We are Looking Forward to the Business Growth Show

May 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We are looking forward to showcasing our extensive Health and Safety consultancy and training services to local business owners when we exhibit at the forthcoming Business Growth Show on Tuesday, 22 May 2012.

It is taking take at the Menzies Swindon Hotel on Fleming Way, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 1TN in Swindon. from 9am to 3.30pm. The Show offers a range of workshops and networking opportunities. It is free to attend; all you need to do is simply register online beforehand.

If you are around please do come over to our stand and say hi; we would love to meet you.

The Acorn EHS Team

 

Filed Under: News, Uncategorized Tagged With:

New Client Win…

April 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment

We are delighted have recently been selected by a Northamptonshire based, chemical manufacturing plant to undertake a Fire Risk Assessment on their 5 acre site.

We will be ensuring that they meet the regulatory requirements of the 2005 Fire Regulatory Reform Order. This legislation ensures that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the premises is carried out to ensure that the level of fire precautions is adequate for the safety of anyone who is legally entitled to be on or in the vicinity of the premises.

If you require expert help carrying out your Fire Risk Assessment call us on 03334 560 999.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Top 7 Tips for Ladder Users

March 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Top 7 Tips for Ladder Users

Did you know that the Health & Safety Executive recently inspected 1,759 building sites across the country and on 348 of them, work was either stopped or warnings given to improve unsafe practice  -  and working at height figured in the majority of these. So before one of your employees climb a stepladder, or even step onto something to get a box down from on top of a cabinet, read our top safety tips:

1.  Never carry more than 10 Kg (up or down) when climbing, that is only ever do light work!

2.  Never, ever use anything to climb up on, unless it is made for the job (e.g. don’t use a swivel chair!)

3.  Always ensure that equipment (ladder, step-ladder or step-up) is in good condition before using it

4. Never work on anything that causes you to reach too far to the side, always work ahead of yourself or nearly so

5. Have someone hold the equipment when working on it, or where that isn’t practical, try to wedge it against an immoveable object (a wall or desk)

6.  Where possible, always have three points of contact when climbing (two feet and one hand or vice versa)

7. Only put the equipment on firm, level ground (not a shiny or slippery surface) and never place it on any other item (e.g. a box) to gain greater height

If anyone is working at height regularly, make sure that they are properly trained and then you won’t find yourself as one of the HSE Statistics.

 

 

Filed Under: Health and Safety, News, Training

Be Asbestos Aware

February 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. At Acorn EHS we provide health and safety advice and guidance to organisations so their staff who may be exposed to asbestos at work know what to do to protect themselves and others.

Why is asbestos dangerous?

When these fibres are inhaled they can cause serious diseases which are responsible for around 4000 deaths a year. There are four main diseases caused by asbestos: mesothelioma (which is always fatal), lung cancer (almost always fatal), asbestosis (not always fatal, but it can be very debilitating) and diffuse pleural thickening (not fatal).

Asbestos fibres are present in the environment in Great Britain so people are exposed to very low levels of fibres. However, a key factor in the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease is the total number of fibres breathed in. Working on or near damaged asbestos-containing materials or breathing in high levels of asbestos fibres, which may be many hundreds of times that of environmental levels can increase your chances of getting an asbestos-related disease.

Asbestos related diseases won’t affect immediately but later on in life, so there is a need for you to protect yourself now to prevent you contracting an asbestos-related disease in the future. It is also important to remember that people who smoke and are also exposed to asbestos fibres are at a much greater risk of developing lung cancer.

Filed Under: Asbestos

London Construction Company Fined After Fall

February 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

A construction company in Harrow has been fined after a worker suffered life-changing injuries when he fell seven metres from an unguarded roof.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted R & G Construction Ltd of Harrow as a result of the incident on 7 March 2011.

Vasile Ionel Vatca, a 28-year-old Romanian, had been working on a major refurbishment project at Eaton Mews North in Belgravia. The project included the construction of a basement, and a roof replacement. Mr Vatca was on top of the roof and had been clearing up debris left over from construction work which had been carried out on the roof.

HSE’s investigation found that work on the roof had been carried out by employees and subcontractors who had previously been protected from falling off the roof by scaffolding, but this had been removed the previous month. Although the site’s fall safety equipment was used after the 7 March incident, it was deemed to be entirely inadequate, and workers remained at risk of falling from height.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that on the day of the incident, Mr Vatca was on the top of the roof, and the only way to get there was using a ladder which only reached to the lower part of the roof. While he was climbing down, the ladder fell away from the building, Mr Vatca lost his footing and fell about seven metres, suffering a broken leg, heel and wrist. He was hospitalised for a week and is still not working. When sentencing, the judge commented on the severity of Mr Vatca’s injuries and the fact that he is now registered disabled.

Filed Under: Health and Safety for Construction, News

Spot Checks on Construction Sites until 16 March

February 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

HSE is clamping down on construction sites as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health.

Between 20 February and 16 March, inspectors from the Health & Safety Executive will be visiting sites where refurbishment or repair works are being carried out. This is part of a national month-long drive to improve standards in one of the Britain’s most dangerous industries.

Their primary focus will be high-risk activity such as working at height and also ‘good order’ such as ensuring sites are clean and tidy with clear access routes.

The purpose of the initiative is to remind those working in construction that poor standards are unacceptable, and could result in enforcement action.

During 2010/11, 50 workers were killed while working in construction and 2298 major injuries were reported.

Filed Under: Health and Safety for Construction, News Tagged With: