Newsletter | June 2016

Carney Consultancy Limited Newsletter from June 2016

Safety information sheets are available for this document - Please see the Safety Information Sheet page

Unable to see the pictures? Try clicking the download / see images button above Carney Consultancy Limited Newsletter | June 2016   Dave Carney Elected Chair Of Working Well Together North East For those unaware Working Well Together (WWT) is a construction industry initiative put in place to improve health and safety in the construction industry, particularly in the small and micro businesses. Started in 1998, WWT has gone on to become the most successful, health and safety initiative within the construction industry. Last month our own Dave Carney was elected Chair of the local Working Well Together group. As part of this role, he will sit on the national steering group led by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) which we hope will help us in communicating HSE strategy with our Customers.   The next event being run by the North East group is a Groundworks Safety & Health Awareness Day (SHAD) being held in Durham on Wednesday 22 nd June 2016. You may have received a flyer direct from the HSE, but if not and you want to attend please get in touch with Callum Hinshaw of WWTNE on 0191 2745567.     Carney Consultancy Website News The members section of our website is now live; please look out for your invitation to join. This allows our clients to Log In to a members’ area. Our clients may now access their own Health and Safety Policy & standard forms. Also they will be able to access safety memos, our newsletters, safety information sheets and all tool box talks.Each company also has access to their individual page containing their personalised documents.   This area of the website is new and a work in progress, we would be very grateful of any feedback that you have regarding accessing and using the members section. If you have any comments or queries please don’t hesitate to contact us.     Asbestos Management Mistakes Due to people making mistakes in asbestos management we have produced a health and safety information sheet regarding common asbestos management mistakes. This covers the common mistakes made by Clients, Principal Contractors, Designers, Managers and Operatives.   The information sheet covers the following sections: The responsibilities of the Client/Principal Contractor of ensuring that the licenced asbestos contractors that they employ are competent and capable of completing the work safely. Management of the asbestos register, what it should contain, the type of surveys that should be completed and who it should be available to. Management and supervisory requirements regarding asbestos training for those who are supervising workers who may come into contact with asbestos Operative training and vetting of qualifications presented by operatives on site. How to manage the asbestos register and the requirements of what it should contain and who it must be available to. The ongoing monitoring and updating of the asbestos register and the importance of waste transfer notes. The responsibilities of all duty holders (building owners, management companies, leases’) with regards to the management of asbestos. Responsibilities of ensuring that training is provided to all workers who may come into contact with asbestos. The importance of ensuring that surveys are up to date before starting works. Updating of the asbestos management plan and the responsibilities of the person updating it. The responsibilities of anyone dealing with asbestos containing materials and the training requirements that they need. For the safety information bulletin on asbestos management mistakes click here.     Respiratory Protection For Those With Facial Hair Operatives who don’t wish to shave but are required to wear a dust mask.   One of the main issues encountered when face fit testing is that people don’t want to have to be clean shaven. If you have any facial hair growth in the area where the facepiece seal meets your face you can’t achieve a reliable face seal and it won’t protect you.   As this is becoming more of an issue we have completed some research into what is the most practical and cost-effective way forward with a particulate mask for those who chose not to shave.   The options are the operatives either shave around the seal region (so goatees and moustaches are not forbidden), avoid the dust (not practical), or wear a loose-fitting mask.   In the construction industry you also need a safety helmet as well as the loose fitting mask. Therefore, the operative will require a helmet that has the 'hood' fitted and is air-fed powered by a small battery pack worn on the operative’s belt. Some loose fitting hood options wouldn't be guaranteed to work as they won’t allow you to wear a safety helmet as well. The details of the loose fitting mask are contained in our safety information sheet available on our website.   For the safety information bulletin on respiratory protection for those with facial hair click here.     Grow Your Business With NBSL Who are they?   They have been supporting enterprise since 2007 and in that time they have helped over 1,700 people to start their own business in Northumberland. They’ve also helped existing businesses across the North East to create over 1,000 jobs with their funding and support programmes.   How can they help?   Get up to £2800 of funding towards business improvement projects. Carney Consultancy has accessed funding for 45 of our clients. The funding received by each client has been between £500 and £2800. Their funding support programmes can cover up to 35% of the cost of work by external suppliers that could transform your business.   Contact [email protected] for further information.     Man Crushed By Falling Steel An investigation has begun after a man was killed when five tonnes of steel fell from a crane and crushed him.   The steel wire mesh was being lifted from the lorry by a crane when the chain snapped and it fell from a height of seven foot. A statement from Surrey Fire and Rescue who attended the scene was as follows. “Emergency services were called to the house. However, the man, a construction worker, was declared dead at the scene. His body was recovered from under the steel. The Health and Safety Executive is jointly investigating the death with Surrey Police”   This incident occurred on a domestic house construction. This story reiterates the need to follow all procedures on all projects from large construction projects to small house extensions.   It also reiterates the importance of segregating lifting operation to ensure that operatives are not standing underneath loads that are being lifted by cranes and other lifting equipment.    Building Blocks Fall Through Site Hoarding A house builder was fined by the HSE after building blocks collapsed through the site hoarding across the pavement and a cycle lane in Altrincham in June 2014. Upon the HSE’s visit it was noted that there was other poorly stored blocks on site that were also at risk of falling through the hoardings a second time. The company was told by the HSE to remove the blocks as soon as possible to reduce the risk. The company was served with two Prohibition Notices and a Notification on Contravention.   Upon visiting the site a second time two weeks later it was found that they had failed to remove the unsafe blocks which had been identified when investigating the original incident. The house builder was charged with failing to protect the safety of their employees, subcontractors and members of the public. They were fined £40,000 with £3,000 costs.   The HSE stated that it was it was nothing other than good fortune that no pedestrians were passing along the pavement when the blocks fell, given the size and weight of the blocks there was a high potential to cause serious injury or even death. Join us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter       Send us an Email   Upcoming Training Courses   Asbestos Awareness Refresher 17th June 15th July   Asbestos Awareness 14th June 15th July 26th July   Manual Handling 10th June 17th June 15th July 26th July   Abrasive Wheels 8th July   Safe Working at Height 8th July   CITB Site Managers Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) September 14th, 21st, 22nd, October 5th & 12th   CITB Site Managers Safety Training Refresher (SMSTS Ref) 27th & 28th June   CITB Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) 4th & 5th July 21st & 22nd July   CITB Site Supervisor Safety Training Refresher (SSSTS Ref) 28th July 25th August   Heath & Safety Awareness 18th July 25th August   Directors Role for Health & Safety 27th September   Site Enviromnmental Awareness Training 22nd September