NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health)

NEBOSH training courses are internationally recognised health, safety and risk management qualifications relevant across all sectors of the economy. NEBOSH qualifications are all recognised for membership by IOSH and IIRSM.

IN COURT

WORKER’S LEG CRUSHED AFTER EXTERNAL CONSULTANT’S ADVICE WAS IGNORED

A PACKAGING MANUFACTURING COMPANY HAS BEEN SENTENCED AFTER A WORKER WAS INJURED BY AN AUTOMATED TRANSFER VEHICLE.

On 5 September 2017, the employee of Saica Pack UK Limited was walking along the factory floor when his leg became trapped between an automated vehicle and a conveyor at the company site in Hartlepool. The vehicles, known as transfer cars, are used to move product around the factory and onto a conveyor system.

The HSE found that although the company purchased the Hartlepool site in 2008, it had failed to assess the risk of injury from contact with the transfer cars until nine years later, only a month prior to the incident. An assessment which was carried out by an external consultant and given to the company in August 2017, highlighted several areas where remedial action was required and made it clear how far short the site was from compliance with the company’s own ‘group wide’ material handling system standard.

The company had failed to ensure that the standard was adopted at the Hartlepool site and very little had been done to control the risks associated with the transfer cars.

Saica Pack UK Limited of Oakesway Trading Estate, Hartlepool, Cleveland pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £60,000 with £1,512.89 in costs.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Jonathan Wills said: “A worker was left with serious life-changing injuries because of this incident. Injuries which could have very easily been avoided, had the recommendations made in the assessment been acted upon.

Source: SHP Daily October 2019

 A THIRD OF EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PROVIDED WITH HEARING PROTECTION

RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY SPECSAVERS CORPORATE EYECARE HAS REVEALED THAT ONLY 42% OF EMPLOYERS IN THE UK PROVIDE OVERHEAD EARMUFFS TO ITS EMPLOYEES.

Businesses of all sizes across the UK took part in a survey to find out what type of hearing protection is provided for them. It looked at the types of hearing protection offered by companies in the UK. The findings were:

• Foam earplug 37%;

• Custom moulded earplug 26%;

• Ear canal caps 21%;

• Flanged earplug 20%;

• Integrated earmuff 18%;

• Banded earplug 17%.

Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, it is the responsibility of employers to protect their employees from exposure to excessive noise and noise-induced hearing loss.

Professions such as aircraft ground control and construction workers are examples of jobs where employees are in risk of hearing damage/loss, if relevant protection is not provided. Noise above 85db (decibels) can cause permanent and disabling hearing damage, which cannot be reversed.

At a construction site, peak noise levels can reach 120db, for example a chainsaw’s average decibel can reach 106db-115db, which can significantly damage a construction worker’s hearing or permanently cause them hearing loss.

Ensuring that hearing protection is highlighted in Risk Assessments could save companies from getting a hefty fine if they also carry out what is stated.

Source: SHP Daily October 2019