Health and Safety International | Issue 22
Confined Spaces
A number of people are killed or seriously injured in confined spaces each year. This happens in a wide range of industries, from those involving complex plant to simple storage vessels. Those killed include not only people working in the confined space but those who try to rescue them without proper training and equipment.
Fall Arrest Equipment
The science behind the myth Of all the sectors of the safety market Fall Arrest is one of the most complex, with every different scenario requiring a different solution and a different level of understanding. It is also one of the least understood and most often poorly addressed areas of personnel safety, whilst remaining one of the few sectors where the result of a wrong product decision or poor working method will almost certainly result in the death of a worker should a fall occur.
Far REACHing Objectives
The New European Chemicals Regulation How do you objectively assess the risk of a chemical? Ever tried to compare safety data sheets on the same substance from different suppliers? What are the risk management measures you need when using a chemical in your factory? What should you do to minimise the environmental impact of a chemical when it leaves your site? Who really decides what constitutes an acceptable risk of using a chemical? Are chemical users across Europe playing on a level playing field and just where did those lists of banned chemicals come from?
Monitoring You Can Trust
Developments in gas detection Gas monitoring instruments used by occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) professionals have come a long way in improvements since the days of analog monitors designed to warn coal miners of the presence of methane gas. They are advanced to the point where the instruments are chock-full of exceptional features and functionality, much of which comes standard with the product. New or improved technologies have helped to raise the bar, as well as market expectations, resulting in better products and more choices.
Noise at Work
The levels for action The law has changed from the previous 1989 regulations to ensure all workers are protected against hearing damage, which is not the case with the current action levels. Approximately 14% of the working population are susceptible to hearing damage under the action levels of the 1989 regulations. Therefore the action levels are reduced by 5dB and further peak action levels introduced. The new Lower Exposure Action Value (LEAV) is 80dB for a daily dose (LAEP,d) and 135dB (LCpeak) for impulsive noises, such as pressing operations. The Upper Exposure Action Value (UEAV) is reduced to 85dB for a daily dose (LAEP,d) and 137dB for impulsive noises (LCpeak). The reduction of 5dB does not seem significant, however it will mean that an additional 1.1 million people in the UK exposed to between 80 and 85dB need to be considered.
Protective Gloves [2007]
Appropriately selected gloves can provide users with invaluable protection against hazards that might otherwise cause injury. In order to achieve the best possible protection, however, it’s important to understand how gloves for protective applications are categorised and certified.
Slips and Trips
Workers views on this important issue This report presents baseline findings from a survey on IOSH members’ views on the issue of slips and trips. The findings build a picture of how the issue is currently perceived, what’s being done about it and what additional support IOSH members feel they’d like. Annual surveys in 2007 and 2008 will provide both IOSH and HSE with further valuable information on how the situation is changing.
