Web Leaflets

H & S Guidance - Pressure Systems and Gas Cylinders INTRODUCTION If pressure systems fail, they can seriously injure or kill people.  Every year there are about 150 dangerous occurrences (reported to the Health and Safety Executive), involving unintentional releases of gas or fluid from pressure systems. Around six of these result [...]

H & S Guidance - Play Areas INTRODUCTION Play areas are becoming increasingly common, both indoors and outdoors, at public houses, hotels and other, specialised sites. Unfortunately, accidents to children have also risen. Contributory factors in many cases of injury have included: Management Incorrect design and layout Unsuitable equipment Poorly designed equipment Incorrect [...]

H & S Guidance - Petrol and Petrol Filling Stations INTRODUCTION Petrol is a highly flammable liquid and gives off flammable vapour even at very low temperatures.  When this vapour is mixed with air in proportions between 1% and 8% a risk of fire or explosion exists.  Petrol vapour is heavier than air [...]

H & S Guidance - Pesticides INTRODUCTION Unlike industrial chemicals, pesticides are developed primarily for their ability to act on living tissues. Although sophisticated development may enable pesticides to target their effects on a limited range of plants or animals, there has been increasing concern about the hazards which pesticides present to humans [...]

H & S Guidance - Offices INTRODUCTION Although the office may not be a particularly hazardous place in which to work it would be a mistake to think that accidents never occur. Office workers have been trapped in fires, have fallen from stepladders, have been electrocuted and suffered ill health from sick building [...]

H & S Guidance - Occupational Health INTRODUCTION Every year more than two million people suffer ill-health caused or made worse by work, with the loss of 13 million working days. Work-related illness can occur in any business and costs British industry several hundred million pounds every year. Preventing ill health caused by [...]

H & S Guidance - Noise Introduction Exposure to high noise levels can cause incurable hearing damage.  Usually the important factors are:- (i)The noise level (given in decibels, as dB(A)) (ii)The extent of exposure. The damage involves loss of hearing ability, sometimes made worse by permanent “ringing in the ears” (tinnitus). LEGAL REQUIREMENTS [...]

H & S Guidance - Motor Vehicle Repair INTRODUCTION Every year there are over 2000 accidents in garages and vehicle repair workshops reported to enforcing authorities. Many more may go unreported. Accidents may range from a high number of slips, trips and falls (some of which may result in serious injury) to accidents [...]

H & S Guidance - Mineral Wools (Insulation Wools) INTRODUCTION Mineral wools are part of a group of products called machine-made mineral fibres (MMMF) which also includes ceramic fibres, special purpose fibres and continuous filament fibres.  In the local authority enforced sector, mineral wools are the most likely to be of interest. Mineral [...]

H & S Guidance - Maternity INTRODUCTION The health and safety implications of new or expectant mothers can be adequately addressed by normal health and safety management procedures.  By assessing risks to all employees (including new and expectant mothers) and doing what is reasonably practicable to control those risks you will comply with [...]