RPE Update!
There are masks (e.g buff.ly/35OQkhM) available to buy which are being advertised as ‘Press to Check’, offering an ‘effective facial fit.’ However, do not get caught out by this message; they still require an initial face-fit test prior to being used! It is important to remember that each standard will state whether facefit testing is required, for example, the mask in the picture conforms to EN140 which requires facefit testing; this should be complied with irrespective of what may seem the case from the branding. Proper face-fitted masks that comply with the relevant standard are essential in order to prevent the inhalation of construction dusts, which are associated with the development of a number of lung diseases including: Lung Cancers, Silicosis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Asthma.
To learn more about this topic, take a read of our newly released Respiratory Standards Information Sheet on the blog!
Aviation Company Fined £180K After Employee Fell From Height
Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited, a company providing a range of airline ground support services, has been fined after an employee fell from a height of more than two metres. On 24th December 2016, Rebecca Smith was injured during the loading of luggage onto an aircraft during an aircraft turnaround at London Luton Airport. Ms Smith fell through a gap in the railing at the top of a luggage belt-loader, whilst kneeling upon it to fasten cargo straps, when the belt loader was struck by a passing vehicle. She fell 2.2m (7 feet) on to the tarmac below. The fall resulted in a loss of consciousness. Ms Smith suffered a brain injury, fractures of the skull and cheekbone. She also suffered permanent hearing loss in her right ear. The resulting HSE investigation found:
- The company had foreseen the risk of a collision between the various vehicles operating in a congested space around the aircraft during a turnaround but had failed to implement measures to guard against the risk of driver error when manoeuvring vehicles around aircraft.
- The company was aware that belt-loaders had a gap in the railings between the aircraft and the barriers but failed to put in place any meaningful measure to control the risk that someone might fall through.
Menzies Aviation (UK) Limited of London Heathrow Airport, Hounslow pleaded guilty, to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and has been fined £181,500 and ordered to pay costs of £21,043. Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Emma Page said: “Airports are busy and complex workplaces where workers face many hazards, particularly from the movement and operation of aircraft and vehicles. Currently, accident rates in the industry are well above the national average for all industries. Companies should assess the risks to their own and others’ employees and put in place measures to control these risks. “Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.”
New Emergency First Aid Course
This month, we can reveal that our next ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ course will take place on 6th March 2020. This is a 1-day course that has been expertly designed to give professionals a comprehensive overview of all the Health and Safety basics, meaning you can respond quickly and effectively to First Aid concerns. The course costs £125 or £115 if 3 or more employees from the same company book onto the course.
Whether you are an employer looking to refresh your knowledge, or someone seeking to get peace of mind for the future, you can contact WA Management HERE for more information.
Read more on the case from the HSE.
New Online Training Courses!
As the New Year brings in new beginnings and opportunities, we are also pleased to share that we have added 4 new online training courses to our collection!
Our new courses are:
- Business Communication – this course builds on our Communications Skills course to provide advice on enhancing your written and verbal communication in the workplace so you can gain respect, bring value to your organisation and build positive relationships.
- Healthy Living Awareness – this course describes the benefits of adopting a healthy lifestyle and the risks of unhealthy practices. It focuses on nutrition, hydration, physical activity and sleep.
- Nutrition Awareness – this course looks at what constitutes a healthy balanced diet, identifies healthy foods and how much of each food group you should eat and what foods you should avoid.
- Sleep Awareness – this course builds on the information provided in our Healthy Living Awareness course and is designed to help you understand how sleep contributes to your overall health and wellbeing, as well as providing tips to get a better night’s sleep.
These courses are a mix of wellbeing and business skills in order to offer a variety to suit you or your company’s needs.
Visit our online shop to take a look at the courses now!
Worker Killed on First Day of Job From Fatal Crush Injuries
A vehicle recovery and repair company has been sentenced after a worker suffered fatal crush injuries during maintenance work. It was his first day on the job. On 24th November 2014, Albert Road Recovery and Repair Limited employee John Glenn was fatally injured when a rigid vehicle fell suddenly from an inadequate axle support prop at Siskin Parkway East, Middlemarch Business Park, Coventry. A HSE investigation found that a cable reel drum jack was used to support the vehicle, which was not an appropriate piece of equipment for the task being undertaken. Now dissolved, Albert Road Recovery and Repair Limited of Warley Hill Business Park, Brentwood, Essex was found guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £20,000, the highest amount available to this court. Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector John Glynn said: “This incident led to the tragic death of John Glenn and occurred within hours of him starting his new job. It was completely avoidable. “Not only did the company fail to adequately induct the new starter into their business, it failed to adequately instruct and supervise him on his first day and provided him with completely unsuitable tools and equipment. Had the company considered the risks properly, they would have had safe systems of work and approved vehicle repair equipment in place.”
Read more on the case from SHPOnline.