£5,000 FINE FOR

FIRE INSPECTION OBSTRUCTION

The occupiers of an office in London have been ordered to pay £5,026 in fines and costs following uniformed Fire Safety Inspectors being refused access to their offices.

The officers who were investigating a reported obstructed fire exit, visited the premises several times over a two day period and on each occasion were refused entry even when they were accompanied by uniformed Police officers. They were finally allowed to inspect the premises and the problem relating to the blocked communal secondary means of escape was resolved.

The court hearing in March heard in mitigation that the company had pleaded guilty to the two offences.  At the time of the offences there had been an on-going dispute with the building's landlords over the security of the premises if the fire exit was left open.

NEW & EXPECTANT MOTHERS

With Spring in the air, employers should not overlook HSE guidance in respect of New and Expectant Mothers.

Don’t forget your responsibilities and safety checks that should be regularly undertaken.  The following is an example of some of the considerations to be actioned:

  • Check Comfort and suitability of seating

  • Eliminate slip & trip hazards

  • Check for under-desk obstructions

  • Avoid manual handling

  • Awareness of swollen feet, ankles and other limbs

  • Eliminate excessive stretching and twisting

 

For further information on Guidance for New & Expectant Mothers, email us at office@health-safety.net

 

TEMPERATURE AT WORK

The recent, albeit brief heat-wave brought with it the usual number of enquiries regarding a legal maximum temperature at work.

The appropriate legislation is Regulation 7 of the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the associated Approved Code of Practice (ACOP).

With regards to minimum temperature, the Approved Code of Practice states that office environments should be at least 16ºC.  A maximum temperature is however not specified in the Regulations, although for most kinds of work the acceptable zone lies between 16ºC and 24ºC.

The Approved Code Of Practice states that Employers must take all reasonable steps to achieve a comfortable temperature including insulating hot pipes and equipment, providing air cooling plants, shading windows, siting work stations away from hot areas and using fans and increased ventilation in hot weather.

Other factors such as draughts and humidity must also be considered when aiming for a comfortable temperature and the Approved Code Of Practice is quite clear that workers should not be exposed to draughts.

Regulation 7 also states that a sufficient number of thermometers must also be provided to enable workers to check temperatures in indoor workplaces.

YOUNG PERSONS AT WORK

As the Summer  period approaches and Employers start to recruit University students for work experience and short term projects, Employers should expect to receive requests from Universities and

Parents for Health & Safety documentation.

A responsible Employer should always provide a copy of the Organisations Health & Safety Policy Statement, together with Risk Assessments, in accordance with HSE guidance on Young Persons at Work. (Don’t forget a young person is classified as being under eighteen years of age)

For further information on Guidance for Young Persons at Work, contact us at office@health-safety.net

 

FREE HEALTH & SAFETY CHECK-UP

As a special offer, Winter & Company are offering a FREE Health & Safety Check-up for office environments located within the M25 (in & around London, UK).

To arrange an appointment or to find out more, simply fill out the form on the Winter & Company web site (www.health-safety.net) or call us on 020-7224 9990.

  If you are an existing client of Winter & Company, and you know someone who could benefit from a FREE Health & Safety Check-up, just fill in the form on the “recommend a friend” page on the Winter & Company web site (www.health-safety.net), and we will send them some information.

If they decide to use our services, we will as a thank you, send you £40 worth of Marks & Spencer vouchers, as soon as payment is received  from them!

For information on health & safety matters in your office, including “questions & answers”, see our web site at www.health-safety.net.