issue 04/2017 visit our website at ...international institute of risk and safety management issue...

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OFRISK AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT

Visit our website at wwwiirsmorgIssue 042017

A tool for trainingSo-called T-levels for 16-19 year old technical students will be introduced from autumn 2019 where students will be able to choose from 15 different career paths UK Chancellor Philip Hammond confirmed recently in his spring budget

Announced during National Apprenticeship Week Hammond said the launch of the Apprenticeship Levy in April will support a further three million apprenticeships by 2020 The number of hours of training for these students will increase by over 50 and all students will take part in an industry work placement

During the Health and Wellbeing at Work Event which took place recently in Birmingham IIRSM Technical Director Peter Hall discussed the Chancellorrsquos statement ldquoIt was a common view among industry colleagues that we must include

teaching the younger generation about potential risks and how to deal with them proportionatelyrdquo he says

Risk management is a growing industry with increasing opportunities for those who have the skills and abilities to make important business decisions

Risk management professionals require knowledge about a whole range of areas the skills to engage with a wide range of people the self-awareness to know when theyrsquove reached the limits of their competence and the ability to seek out specialist support when required

IIRSM believes apprenticeships would be a great way to help young people build rounded knowledge and a varied skill set while also gaining valuable experience under the guidance of an established professional

That said itrsquos important that while the UK scales up its apprenticeship programme we must train the wider workforce on how to work with apprentices Colleagues need to know how to deal with the social emotional or life issues that affect apprentices learning employability skills And apprentices must not be seen as cheap labour ndash they must feel supported and valued

With the increased emphasis on the employer being more in control as we move into a post-levy and post-trailblazer era this is a pertinent time to be raising this issue

The latest QampAs from our technical helpdesk14

INSIDE THIS ISSUECCTV owners risk falling foul of law05 PASMA guides us

through working with mobile towers

06 A full house at the London Branch meeting

09

We must teach the younger generation about potential risks and how to deal with them proportionatelyrdquo

wwwiirsmorg | 042017042017 | wwwiirsmorg 32

News Prosecutions

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Phillip PearsonDIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONSClare FlemingMANAGING EDITOR Louis Wustemann

EDITOR Kellie Mundellkelliemundelllexisnexiscouk DESIGNER Carrie Love

ADDRESSIIRSM 77 Fulham Palace Road London W6 8JA UK Tel +44 (0)20 8741 9100 Fax +44 (0)20 8741 1349Website wwwiirsmorgEmail infoiirsmorg

Registered in England and WalesCharity No 1107666Company No 5310696

PUBLISHED BY LexisNexis copy Reed Elsevier (UK) Limited 2017Printed by Stones Ashford Kent

This publication is intended to be a general guide and cannot be a substitute for professional advice Neither the authors nor the publisher accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of material contained in this publication

Reproduction copying or extracting by any means of the whole or part of this publication must not be undertaken without the written permission of the publishers

ISSN 1746-1359

News Prosecutions

RISK ASSESSMENT

Estate agent fined pound200k after househunter fell down well

Strakers had been warned of the existence of the well under the piece of board

An estate agent has been prosecuted after a prospective house buyer who was viewing a property fell into a garden well

Swindon Magistratesrsquo Court heard that the 39 year old stepped onto a wooden board which was covering the well The board gave way and she fell 30 feet where she became submerged by water A hosepipe was thrown to the woman and she managed to secure it around her waist but it was another hour before she was rescued

The househunter suffered head injuries including concussion and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder following the fall in Malmesbury Wiltshire last April

HSE investigators found the estate agents Strakers had been warned about the well and the board being unsafe

The company had been informed about the well three days before the accident and admitted it had not carried out a thorough inspection

Despite this the companyrsquos legal representative said its culpability was low but Judge Simon Cooper rejected this and said it was high

The company had pleaded guilty to breaching Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to discharge a general health and safety duty to a person other than an employee He fined the firm pound200000

HSE Inspector Matthew Tyler said it could have ldquoeasily become a fatal tragedyrdquo

He added ldquoIf when warned of the unsafe well the company had properly checked to see if it was secure the trauma this individual has gone through could have been preventedrdquo

In a statement Antony Bulley Strakersrsquo Managing Director said directors and staff had been ldquodeeply distressedrdquo by the incident

ldquoWe wish to make it known that Strakers has carried out extensive internal investigations and have fully cooperated with the Health and Safety Executive throughout culminating in a plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity presentedrdquo

He added that the companyrsquos aim is ldquoto ensure that everything possible is done to avoid any similar incident occurring in the future to any member of the public or our staffrdquo

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

lsquoSleep debtrsquo must be tackled by employers

Number of organisations including lsquosleeprsquo within their wellbeing strategy set to rise

Employees who suffer from sleep deprivation should be treated in the same way they would if they had an illness researchers have said after a study revealed that the UK economy lost 200000 working days a year to sleep deprivation last year costing pound40 billion or 186 of GDP

The importance of a good nightrsquos shut eye has been recognised for some time now but the considerable knock-on effects that poor sleep has in the workplace are only just becoming acknowledged According to research from Rewards and Employee Benefits Association (REBA) in conjunction with Punter Southall Health amp Protection the number of organisations including sleep within their wellbeing strategy is set to more than double (from 42 to 88) in the next few years

Christine Husbands Managing Director for RedArc said ldquoAt the extreme end of the scale employees who are lacking in sleep are susceptible to workplace accidents ndash and that can be potentially hazardous for people who operate machinery or drive during the course of their work At the other end of the scale anyone who is sleep deprived is more prone to make mistakes and poor decision-making which ultimately can have an impact on the individualrsquos productivity and performance rdquo

The woman fell down the well in the garden of a property in Malmesbury Wiltshire

MANUAL HANDLING

DFS pays pound1m for unstable loadFurniture giant DFS has been fined pound1 million for safety failings after a worker suffered serious head and neck injuries

DFS Trading Ltd was also ordered by magistrates to pay pound15099 in costs for the incident at the companyrsquos Alfreton upholstery site

Southern Derbyshire Magistratesrsquo Court heard that the worker had been unloading wooden furniture frames at Lincoln House Furnishings in Birchwood Way Somercotes on July 2015 He was struck by an unsecured furniture arm which fell from an unstable load It knocked him unconscious and he sustained serious head and neck injuries

The sofa retailer pleaded guilty to breaching section 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act after an HSE investigation found that the risks associated with moving heavy loads between manufacturing sites had not been effectively managed The court heard that a lack of adequate supervision had led to a number of previous near misses reported from unsecured loads

Speaking after the case HSE Inspector Lyn Spooner said ldquoDFS is a large national organisation The fundamental and systemic failings identified in its health and safety management systems is far from what would be expected from a company of its size who has the ability to deliver higher standards of safety

ldquoUnfortunately DFS was unable to do that on this occasion and a preventable accident was allowed to occurrdquo

In a statement DFS said ldquoThe health and safety of our employees is extremely important to us The employee who was

injured in June 2015 is a valued member of our team we deeply regret the accident he suffered and wersquore very glad that he is back at work in his previous role

ldquoThis case has highlighted some areas where on occasion our procedures were not as strong as they should have been Over the last 18 months wersquove invested heavily in health and safety including reviewing our health and safety procedures and retraining all our employees ldquoOur skilled craftspeople are critical to our success and wersquore committed to ensuring their health and safety at workrdquo

WORKING HOURS

Zero hours contracts reach record levels

However business reputation appears to be effecting the rate of increase

The number of people on controversial zero hours contracts has reached a record high of 910000

New figures based on an analysis of Office for National Statistics data reveal that 105000 more people were on contracts that do not guarantee work in 2016 compared with the same period in 2015 Thatrsquos an increase of nearly 14 and 30 higher than 2014

In 2005 there were just 100000 people on zero hours contracts (ZHCs)

But although the new figures are a record they also reveal a sharp slowing in the rate of increase in the last six months of 2016

ldquoItrsquos notable that the increase of 08 in the second half of 2016

compares to a 77 rise over the same period in 2015rdquo said Conor DrsquoArcy Policy Analyst at the Resolution Foundation which undertook the analysis of the ONSrsquos Labour Force Survey

ldquoEver since ZHCs hit the headlines the numbers have increased sharply every six months The latest figures bring this run to an endrdquo

After controversies over zero hours contracts at companies such as Sports Direct a number of businesses have either stopped using them or reduced their use

Homebase the DIY chain scrapped zero hours contracts earlier this year

And JD Wetherspoon which runs pubs offered thousands of staff on ZHCs the chance to move onto contracts which guarantee hours

InBriefThird censure in 12 months for MoDThe Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been censured by the HSE for the third time in a year following the death of an agency driver who was crushed by a reversing vehicle

On 19 November 2013 Graham Wood was crushed between a reversing lorry and a stationary vehicle as he and a colleague delivered goods to the site

An HSE investigation found that the MoD had failed to risk assess the movement of large vehicles in a holding area at the munitions base MoD Kineton in Southam Warwickshire

The MoD failed to ensure that there was a safe system of work in place to identify and control the risks presented by the movement of large vehicles in the area the HSE said

Read the full story at wwwhealthandsafetyatworkcommod-crown-censure-kineton-graham-wood

A DFS worker was struck by a furniture arm which fell from an unsecured load

Proportion of firms which take sleep deprivation into account

42

copy H

SE

If the company had properly checked to see if [the well] was secure this incident could have been preventedrdquo

copy N

ick

Ans

ellP

A W

ire

PA Im

ages


News ProsecutionsNews Prosecutions

SECURITY

CCTV owners risk falling foul of data law

Itrsquos only pound35 per year but businesses are still failing to register their CCTV systems with the Information Commissionerrsquos Office (ICO) and risking a hefty fine a national installer has warned

The most recent case was a prosecution brought by the ICO against a Coventry-based business which was using a non-registered CCTV system The case was only brought to court after the owner repeatedly ignored reminder letters to register its premises

The owner said she thought the ICOrsquos reminder letters were ldquospamrdquo Though magistrates only fined the owner of the company pound650 the ICO can impose penalties up to pound500000 for the most severe breaches of the regulations

Yorkshire-based CCTVcouk says that itrsquos vital that businesses stick to the letter of the law with their camera systems not only for their protection of their staff and property but also for anybody who comes onto their premises whether with good or foul intent

ldquoLack of compliance will almost certainly come to light the second an organisation tries to use camera footage for a prosecutionrdquo says CCTVcouk

spokesperson Jonathan Ratcliffe ldquoand that evidence could even be thrown out of courtrdquo

Businesses need to ensure that they have registered with the ICO

(httpsicoorgukfor-organisationsregister)

recordings are not kept longer than necessary

use of recorded data does not breach peoplersquos rights

data is kept securely and it not passed to foreign countries

Most domestic CCTV systems do not fall under the Data Protection Act However if your recordings include people outside of your property then you may have to register

LIFTING OPERATIONS

Butler crushed to death by lift shaft at historic home

Arthur Mellar was trying to free a piece of jammed luggage when the lift descended unexpectedly

The trust which runs an Elizabethan-era stately home in Stamford has been handed a fine of more than a quarter of a million pounds after a butler was crushed to death

Arthur Mellar 48 was killed on 12 July 2014 when a lift in a private area of the house descended on him while he was trying to free an item of luggage

Peterborough Crown Court heard that the lift had stopped when the baggage became jammed But when it descended unexpectedly it trapped Mellar between the lift cage and the bannister of the stairwell housing the lift

He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries four hours later

Both the police and the Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident at the property that appeared in the 2005 film The Da Vinci Code and served as location for the BBCrsquos Antiques Roadshow

Mellar who had worked at the 16th century Tudor mansion for nine years and had been a butler for three decades had previously served the Queenrsquos Mother

The HSE told the court that an examination of the lift showed that it had not been fitted with a slack rope detector

If a competent lift engineer had examined the lift the HSE said the defects with it including the lack of a detector would have been identified

Burghley House Preservation Trust pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined pound266000 and ordered to pay costs of pound16863

HSE Inspector Alison Ashworth said ldquoArthur Mellar was killed when a luggage lift descended on him while he was trying to free an item of luggage This was a completely avoidable incident and Burghley House admitted its role in it but of course that will be little comfort for Mr Mellarrsquos family

ldquoI would urge any business using lifts particularly older lifts such as the one in this case to ensure correct measures are taken in relation to maintenance of lifts and that competent lift engineers are employed when necessary to identify defectsrdquo

REGULATION

High Court sets terms of new FFI appeals process

The HSE has been forced to dramatically overhaul its procedure for appealing against Fee for Intervention bills agreeing for the first time to disclose its evidence and reasoning to dutyholders and to appoint a new adjudication panel of independent experts

The restructure has been agreed in order to head off a High Court legal battle that had been scheduled for the coming weeks

The terms of the reform have been negotiated between the HSE and facilities firm OCS Group the company that had brought the judicial review The

terms were set out in a legally binding ldquoconsent orderrdquo issued by the High Court on 23 February

The HSE has issued a press release announcing that it ldquois to consult on proposals to make its cost recovery scheme dispute process fully independentrdquo The consultation will relate to the details of the process or possible additional requirements to the outlined scheme

Find out what the changes are at wwwhealthandsafetyatworkcomhseffi-disputes-judicial-review-consent-order-new-process

The ICO can impose penalties of up to pound500000 for failure to comply

Burghley House was built by William Cecil during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I

SICKNESS ABSENCE

Sick leave at an all time lowThe average amount of time that workers take off sick fell to its lowest level last year since records began although the figures describe a continued increase in the frequency of mental health conditions as a cause of absence

The findings have prompted concerns that people are increasingly struggling to carry on working on days when they feel unwell prompting TUC general secretary Frances OrsquoGrady to coin the term ldquomucus troopersrdquo

Workers took an average of 43 days off sick in 2016 according to the Office for National Statistics figures a total of 137 million days In 2011 the average was 45 days and in 2006 it was 55

When the series began in 1993 this figure stood at 72 days per worker ndash a total of 178 million ndash which is the highest level on record

Minor illnesses such as coughs and colds were the principle cause of absence responsible for 34 million lost working days around 25 of the total This figure rose slightly in 2015 and 2016 after declining since 2009

Musculoskeletal problems were the second most common cause accounting for 308 million sick days or 22 of the total The total days lost to MSDs has declined by around 21 since 2009

After the miscellaneous category ldquoother conditionsrdquo the fourth most common reason for absence in 2016 was mental health issues including stress depression and anxiety These resulted in 158 million days lost or 115 of the total This figure has increased from 128 million in 2009 or by 23

The data released on 9 March also show that the sickness absence rate ndash the percentage of all working time that is lost due to illness ndash was 19 in 2016 which compares with 21 in 2011 and 25 in 2006

In 2016 workers aged 65 and over lost 29 of their working time to sickness which compares with 15 for those aged between 16 and 34

InBriefFirm fined after workman burned after cutting electric cableA contractor has been fined pound600000 after a workman was severely burned when he hit an 11000-volt cable with a power tool The man was engulfed in flames and suffered severe injuries when it happened in Gloucester in 2015

Amey LG Ltd pleaded guilty at Gloucester Crown Court to breaching health and safety regulations

Work related violence rate surges with inclusion of online threatsThe number of violent incidents related to work has dramatically spiked with the inclusion of online threats for the first time according to the latest HSE report

It compiled the data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) and RIDDOR reports calculating that that 14 of working adults were either physically assaulted or threatened in 2015ndash16 an estimated 350000 people This compares to 12 or an estimated 285000 people the year before ndash representing an increase of 23

MSDs cost UK firms pound154m a yearAn average of pound154 million is lost by businesses every year because of musculoskeletal injuries according to an analysis of Health and Safety Executive data by workplace safety equipment specialist Parrs

About 88 million working days were lost because of musculoskeletal disorders between 2015 and 2016 with injured staff taking an average of 16 days off

Parcel delivery companies face MPsrsquo questions over working conditionsPostal firms DPD and Parcelforce Worldwide have been called before a committee of MPs to answer questions about the working conditions faced by their self-employed couriers Frank Field the Labour MP who chairs the work and pensions select committee has written to the bosses of both companies asking them to provide evidence as part of an ongoing inquiry into the gig economy

An investigation by the Guardian revealed drivers were charged up to pound250 if they could not provide cover when they were ill

In 2016 the sickness absence rate fell to

19

copy M

agnu

s M

ansk

e

I would urge any businesses using lifts particularly older lifts like the one in this case to ensure correct measures are taken in relation to maintenance and that competent lift engineers are employed when necessary to identify defectsrdquo

Recent fines remind bosses to ensure their systems are registered

copy is

tock

phot

opi

xino

o


Work at height

When choosing a mobile tower or scaffold tower safety must be a priority ndash getting it wrong could cost a life

There are few activities which are so easy to get right and paradoxically so easy to get wrong when working

at height Unfortunately there are also few so seemingly innocuous activities which can have such life changing consequences when you do get it wrong By taking simple precautions you can prevent a fall or at the very least prevent the sudden bone-shattering stop which is the unerring consequence of a fall from height No one deliberately sets out to fall from height but there are many many people on a daily basis who are prepared to take that risk If the accident statistics donrsquot tell us much about the underlying causes they unequivocally tell us that

Downward trendEveryone welcomes the reduction in the number of UK fatalities resulting from falls from height as recorded in the HSErsquos annual ill-health and injury statistics announced in November 2016 Fatalities were down from 42 in 201415 to 37 in 201516 and total reported non-fatal injuries from 6165 to 5956 respectively However of the 144 people killed while at work in 201516 falls from height still accounted for the highest proportion at 26 with lsquostruck by moving vehiclersquo at 19 and lsquostruck by moving objectrsquo at 10 Eighteen of the fatal falls occurred in construction seven in agriculture forestry and fishing and four in manufacturing The downward trend is clearly encouraging but behind the numbers are families friends and colleagues whose lives will never be the same again

The prevention of falls begins in the planning stage when a thorough risk assessment should be carried out There are many issues to be considered which all contribute to eliminating the lsquoriskrsquo factor as much as possible but the strategy dictated by the Work at Height Regulations must form the basis of any risk assessment namely avoidance prevention and mitigation

If it is necessary to work at height the right choice of access equipment is essential The HSErsquos WAIT tool kit can provide valuable guidance on selecting the correct type of equipment (available at wwwhsegovukwork-at-heightwaitwait-toolhtm) Your choice of equipment will largely be decided by the outcome of

your risk assessment taking into account a number of factors (see box)

Improving performanceA new product standard for low-level work platforms (LLWPs) ndash commonly referred to as pulpits and podiums ndash has been introduced replacing PAS 2502012 BS 8620 further enhances safety and performance criteria with a dimensional change to side protection and modifications to specific tests Prior to PAS 250 designs for LLWPs had been developed in the absence of a formal specification and while the majority provided a safe solution to low-level access there were some aspects that could be improved by relevant and specific design criteria which PAS 250 first introduced in 2012

But the conversion of PAS 250 to a full British standard does not mean that existing PAS 250 compliant LLWPs are now obsolete ldquoFar from itrdquo says John Darby chair of the technical committee of PASMA the trade association for the mobile access tower industry ldquoYou can continue to employ PAS 250 type-approved podiums and there is no necessity to change product immediately You can introduce the upgrade when the time comes for replacementrdquo

BS 8620 compliant products should start to become available from April 2017 and users should update their procurement policies accordingly to guarantee that they are purchasing equipment that meets the very latest criteria for strength access stability and rigidity

Support where itrsquos neededThe new standard has industry-wide backing The steering group which first contributed to its development includes the Association of British Certification Bodies the HSE Hire Association Europe the Ladder Association PASMA and BuildUK To assist purchasers and users over this transitional period PASMA has introduced an informative fact sheet and FAQ section at wwwpasmacoukbs8620

With thanks to PASMA for this article which partners with industry academia and professional bodies promoting collaboration innovation and the exchange of knowledge and information IIRSM will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with PASMA shortly

Guide to using mobile towers

Ensure you have the knowledge experience and training necessary to build inspect use move and dismantle a tower safely Or take a course ndash there is a range of lsquoindustry standardrsquo courses catering for all levels of experience from the essentials of work at height through to advanced modules such as working with towers on stairs and towers with cantilevers

Buy or hire your tower from an accredited supplier This will ensure that your tower complies with the requirements of EN 1004 the European product standard for towers and uses one of the two recognised safe methods for assembling and dismantling towers Advance Guardrail (AGR) and Through the Trap (3T) Both methods ensure that nobody stands on an unprotected platform

Check that you have all the necessary components to build the tower that they are compatible and that they have been supplied complete with the manufacturerrsquos instructions Always follow the specific instructions which can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer

Once the tower is built make sure it is inspected by a competent person It must be inspected (a) before it is first used (b) at suitable intervals depending on the environment and how itrsquos being used and (c) every time something happens that may affect its stability or safety

You should also carry out a routine and documented inspection of the components of the tower Do this when itrsquos unassembled checking for deterioration contamination and damage otherwise you may not be able to check certain parts properly Damaged components should be immediately segregated marked and reported for attention and repairs only carried out by the manufacturer or their approved agent If the parts cannot be repaired by the manufacturer they must be destroyed and replaced

Good storage conditions are essential If the equipment is stored outside in poor conditions and for extended periods it will require more frequent inspection more maintenance and probably earlier replacement

Making safety at

height work

No one deliberately sets out to fall from height but there are many many people on a daily basis who are prepared to take that riskrdquo

Work at height


Institute News Institute News

Nigeria30 March 2017Register branchesiirsmorg

United Arab Emirates5 April | DubaiTopic Heat management best practices and OSHAD campaignRegister uaebranchiirsmorg

East Midlands12 April 2017 | Ashby de la ZouchTopic Human behaviourRegister branchesiirsmorg

South East England12 April 2017 | Swanley KentTopic Height safety and suspension intolerancetrauma and rescueSpeaker Mark Felstead JSPRegister branchesiirsmorg

Qatar18 April 2017 | DohaRegister qatarbranchiirsmorg

East Scotland19 April 2017 | Edinburgh University Topic Human factors in safety Speaker Rosie RussellRegister branchesiirsmorg

London10 May 2017 | HammersmithRegister branchesiirsmorg

Central England23 May 2017Register branchesiirsmorg

Yorkshire23 May 2017Register branchesiirsmorg

North Scotland25 May 2017Register branchesiirsmorg

BRANCHES UPDATE

Members take advantage of networking opportunities at events around the world

It has been a successful month for IIRSM Branches Herersquos a report of some of the meetings that have taken place recently

East England Following feedback from those who attended the first East England Branch meeting suggestions included holding future meetings in different locations within the Norfolk and Suffolk regions to allow more IIRSM members to get involved as well as attracting more guest speakers and carrying out workplace or facility visits Overall it was a successful meeting and a great platform to network with fellow professionals

North ScotlandPaul Wiggins a Security Risk Management Consultant and Managing Director of Milne Management updated members on the security of companyrsquos personnel equipment and assets while paying particular attention to working abroad where there is a real threat of terrorism or kidnapping

Graham Hudson of GS Group ndash a provider of risk management solutions within the insurance Industry ndash presented on the current market approaches to risk management in the commercial rather than corporate sector with particular focus on the impact that the Insurance Act 2015 will have on the way insurers and brokers interact

United Arab EmiratesSnag amp Inspect which primarily specialises in the construction and maintenance industry presented on best practices and pitfalls in building inspections most specifically surrounding electrical installations insulation water proofing fire detecting alarming suppression systems and more

Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) a

Government lsquoEmergency Management Organisationrsquo of Dubai United Arab Emirates also provided an update on the UAE Fire and Life Safety Codes Key updates included the need for installation companies to be registered and licensed by DCD (previously Consultants Contractors only) revised requirements for facades and cladding (testing and responsibilities) methods of tackling faccedilade fires addressing reliance on LPG cylinders in buildings emergency service vehicle access routes renewable energy systems and more

QatarFollowing feedback from those who attended the Qatar Branch meeting mid-session networking opportunities have successfully been introduced within the event structure Members also participated in quizzes teambuilding and group problem solving exercises The objective now is to encourage higher attendance with focus on the 12 Fellow members in Qatar to provide presentations for future meetings

Northern EnglandMembers of the Northern Branch came together for an insightful presentation on how to incorporate non-technical skills to improve behavioural safety Kirsty Hancock Head of Safety and Compliance at Metro described non-technical skills as the skill set we all use to support our technical task-based skills and the lsquowhyrsquo we do what we do rather than the lsquohowrsquo

Kirsty showcased how these skills have been successfully embedded within Metro for driver roles and are currently being rolled out across all other non-driving safety critical roles Members found the presentation of great interest and look forward to future Branch events in the Northern region

BRANCH UPDATE

A full house at the London Branch meeting

James Irwin who presented at the recent meeting provides this report

We were delighted to be invited to present recently at the IIRSM London Branch meeting at the Institutersquos headquarters in Hammersmith We were given an open brief by London Branch Chair Andrew Ammerlaan (Group Health and Safety Manager at TalkTalk) and we opted to provide an insight aimed at both job hunters and employers in the health and safety market

Our aim was to provide candidates and those recruiting in health and safety a toolkit to be able to successfully navigate the recruitment process and build a successful career or recruit the best team possible Perhaps lofty goals for a two-hour session and indeed both myself and my colleague Michael Colton do not profess to have all the answers However recruitment is made up of a large number of small steps and with our combined 18 years we have had the benefit over the years of seeing what works and what tends not to

There was an excellent turnout and we were thankful to those who took time out of their schedule to attend Reflective of the health and safety market the attendees came from an extremely diverse range of backgrounds ndash from a senior health and safety professional back in the UK from a break in his role with a major oil and gas project in Saudi Arabia a health and safety advisor with a major telecommunications company through to students from the Middlesex University health and safety programme ndash we even had an OBE and MBE holder

It was no surprise that our section on salary levels in the health and safety

industry proved a popular conversation topic In addition the various study paths available also attracted a number of questions and comments

Perhaps one unexpected outcome of the presentation and subsequent question and answer session was the discussion about how graduates in health and safety can get their foot on the ladder and build a career There were some exceptionally bright graduates in attendance and it seemed perhaps there was a gap in the health and safety industry of some kind of formal mentoring marketplace where these and other graduates could meet those looking to mentor Perhaps this market does exist in fact I am sure it must If someone out there in the health and safety profession can come forward and share this information it would be much appreciated We can then collectively help to secure these top graduates roles before we lose them to other countries or industries

One final theme which came up regularly both for job seekers and those recruiting in health and safety was the essential requirement to stay positive throughout the process Recruitment can be tough for job seekers and equally for clients searching for that elusive perfect candidate and at times an emotional rollercoaster Once you know what you want staying positive and constantly looking for solutions is the number one piece of advice which trumps all others

James Irwin is a Director at Irwin amp Stone a specialist UK-based health and safety recruitment consultancy For more information visit wwwirwinandstonecom

UPCOMING BRANCH MEETINGS

Dates for your diary

Look out for the IIRSM membership survey ndash coming soon

Make the most out of IIRSM Branch network register to attend your local meeting and take the opportunity to get involved with your Institute and your fellow members Visit wwwiirsmorgbranches to find your next meeting

Main photo members of the Qatar Branch particpated in quizzes teambuilding and problem-solving exercises Left Members in East England came up with suggestions to reach more members in the area

East England North Scotland and Northern England UAE and Qatar Branches met recently


International NewsInstitute News

UKRAINE

Explosion kills 8 minersAn explosion at the Stepova mine in the region of Lviv has killed eight miners and seriously injured 21

The Independent Trade Union of Miners of Ukraine (NPGU) has repeatedly raised the issue of labour protection and industrial safety in the mines of Ukraine warning of a lack of money for safety new equipment and modernisation of mines

It is suspected a gas leak was the source of the explosion

QATAR

Helmet cools construction workers

A solar-powered cooled helmet has been developed for Qatar 2022 workers

Designed by Qatar University the helmets can reduce the skin temperature of construction workers by up to ten degrees centigrade

The first batch of the helmets will be issued to workers on World Cup sites this summer

JAPAN

100-hour overtime cap to be introduced

Japanrsquos most powerful business lobby Keidanren and the pan labour union Rengo have agreed to limit monthly overtime work to 100 hours during busy periods as the country seeks to change its deep-rooted culture of working long hours

The agreement is a step toward broader labour reform under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe But the 100-hour cap is still said to be a level that can cause serious health consequences

Excessive working hours in Japan have drawn attention particularly after the suicide of an overworked employee of advertising giant Dentsu Inc

CANADA

Call to end high heel dress code requirements

A Canadian province is joining the movement to end high heel requirements for female employees

Mandatory high heel dress codes were recently debated by MPs in the UK

In Canada much of the debate around dress codes for female employees has centred around the restaurant industry where critics have said gender-specific dress codes are too common and based on stereotypes or sexist ideas of how a woman should dress

USA

Employers could genetically test workers

Employers could impose hefty penalties on employees who decline to participate in genetic testing as part of workplace wellness programs if a bill approved by a US House committee becomes law

Employers donrsquot currently have this power under existing federal laws which protect genetic privacy and non-discrimination But the bill passed by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce would allow employers to get around those obstacles if the information is collected as part of a workplace wellness programme

NEW ZEALAND

Boost for paramedicsrsquo injury protection scheme

After a lengthy battle with the New South Wales (NSW) Government paramedics are celebrating a victory to win back injury protection after drastic changes to their Death and Disability Scheme

The changes which would have seen paramedicsrsquo injury protection scheme reduced by 75 and cut off after two years if they were hurt on the job and could never work again prompted the emergency services personnel to write slogans on ambulances protesting changes (pictured above)

Statistics show that of all the emergency services in NSW paramedics are twice as unlikely to be injured in their course of work

The Government has announced it will spend $48 million to provide an enhanced insurance scheme with a minimum of five yearsrsquo income protection for on-

duty claims and a specialised health programme

The proposal also includes a $30 million health and wellbeing programme which will include a dedicated psychologist physiotherapist occupational physician and a Paramedic Safety Champion who will act to ensure paramedics safe and well It will include a number of initiatives to address paramedicsrsquo key concerns including hazardous manual handling and mental health for paramedics

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian insisted the reforms would provide more than just income protection

ldquoIn addition our new wellbeing programme will further help prevent mental and physical injuries and support paramedics to return to workrdquo Berejiklian said

Paramedics waged a war of words by writing slogans on ambulances

copy U

nion

s N

SW

MEMBERSHIP

Help us to unlock the door to a range of valuable and relevant benefits

IIRSM is proud to have members from a wide range of sectors and specialisms across the globe and even more thankful to have an extremely loyal membership base But like with all membership organisations it is vital that our members continue to perceive value in their subscription and we are therefore determined not to remain complacent

Following on from the previous membership survey we were reassured to receive feedback from a high volume of satisfied members We were equally as grateful for the honesty from our members in areas that they felt needed improvement

As a direct outcome of member feedback both through satisfaction surveys and through our closely built relationships with our membership at ground level we

are now excited to be undertaking a full membership benefits review

As part of the review process we are delving into the various benefits and resources that our members currently receive and digging deep to unlock further scope and opportunity to benefit you and your business So far we have communicated with a number of our trusted partners who currently provide our members with free support helplines including technical support legal assistance and HR and employment advice These benefits were valued highly by our members in the last survey and we are keen to maximise their potential further

In line with our five-year plan we are also working on developing our Branch network to ensure that members have access to networking opportunities at a local level while also scheduling a series of national events Furthermore we are broadening our technical output to ensure

that members have access to a larger range of practical guides and support Our website is under review and you will shortly see enhanced features within your MyIIRSM member area

We are now calling on you to help us with our 2017 Membership Survey As a member-led organisation we are committed to ensuring that our members have a voice and that your membership journey continues to remain valuable and relevant to todayrsquos industry The link to the survey will shortly be appearing in your inbox and we encourage all members to feed back their experiences whether you have something positive to say or if you have suggestions for improvement ndash we are here to listen

Our mission is to be the international institute of choice for everyone involved in managing risk to benefit both organisations and the wider society and we need you to help us achieve this goal

EVENTS

Join us for our FREE series of webinars

Risk is the main cause of uncertainty in any organisation and companies increasingly focus more on identifying risks and managing them before they even affect the business IIRSM has planned a series of webinars on integrated business risk management cyber security supply chain and extended enterprise and risk and culture

On Tuesday 28 March Steve Fowler MIIRSM will present an online introduction to the basics of risk management for business professionals Former CEO of

the Institute of Risk Management risk and resilience specialist Steve will provide delegates with a basic introduction to the concepts of risk and uncertainty the types of risk faced by organisations and the importance of understanding the external and internal environment

The session will provide delegates with the skills to be able to identify

measure evaluate and prioritise risks in their organisation

the key techniques for treating risk ndash and where to obtain further help in their application

the behavioural and cultural aspects of risk

the value and benefits of integrated risk management and how it supports strategic tactical and change objectives

a simple framework for the management of integrated business risk

To register visit httpsiirsmclickmeetingcomrisk_trainingregister

Our second webinar will see cyber risk expert Steve Gillespie explore the practical challenges of cyber security in SMEs on Tuesday 25 April In an interconnected world we are rarely far removed from our supply chain and those who have access to our systems and information assets can inadvertently offer threat His presentation will provide guidance and suggestions for risk mitigation in some key areas specifically employee training and awareness and monitoring contractors outsourcing and procurement

ldquoTraining staff is an invaluable first line of defence against many of the most common and prevalent cyber threats faced by businesses and individuals alikerdquo explains Steve ldquoUnderstanding the best way to approach awareness and regular training programmes is a vital part of any security strategy Third party security therefore should not be left to chance or luckrdquo

Register to watch Steversquos session at httpsiirsmclickmeetingcomcyber_riskregister

New Fellows We would like to congratulate the following members who were awarded Fellowship recently Robert Wright Paul Edwards Oluwafela F Ajayi Terry Wilcock Steven Hembury Michele Jarvis Raymond Horsburgh and Eamon Griffin

Members invited to participate in survey Link will be sent out shortly

The basics of risk management Cyber risk and security


The Campbell AwardThe Campbell Award

Defining excellenceAs the deadline for the 2017 Campbell Award approaches we look at the five principles of world-class risk management derived from recent winners Does your organisation share these principles with the best of the best

Data managementExceptional data management is the third principle which refers to the gathering and use of key performance indicators to monitor EHS systems Organisations with world-class EHS records rely on a combination of leading and lagging indicators to promote continuous improvement activities of EHS management systems

Honeywell Aerospace employs a balanced scorecard of both leading and lagging indicators to measure performance This is referred to as the HSE Performance Index (HSEPI) and is designed to advance maturity in health safety and environment al management maintain workplace safety and sustain the environment A couple of examples of leading indicators at Honeywell Aerospace include documentation of HSE Steering Committee meetings and HSE walk-arounds by leaders These leading indicators are balanced by tracking of lagging indicators such as incident rate on-time corrective action closure energy efficiency and waste efficiency

Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) one of the oldest and largest petroleum companies in the Middle East has a data management system to track leading performance metrics to the quality of accident investigation reports and the frequency and quality of safety inspections among others The company uses internationally accepted standards to enable benchmarking with other refineries around the world

For the past 12 years the Robert W Campbell Award has been the National Safety Councilrsquos most

prestigious award for excellence in environmental health and safety (EHS) management systems By submitting applications and undergoing rigorous onsite assessments of their operations all recipients of the Campbell Award have shown that an integrated EHS management system is crucial to building and growing a sustainable business

LeadershipThe first principle of world-class EHS is leadership or empowering all within the organisation to lead on EHS Excellence in EHS is built upon the ability of individuals throughout an organisation to contribute to building and sustaining a culture of safety Award winners have conveyed the ability of their leaders to exert positive influence to change peoplersquos attitudes towards workplace safety employee health and environmental protection

At Johnson amp Johnson EHS responsibilities reside at the top of the organisation Their Office of the Chairman the highest executive level of the organisation is accountable for and committed to EHS The Board of Directors oversees the public health programmes geared towards employee and community EHS

In 1998 Noble introduced the Safety Leadership Workshop This workshop offers leadership and safety training with

a customised curriculum for crews with topics such as leadership skills stress management and appraisal and coaching Since the workshop was introduced Noble has seen a 71 reduction in total recordable incident rate and an 83 reduction in lost time incident rate

IntegrationThe second principle is integration or the incorporation of EHS into all facets of the business Organisations that have successfully utilised a systems-based approach to EHS management have adopted industry standards to integrate EHS across all business functions Award-winning organisations also integrate their systems across environment health and safety with a focus on continuous improvement

Dow Chemicalrsquos Operating Discipline Management System (ODMS) integrates policies and requirements for manufacturing quality environment and health and safety The ODMS also ensures that the components of the management system are implemented consistently across the organisation as well as outlining requirements and procedures around community awareness emergency preparedness and response distribution safety process safety security and product stewardship

Schneider Electric North America made it a goal to standardise the manufacturing process across all work sites and locations At the date of its application it was working to integrate quality (ISO 9000) environment (ISO 14001ndash2004) and safety (OSHAS 18001ndash2007) management components into a single system

AlignmentThe fourth principle is alignment which is the linking of EHS goals to other organisational objectives Award winners ensure that EHS remains firmly aligned with other organisational objectives strategies and values Linking EHS goals to other organisational objectives means that EHS can be fully integrated and function as a business process

Global power firm Cummins operates a system containing ten defining practices for all business operations such as providing customer value designing quality and using Six Sigma as a primary improvement method While EHS is incorporated into all ten defining practices it is most present in Practice 7 ldquoEstablishing the right environmentrdquo By creating a work environment with open two-way communication and respect for employees Cummins maintains a culture where everyone is responsible for EHS

Corporate citizenshipLastly the fifth principle of world-class EHS is corporate citizenship or the promotion of off-the-job safety and environmental initiatives Award-winning organisations extend their efforts to promote the health and safety of their employees off-site as well as investing resources in the surrounding communities and environment Some examples of corporate citizenship are geared towards the improvement of EHS issues on a global scale

In 2007 Firmenich launched a sustainable sourcing programme of

ingredients such as vanilla and patchouli working with suppliers and farmers in Uganda Madagascar India Brazil Haiti and Guatemala This programme has fostered unique long-term relationships with farming communities in these countries increasing revenues for farmers and creating sustainable supply chains

GPIC in the Kingdom of Bahrain has devoted resources to address environmental issues by developing projects embraced its workforce and community residents The GPIC Charity Garden produces about 14 tonnes of fruits and vegetables that are donated to charities and families in need GPIC has also built a bird sanctuary to offer a safe haven to indigenous and migrating birds

Are you Campbell readyThese five principles show that Campbell Award-winning companies integrate their EHS and business management systems with a particular focus on leadership risk reduction performance measurement and continuous improvement

Could your organisation be Campbell Award ready Applications for the 2017 Campbell Award close on 1 May 2017 For more information on how to apply visit wwwcampbellawardorg

To read more examples of how Campbell Award-winning companies are putting these five principles into action the full report Defining EHS Excellence is available to download at wwwthecampellinstituteorgresearch

Last yearrsquos winner of the Campbell Award was construction materials manufacturer USG Corporation

All recipients of the Campbell Award have shown that an integrated EHS management system is crucial to building and growing a sustainable businessrdquo


Membersrsquo Pages Membersrsquo Pages

If you are looking for advice call the health and safety information helpline with your questions on +44 (0)1296 678 465 or email iirsmhelplinealcumusgroupcom for information on any health and safety related topic Here are just a few of your recent queries

QampAsFIRE EXITS

I am carrying out a fire risk assessment for a hotel Where can I find information on calculating the travel distance to exits

BS 99992017 Code of practice for fire safety in the design management and use of buildings gives recommendations and guidance to achieve reasonable standards of fire safety for all people in and around them In addition the governmentrsquos Fire safety law and guidance documents for business are available at wwwgovukgovernmentcollectionsfire-safety-law-and-guidance-documents-for-business

PRESSURE SYSTEMS SAFETY

What statutory inspections are airlines used in vehicle workshops to inflate tyres subject to (specific regulation and inspectiontest frequency) We also use mobile air compressors to power pneumatic tools

With regard to the both types of equipment the first question to consider is whether the airlines and air compressors would meet the definition of a pressure system under the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations The following information taken from the guidance accompanying regulation 2 may be usefulldquoThe Regulations define three types of system (a) a system comprising a pressure vessel its associated pipework and protective devices There must be a pressure vessel in the system for the Regulations to apply under this definition Where there is more than one system on the premises whether interconnected or not the userowner is responsible for deciding where the boundaries for each system occur (b) pipework with its protective devices to which a transportable pressure receptacle is or is intended to be connected A transportable pressure receptacle on its own is not a pressure system as defined Pipework containing a relevant fluid (other than steam) at a pressure of 05 bar or less is outside the scope of the regulations (c) a pipeline with its protective devicesrdquo

For the purposes of these regulations a pressure vessel is a vessel used or intended to be used to contain a relevant fluid Therefore the key point is whether the system contain a pressure storage vessel if

it does not then these regulations will not apply However if the system does contain a pressure vessel then the second question is whether the vessel contains a relevant fluid The following information (also taken from the guidance) accompanying regulation 2 may be useful

ldquoThe following conditions have to be fulfilled for a fluid to be a relevant fluid within the scope of the Regulations (a) the pressure must be greater than 05 bar above atmospheric (except for steam) Where the pressure varies with time the maximum pressure that is normally reached should be the determining factor (b) either the fluid should be a gas or mixture of gases under the actual conditions in that part of the system or a liquid which would turn into a gas if system failure occurredrdquo

Therefore the regulations will cover compressed air (a mixture of gases) as well as other compressed gases such as nitrogen acetylene and oxygen The definition will also include hot water contained above its boiling point at atmospheric pressure (pressurised hot water) or aqueous solutions where a vapour pressure above 05 bar (gauge) is generated Classifications of gases are given in BS EN 720-11999 Only those parts of a system which contain a relevant fluid fall within the scope of the regulations except protective devices which are within scope irrespective of whether they contain a relevant fluid provided that they form part of a system which contains or is liable to contain a relevant fluid

Except in the case of steam once the pressure along a line of pipework drops below 05 bar (gauge) there is no longer a relevant fluid and that part of the pipework is then no longer part of the system covered by the Regulations For the definition of relevant fluid not to apply the userowner should be able to show clear evidence that the system does not contain (and is not liable to contain) a relevant fluid under foreseeable operating conditions Therefore if the gas in the pressure vessel is held at a pressure less than 05 bar above atmospheric then again these regulations will not apply However even if the system does contain a pressure vessel and this does store a gas at a pressure of more than 05 bar above atmospheric then unless the pressure vessel has a pressure times volume product of 250 bar litres or more the requirements of regulations

8 (Written scheme of examination) and 9 (Examination in accordance with the written scheme) will not apply

Both the quoted information referred to above and further information on this topic can be found within the HSE publication Safety of Pressure Systems (available at wwwhsegovukpubnsbooksl122htm)

If the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations do not apply ndash or if they do but the requirement for a written schemes of examination will not ndash then the system will need to be inspected in accordance with the more general requirements of regulation 6 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations

Further information can be found in the HSErsquos Safe Use of Work Equipment (wwwhsegovukpubnsbooksl22htm)

SITE SECURITY

I have been asked to carry out an inspection of a large vacant basement carpark It is secured but amenities services such as water ndash as well as our own operatives ndash need to access it to inspect plant etc A permit to work system is envisaged The site has been broken into on a number of occasions ndash can you provide guidance on the main hazards and control measures that need to be considered We havenrsquot been able to find any guidance specifically relating to these circumstances it is likely that the main hazards will depend on the nature of the work that the people accessing the basement car park will be carrying out and the relevant risk assessments should help identify these

Examples may include from asbestos if the work will disturb the fabric of the building from electricity or contact with dangerous parts of machinery etc depending on the nature of plant being inspected from legionella if the work will affect the hot and cold water systems etc

Other more general hazards may include falls from height if the work requires the use of ladders platform etc to work at height manual handling for equipment or materials used for the work

STORAGE OF IBCS

What is the recommended number of Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) that can be stacked when empty We currently stack them four high is this acceptable

There is nothing specific within legislation but HSG51 Storage of Flammable liquids in containers would be a good start Although the information refers to full containers it may still be of interest to you The guidance says containers should be stored in a manner that facilitates safe handling Where you intend to stack the containers you should check with the supplier that the containers are suitable for stacking and any limitations as to stack size Stacks should be stable to allow for any leaking container to be readily spotted and be arranged in such manner to enable such a container to be easily removed Except where a suitably designed racking system is provided for practical operational purposes the limit for metal drums of nominal size (200 litres) stacked vertically will be three-high horizontally (lsquoon the rollrsquo) four-high It is generally recommended that filled intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) are stacked no more than two high and then only when they are designed to stack together and ground conditions are suitable See wwwhsegovukpubnspricedhsg51pdf for more information

Therefore itrsquos probably best to speak to the suppliermanufacturer of your IBCs for advice on stacking and whether there are any restrictions

FOOD SAMPLINGTESTING

I need to put together some food sample testing criteria (for example microbiological agent contaminants) This is for a typical office food supply sampling and testing purposes ndashcan you provide any information or recommend resources

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has many sources of guidance to assist with food safety The Food Law Code of Practice (Chapter 8 ndash Sampling and analysis) is available at wwwfoodgovukenforcementcodes-of-practicefood-law-code-of-practice-20158-1-introduction

Food sampling resources can be found here wwwfoodgovukenforcementsamplingsamplingresources and more information for business and industry is at wwwfoodgovukbusiness-industry

ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

A contractor inadvertently drilled into some asbestos containing materials without taking any precautions Does it need to be logged in any particular register What should the exposed worker be advised Wersquove cleared the area and repaired the damaged asbestos and the incident will be investigated to determine how it occurred

There are no official asbestos exposure registers in which such an incident should be logged but the employee should be advised to inform hisher GP so that the exposure can be added to their general medical records Was the exposure considered significant enough to warrant reporting it under RIDDOR A judgement will need to be made

ACCIDENT REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

A delivery driver was unloading and due to the poor condition of the trailer he fell off and injured himself Who is responsible for making the RIDDOR report ndash us or his employer

If the driver was an employee it would be his employerrsquos responsibility to make the report wherever they are working

OFF-ROAD PLANT INSURANCE AND LICENSING

I am trying to find a book called Management of Off-Road Plant and Equipment by DJ Edwards Specifically I am looking for information on insurance and licensing legalities Can you help

The publication is actually entitled Management of Off-Highway Plant and Equipment and was written by DJ

Edwards FC Harris and Ron McCaffer This document can be viewed in full and freely downloaded from wwwscribdcomdoc53045780Management-of-Highway-Plant-amp-Equipment The chapter you will be most interested in regarding insurance and licensing legalities can be found starting on page 159

CHILDCARE ENVIRONMENTS

My organisation is considering converting one of our large offices into a cregraveche so our employees can bring their babies and toddlers to work What would be required from a health and safety perspective

There isnrsquot anything specific within health and safety legislation regarding turning an office into a cregraveche The Health and Safety at Work Act requires employers to take appropriate steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees and others who may be affected by their activities when at work You should also consider your emergency procedures for example fire evacuation first aid bomb threats etc

There are specific duties in relation to children under other legislation which might be applicable in this case for those workinglooking after children

You may also wish to contact your insurance company as they may have restrictions on children in the workplace

The following websites may be useful wwwresourcecentreorgukinformationorganising-a-crche wwwnurseryworldcouknursery-worldnews1086067starting-creche-creche-course www3hantsgovuk1_guidance_notes_on_creche_provision_revise_april_2010_docpdf and wwwlseacukintranetLSEServicesnurseryregulationshealthAndSafetyPolicyaspx

Join the conversationThe opinion corner is designed to gauge exactly what our members are thinking on current issues in the industry If you have a question you would like us to ask members please email kelliemundelllexisnexiscouk

This month wersquore asking

Does the proposed new process for determining disputes relating to the HSErsquos FFI scheme go far enough

Have your say visit wwwlinkedincom and search Groups for IIRSM

The reality of CDM 2015A practical look at the Principal Designer role

Two years on from CDM 2015 IIRSM are running a series of one day events in partnership with the RIBA to address specific concerns and provide practical advice on dealing with challenges or confusion surrounding the regulations and the role of Principal Designer

Who should attend

bull Health and safety professionals

bull Architectsbull Designersbull Clients and Principal

Contractors

Who is speaking

bull Health and Safety Executivebull International Institute of Risk amp Safety

Management bull Royal Institute of British

Architects bull Association for Project Safety bull Institution of Civil Engineers bull Nick Bell Risk Consultancy bull Construction Industry Training Board

What will the event cover

bull An overview of the changesbull Myths and gapsbull The delivery of CDM 2015bull Practical approaches

solutionsbull Resources and guidance

bull QampA sessions

Price pound110 + VAT (IIRSM and RIBA members)pound150 + VAT (non members)

Venues London Birmingham and Leeds

Dates June 2017

Find out more or book todaywwwiirsmorgCDM2017

Sponsored by

isto

ckph

oto

Phot

odso

tiro

ff

CDM_advert_v1indd 1 15032017 150110


News Prosecutions

CHIEF EXECUTIVE Phillip PearsonDIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP AND COMMUNICATIONSClare FlemingMANAGING EDITOR Louis Wustemann

EDITOR Kellie Mundellkelliemundelllexisnexiscouk DESIGNER Carrie Love

ADDRESSIIRSM 77 Fulham Palace Road London W6 8JA UK Tel +44 (0)20 8741 9100 Fax +44 (0)20 8741 1349Website wwwiirsmorgEmail infoiirsmorg

Registered in England and WalesCharity No 1107666Company No 5310696

PUBLISHED BY LexisNexis copy Reed Elsevier (UK) Limited 2017Printed by Stones Ashford Kent

This publication is intended to be a general guide and cannot be a substitute for professional advice Neither the authors nor the publisher accept any responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of material contained in this publication

Reproduction copying or extracting by any means of the whole or part of this publication must not be undertaken without the written permission of the publishers

ISSN 1746-1359

News Prosecutions

RISK ASSESSMENT

Estate agent fined pound200k after househunter fell down well

Strakers had been warned of the existence of the well under the piece of board

An estate agent has been prosecuted after a prospective house buyer who was viewing a property fell into a garden well

Swindon Magistratesrsquo Court heard that the 39 year old stepped onto a wooden board which was covering the well The board gave way and she fell 30 feet where she became submerged by water A hosepipe was thrown to the woman and she managed to secure it around her waist but it was another hour before she was rescued

The househunter suffered head injuries including concussion and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder following the fall in Malmesbury Wiltshire last April

HSE investigators found the estate agents Strakers had been warned about the well and the board being unsafe

The company had been informed about the well three days before the accident and admitted it had not carried out a thorough inspection

Despite this the companyrsquos legal representative said its culpability was low but Judge Simon Cooper rejected this and said it was high

The company had pleaded guilty to breaching Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to discharge a general health and safety duty to a person other than an employee He fined the firm pound200000

HSE Inspector Matthew Tyler said it could have ldquoeasily become a fatal tragedyrdquo

He added ldquoIf when warned of the unsafe well the company had properly checked to see if it was secure the trauma this individual has gone through could have been preventedrdquo

In a statement Antony Bulley Strakersrsquo Managing Director said directors and staff had been ldquodeeply distressedrdquo by the incident

ldquoWe wish to make it known that Strakers has carried out extensive internal investigations and have fully cooperated with the Health and Safety Executive throughout culminating in a plea of guilty at the earliest opportunity presentedrdquo

He added that the companyrsquos aim is ldquoto ensure that everything possible is done to avoid any similar incident occurring in the future to any member of the public or our staffrdquo

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

lsquoSleep debtrsquo must be tackled by employers

Number of organisations including lsquosleeprsquo within their wellbeing strategy set to rise

Employees who suffer from sleep deprivation should be treated in the same way they would if they had an illness researchers have said after a study revealed that the UK economy lost 200000 working days a year to sleep deprivation last year costing pound40 billion or 186 of GDP

The importance of a good nightrsquos shut eye has been recognised for some time now but the considerable knock-on effects that poor sleep has in the workplace are only just becoming acknowledged According to research from Rewards and Employee Benefits Association (REBA) in conjunction with Punter Southall Health amp Protection the number of organisations including sleep within their wellbeing strategy is set to more than double (from 42 to 88) in the next few years

Christine Husbands Managing Director for RedArc said ldquoAt the extreme end of the scale employees who are lacking in sleep are susceptible to workplace accidents ndash and that can be potentially hazardous for people who operate machinery or drive during the course of their work At the other end of the scale anyone who is sleep deprived is more prone to make mistakes and poor decision-making which ultimately can have an impact on the individualrsquos productivity and performance rdquo

The woman fell down the well in the garden of a property in Malmesbury Wiltshire

MANUAL HANDLING

DFS pays pound1m for unstable loadFurniture giant DFS has been fined pound1 million for safety failings after a worker suffered serious head and neck injuries

DFS Trading Ltd was also ordered by magistrates to pay pound15099 in costs for the incident at the companyrsquos Alfreton upholstery site

Southern Derbyshire Magistratesrsquo Court heard that the worker had been unloading wooden furniture frames at Lincoln House Furnishings in Birchwood Way Somercotes on July 2015 He was struck by an unsecured furniture arm which fell from an unstable load It knocked him unconscious and he sustained serious head and neck injuries

The sofa retailer pleaded guilty to breaching section 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act after an HSE investigation found that the risks associated with moving heavy loads between manufacturing sites had not been effectively managed The court heard that a lack of adequate supervision had led to a number of previous near misses reported from unsecured loads

Speaking after the case HSE Inspector Lyn Spooner said ldquoDFS is a large national organisation The fundamental and systemic failings identified in its health and safety management systems is far from what would be expected from a company of its size who has the ability to deliver higher standards of safety

ldquoUnfortunately DFS was unable to do that on this occasion and a preventable accident was allowed to occurrdquo

In a statement DFS said ldquoThe health and safety of our employees is extremely important to us The employee who was

injured in June 2015 is a valued member of our team we deeply regret the accident he suffered and wersquore very glad that he is back at work in his previous role

ldquoThis case has highlighted some areas where on occasion our procedures were not as strong as they should have been Over the last 18 months wersquove invested heavily in health and safety including reviewing our health and safety procedures and retraining all our employees ldquoOur skilled craftspeople are critical to our success and wersquore committed to ensuring their health and safety at workrdquo

WORKING HOURS

Zero hours contracts reach record levels

However business reputation appears to be effecting the rate of increase

The number of people on controversial zero hours contracts has reached a record high of 910000

New figures based on an analysis of Office for National Statistics data reveal that 105000 more people were on contracts that do not guarantee work in 2016 compared with the same period in 2015 Thatrsquos an increase of nearly 14 and 30 higher than 2014

In 2005 there were just 100000 people on zero hours contracts (ZHCs)

But although the new figures are a record they also reveal a sharp slowing in the rate of increase in the last six months of 2016

ldquoItrsquos notable that the increase of 08 in the second half of 2016

compares to a 77 rise over the same period in 2015rdquo said Conor DrsquoArcy Policy Analyst at the Resolution Foundation which undertook the analysis of the ONSrsquos Labour Force Survey

ldquoEver since ZHCs hit the headlines the numbers have increased sharply every six months The latest figures bring this run to an endrdquo

After controversies over zero hours contracts at companies such as Sports Direct a number of businesses have either stopped using them or reduced their use

Homebase the DIY chain scrapped zero hours contracts earlier this year

And JD Wetherspoon which runs pubs offered thousands of staff on ZHCs the chance to move onto contracts which guarantee hours

InBriefThird censure in 12 months for MoDThe Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been censured by the HSE for the third time in a year following the death of an agency driver who was crushed by a reversing vehicle

On 19 November 2013 Graham Wood was crushed between a reversing lorry and a stationary vehicle as he and a colleague delivered goods to the site

An HSE investigation found that the MoD had failed to risk assess the movement of large vehicles in a holding area at the munitions base MoD Kineton in Southam Warwickshire

The MoD failed to ensure that there was a safe system of work in place to identify and control the risks presented by the movement of large vehicles in the area the HSE said

Read the full story at wwwhealthandsafetyatworkcommod-crown-censure-kineton-graham-wood

A DFS worker was struck by a furniture arm which fell from an unsecured load

Proportion of firms which take sleep deprivation into account

42

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If the company had properly checked to see if [the well] was secure this incident could have been preventedrdquo

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MEMBERSHIP











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ASBESTOS EXPOSURE






















Who should attend



Contractors

Who is speaking







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Dates June 2017


Sponsored by

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LIFTING OPERATIONS














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EVENTS















































QampAsFIRE EXITS















SITE SECURITY




STORAGE OF IBCS








ASBESTOS EXPOSURE






















Who should attend



Contractors

Who is speaking







bull QampA sessions



Dates June 2017


Sponsored by

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ckph

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Work at height




















Making safety at

height work


Work at height













BRANCHES UPDATE












BRANCH UPDATE



















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STORAGE OF IBCS








ASBESTOS EXPOSURE






















Who should attend



Contractors

Who is speaking







bull QampA sessions



Dates June 2017


Sponsored by

isto

ckph

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Phot

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BRANCHES UPDATE












BRANCH UPDATE



















UKRAINE




QATAR





JAPAN





CANADA





USA




NEW ZEALAND











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MEMBERSHIP











EVENTS















































QampAsFIRE EXITS















SITE SECURITY




STORAGE OF IBCS








ASBESTOS EXPOSURE






















Who should attend



Contractors

Who is speaking







bull QampA sessions



Dates June 2017


Sponsored by

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UKRAINE




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JAPAN





CANADA





USA




NEW ZEALAND











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QampAsFIRE EXITS















SITE SECURITY




STORAGE OF IBCS








ASBESTOS EXPOSURE






















Who should attend



Contractors

Who is speaking







bull QampA sessions



Dates June 2017


Sponsored by

isto

ckph

oto

Phot

odso

tiro

ff































QampAsFIRE EXITS















SITE SECURITY




STORAGE OF IBCS








ASBESTOS EXPOSURE






















Who should attend



Contractors

Who is speaking







bull QampA sessions



Dates June 2017


Sponsored by

isto

ckph

oto

Phot

odso

tiro

ff




Who should attend



Contractors

Who is speaking







bull QampA sessions



Dates June 2017


Sponsored by

isto

ckph

oto

Phot

odso

tiro

ff


issue 04/2017 visit our website at ...international institute of risk and safety management issue...

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