Risk assessment and safety for businesses that care
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) have just issued 29 enforcement notices to care homes in London. Whilst vulnerable people in residential properties need to be protected in the case of fire, there are some things that, as professional fire risk assessors, we see a little differently. The three core breaches of fire safety were cited [...]
What is corporate manslaughter and corporate homicide act 2007 ? • Voluntary manslaughter – where harm is intended and death occurs as a result of action taken. • Involuntary manslaughter – where there is no intention to cause harm, but death is caused through gross negligence or recklessness. • Corporate manslaughter – where there is [...]
In my day the Fire Brigade were there to support, educate and befriend businesses and homes and help them to get fire safety right so that lives were protected. These days they seem to have a new piece of equipment – a metaphorical sledgehammer for cracking ‘nuts’. I keep coming across situations where the fire [...]
This may seem obvious – but so many people fall off ladders because they haven’t thought about the proper way to climb and work from their ladder. 1. Keep your body facing the ladder at all times, centred between the stiles (the uprights). 2. Don’t reach too far forwards or sideways and don’t stand with [...]
If you use ladders at work, it’s just common sense to ensure that you are using a safe ladder and it will do what you need it to do! Checking your ladder 1. Allow one metre of ladder length above the highest rung you use. Never stand on the top three rungs. 2. New ladders [...]
There are many reasons for having a good safety management system in place: 1. To protect your staff from harm. 2. To protect your organisation from unnecessary insurance claims (and increased premiums). 3. To reduce costs and improve processes, performance and profitability. 4. To remain compliant with current legislation and avoid enforcement, works and prohibition [...]
The register of consultants (not those employed as safety advisors within companies) who qualify to deliver advice on health and safety has now been established. This was a point raised in Lord Young’s report (common Sense Common Safety www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk) which has been accepted by the government in full. To be listed on the Occupational Safety [...]
There’s a lot of talk about Continuous Professional Development (CPD), especially by the various professional institutes and associations who encourage (sometimes demand) their members to keep up-to-date. Professional journals are a great source of what’s going on and these are just a few of those in the safety arena that offer a range of information. [...]
Intuition is far from a joke, we all have it – not just women, according to popular myth! The problem is many of us ignore it and, when it comes to dangerous situations, that can put us at risk. Intuition is your natural ability to protect yourself and those close to you. You have those [...]
