News from JSS Associates Ltd
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Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (as Amended) (RIDDOR).
Many thanks to those who have sent “Get Well” messages to me during my recent hospitalisation. Things are going very well at the moment and I should be back in the office next week.— Ivan
Amendments to regulation 3(2), regulation 7 and Schedule 4 of RIDDOR will, subject to parliamentary approval, come into force on 6 April 2012.
These changes increase the period after which lost-time injuries to people at work must be reported from more than three consecutive days, to more than seven consecutive days.
The details of the over-three-day injuries listed in the new Schedule 4 to the Regulations, must still be formally recorded.
The HSE website (www.hse.gov.uk/riddor/what-must-i-report.htm)2 1 gives information about what must be reported, as well as what does not have to be reported. Most people will find this sufficient to understand what they need to do. .
The Regulations are made under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 3 (HSW Act). They apply a single set of reporting requirements to all work activities in Great Britain and in the offshore oil and gas industry. The main purpose of the Regulations is to generate reports to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and to local authorities (also referred to as ‘the enforcing authorities’ in the relevant parts of this guide). The reports alert the enforcing authorities to individual incidents. They also provide data which is used to indicate where and how risks arise and to show up trends. This enables the enforcing authorities to target their activities effectively and to advise employers on strategies to help prevent injuries, ill health and accidental loss.Mon, 20 Feb 2012 11:34 -
A Merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year
MERRY CHRISTMAS
With most people taking their holiday this month, there tends to be a shortage of labour,
Especially when it comes to health and safety.
Please find in this month’s newsletter some timely reminders
Health & Safety Check List
Keep up-to-date with the latest legislation - ensure you are aware of anything that may affect your organisation.
In the last few years there have been legislative changes that have effected noise, vibration, working at heights, explosive environments and the ' The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005'.
Review health & safety in every monthly management meeting
A monthly review of health & safety issues within your organisation demonstrates that you are being proactive. Any issues that are raised in these meetings are more likely to be actioned in preparation for the next meeting if time scales are set.
Keep pedestrians apart from vehicles and enforce a speed limit on site
By clearly marking pedestrian walkways you limit the chance of any accidents. The introduction of a speed limit will help this further. In order to do this effectively inform all staff of any speed limit changes and don't rely on staff co-operation alone - enforce the policy by introducing traffic calming initiatives such as speed bumps and warning signs.
Provide your staff that are exposed to works traffic with high-visibility vests or jackets and get them to wear them.
It may sound simple but it works! High-visibility vests are a cost effective way of ensuring that your staff are seen and safe on site.
Provide all visitors and drivers with details on fire and site security when they arrive - and get them to sign something to say that they understand them.
The introduction of a sign-in system is a great way to ensure that all visitors on site have agreed to follow the rules that you have established for your premises. A visitor badge system often incorporates these health & safety rules and also doubles as a fire register.
Don't allow delivery and storage areas to become untidy - remove used pallets, rubbish and empty bins
Ensuring that workspaces are tidy is a crucial way to reduce trip and slip accidents. Ensure that stock is stored safely and encourage a ' clean floor' policy so that any dirt or spills are cleaned up as soon as they are identified.Thu, 08 Dec 2011 11:38 -
Announcing our New FIRE MARSHALL / WARDEN Training course.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) order 2005, came into operation in 2006. It requires that employers must take account of an employee’s capabilities as regards fire safety.
This includes Fire risk assessment and emergency procedures.
The overall responsibility for compliance is on the “responsible person”, who is either the employer at the premises.
A person who has control of the premises in connection with them carrying out trade or business.
Or the owner of the premises.
That person should have a sufficient number of competent persons to implement measures for fire fighting and evacuation.
To help you we would like to introduce
Our new Fire Marshall/Warden training course.
It is supported by the F.P.A.
(FIRE PROPTECTION ASSOCIATION)
The duration of which is 1/2 day
Candidates Max 10
16 multi choice questions, and written answers.
Certificate of attendance provided by the F.P.A.
Open course or can be at your premises.Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:30 -
Work Related Road Safety
“Work related road safety” in “Driving at Work”.
The term relates to the management of the risks which employees and the self-employed face (and which they create for others) when they are on a public highway in the course of their work. In the UK context this excludes commuting, except where employees' at-work journeys start from their home to go to a work location which is not their normal place of work. It also includes a workforce who have to use or travel in a road vehicle at some point to do their job, including using their own vehicles.
In principle some form of assessment should always be carried out, but a written record is not necessary for every journey. In general employers should carry out an adequate and suitable generic assessment of risks for the various kinds of driving task that are undertaken in their organisation (e.g. delivering goods, travelling to meetings, call-outs, emergency response, vehicle recovery operations, courier delivery etc),
More info - use contact page.Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:30 -
Workstation Exercises
No matter how well the workstation is designed, problems may arise where work organisation is poor or disrupted. Working at a computer often involves few changes in body position. This lack of movement can lead to muscular aches and pains.
Below are a selection of exercises to help reduce aches and pains in the workplace.
Neck & shoulders
Drop head slowly to one side, taking ear towards shoulder unfit stretch is felt. Hold for slow count of 10. Repeat 3 - 5 times to each side.
Leg & ankle
Lift ankle clear of floor. Alternately flex and extend ankle in a pumping action. Repeat 10 times with each ankle.
Back
Interlace fingers and lift arms above head, keeping elbows straight. Pressing arms back slowly stretch to one side.
Hold for slow count of 10. Repeat 3 - 5 times to each side.
Wrist, hand & forearm Holding upper part of hand with other hand, slowly bend wrist down and then upwards until stretch is felt at each extreme. Hold each for slow count of 10. Repeat 3 - 5 times.
Reduce aches and pains
Regularly vary work tasks, looking at organisation of the working day
Break up `on-screen’ activities with micro-breaks - tasks which involve movement, stretching and changes to body position
Trying standing during some tasks and moving away from the workstation for short periods, where possibleWed, 10 Aug 2011 11:27 -
PPE Inspection
Inspecting your personal protective equipment (PPE) can seem like a waste of time, and going round telling others to inspect their PPE even more so, especially when you're talking about site hats or rubber gloves.
I am Sure, we can all see the sense in diligent inspection of abseiling equipment or breathing apparatus, but gloves? Yes; and it's a lot easier than you think. When PPE is used in the workplace, there are things you do because of a law, and things you do because you don't want to be sued. On PPE inspection the law is quite vague as most of the rules lean towards those who manufacture it in the first place. Ultimately, the only opinions that matter come from the manufacturer, who has a legal duty to provide whatever instructions on safe use, maintenance and inspection the product requires; and the user, who knows what the particular item is going to be used for.
There are two types of "inspection". Thanks to the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) and the Personal protective Equipment At Work Regulations 2002 (PPEAW), every user has a duty to use their PPE correctly. and that includes checking it before every use to make sure it's still safe and that it is the right choice for the hazard in question.
If you grab a pair of washing-up gloves, your pre-use check is not exactly difficult, and tends to be making sure they have no unwanted holes. If it's a harness, you should be spending a couple of minutes checking the webbing and buckles. In every case you should be checking the label to make sure it's still in-date and suitable for the hazard. These pre-use checks are supposed to find all the faults because the user, by definition, should know how to use them and thus be able to spot when it's broken.
What they may not be so good at is tracking the slow deterioration over time, of a product and when something should be replaced both for safety and commercial reasons. That is the role of the "formal" inspection demanded by PUWER Regulation 6 ). It may still be the user doing it, and except for specific cases, such as lifting equipment, the record is usually no more than some initials in a box or a signature on a label, but it has legal weight. The question generally asked is "Am I competent?" To be sure you are, you simply need to answer yes to all of the following questions.
* Do I understand how this item works and what I need to check?
* Have I access to all the information I need from the manufacturer and user?
* Do I have the time and facilities I need to perform the inspection properly?
* Am I free from undue pressure on my decision (from managers and others)?
* Am I accepted by my company policy or insurer to perform this inspection?
* Do I need specific training or certification from the manufacturer?Sat, 09 Jul 2011 14:36 -
GOOD - BAD - Vibrations.
Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
Hand Arm Vibration (HAV)
Hand Arm Vibration is caused by the transmission of vibration generated by tools and machinery to the hands and arms of equipment users. It can occur when operating machinery of a vibratory nature including electric, air, hydraulic, diesel and petrol-powered tools and equipment on a regular basis.
Exposure to hand-arm vibration can lead to long term health problems however, excessive and prolonged exposure can be the cause of a range debilitating conditions that are jointly termed ‘Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome’ or HAVS.
The symptoms of HAVS can include:
* ‘Pins & Needles’ sensation in the fingers;
* Numbness and loss of light touch and feeling in the fingertips;
* Reduced strength and ability to grip;
* Attacks of ‘white-finger’ or blanching, particularly when exposed to cold conditions.
The development of HAVS is gradual and increases in severity over time. It may take a few months to several years for the symptoms of HAVS to become clinically noticeable but prolonged exposure can lead to permanent damage affecting the blood flow (vascular effect) and the loss of touch sensation (neurological effect) in fingers. HAVS is a reportable disease under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995.
Compliance
We can help protect you from prosecution by the HSE, keeping your company completely compliant with UK and European Legislation.
And assist you to achieve compliance with the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 and the EU Physical Agents (Vibration) Directive 2002/44/EC.
Welfare
Working together with HAV will ensure a safer working environment for the workforce. Leading to a long term healthier approach to HAV.
Savings
We can help assist your company to:
* Reduce Insurance Premiums
* Protect from injury claims
* Waste no more time on the HAV issue
Do you have a hand-arm vibration problem at work?
* Contact us for more information
Need help with hand–arm vibration?
* Contact us for helpFri, 10 Jun 2011 15:25 -
NEW THIS MONTH
PRACTICAL RISK ASSESSMENT WORKSHOPS
WHO IS IT FOR?
These workshops will be suitable for individuals with a
responsibility for understanding and carrying out risk assessments, including line managers, supervisors employees and their representatives.
THE AIM OF THE COURSE
Is to provide delegates with practical experiences of risk
assessment and the part it plays in the successful
management of health and safety at work. The course will cover the techniques for hazard Identification and effective risk assessment and recording procedures.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the course delegates will be able
to:
Outline the legal requirements for risk assessment in the management of Health and Safety.
To explain the difference between hazards and risks.
Identify the factors involved in assessing risk
Formulate risk assessments for their workplace
Make suitable and sufficient risk assessments
Explore how to evaluate the risk level and the use
of control measures.
Recommend control measures
Recording your findings and monitoring.
COURSE CONTENT
Reasons for conducting risk assessments
Identifying health and safety hazards.
Identifying who might be at harm and how
Identifying and evaluating existing control measures
Applying the hierarchy of controls
Proposing additional control measures
Factors affecting the likelihood and severity of harm
Determine an appropriate risk rating
Recording the findings of a risk assessment
Making recommendations based on the findings
Reviewing and revising a risk assessment
DURATION
One day programme
CERTIFICATION
Type of Certificate: Competence based,
valid for 3 years
Accreditations: Not applicable
Min/Max Persons on Course: 6/12
Syllabus
Booking FormFri, 06 May 2011 16:06 -
March 2011
JSS Associates Ltd now offer ongoing support for fixed monthly payment
It is a legal requirement for every company, irrespective of size to have a Health & Safety
policy . Employers have to undertake risk assessments of their operations
It is a legal requirement to consult your staff on Health and Safety matters
You are legally required to report certain types of accidents and incidents to the enforcing authority
What ever your company size you have to carry out a written workplace fire risk assessment
It’s a lot to think about Why not let JSS Associates ltd help you?
Our health and safety service begins with Statement & Policies tailored to your business. We identify and carry out risk assessments to your needs including fire risk assessments. We are able to audit you health and safety management system and put in place actions to achieved and maintain compliance. We can provide bespoke training including induction, first aid, manual handling and the use of fire extinguishers
And our support doesn’t stop there.
For a fixed monthly payment you will receive
An annual visit in each subsequent year of your contract.
Telephone consultancy and advice
Support by email
Regular updates with H&S legislation that affects your business.
Monthly newsletter
More infoMon, 28 Mar 2011 20:33 -
February 2011 Something to brighten up the dull days of winter
Not policies and statements this month, nor risk assessments, training or advice. Just a bit of fun from JSS Associates to make health and safety more readable!
OVERHEARD
"When will your husband's leg be well so he can return to work?"
"Not for a long time."
"Why I thought it was almost well."
"It was--but then compensation set in."
THIS IS MY FIRST CRUISE
Sidling up to the ship's captain as the liner left port, Mr. Roberts asked, "Excuse me for inquiring, Captain, but as this is my first cruise, I'm wondering: Do boats this size sink often?"
The captain turned to him and replied, "No, never more than once."
TALKING ARM
A patient tells his doctor his arm talks to him.
"Don't be ridiculous," the doctor says.
"No, really it does," protests the patient. "Just listen to it."
The doctor puts his stethoscope to the man's arm and is amazed to hear the arm say, "Hey, can you lend me twenty dollars?"
The doctor says, "It's okay. It's just broke."
NOT A HUMP JOKE
Good idea for humans too: Camels will refuse to carry an unbalanced load.Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:08 -
Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year
Thank you for all your support during 2010.
To our customers, to our associates and colleagues and to all of you who have
helped us in any way to improve what we do at JSS Associates Ltd.
Our mission is to help and support you, our customers and
colleagues to have safe and healthy workplaces. If you have
any suggestions or comments on how we may improve
our service to you, we would love to here from you.
(Good or Bad)
We want to do our very best for you in 2011Mon, 20 Dec 2010 16:47 -
Oh No! Not another Survey!
If you are like me these words will send a judder down your spine, we seem to be inundated with surveys these days. My first question is, What is it all about? The second is why? The third is have I got time? etc.....
The fact is - as the old adage says,
"If you don't ask you don't get"
Similarly, JSS Associates wants to know how we can better help you, therefore we need to ask. For JSS Associates, the most direct and cost effective way, is by way of a survey or questionnaire in our newsletter.
One of the results from our CIEH level 2 Health and Safety in the Workplace training is that customers would like to spend more time on, and go into greater depth, some aspects of the course . With this in mind I am considering running such individual courses next year. So I need your help in deciding which ones would be most appropriate and beneficial to you.
Oh dear here comes the survey:
Would you be interested in any of the following?
1. Risk Assessments in a practical way
2. Control of Substances Hazardous to health
(COSHH)
3. Manual Handling
4. Fire Marshal
5. Basics in fire prevention and use of
extinguishers
6. CIEH Level 3 award Health & Safety
Would you prefer to have the course accredited by an outside body? (CIEH, Ofqual, FPA) etc.Sat, 06 Nov 2010 15:25 -
Fire Exit Doors
Being on holiday last week allowed me to accompany my daughter and her new baby to a clinic in her home town. While there, the health visitor did the right thing by telling all the mums what to do in the event of a fire and pointed to the fire exit door. She then went over to it and found it wouldn't open. After some embarrassing giggles
she said, Oh well never mind perhaps it will work next time!
Have you tested your fire exits to make sure that they will open?
By the way these doors should be unlocked all the time the building is occupied. Apart from.... Well if you want to know, contact me.Mon, 11 Oct 2010 20:43 -
FREE £35.00 voucher
Word of mouth (referrals) is the most successful way for JSS Associates to grow and to be able to support and help you solve more of your health and safety issues.
We are giving away vouchers to the value of £35.00
Which can be redeemed at Stalwart Safety Signs and Industrial Equipment Ltd to either pay for or go towards signage, PPE, clothing etc. Likewise your FREE voucher can pay towards one place at a manual handling awareness course or an emergency first aid at work certificate with N.G. Training.
In addition we have a
Special Promotion from Paul Peek Photography
with your FREE voucher you can have one sitting and a folder print worth £79.00
To qualify for your FREE voucher all we ask is that you refer JSS Associates to a business that you know, that we might help. If that referral successfully turns into one day’s work or more for JSS Associates then we will gladly send you your
FREE £35.00 Voucher.Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:43 -
MAINTENANCE
The European Healthy Workplaces Campaign on Safe Maintenance 2010-2011
During the next two months, annual shutdown maintenance will be taking place all over the country. While others enjoy the sunshine!
Much of this maintenance is likely to be carried out using ladders and stepladders, Therefore Ladder Association fully supports this latest initiative, promoting the need for timely, regular and proper maintenance in the workplace and particularly welcomes the opportunity to reinforce the need for ladders to be used safely and competently through training
“Maintenance work is often seen simply as a disruption to normal service, but it is fundamental to the integrity of every system and to the health and safety of workers and the public. Workers are often under pressure to complete jobs quickly, but there is no excuse for putting themselves and others in danger by taking shortcuts….. All organisations, irrespective of their size and purpose, need to take the opportunity to look at how they plan and manage maintenance to see if improvements could be made. With planning and the right skills, it can be done efficiently and will lead to increased production and better service delivery” (HSE chair Judith Hackitt Launching the UK leg of the campaign at a special event on 21 June, )
Hazards during maintenance
Undertaking maintenance activities can potentially expose the workers involved (and others) to all sorts of hazards, but there are four issues that merit particular attention because of the severity of the harm that could be involved, and because they are commonly encountered during plant and building maintenance.
Disturbing asbestos
Falls from height .
Isolation and permits to work
Falls of heavy items
Selection of contractorsFri, 16 Jul 2010 09:50 -
ARE YOU COMPETENT IN HEALTH & SAFETY?
Competency = Knowledge + Experience
CIEH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the
Workplace
Health and safety understanding for all employees
Overview
"The CIEH Level 2 Award in Health and Safety in the Work¬place can be tailored to business and individual needs to make the learning experience relevant and fit for purpose.
Outline programme
The qualification covers the following topics:
• Legislation
• Health
• Safety
• Welfare
• The workplace and workplace equipment
• Risk assessment
• Manual handling
• Hazardous substances
• Ergonomics and workstation design
• Transport and vehicles
• Noise and vibration
Qualification information
Designed for: All employees
Course duration: 6 hours
Assessment method: Multiple choice examination
QCA Accredited: Yes
Level: New Level 2
Suggested progression on completion:
CIEH Level 3 Award in Health and Safety in the WorkplaceSat, 19 Jun 2010 14:12 -
Don't Risk Not Knowing
Don’t RISK not knowing!
CIEH Health and Safety in the Workplace Level 2 training Course
£90.00 + VAT per person
This course is aimed at all employees and is designed to improve the safety culture within your organisation.
It focuses on how individual actions contribute to health and safety in the workplace.
It provides the foundations of health and safety that everyone at work should possess. This one day course
provides a level of understanding of health and safety to enable employees to participate safely in their day to day
activities.
Our next training course for CIEH “Health and Safety in the workplace level 2” will be on Tuesday 13th April (9 am – 5.30pm )
There are only 6 vacancies left. If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity please
reply to this email and we will send you a syllabus and details by return.
The price includes course registration and examination fees, a copy of Health and Safety First Principles workbook, and course notes.Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:53 -
The paperwork mountain
Recently JSS Associates Ltd have been busy helping businesses through the minefield of paperwork that is generally presented to them when tendering for new business. Large companies, local authorities and trade associations seem to demand pages of information when it comes to solving their health and safety application, in spite of the HSE declaring that mountains of paperwork is un necessary in low risk businesses. Some auditors seem to have their own view as to what is suitable and sufficient for the size of the business involved, often sending the “paperwork” back several times. In some cases it is confusing as to what exactly is required, in most cases it is far too time consuming for the business owner to deal with this problem. We have been helping electricians, builders, and painters. Also businesses involved in engineering, travel and fencing.
For if you are, or know of, a small business (less than 30 employees) who is having the same difficulty let us solve it. Please reply to this newsletter, pass it on or direct them to our website. We can help.
Testimonies are available.Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:19 -
Merry Christmass from JSS Associates
We would like to wish all our present and prospective customers a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2010.
This note is a gentle reminder for you to check that having used JSS Associates to help you with your health and safety, your file hasn’t just sat on the shelf gathering dust. I would ask you to use the tick sheet below to indicate those actions that could have been identified for you to carry out, - have been completed.
Date ..................................
Sign and date your health and safety policy
Complete any outstanding risk assessments
Share your H&S policy / statement information with your employees
Carry out induction training
Update health & safety notice board
Issue Pocket Safety Statement / Risk assessment to employees
Complete outstanding H&S Audit actions
Complete outstanding Fire risk assessment actions
Is your health and safety training up todate?
Book now for spaces in January / FebruaryFri, 18 Dec 2009 12:39 -
October 2009 Changes in First Aid
As of October 1st 2009 changes take place in the training requirements for First Aid. After carrying out a risk assessment to determine your first aid needs - i.e. Nature of the work, environment,, accident history, size of the organisation etc. there are two routes to follow.
(1) your risk assessment reveals you have a LOW RISK work place then you should look to having Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) certification.
(2) your risk assessment reveals you have a HIGH RISK work place then you should be looking towards First Aid at Work (FAW) certification. More information can be found on the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk.
First Aid training informaton can be found on www.n-g-training.co.uk.
We have completed another successful - CIEH Health and Safety in the workplace level 2 -course on the 6th October in Gt Yarmouth. We also offer courses in Lowestoft and Beccles.
In addition, we can run the course at your premises or at a venue to suit your needs, please contact us for details.
If you would like to receive our FREE monthly newsletter you can subscribe by using the email address on this site giving us your details, type of business and email address.Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:57 -
September 2009
The launch of our CIEH Health and Safety in the Workplace Level 2 training course took place in Gt Yarmouth on the 3rd of September and was a great success. Just take a look at what some of the candidates said: " I really enjoyed the course yesterday it very informative and well worth attending for both myself and James" "Excellent and very worthwhile". Our next CIEH Health and Safety in the workplace Level 2 training course is on Tuesday 6th October in Gt Yarmouth. There are still some places left, so if you or your colleagues need update your Health and Safety knowledge, contact us for details and we will send you a booking form and syllabus by return.
Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:39 -
August 2009 Our Website Works!
I would like to thank Gill and Mike at S3 Web Design for our new website here at JSS Associates Ltd.
We love the fresh look and the fact that it is expandable as our requirements grow.
We are able to update our news page as and when we like, to keep customers and potential customers in Norfolk, Suffolk and the Beccles area, updated to what is happening
within JSS Associates and what Health and Safety services we are able to offer as our business grows.
Within one month of being on line we were on page two of Google when searching “Health and Safety Suffolk” .
In the last two weeks we have had two enquiries which have resulted in our FREE 2 hr consultation.
At last we have a website that is working for us.Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:10 -
July 2009 CIEH Registration
We are proud to announce that JSS Associates Ltd have received notification that they are now a CIEH registered traing centre to run their "health and safety in the workplace Level 2" training course.
Ivan Jacob has completed a course of training to be registered trainer for the above course.Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:17