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Below are a number of posts containing useful tips and insights from the Directors of Auxil Limited, acknowledged industry experts and trusted advisors in the fields of Health & Safety and Human Resources, which will hopefully trigger some thoughts or ideas. 
 
Why not join the conversation? We would love to hear your views… 

Posts tagged “Hazards and Risks”

 
It is important for employers to ensure the safety of employees when driving vehicles, whether they are driving cars, vans, motorbikes etc, on the road as part of a work activity. Just as much as health and safety laws apply to all construction sites, they also apply to when employees drive on the road. The driver’s health and the condition of the vehicle are to be assessed prior to driving, as the driver’s mental and physical health affect their driving, along with the vehicle not being in a good condition, can increase the risk of danger on the road. 
 
A risk assessment must be carried out as part of health and safety arrangements, taking into account the driver, the vehicle and the journey to be taken. The following hazards to consider include: 
• The condition of the vehicle 
• The roadworks, traffic and congestion 
• Weather 
• Fatigue and/or distractions 
• Pressure of time 
• The behaviour of other drivers 
The HSE website states that asbestos can be found in buildings erected before the year 2000 and causes up to 500 deaths per year. 
The release of asbestos fibres can cause a great deal of damage to those exposed to it. Emergency procedures must be put in place to limit the potential damage caused. 
 
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is specifically designed to handle the management and working with asbestos in the workplace in order to reduce its severity to all workers in the area. Regulation 15 outlines the arrangements to deal with any accidents, incidents and emergencies pertaining to the accidental release of asbestos fibres. 
 
Should an accidental release occur, the employer must make sure that procedures have been put in place for such an emergency, such as the use of safety drills. Information pertaining to the emergency must always be made available for everyone on site and put into effect in an emergency. 
The HSE website defines lone workers as those working by themselves without any immediate or direct supervision, such as health workers, engineers, people working alone in an office and those who work at home. 
Those who work alone are at greater risk of harm than with other people such as supervisors and fellow operatives, who would be able to prevent or reduce the severity of potential hazards in the workplace. Workers visiting a residential property could also be at threat of any risks when working alone, due to the presence of unknown people which could potentially present issues. 
 
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations require that the risks towards lone workers are considered. 
 
According to the HSE (in their Asbestos Related Diseases Statistics published in November 2020) over 5,000 deaths per year are being caused by Asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. 
What is Asbestos? 
Asbestos is a mineral that was mined for and used heavily in the construction/manufacturing industry following World War II, largely used in insulation, and building materials. This was due to its properties such as being a good thermal insulator, a good electrical insulator, minimal chemical reactions as well as being relatively fireproof. All these attributed made asbestos one of the best building materials. The only downside to Asbestos which was not widely known at the time was that once these Asbestos containing material are broken, the fibres they release are deadly once breathed in. 
What makes Asbestos so dangerous? 
When Asbestos containing materials or ACMs are broken or start to break-down they release exceedingly small fibres into the air, some looks like string others look like needles. 
I know that workplace health and safety practices have improved greatly in recent years but there is still much to do, especially when making risk assessments. 
 
Firstly, let me tell you what risk assessments are not: they are not a mass of paperwork.  
 
A risk assessment involves identifying possible situations that may arise in the workplace that could cause harm to people. Once identified, a formal documented procedure should be put in place. 
You may be aware that working at height is one of the biggest factors in the fatalities and injuries that take place in the workplace. Common accidents are falling from height or falling through fragile surfaces. 
 
Here are some sensible do's and don’ts to combat the potential hazards. 

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