Coronavirus
Coronavirus restrictions are expected to be largely withdrawn across all countries of the UK by the end of March, although it’s possible that self-isolation requirements and free testing will remain for a little longer in some countries.
Quadriga issued an update to clients on the latest changes and their implications. If readers do not have a copy and would like one, they can request it from Jackie Hood [email protected].
HSE Warns Against DIY Treework
In its email bulletin, the HSE has reminded those clearing up after winter storms, of the dangers of emergency tree works. the HSE believes there may have been up to nine work related fatalities involving falling trees or branches since January 2021. Click for further information
The work should only be carried out by trained and experienced professionals. For details of appropriate qualifications: Click for further information
Driving Rules Change
From 25th March 2022, a ban comes into force preventing drivers from using a hand held device for any purpose, not only telephone calls. It will cover for example, taking photos or videos, scrolling through playlists and playing games. Click for further information
Changes have also come into effect amending the Highway Code, imposing an altered hierarchy of road users, and increasing the space required when overtaking cyclists and horses. Click for further information
Scissor Lift Safety Alert – Motor Vehicle Repair
A safety alert has been issued for a type of vehicle scissor lift: Saturnus EV 40, 45 & 50 Scissor Lift (Manufactured 2014 – 2018). There is a risk of weld failure, and a manufacturer’s fix must be installed before further use. Click for further information
Reducing COVID-19 Transmission in Schools and Colleges: The Role of Air Cleaning Devices
A paper has been commissioned by the Welsh Government on whether air cleaning devices could improve air quality in the classroom. It found that where it has not been possible to achieve a good level of ventilation an appropriate air purifier can help. Existing research suggests that strong purifiers (Clean air delivery rate > 1,000m3/h) are the most appropriate for classrooms, although they are noisy. This may be a significant constraint. Click for further information
External Cladding Fire Assessment
PAS 9980:2022 “Fire risk appraisal of external wall construction and cladding of existing blocks of flats – Code of practice”, has been published by BSi for use by fire engineers and other competent building professionals when undertaking a fire risk appraisal of external walls.
Prepare for High-rise Safety Cases
The HSE has published practical details of information which needs to be gathered in preparation for anticipated legislation for high rise blocks of flats. Preparing now will make it easier to meet deadlines on the preparation of Safety Case Reports.
Principles for Effective Regulation of Fire Safety in Flats
The Local Government Association has published a document setting out the principles to be followed by regulators in relation to fire safety in flats. The intention is to assist local authorities and fire and rescue authorities to prepare for the Fire Safety Act, in particular for the regulation of the requirements in purpose-built blocks of flats over 11 metres in height.
London Mayor Consults on Fire Safety Plan
The Mayor of London has launched a consultation on Fire Safety Guidance which is designed to ensure excellence in fire safety design of future developments.
https://consult.london.gov.uk/firesafety
Fire Safety Bill to Give More Power to Leaseholders
Michael Gove has announced new measures to put pressure on property developers to fix fire safety problems in their developments, and to protect owner occupiers from excessive repair costs.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-60380468
Mandatory Vaccination in Healthcare May Be Withdrawn
The Department of Health and Social Care is consulting on the revocation of compulsory vaccination requirements in health and social care settings. When COVID-19 vaccination was made a condition of employment, the Delta variant was dominant, but the Omicron variant now predominates and is intrinsically less severe, according to the Government.
Hot Works Cause 16% of All Construction Fires
Freedom of Information requests submitted to UK fire and rescue services have resulted in data which shows that there were 309 fires in buildings undergoing construction work and 16% were caused by hot works. The figures were compiled by hot work training specialist CE Safety.
Quadriga Open Courses
Quadriga are offering the following training courses on a per-place basis:
IOSH Safety for Executives and Directors (Reading or Virtual TBC – one day): Tuesday 5th April, Tuesday 21st June, Tuesday 6th September, Tuesday 15th November.
IOSH Managing Safely Refresher (Reading or Virtual TBC – one day): Wednesday 13th July, Thursday 3rd November.
IOSH Managing Safely (Reading or Virtual – three days): 7th, 8th and 9th June, OR 11th, 12th and 13th October.
The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 Seminar (Reading or Virtual TBC – half day): Tuesday 28th June, OR Tuesday 20th September.
Please note any course currently due to be held in person at Reading will be reviewed nearer to the scheduled delivery date and dependent on COVID-19 restrictions in place at the time may then be held virtually. For further details or for bookings, please contact:
Laura Cranford, Training Coordinator, at [email protected] or 0118 9299920
In Court
Leisure Trustees Fined After Six-year-old’s Near Drowning
A court has heard how an unconscious six-year-old girl was pulled from the water by an eleven-year-old boy during a “fun” inflatables play session at Galleon Leisure Centre, Kilmarnock.
East Ayrshire Council’s Environmental Health Service found that the Trustees of the Kilmarnock Leisure Centre Trust had not ensured there was a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the use of inflatables, that manufacturer’s instructions were not followed and lifeguard zone visibility tests had not been carried out.
18-year-old Injured in Fall
PG Skips Limited has been found guilty of breaching Section 2(1), Health and Safety at work Act 1974 in connection with an accident in which an employee fell four metres through a waste chute. The firm was fined £17,500.
Trainee Fell During Roofing
Ian Davey has pleaded guilty to breaching Section 9(2), Work at Height Regulations 2005 after an unpaid labourer who had asked for work experience, fell five metres through a fragile skylight. The fibreglass firm boss was ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work, and must pay costs of £3,000.
Employee Crushed under Fork Lift Truck
A West Midlands manufacturing company has been fined after an employee was crushed when the carriage and forks of a side-loader lift truck descended on him. Cutting Edge Trading Limited had not considered the risks and implemented a safe system of work for unloading palletised goods. In court it pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £18,000 plus costs of £10,153.
Recycling Company Guilty of Manslaughter
Alutrade Limited has admitted corporate manslaughter in connection with the death of Stuart Towns, a 35-year-old employee who was struck by moving machinery. Stuart had been working beneath a machine which was supposed to be securely fenced off, when he received fatal head injuries.
Fork Lift Which Ran Over Worker Had No Brakes
An accident investigation into a fork lift truck accident at a scrap company, has resulted in multiple charges over the condition of the machine, a lack of control over health and safety and a lack of Employer’s Liability insurance. In particular, the fork lift truck, which ran down a colleague breaking both his legs, had no working foot or hand brakes.
Fork Lift Working Method was Unsafe
The HSE has prosecuted Tudor Stonework Limited after an employee’s leg was broken and his foot crushed by a fork lift truck. The company operated an unsafe system of work requiring two operatives to walk in front of the forklift truck to steady a suspended load.
In court, the firm pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1), Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £466 with costs of £5,570.
Owner of Holiday Apartments Fined over Fire Breaches
The owner of some Torquay holiday apartments has been fined for failing to put in place suitable fire safety measures. The case followed a fire in March 2020 at Beacon Terrace, Torquay, which began in the kitchen of one of the flats but spread rapidly to the stairway because the door to the flat was not fitted with a self-closing device. The Fire and Rescue service discovered on investigation that there was no fire risk assessment, the fire alarm system was unsuitable, switched off and inoperable, and no flat entrance doors had a self-closer.
Philip Hunt pleaded guilty to 11 charges and was fined £12,800 plus costs of £10,000.
Northern Gas Networks Fined £5 million
A court has heard how a fire and explosion in Mirfield, West Yorkshire which killed resident, Elena Frunza, was caused by a fractured gas main.
The HSE found that the six-inch cast iron main which ran under the carriageway to the front of the property did not appear on Northern Gas Networks drawings and had therefore not been maintained in accordance with the Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996.
In court, the company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1), Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £5 million plus costs of £91,487.
Apprentice’s Hand Drawn Into Machine
A metal fabrication company has appeared in court in connection with an accident in which an apprentice’s gloved hand was drawn into the rotating parts of a machine. There was no risk assessment for the machine and the wearing of gloves had been allowed at a machine where there was an entanglement hazard.