Please find below our latest update, covering health and safety news, changes to legislation and recent prosecutions.
HSE Spot Checks
You might well be aware that HSE are currently carrying out spot checks in respect of COVID-19 compliance and general health and safety standards on construction sites. A link is provided below with further information, but it’s been interesting to hear several sites/ places of work being visited recently by HSE, with varying feedback.
https://www.hse.gov.uk/coronavirus/regulating-health-and-safety/spot-inspections.htm
The latest advice on keeping workplaces safe can be found via the below link and the following workplace controls remain unchanged:
- Adequate ventilation
- Sufficient cleaning
- Good hand hygiene
If you have any queries in respect of the above, please do get in touch.
Workplace Wellbeing
With staff returning to the workplace, a number of Clients have also asked for advice or direction in respect of improving wellbeing in the workplace. Workplace wellbeing relates to all aspects of working life, from the safety and quality of the working environment, to how workers feel about their work. The below link takes you to a very good article providing a number of suggested ideas for workplace wellbeing initiatives, which from feedback received to date, some have found very much of use.
https://www.healthassured.org/blog/workplace-wellbeing-initiatives/
Move More and Sit Less
Staying on the subject of returning to the workplace, a recent study by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, has considered the latest evidence on the health risks of prolonged sitting.
The following link takes you to an info sheet which outlines the current health recommendations and contains simple tips for employers and workers, such as taking frequent breaks, walking during phone calls and stretching breaks.
https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/get-moving-work/view
Legislative updates
No significant legislative updates of interest to bring you, so on a separate note I provide below a summary of guidance for cleaning of the workplace, where there is a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19, further to several enquiries on best practice approach in this respect.
Where there is a suspected or confirmed case of Covid-19, and the individual is no longer within the setting/ environment, recommended requirements set out by the Government in relation to cleaning and decontamination can be found at GOV.UK.
Any waste materials that are associated with the case, should be disposed of in accordance with the advice found within the following link; Government guidelines on disposing of waste for organisations.
Prosecutions
This months prosecution focuses on ensuring those you engage to carry out work, have the necessary skills, knowledge, training and experience for the task.
Summary
A gas engineer, has been sentenced for carrying out unregistered gas work.
The Facts
- In March 2019, the engineer carried out a gas safety check at a takeaway business. He carried out the work illegally, using his employer’s Gas Safety certificate.
- An officer from the local authority attended the premises and found irregularities and safety concerns.
- The engineer had used a false gas registration number belonging to his employer on the paperwork that he submitted.
The Decision:
The engineer was sentenced to 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, under regulation 3 of GSIUR and s.33 of HSWA.
We hope the above was of interest but should you have any questions on the above or any other health and safety topic in the news, please do drop us a line on 07785 425295 or email jr@nulldanielconnal.co.uk.