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY

Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions in the construction sector and
find sources of relevant advice.

Work at Height

In 2005/06 a total of 46 workers died and a further 3351 employees suffered
major injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. Preventable
deaths and injuries still occur and it is vital that such tragic incidents
are used a reminder to review existing arrangements and precautions.

7 December 2007: HSE has warned construction companies to take the safety of
their employees working at height seriously. The warning follows HSE's
prosecution of a Liverpool construction company for failing to implement
safe systems of work for working at height after repeated warnings.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2007/gnnnw13207.htm?ebul=cons/dec-07&cr=04

30 November 2007: HSE warns on dangers of work at height following
prosecution of North Wales roofing contractor in relation to an incident
where an employee sustained serious injuries, and later died, after a 25ft
fall through a skylight.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2007/gnnwal66507.htm?ebul=cons/dec-07&cr=05

29 November 2007: HSE warns employers that they must ensure proper edge
protection is in place when working at height. This follows HSE's
prosecution of Liverpool company, Copelare Ltd, after an employee was
injured when he fell from a roof.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2007/gnnnw11907.htm?ebul=cons/dec-07&cr=06

23 November 2007: Health and Safety Executive warns employers and the
self-employed to ensure safe systems of work are in place when working at
height. The warning follows HSE's prosecution of a Stourbridge glazing
company after an employee was injured in a fall.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2007/gnnwm35007.htm?ebul=cons/dec-07&cr=07

Further information on working at height

HSE's Falls from Height webpages contain practical information on work
including;
- selecting suitable equipment;
- selecting competent contractors;
- protecting against falls during minor roof maintenance work;
- selecting and using fall protection equipment and;
- safe use of ladders and stepladders.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm?ebul=cons/dec-07&cr=08

Excavation work

29 November 2007: HSE issues a warning to construction firms to make safety
a priority when carrying out excavation work following a fatal accident in
Sheffield which has resulted in the prosecution of a site foreman and the
company for which he worked.
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=334699&NewsAreaID=228&Nav
igatedFromSearch=True

16 November 2007: HSE warns construction companies and employees of the
dangers they face when working in excavations, following the prosecution of
two North East firms in connection with an incident in which one worker was
killed and another seriously injured.
http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?ReleaseID=331343&NewsAreaID=173&Nav
igatedFromSearch=True

Further information on excavation work

Construction Information Sheet: Safety in excavations
www. hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis08.pdf

What fees? - What do I get?

Safety and Risk Forum for HSE Practitioners — Mon, 01 May 2006 12:00:00 +0100

Our NEBOSH programme runs over 10 days plus 3 additional days for revision sessions and final examinations.

Our fees of £1295 + VAT are fully inclusive of

Ø 10 days tuition

Ø 3 additional days for revision and examination support

Ø Official NEBOSH course book

Ø Registration and examination fees

Ø Lunch and refreshments during tuition days

How long will my NVQ4 take?

Safety and Risk Forum for HSE Practitioners — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 17:36:26 +0000

To be quite honest, this depends mainly on you! You will need to be quite self-motivated to complete the programme (even though your personal tutor will always be there to support you!). We think that a very motivated candidate may complete the programme in around a year. You set the pace, and whatever you decide, we’ll be there for you.

What support will I receive?

Safety and Risk Forum for HSE Practitioners — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 11:11:30 +0000

You will have your own personal adviser, who you will meet as necessary at agreed times. Between meetings, he/she will support you via e-mail correspondence. If necessary (e.g. international candidates), most of our support can be by e-mail and telephone. The main job of your adviser is to help you to build a great portfolio that meets the national standard. Later on, a CRS Assessor will assess your work, and all portfolios are internally verified by us to ensure quality. CRS is certified to ISO9001:2000 for health and safety training, so you can be assured of a high quality programme.

When does the NVQ programme start?

Safety and Risk Forum for HSE Practitioners — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 12:23:22 +0000

Your start dates is flexible - you can start at any point in the year. We have formal induction sessions throughout the year in a variety of Country-wide location, where you will also meet our other new candidates. We also accept distance learning candidates (e.g. international), where individual induction arrangements can be made.

How does an NVQ work?

Safety and Risk Forum for HSE Practitioners — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 12:08:42 +0000

Just as a photographer builds a portfolio of his/her work showing the best pictures from a variety of situations – e.g. portraits, groups, glamour, pets, action, 35mm, 2¼-square, colour, black & white – a health and safety candidate with our help and guidance builds a portfolio of their work. Precisely what is required is set out in our guidebook that we will provide to you when you have enrolled. If you are familiar with “Successful Health and Safety Management” (HSG65), or OHSAS18001, you should have no trouble at all understanding it.

Why CRS for your NVQ4 in Health & Safety Practice?

Safety and Risk Forum for HSE Practitioners — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0000

CRS tutors have experience of NVQs in Occupational Health and Safety since their launch in 1995.

City & Guilds ranks CRS as a 'Category A' centre - their highest grade. We can self-certify our candidates.

One of our tutors worked for City & Guilds as an External Verifier (a bit like an examiner) for four years, and knows first-hand how (and how not!) to do it.

All together, we have helped over 500 candidates so far to be successful.

We are the 3rd largest centre in the World to offer this award.