Research shows rise in incidents during the holidays
EcoOnline releases new data highlighting ‘holiday hazards’ faced by workers during the festive period. This research examines the environmental, health, and safety (EHS) measures businesses adopt to protect employees, highlighting regional differences between the UK and North America due to varying regulations.
The research revealed that outside of seasonal illnesses, the top three holiday hazards for UK workers are preventable: fatigue from increased workload and/or longer working hours (38%), weather-related hazards (38%), and increased stress or pressure to meet deadlines (34%).
When asked about existing practices, protocols and products in place to safeguard workers, UK managers identified weekly team briefings (32%), access to mental health support resources (32%), and regular checks on workplace equipment and machinery (30%) as the primary lines of defence. Interestingly, 1 in 10 respondents (11%) said no additional measures were taken during the holiday season.
Read more on the HSM website.
Women’s PPE: Time for a Tailored Approached
Ill-fitting personal protective equipment is not only damaging for morale but also potentially dangerous. Women must have the items they need to do their jobs effectively.
One of the biggest issues in the field of personal protective equipment (PPE) is the need to ensure women receive properly fitting and tailored equipment, rather than relying on generic stock designed for men.
It’s an area that’s gaining traction and the message seems to be getting through. 82 per cent of respondents to the 2024 Health & Safety Report, produced by RS in association with HSM, believe more needs to be done to ensure PPE is suitable for women. And with women accounting for at least 40 per cent of the workforce in one in four organisations that responded, there is good reason why this issue is on the agenda.
Yet, only one per cent of people who purchase PPE list the need for women’s PPE as an important factor when buying items. Much of this is likely down to cost, with 11 per cent identifying product cost as the main consideration when buying items.
For more on the report, visit the SHP website.
Man spared jail following unsafe gas work
A man from Blackpool has been spared an immediate spell behind bars after his unsafe gas work put people’s lives at risk.
Mehmet Kalyoncu, who pleaded guilty on the first day of a proposed trial, was given a 12-month custodial sentence suspended for the same period.
The 57-year-old, who was not Gas Safe Registered, installed various gas appliances and pipework at an address in the seaside town. It was only when concerns were raised about the work to the Gas Safe Register that investigators visited the property and found gas fittings had been left in an unsafe state.
When the matter was then referred to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for investigation, it became clear that Kalyoncu had previously been served with a prohibition notice to not undertake any further gas work unless he was Gas Safe registered.
Learn more on the HSM website.
HSE publishes annual work-related ill health and injury statistics for 2023/24
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today (Wednesday 20 November) published its annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries.
The statistics reveal that the number of workers reported to be suffering from work-related ill health during 2023/24 is 1.7 million – which is similar to 2022/23 (1.8 million workers).
The rate of self-reported work-related ill health remains broadly similar to the previous year, although the current rate is still higher than the 2018/19 pre-pandemic level.
Approximately half of those reporting ill-health relate to stress, depression or anxiety, with an estimated 776,000 cases in 2023/24. The current rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety is higher than the pre-pandemic level but has decreased from 910,000 in 2022/23.
An estimated 33.7 million working days were lost in 2023/24 due to self-reported work-related ill health or injury.
Learn more about the stats on the HSE website.
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