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Safe working practices are systems of work that are carried out in a safe manner for any given task. Although most businesses use safe systems as a matter of course, it is best to record these and make sure they are communicated to your employees by giving them a copy of th recording during their training.Got a question email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
The best person to put together a safe working practice for a task is someone who has experience and competence in carrying out the task in question. This could well be yourself, as one of the reasons you are in business is because you are likely to be an expert in your area of work. Undoubtedly, you will also employ skilled personnel to carry out the tasks, who have certain levels of experience or competence.
The health and safety executive have issued a number of codes of practice which can be used to aid in putting together safe working practices. These are known as Approved Codes of Practice (ACOP). They provide guidelines which should be followed to aid safe working practices.
Listed below are some safe working practices that can help improve your workplace health and safety.need advice email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk |
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Safe working practices: |
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Permits to work |
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These are to ensure that safe systems are in place and that work can be carried out in a safe manner. They should be used whenever a potentially hazardous process is to take place, e.g. when an electricity supply has to be turned off or there is a need to remove guards from machinery for maintenance.
Permits to work are written instructions detailing the correct procedure to follow for a specific task. They help to ensure the safety of those carrying out the task, as verbal instructions can be misunderstood, forgotten or not passed on.
The aim of permits to work are to make everyone aware of the procedurs to follow for carrying out certain tasks. They can take and form but essentially they are a written document detailing the following:more info email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
Place of activity.
Pieceof equipment.
Date and timescale for the activity.
Details of the authorising person.
Any safety precautions, e.g. emergency stops activated.
That no additional work may be carried out, only what is stated on the permit to work.
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Falls from height |
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A common perception of falls from height is that it is only applicable to those working at roof height or on scaffolding. This is not completely accurate. A fall from height can occur from as little as a foot high and a person can be injured from any fall from height. True, a fall from a greater height is likely to cause more severe injuries, but consideration to reduce the risk of any fall from height must be given.More info email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
The first thing to consider is can the hazard be removed or is it possible to use mechanical aids to carry out activities that would otherwise require persons working at height? If not, can equipment be provided to protect that person, e.g. fall arrest harnesses, hard hats or platforms.
For work of this type, it is advisible that in addition to your risk asessments, you also implement method statements detailing the procedures to be followed to ensure that the tasks are carried out in a safe manner.email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk for more info
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PAT |
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PAT stands for 'Portable Appliance Test'. It applies to all portable electrical appliances. These must be tested before being put into use and should be re-tested regularly. For more info email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
You can arrange to have someone come to your site and test all your portable appliances. Alternatively, if you have a competent person, perhaps someone with an electrical background, you can carry out the test yourself.
All equipment that fails PAT testing should be taken out of service and repaired or replaced. All tested equipment should be labelled with the date of the latest test. Finally, you shouldhave a register ofallportable appliances.
What are portable appliances?
Any electrical equipment that can be unplugged and moved, e.g. kettles, microwaves, fax machines, computers, photocopiers, free standing heaters and mobile phone chargers.For more info email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
Risk assessments should be carried out for portable appliances as part of larger risk assessments such as your 'Fire risk assessment' or individually depending on their useage.
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Personal Protective Equipment |
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For employers...
The Personal Protective Equipment at work regulations1992 states that:
Every employer shall ensure that suitable 'Personal Protective Equipment' (PPE) is provided to their employees who may be exposed to a risk to their health and safety while at work, except where and to the extent that such risk has been adequately controlled by other means which are equally or more effective.For more info email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
Some items of personal protective equipment you might provide are listed below:
Hi-visibility vests, jackets and trousers.
Goggles.
Gloves.
Footwear.
Face masks.
Safety cages and guards.
Make sure you carry out your risk assessments, as this will help identify what PPE you need to provide to your employees.
For employees...
The Health & Safety at work act 1974 (section 8), states that:
“No person shall intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the interests of health, safety or welfare in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions”
Ten golden rules to communicate to employees
want some advice email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
1. Work tidy.
2. Training must be followed.
3. Be familiar with your workplace.
4. Read the labels.
5. Regular maintenance and servicing checklist must be filled in, e.g. ladder checklist.
6. Follow health and safety signs.
7. Report ALL accidents.
8. Report incidents and breakdowns.
9. Work within the safety guidelines.
10. Don’t fool around and always use your common sense.
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Office safety |
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Look out for:
Trailing wires.
Obstructed fire extinguishers.
Overloaded sockets.
Glare from visual display units.
Top heavy shelving.
Overcrowding.
Inadequate ventilation.
Swinging doors with no viewing panels.
Inadequate facilities for the disabled.
Trip hazards.
Badly wired plugs.
Inadequate lighting.
Filing cabinets left open.
Smoking near flammable materials.
No first aid box.
No safety documentation or information.
Incorrect ambient temperature.
Inadequate ventilation where appropriate, e.g. near a photocopier.
Got a question email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
Use our office checklist as the first stage of your office risk assessment.
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Slips, trips and falls |
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A common cause of injury in the workplace are slips, trips and falls.
So, what can you do to remove the risk of this type of accident occurring in your workplace? There are many common causes of slips, trips and falls, these are:
Trailing cables.
Worn rugs or carpets.
Uneven surfaces.
Slippery surfaces, caused by wet or dry substances.
Poor lighting.
Unsuitable footwear.
Pallets.
Poor housekeeping, e.g. rubbish or tools left lying around.
For most of the above, as an employer, you can take corrective action to remove these hazards, such as replacing worn carpets or improving lighting. However, for some of the corrective action, you need the cooperation of your employees. Got a question email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
It makes sense to adopt a clean as you go policy.
Both you and your employees should follow good 'house keeping' practices. Encourage your employees to keep their work space tidy.
Working tidy has many benefits, it helps to:
Improve efficiency.
Reduce stress and frustration.
Reduce the likelihood of accidents.
Carrying out risk assessments of all your workplace activities and areas of work will help identify any hazards that could cause slips, trips or falls.
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Forklift truck safe working practices |
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Operators...
No-one should be allowed to drive a forklift truck unless trained and authorised to do so or is undergoing formal training under supervision.For more info email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
Pre-use checklist...
A pre-use checklist must be completed prior to use at the start of each day. If defects are identified, the truck should be taken out of use until repaired.
Forklift operations...
Checks should be carried out to ensure that the forklift load capacity is appropriate for the work to be done. Stability should be checked before travelling and always ensure that the load cannot tip sideways. Loads should normally be carried close to the ground. The driver must carry out a visual assessment before reversing.
Stacking materials...
There should always be adequate space between walls and a stack. The height of a stack of materials should not exceed three times the narrowest base width of the forklift. Finally, Where possible materials should be interlocked to prevent movement.
Forklift truck attachments...
Any attachments used must be the correct attachment for the job, be in safe working order and a visual check must be carried out prior to use.
PPE...
The correct personal equipment must be used, e.g. safety boots, high visibility jackets.
Speed limit...
Site and highway speed limits must be adhered to at all times.
Pedestrians...
Pedestrians have right of way at all times and care must be given by the operator to look out and give way to them.
Use on public roads...
Forklift trucks must not be used on public roads unless they are compliant with the legal requirements.Got a question email margaret@healthandsafetywise.co.uk
Keep your workplace safe, get a forklift truck risk assessment today.
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