Health & Safety

19 articles

• Asbestos Awareness for Tradespeople: Identification, Risks, and What to Do
  Asbestos awareness: identification by building age, what to do if found/disturbed, CAR 2012 duties, survey requirements
• Confined Space Working: Risk Assessment, Permits & Rescue Plans
  Confined space working: specified risks, atmospheric testing, permit to work, rescue plans, Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
• Construction Site Fire Safety: Extinguisher Types, Hot Works Permits, Site Fire Plan and Part 3 of BS 5839-1
  RRFSO 2005 duties, CO2 for live electrics and hot works, hot works permit 60-min post-work check, site fire plan at site entrance, BS 5839-1 Part 3 detection coverage
• COSHH Assessment: Identifying Hazardous Substances & Writing Risk Assessments for Trade Use
  COSHH assessment: hazardous substance identification, WELs from EH40 (silica 0.1 mg/m³, hardwood dust 1 mg/m³), hierarchy of control (eliminate→engineering→PPE), silica requires FFP3 + on-tool extraction, health surveillance triggers
• Dust Control on Site: RPE, LEV, Wet Cutting & COSHH Requirements
  Construction dust: silica WEL 0.1 mg/m³, wood dust WEL 1 mg/m³, RPE selection (FFP3 for silica), LEV on angle grinders
• Electrical Safety on Site: PAT Testing, 110V Supplies & Isolation Procedures
  Electrical safety on site: 110V CTE supplies, PAT testing intervals (3 months for site tools), safe isolation procedure with GS38 compliant test equipment per EAW Regulations 1989
• Excavation Safety: Trench Support, Buried Services and CDM Notification Thresholds
  Excavation safety: 1.2m depth threshold for support, 45° maximum battered sides, CAT/Genny cable detection, 500mm hand-dig rule within located services, CDM 2015 F10 at 30 days/>20 workers or 500 person-days
• Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS): Exposure Limits, Tool Points and Surveillance
  HAVS: EAV 2.5 m/s² A(8) (100 points), ELV 5.0 m/s² A(8) (400 points), HSE points system per tool, Stockholm Workshop Scale vascular/neurological staging, Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
• Hot Works Permits: Fire Watcher Requirements, Proximity Rules and Insurance Obligations
  Hot works permits: written permit before starting, dedicated fire watcher (not the operative), 60-minute minimum post-completion fire watch (120 minutes for lead/torch-applied felt), CFPA Europe No. 12:2022
• Manual Handling: Risk Assessment, Safe Lifting & Heavy Material Strategies
  Manual handling: 25kg guideline limit, risk assessment (TILE), mechanical aids, MHOR 1992 employer duties
• Noise at Work Regulations: Action Levels, Hearing Protection & Tool Selection
  Noise regulations: 80 dB(A) LEAV, 85 dB(A) UEAV, tool noise levels, SNR selection, Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
• PPE Guide for Tradespeople: What's Required for Each Job Type
  PPE for tradespeople: required equipment by job type, CE/UKCA marking, FFP3 for silica, EN 397 hard hats, PPE at Work Regulations 2022 extended to workers
• Scaffold Inspection: Weekly Checks, TG20 Compliance & Handover Certificates
  Scaffold inspection: WAHR 2005 Reg 12 (inspect before use and every 7 days), TG20:13 standard configurations, ScaffTag system, handover certificate from contractor, bespoke design triggers, guard rail heights (950–1150mm top, 470–575mm mid)
• Skin Protection for Tradespeople: Cement Dermatitis, Barrier Creams and COSHH Compliance
  Skin protection: Cr(VI) ≤2mg/kg cement limit (EN 196-10:2005), nitrile gloves for wet work, barrier cream pre-exposure, RIDDOR-reportable OCD threshold, COSHH 2002 skin risk assessment
• Small Site Setup: Welfare Facilities, First Aid & Method Statements
  Small site setup: CDM 2015 welfare requirements, first aid provision, method statements, Construction Phase Plan
• Toolbox Talks: Legal Basis Under CDM 2015, How to Run an Effective Talk, Common Trade Topics and Recording Attendance
  CDM 2015 Regulation 15 basis, 5–10 minute talk format, attendance register for RIDDOR defence, common topics (manual handling, COSHH, working at height, PPE), toolbox talk template
• What Are the Health and Safety Requirements for Lone Working in Construction?
  MHSAWR 1999 risk assessment, lone worker monitoring systems, confined spaces prohibition for lone workers, buddy system, HSG73 HSE guidance
• What Are the Rules for Working in Hot Conditions on Construction Sites?
  No statutory UK maximum temperature, WBGT measurement, hydration requirements (250ml/20 min in heat), acclimatisation (7–14 days), UV/skin cancer risk management
• Working at Height Regulations: Ladders, Scaffolding & Edge Protection
  Work at height: hierarchy (avoid, prevent fall, minimise), ladder inspection, tower scaffold requirements, WAH Regulations 2005