Shocking stats: why we need more workplace defibrillators and CPR trained staff

You’ve just suffered a cardiac arrest. What are your chances of survival. The bad news is that up to 95% of victims die without immediate treatment. How immediate?

Electrical flash over causes severe burns and serious fine

Two workers at a Nottinghamshire foundry suffered serious skin burns following a ‘preventable’ electrical flashover in September 2016. This occurred while they were working on restoring the power supply to a furnace.

Handle with care. Forklift deaths land firms with £1m fines.

Two visiting delivery drivers have died in avoidable forklift truck accidents, resulting in seven figure fines for a major plastic piping company and a large kitchen manufacturer.

Flawed safety procedure costs oil refinery £400k

A recent court case has dramatically illustrated the need for eternal vigilance and "going the extra mile" with health and safety management, even when great care is being taken. It involves a flammable gas leak at the Total Lindsey Oil Refinery (TLOR) in North Killingholme, on the Humber estuary near Grimsby.

IOSH joins cross-industry initiative to cut cancer risk

Measures to control employee exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS), the second biggest cancer-causing agent in the world’s workplaces, have been introduced by a cross-sectoral group of organisations. After signing a commitment to tackle the cancer risk, organisations have removed or substituted materials containing the deadly dust. Others have introduced mechanisms to control what workers breathe in.

Company fined for exposing workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

HSE is reminding companies to monitor workers’ health after a South Wales housing association was fined for exposing workers to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard that Charter Housing Association Ltd reported six cases of HAVS following a health surveillance programme launched in June 2015.

IOSH says high-rise fire safety needs ‘right people making right decisions’ after Grenfell

Ensuring that “the right people” are in place to “make the right decisions” on fire safety in high-rise or complex buildings is vital to prevent a repeat of tragedies like the Grenfell Tower fire. The interim report by Dame Judith Hackitt into building regulations and fire safety, commissioned following Grenfell, was published on Monday 18 December.

Glossary of Health and Safety Terms (updated)

At Phoenix HSC, we aim to make health and safety as straightforward and comprehensive as possible. Our glossary of commonly-used terms has been devised for health and safety committee members and representatives, or for anyone who is responsible for health and safety in the workplace.

What is a health and safety audit, and why have one?

A health and safety audit is an expert assessment of an organisation’s health and safety policies, systems and procedures. Questions it answers include: Are they correct and delivering the expected outcomes? Are they protecting the well being of the workforce and keeping the company compliant with the relevant regulations?

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What is IOSH Training?

IOSH training is a range of health and safety courses developed and certificated by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, the world’s biggest membership organisation for health and safety professionals.

How to use a health and safety risk assessment

Every organisation with 5 or more staff is required by UK law to carry out written health and safety risk assessments covering all significant hazards. The HSE (Health and Safety Executive) defines risk assessment as “a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people.” The purpose is to “weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm.”

Handle with care. Forklift deaths land firms with £1m fines.

Two visiting delivery drivers have died in avoidable forklift truck accidents, resulting in seven figure fines for a major plastic piping company and a large kitchen manufacturer.

NEBOSH Diploma vs NVQ Level 5

"I've got a level 3 health and safety qualification, what's next?"

When you've reached level 3 and want to keep moving forward in your career, the NEBOSH diploma and NVQ5 in Occupational Health and Safety are two equally worthwhile but very different options. The question is which one's right for you right now? Use this quick Q&A guide to see the differences at a glance and make the right decision.

Legionella - Your responsibilities as an employer

If you are an employer or in control of premises, you have duties to control risks from work activities related to Legionella under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations.