At ESS, we specialise in providing the best training and advice to keep your workplace up-to-speed with the latest developments in the world of health and safety. Over the past few months, we have been sharing a collection of health and safety tips to help protect staff and customers. 

In this blog, we have pulled together 25 of these simple tips for your convenience. Here, you find useful information and resources to help you improve the health and safety of your company.

1 - COSHH

Are you working with COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and not sure how to control exposure? 

Use this free HSE tool to help manage your hazards.

2 – Silica dust

Silica dust is a killer. Ensure your workers are using a minimum P3 filter (APF20). You only have one set of lungs and health is the number one HSE priority.

3 – Health and safety at work

Interested in key health and safety problems and statistics for the UK? Check out the ‘Health and Safety at Work’ summary of statistics for 2019. 

4 - HAVs

Hand and Arm Vibration (HAVS) must be monitored on all sites. Use the free HSE Vibration Exposure Calculator to ensure you’re compliant. 

5 – Cable detection

One of the most effective ways to avoid underground cable strikes is to influence on-site behaviours. 

Did you know you can analyse usage data on most C.A.Ts? Why not view data before issuing a permit and show poor practice to employees?

6 – Prioritising risk

If your risk assessment identifies a number of hazards, you should put them in order of importance and address the most serious risks first.

7 - RPE

Having difficulty selecting the correct RPE for your employees? Healthy Working Lives provides a great selector tool. 

8 – Fit testing

When arranging fit testing for your employees RPE, always use an accredited fit2fit assessor. This is the gold standard and recommended by the HSE.

9 – Back pain

The root cause of most back pain is early degeneration caused by overuse, excessive force and bad posture. 

Avoid material handling where possible, or as a minimum look to use a variety of mechanical aids.

10 – Noise exposure

The Noise Exposure Calculator can help you work out your daily and weekly noise exposure, as well as provide an accurate estimate of the performance of hearing protection on site. 

11 – Tower rescue

The Technical Information Note (TIN) 013 provides contractors with great advice when planning for the rescue of personnel from height on tower cranes.

12 – Height safety equipment

Height safety equipment usually has an expiration date. Not Tractel manufactured gear.

A formal inspection in accordance with statutory guidance by a competent trained person can determine its life expiry depending on its condition.

13 – Breathe Freely

Would you like to demonstrate your commitment to health and receive free support and advice to protect workers? 

Sign up to Breathe Freely and become a flag bearer.

14 – Face Fit Testing

If you’re an employer and looking for guidance on Face Fit Testing then the INDG 479 is the document for you. 

Remember, face fit testing should only be carried out by competent professionals.

15 – Eye Protection

Employers must provide any users of DSE equipment free eye tests as required by the DSE regulations.

16 – On-site dusts

Working with harmful dusts on site? Looking for support on best practise, management and free resources? 

Join Breathe Freely and demonstrate your commitment to protecting workers’ health.

17 - Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD)

In 2017/18, over 6.5 million working days were lost due to work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSD).

Use the HSE’s analysis tool to help manage tasks and reduce MSD when performing manual handling at work. 

18 – Health and safety e-learning

Health and safety e-learning is a great way to advance on existing knowledge and remain competent within your chosen subject. 

Take a look at our website for a range of online courses.

19 – Risk assessments

Carrying out a risk assessment is vital to the management of health and safety within any workplace.

Do you need support? Try the HSE BETA guidance for a simpler approach. 

20 - DSE

As an employer, you must protect your workers from the health risks of working with display screen equipment (DSE), such as PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. 

Use the HSE's handy checklist to help with compliance.

21 – Lung disease

Is there a risk of your employees being exposed to silica? Are you working safely and doing enough?

Take a look at INDG463, HSE’s dedicated guide to preventing lung disease caused by exposure to silica. 

22 – PAT testing

Not sure what PAT testing is or the frequency of examinations? Take a look at the HSE’s FAQ for further guidance and instruction.

Remember, a visual inspection by the user is just as important!

23 – Toolbox Talk

The HSE safety toolbox can be used for advice across a number of workplace types. 

Choose whichever topics and relevant to your occupation and follow the links!

24 - Vibration White Finger

Do you have a risk of exposing workers to hand arm vibration? 

Use the HSE calculator to assist in calculating exposures and prevent unwanted diseases such as Vibration White Finger (VWF).

25 – Building work

Are you a busy builder looking for support on the development of a construction phase plan? 

The handy CDM (15) guide can help you to plan and organise your work.

But that's not all...

We have plenty more tips to provide you with. Look out for the second part of this blog in the coming weeks.

We are always sharing our expertise and advice on our social media channels. Keep an eye on our, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or Instagram pages to hear all the latest updates from the ESS team.

If you want to know more about ESS training, you can find all our courses via our course index. If you want to speak to a member of our team about any of our services, you can contact us on 0115 8970 529, or drop us an email at [email protected].