Tag: Disease

Employers, landlords, or those managing premises are responsible for health and safety and must take appropriate measures to minimise the risk of legionella exposure. Keep reading to learn more about how to manage the risk in your workplace. 1. Carry out a legionella risk assessment The person responsible for managing risks must understand your water […]

As part of February’s Hazard of the Month, COSHH, we’re highlighting two key areas: Control of Hazardous Substances and Legionella. Control of Hazardous Substances Employers have a legal responsibility to safeguard workers from exposure to hazardous substances, including: Dust Fumes Chemicals Vapours Mists Nanotechnology Gases Biological agents Germs For substances classified as carcinogens, mutagens, or asthmagens, exposure must […]

Employers being impacted as menopause is often misdiagnosed as depression Employers are being impacted by a common misdiagnosis of psychological menopause symptoms, experts have said. Bosses at digital health app Peppy are warning employers that the condition is often misdiagnosed as depression – which can lead to absence and resignation – other mental health issues […]

Poor ventilation is a common shortcoming for many workplaces. Ventilation is important in particular during the winter months as poorly ventilated conditions are perfect environments for bacteria to grow and illnesses to spread. While the HSE has no specific guidelines on general ventilation, there are many restrictions on workplace temperatures, CO2 levels and humidity, all […]

As part of March’s Hazard of the Month, Illness, we’re highlighting three key areas: Legionella, Return To Work and Return To Work For Managers. Legionella Legionellosis is a collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria, such as Legionnaires’ disease, Pontiac fever and Lochgoilhead fever. Legionnaires’ disease is a form of pneumonia that is potentially fatal – everyone […]

School trust fined after putting children’s health at ‘significant risk’ The Spencer Academies Trust has been fined after failing to control the risk to humans from infectious diseases carried by animals. Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court heard how the Trust, which operates 12 schools, failed to properly control the risk from zoonotic diseases to employees, pupils […]

Is Asbestos Really Still a Risk? Asbestos is still an ever-present danger but for many, they do not believe they will be affected by it and, therefore, do not take the necessary precautions when working in any industrial or residential building built or refurbished before the year 2000 (which is where Asbestos can be found).  […]

General Hygiene Germs from coughs and sneezes can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours. They are responsible for spreading illnesses. Therefore, it is extremely important to upkeep hygiene and cleanliness practices to ensure the prevention of the spread of viruses. This is especially true for construction sites where equipment and PPE can be […]

RPE Update! There are masks (e.g https://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 […]

Construction Company Fined After Worker Killed By Overturned Vehicle A leading construction company has been fined following an incident in which a worker was killed when a dumper truck overturned. On 3 October 2016, David Scott Green, a groundworker working for Rose Builders Ltd, was manoeuvring a 9T front tipping dumper truck on a spoil heap […]