• Answering Your Asbestos Awareness Questions
• How to Conduct an Asbestos Risk Assessment
• What to Do After Recent Exposure to Asbestos
• What is Gypsum in Construction?
• What is Asbestos Awareness Training & Who Needs it?
• Asbestos Awareness Course

The post Asbestos Quiz appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will define exactly what asbestos is and where you are likely to find it. We will also outline the different types of asbestos and how you might recognise it.

What Exactly is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that was used in buildings and materials for many years to provide additional fire protection and insulation properties.

Materials made with asbestos are strong, incombustible, heat-resistant and sound-absorbent, making asbestos an attractive material for electrical and building insulation, among other uses.

In 1999, the UK banned asbestos due to an increased incidence of lung-related diseases in those working with the substance. However, any building or material manufactured or refurbished before the year 2000 may contain asbestos. Therefore, you have an increased risk of encountering it when working on pre-2000 properties.

Are you aware of the dangers that asbestos poses? Check out our Asbestos Awareness Quiz to test your knowledge. 

Where is Asbestos Found?

As asbestos was used to provide additional fire protection and insulation properties, it could be found in a number of different places.

For example, in a house, factory or office built before 2000, asbestos could be found in:

• Roof tiles.
• Asbestos Insulating Board (AIB).
• Water tanks.
• Pipe lagging.
• Ceiling tiles.
• Tile adhesive.
• Vinyl floor tiles.
• Fire breaks in ceiling voids.
• Cement guttering or pipes. 

You’ll be in danger of encountering asbestos at work if you carry out refurbishments, repairs or maintenance trades. Examples of people who are commonly at risk include:

• Builders.
• Carpenters and joiners.
• Roofing contractors.
• Heating and ventilation engineers.
• Plumbers and gas fitters.
• Electricians.

However, it is important to remember that asbestos doesn’t just affect those who work with it. If disturbed, asbestos can affect anyone in the immediate area. Fibres can also be carried on clothing, which may then impact the worker’s family and friends.

Why is Asbestos Bad?

Asbestos is a fibrous material, meaning that it is made up of fibres that are incredibly small – approximately ten times smaller than the width of a human hair.

If asbestos or ACMs are disturbed, these fibres are released into the air. If inhaled, the fibres can get trapped in the lungs, potentially causing scarring and inflammation. This affects breathing and leads to serious health problems, such as:

• Asbestos-related lung cancer. This malignant tumour of the lungs’ air passages can cause an obstruction that looks similar to lung cancer caused by smoking.
• Asbestosis and fibrosis. Scarring of the lung tissue leads to breathing difficulties and can cause further complications, including heart failure.
• Mesothelioma. A cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside the ribs (the pleura), or of the abdominal wall. It is fatal at the time of diagnosis. 
• Pleural plaques. These affect the pleura adjacent to the ribs, with around 20% to 60% of people exposed to asbestos developing pleural plaques.

Asbestos fibres can also cause health problems for other parts of the body. For example, asbestos warts and corns can form both on the skin and around major organs.

To learn more about asbestos exposure, have a look at our article: What are the Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure?

Friability

The risk of asbestos fibres being released and causing ill health depends on the friability of the ACM. This means how easily the material can crumble and release fibres. The greater the friability, the greater the risks of health problems.

ACMs that are more likely to be damaged and release inhalable asbestos fibres are known as friable. On the other hand, ACMs that are more resistant to damage and are therefore less likely to release harmful fibres are known as non-friable.

Friability is caused by two main factors:

• The type of materials used along with the asbestos in the ACM.
• The type of asbestos in the ACM.

For example, asbestos cement sheets or gutters contain a low percentage of asbestos and, therefore, pose less of a risk. Conversely, sprayed asbestos insulation is often almost entirely made up of asbestos and deteriorates over time, either through mechanical or weather damage. Therefore, the risks from these materials can be much higher.

You can find more information on the differences between friable and non-friable asbestos in our article, here. 

Need a Course?

Our Asbestos Awareness (Category A) training course is designed for anyone whose job role may expose them to asbestos. It explains in detail what asbestos is, where it may be encountered and what to do if you discover it.

What are the Different Types of Asbestos?

The term asbestos refers to six unique minerals belonging to two mineral families, serpentine and amphibole. All forms of asbestos are highly toxic and exposure can lead to the development of many terminal diseases, such as mesothelioma.

The three main types of asbestos that you may come across whilst carrying out building work are:

• Chrysotile (white asbestos). Chrysotile is the most commonly used type of asbestos and is often contaminated with trace amounts of tremolite. Chrysotile fibres are usually fine in texture, possessing high flexibility and good heat-resistant properties, making it ideal for use in cement, brake pads/linings and roofing materials.
• Amosite (brown asbestos). Mined mostly in Africa, amosite is a particularly strong and heat-resistant type of asbestos that was commonly used in cement sheets, plumbing insulation and electrical insulation. Though all types of asbestos are toxic, amosite asbestos exposure has a comparatively higher cancer risk.
• Crocidolite (blue asbestos). Crocidolite has very thin fibres and, if inhaled, are easily lodged in the lungs. Its thin fibres and brittle nature make crocidolite one of the most harmful forms of asbestos, as it easily breaks down and leads to asbestos exposure.

While the main forms of asbestos are often called white, blue or brown, in the majority of cases, the asbestos cannot be distinguished by colour. In all cases, accredited testing will be required to ensure that the type of asbestos is correctly identified. 

You can find more information about the different colours of asbestos in our article, here.

How to Recognise Asbestos

As we’ve already discussed, the different forms of asbestos are made up from two types of fibres: serpentine and amphibole.

Amphibole fibres is the term used for the group of asbestos types that include amosite and crocidolite. They also include a further three types of asbestos that are less commonly found: tremolite, anthophyllite and actinolite. Amphiboles have needle-like crystals and are usually dark in colour. 

Chrysotile is made up of serpentine fibres, which are curly and in sheets of crystals.

It’s essential to know that you will not be able to identify the presence of asbestos by sight alone. As we’ve established, the ‘colours’ are not a reliable way of identifying the different types of asbestos which, in itself, can appear in many shapes and forms. 

The only way to know for certain whether asbestos is present and which type it is, is to have a sample analysed by a specialist laboratory. Find out more here: How to Test For Asbestos. 

However, you must never handle or try to remove asbestos yourself. If you encounter what you suspect to be asbestos, you must not touch it. Instead, you should keep it isolated and seek specialist advice. If it is asbestos, then only professionals who are specifically trained to manage it should handle and remove it. Our article, ‘Can You Remove Asbestos Yourself?’ goes into more detail on this topic. 

As part of any health and safety management process, there should be emergency procedures in place to deal with the discovery or accidental disturbance of asbestos. Everyone who is at risk of potential exposure should understand the specific, immediate actions that need to be taken should this event occur. Check out our article for more information on what to do if you’re exposed to asbestos, here. 

We hope you’ve found this article on asbestos informative and helpful. If you have any further questions about the topics discussed in this article, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at High Speed Training. You can contact our friendly team on 0333 006 7000 or email support@highspeedtraining.co.uk.

Further Resources

• Asbestos Awareness Course (Category A)
• Answering Your Asbestos Awareness Questions
• What Are The Three Types of Asbestos Training?

The post What is Asbestos? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will outline the impact of asbestos exposure and how you might spot the symptoms. We will also provide you with guidance on what to do if you believe that you have been exposed to asbestos and how the risks of exposure can be managed.

What is Asbestos Exposure?

If asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are disturbed, the tiny asbestos fibres can be released into the air. These can then be breathed in, getting trapped in the lungs and potentially causing scarring and inflammation. This affects breathing and leads to serious health problems.

Effects of Asbestos Exposure

Some asbestos-related diseases include:

Asbestos-related lung cancer. This malignant tumour of the lungs’ air passages can cause an obstruction that looks similar to lung cancer caused by smoking.

Asbestosis and fibrosis. Scarring of the lung tissue leads to breathing difficulties and can cause further complications, including heart failure.

Mesothelioma. A cancer of the cells that make up the lining around the outside of the lungs and inside the ribs (the pleura), or of the abdominal wall.

Pleural plaques. These affect the pleura adjacent to the ribs, with around 20% to 60% of people exposed to asbestos developing pleural plaques.

Asbestos warts and corns. These can form both on the skin and around major organs.

Symptoms of Asbestos Exposure

Not all asbestos-related diseases or conditions cause symptoms. A lack of symptoms is not an indication of good health. If you believe you could have been exposed to asbestos, either recently or in the past, you must speak with your GP.

However, as the lungs are the most likely organ to be affected by the inhalation of asbestos fibres, and this presents a risk of developing cancer, you should always seek medical advice if you experience any of the following:

• Chest pain.
• Breathlessness.
• Weakness.
• Weight loss.
• Fever.
• Fatigue.
• Abdominal pain.
• Malaise.

This is not an exhaustive list but these symptoms are commonly associated with an underlying health issue and should, therefore, always be addressed. 

How Long After Asbestos Exposure Before Symptoms Occur?

There is no safe level of exposure when it comes to asbestos, but there are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing an asbestos-related disease, such as:

• The friability (how easily the materials crumble) of the ACMs.
• The amount of fibres released into the air.
• The duration of exposure.
• The degree of exposure.

There is no hard and fast rule on how long after exposure you are likely to develop symptoms, either. As we have mentioned, not all asbestos-related conditions present with symptoms and each health concern can have a variable latency period. For example, it can be anywhere between 15 to 60 years from initial exposure before mesothelioma becomes apparent, at which stage it is a fatal diagnosis. Whereas, asbestos-related lung cancer or fibrosis are often detected within 20 to 30 years of exposure. 

The ill health effects of exposure to asbestos fibres can also be worsened by smoking, with a 2013 study showing that non-smokers who are exposed to asbestos over an extended period are five times more likely to die from lung cancer than the general population.

Looking for a Course?

Our Asbestos Awareness Training provides you with the knowledge you need to help keep yourself and others safe from the risks of asbestos exposure. This is essential for anyone who could potentially be exposed to asbestos during their work.

What Should You Do After Recent Exposure to Asbestos?

As part of any health and safety management processes, there should be emergency procedures in place to deal with the discovery or accidental disturbance of asbestos. Everyone who is at risk of potential exposure should understand the specific, immediate actions that need to be taken should this event occur. 

Initial key steps to take are:

• Stop work immediately and put up warning signs.
• Keep everyone out of the area.
• Report the problem to the person in charge.
• Follow the left-hand column of the EM1 flowchart if the material does contain asbestos and follow all stated actions.

The HSE EM1 flowchart is a key guidance document provided by the HSE. You can access this here.

How to Prevent Asbestos Exposure

The primary way to ensure the risks of asbestos exposure are managed effectively, is to ensure that The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) are adhered to at all times. The regulations cover the key duties of those in control of places where asbestos may be present, including identifying and managing it and ensuring that others are aware of its presence.

Your personal responsibility to manage the risks will depend on your position. For example, under the regulations, employers and premises owners have additional responsibilities to employees. Employers are responsible for ensuring a risk assessment that addresses the controls for asbestos is undertaken, drawing up a written plan of work for any work which may disturb asbestos and an emergency plan outlining the correct actions to take in the event of discovery or accidental disturbance of asbestos. 

Regardless of your role, it is vital that you comply with the regulations, follow any risk assessments, plans and protocols in place, and work in line with any safety measures required, such as avoiding certain areas and using certain personal protective equipment (PPE) or respiratory protective equipment (RPE) when advised. 

You must also complete the appropriate training for your role and responsibilities. The different types of training includes:

• Asbestos Awareness Training (Category A).
• Non-Licensed Asbestos Training (Category B).
• Licensed Asbestos Work (Category C).

To find out more on the most appropriate category of training for you, take a look at our article on the Three Types of Asbestos Training.

It is essential that everyone, particularly those most likely to work with or around asbestos, are aware of the dangers it can pose to health. By understanding how to manage the risk of exposure and how to act in the event of discovery or accidental disturbance of this dangerous material, you will be better able to protect yourself and those around you from harm.

Further Resources:

• Asbestos Awareness Course (Category A)
• What is Asbestos Awareness Training & Who Needs it?
• What is an Asbestos Management Plan?

The post What to Do if Exposed to Asbestos appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will explain what safe systems of work are, how to design and implement them in your workplace and how they work to reduce the risk of harm, as well as providing some examples of safe systems of work in the workplace.

What are Safe Systems of Work?

A safe system of work (SSoW) is a procedure, or set of procedures, that explains exactly how a work task should be carried out, to make it as safe as possible for the person completing it and those around them. It is a legal requirement for employers and must be put in place whenever a work task involves hazards that cannot be eliminated, thereby posing a risk to the safety of the employee. 

SSoWs should be based on the findings of a workplace’s risk assessment. An effective risk assessment identifies the hazards and risks in a workplace and evaluates whether they can be sufficiently controlled through engineering measures, or if a SSoW is required. While SSoWs are not a replacement for the other control measures included in the hierarchy of control, they are necessary when these measures alone do not provide adequate protection from risk. 

A SSoW should be completed by a competent person, meaning they have the knowledge, training and experience required to understand the nature of the task being considered for a SSoW. 

The specific requirements for designing a SSoW will depend on an organisation’s needs and industry regulations. The higher risk the activity being performed, the more detailed a SSoW should be. For very low risk activities, it may be sufficient to distribute a SSoW orally, though it is best practice to have all SSoWs in writing. If a task is particularly high-risk, a permit-to-work may be required. 

Safe System of Work vs Permit-to-Work

A permit-to-work is a type of SSoW that allows only certain individuals to carry out a specific task within a defined time frame. 

The following work tasks are considered to be high-risk and would therefore require a permit-to-work: 

• Hot work.
• Cold work. 
• Chemical work. 
• Working at height.
• Working in confined spaces. 

This list is by no means exhaustive and a competent person is needed to determine whether a task requires a permit to work.

Like a standard SSoW, a permit to work is based on the findings of a risk assessment and establishes the safety precautions needed to carry out a task safely. However, it also requires declarations from a number of individuals, including those authorising the task and those carrying it out. The person carrying out the work must also complete a request form which must then be approved by a competent person. 

A permit to work should include: 

• The type of work carried out. 
• The location of the task. 
• Details of the hazards that are present. 
• Proposed methods for completing the task safely. 
• Who can authorise the task.
• Plant and equipment used. 
• Safety precautions required. 
• Length of time required to complete the task. 
• Conditions that must be met on completion of the task. 
• PPE requirements. 

Safe System of Work vs Method Statement

A method statement is a written document that sets out the step-by-step process for completing a task safely, as determined by a SSoW. It includes risks identified through the risk assessment and the measures that will be taken to manage those risks. A method statement is intended for use by the person carrying out the task, meaning it should clearly and concisely explain how that task is to be carried out. 

A SSoW contains additional information to the method statement that is not required by the person carrying out the task for them to complete it safely. For example, as well as outlining the process for safely carrying out a task and emergency procedures, a SSoW should also include information on the procedures for monitoring and updating the SSoW. 

This extraneous information could create confusion in the person carrying out the task and increase the risk of human error. For this reason, the method statement is useful because it only contains information the person completing the task needs to know to be safe. 

An effective method statement should outline:

• The location of work.
• A step-by-step description of the work and method to be used. 
• Specific hazards relating to the task. 
• The plant and/or equipment to be used. 
• Control measures, including any PPE required. 
• Emergency procedures (including entry and exit procedures).

You should avoid using complicated ‘jargon’ when writing a method statement as it is essential that anyone who may perform the task can read, understand and follow it easily. This reduces the likelihood of misinterpretation or misunderstanding that could lead to harmful errors when completing a task. 

A method statement can be presented in a variety of ways, depending on what best describes the task at hand. Some examples include: 

• Step-by-step instructions. 
• Decision aids.
• Checklists. 
• Diagrams. 
• Flow charts. 

When deciding on the best format for a method statement, you should consult those who will be completing the task to find out how they prefer to receive information and direction, as they will be the ones using the SSoW and need to understand it. It’s important to monitor whether method statements are actually being used in your workplace and if they aren’t, then they may need to be revised. 

Unlike SSoWs, method statements are not a legal requirement for employers. However, because they make SSoWs clearer and more accessible to workers, method statements are a vital tool for ensuring health and safety in the workplace. It is therefore good practice for all SSoWs to be documented in a method statement, though this is particularly important for higher-risk activities. 

If you’d like to learn more about method statements, including how to write one, why not check out our article ‘What is a Method Statement and How Do I Fill it in?’ which includes a free, downloadable method statement template. 

Safe System of Work Examples

Safe systems of work are used in a number of different industries, particularly those where high-risk work is regularly carried out, such as the construction industry. However, they may also be needed in industries where the hazards are not as obvious, for example in supermarkets or restaurants. For this reason, completing a risk assessment is essential for identifying where SSoWs are needed. 

A safe system of work is a combination of physical controls, procedures, plans, training and information that provides a safe work environment or a safe work activity for all employees. For example, SSoWs include:

• Safe Place of Work. The work environment should be safe and not pose risks to health or safety for the work activities that will be undertaken. For example, there should be adequate lighting, access, and ventilation. 
• Safe Work Equipment. The safe system of work should include the selection of the most suitable type of work equipment and/or substance by an experienced manager, with the advice of a specialist company where necessary.
• Safe Substances for Use at Work. The safe system of work should only allow the safest substances possible. This may mean substituting dangerous, flammable, or toxic substances, such as chemicals or gases, for safer alternatives. 
• Safe Management, Supervision, and Monitoring. Managers, supervisors, those who plan the work, and other duty holders should be competent in their duties. This includes an understanding of the hazards and risks involved with the work activities and work environment, and how to safely supervise and monitor activities.
• Safe Workers. Employees and any others undertaking work activities must be fully trained in the safe system of work, including any work equipment, use of substances, and rescue arrangements. For example, workers are given training before using a dangerous piece of machinery, such as an excavator. 

This list is by no means exhaustive. Whenever there is a risk of harm involved in performing a work task, regardless of what that task is or the industry it is taking place in, a safe system of work should be put in place to keep workers safe from harm. 

Why Does My Business Need a Safe System of Work?

It is a legal requirement for employers to implement SSoWs in their workplace where there is an unavoidable risk of harm. The Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 requires employers to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work. This includes providing and maintaining systems of work that are, as far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risk to health. 

If a high-risk task is performed incorrectly because there is not an effective SSoW in place, this may not only put the person completing the task at risk of harm, but others as well.  Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers are also required to ensure that their activities do not harm the health, safety and welfare of anyone not in their employment that may result from their employees’ work activities, as far as is reasonably practicable.

Employers also have a moral responsibility to ensure safety in their workplace, both to their employees and others in the environment. If an employee is not fully informed on how to perform tasks safely, despite how hard they may try to do so, there is still a significant risk of human error leading to incidents and harm. Employers must do all that they can to provide employees with the tools and information they need to be safe at work. 

Looking to Learn More?

Safe systems of work are just one of the ways to manage workplace risk. We offer a range of health and safety courses that provide employers and employees with the knowledge required to effectively manage risk by implementing the appropriate control measures for the activity at hand. These include our Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) course, our Working at Height course and our Working in Confined Spaces course.

How to Develop a Safe System of Work

There are a number of key requirements for an effective safe system of work. They should: 

• Include a brief description of the scope of the task to be undertaken. An effective SSoW should only look at one specific task or activity. 
• Identify all potential hazards involved in performing each step of the task, as well as the task as a whole. 
• Provide step-by-step instructions for how to complete the task that cover the task from beginning to end. 
• Outline the safety measures in place to protect against each hazard identified – for example PPE. 
• Be readily available and accessible for anyone who needs them. 

When it comes to developing a SSoW for a task, there are a number of key steps involved. These are outlined below. 

Step 1: Assessing Tasks and Identifying Hazards

The first step of creating a SSoW is to identify work tasks where the risk of harm cannot be eliminated. This should be achieved by performing a risk assessment of the whole workplace and the activities taking place there. 

While a workplace risk assessment should be carried out by a competent person, meaning they have the appropriate knowledge, experience and skills, it is vital that the employees are consulted during this process. As they are the ones most often carrying out the tasks, they are best placed to know exactly how the task is performed and, therefore, what the associated risks are, some of which management may not be aware of or could overlook. 

When looking at individual tasks, it can be useful to consider the following: 

• The equipment and/or materials used for a task – considering whether the resources used are safe, or if they could be substituted for safer materials. 
• Who performs the work – looking out for foreseeable human error that may relate to gaps in knowledge and/or skill. 
• Where the task is performed – looking for environmental hazards that may need to be eliminated. 
• How the task is performed – looking for risks that may arise in the established process for completing the task, that may require a change in the process. 

After assessing each task, with input from the workers, you should be able to recognise the hazards and associated risks involved in performing it. Make a list of all potential hazards involved in each task. 

For each task, you should determine: 

• Possible causes of harm. 
• The likelihood that this harm will occur. 
• What safeguarding measures can be taken to reduce the risk of harm as far as is reasonably practicable. 

Once the hazards have been identified, you should try to eliminate them as far as possible. A SSoW should not be implemented where a hazard could instead be eliminated or avoided, it should only be used when elimination of the hazard is not reasonably practicable.

Step 2: Defining Safe Systems of Work

The best way to manage a risk is to eliminate, or, where this is not possible, to substitute the hazard or implement engineering controls to physically protect workers it, effectively removing the hazard. Where none of these can be achieved, and therefore the risk of harm from the hazard can’t be eliminated, safe systems of work must be established to manage this risk as far as is reasonably practicable. 

SSoWs are less effective than the other safety measures mentioned above for managing risk because SSoWs do not stop a worker coming into contact with a hazard and its associated risks. However, they are intended to reduce the level of risk posed to workers when interacting with hazards. 

A certain task may have a number of possible precautions that could be put in place to make it safer and identifying the most effective can be a challenge. This is why it’s important to consult with your workforce when establishing SSoWs. It’s important to consider which precautions your employees find most practical, as well as what will be most practical to implement logistically and financially. However, you must remember that safety is always the priority.

The process of defining a SSoW includes: 

• Determining whether authorisation is required for individuals to perform a task.
• Considering any preparation required to set up the task and conditions that must be ensured. 
• Defining a step-by-step procedure for completing the task, including identifying the hazards involved. 
• Identifying safe work methods. 
• Outlining safe means of entry and exit, including escape, where necessary. 
• Considering procedures required after a job is completed, such as dismantling equipment, disposing of dangerous materials or locking machinery. 

Step 3: Implementing the Safe System of Work

SSoWs cannot be effective safety measures in and of themselves, rather, they need to be understood and implemented fully by those carrying out the work. Some individuals may be tempted to ignore SSoWs if they are overly complex, so it’s essential that they are easy to read and concise, and only containing the key information workers need to know to complete a task safely. 

There is no one specific way to introduce and implement a SSoW in your workplace and the process can be formal or informal, depending on the level of risk involved in the task. A formal implementation may involve producing documentation which is then distributed among employees, such as a standard operating procedure (SOP). A less formal implementation may involve putting diagrams next to machinery to explain exactly how it should be used or putting on training for specific processes. 

It is good practice to provide employee training every time a new SSoW is introduced to ensure that employees understand it and can implement it effectively. If employees are struggling to understand any part of the SSoW, this also gives you the opportunity to make changes or provide additional upskilling. Any training undertaken by employees in relation to SSoWs should be recorded and competency tests performed where appropriate. 

It’s vital that your employees understand why SSoWs are being implemented, otherwise they may be inclined to ignore them or not complete them properly. For this reason, your training may include an explanation of how exactly SSoWs contribute to workplace safety. Toolbox talks are an effective addition to formal training for cementing health and safety knowledge in the construction and trades industry. You can learn more about toolbox talks in our article, here. 

It is equally important that your managers and supervisors are trained on SSoW procedures, as they are the ones who will be implementing and maintaining the SSoWs so must understand them fully. 

It is also helpful to give each of your SSoWs a unique reference number so that they can be easily written into risk assessments and workers know which SSoW to refer to for specific tasks. 

Step 4: Monitoring the Safe System of Work

You should monitor your SSoW as soon as it is implemented to identify whether it is having the intended effect – i.e. managing risks and increasing safety. It’s also vital that this monitoring is continual as, while a SSoW may be effective when it is first implemented,certain factors may cause it to lose effectiveness, meaning it no longer manages risk as it once did. 

For example, if you need to introduce a new material to a process due to changes in industry regulations, this may introduce new hazards and associated risks that the existing SSoW is not designed to manage. This would require a change to the SSoW to ensure that it can manage those risks. 

Effective monitoring of SSoWs ensures that: 

• Employees continue to find the SSoW usable. 
• Employees are performing the SSoW properly and it is still effective for managing risk. 
• Changes in the nature of the task (or other circumstances) that necessitate a change to the SSoW are identified and implemented as soon as possible. 

Particularly when performing a task they do often, employees may be tempted to ignore the SSoW in place for that activity, thinking that they know exactly how to do it already. As well as ensuring employees understand a SSoW, it is also vital that you can ensure they are complying with it, including every step and detail. This is best achieved through a combination of monitoring, regular inspections or checks and supervision. 

Monitoring SSoWs allows you to identify when changes need to be made to the SSoW so they can continue to effectively manage risk. The following list outlines some circumstances where changes to SSoWs may be required: 

• If a step in the process needs to be changed for any reason. 

• When new machinery or equipment is introduced to an organisation and/or process. 
• When new materials are introduced or the formulation of a product changes. 
• If an accident or incident occurs during work – this indicates that your SSoW is ineffective or that employees are not using it correctly or at all, meaning changes are necessary. 
• When there are changes to working patterns or staff involved in a SSoW. 
• There are relevant changes to legislation or industry regulations.

Even if a change seems minor, it is important to always consider if it may affect the effectiveness of your SSoWs.

The details of how a SSoW should be monitored and by who should be stated as part of the SSoW documentation, as well as communicated to and understood by the individuals responsible for monitoring. 

Having effective safe systems of work in place ensures that employees perform tasks in the safest way possible each and every time. This drastically reduces the risk of accidents and incidents occurring that could lead to harm. Effective safe systems of work, that are regularly maintained and updated, are therefore an essential part of any safe and healthy workplace.

Further Resources:

• How to Conduct a First Aid Needs Assessment: Free Template
• Working in Confined Spaces Hazards and Control Measures 
• Electrical Safety Training

The post What are Safe Systems of Work? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

With so many potential risks to workers, it is essential that you put safety precautions in place to eliminate or manage them to reduce the risk of grinding related incidents and accidents. In fact, as an employer, you have a legal duty to identify and apply appropriate control measures in your workplace to reduce the risks to health and safety created by grinding. 

In this article, we will explain what grinding safety precautions are and how they can be identified and implemented using a grinding risk assessment and provide you with grinding safety tips to keep your workers safe and healthy. This article also includes a free, downloadable risk assessment template that you can use to identify grinding hazards and control measures in your specific workplace.

What are Grinding Safety Precautions?

Working with any kind of moving machinery is hazardous and can cause damage to property, injuries, illness and even death when operated incorrectly or without appropriate safety precautions in place.

Safety precautions, also known as control measures,can be implemented to reduce the risk posed by a certain hazard, mainly by reducing human exposure to that hazard.

The aim of a control measure is to eliminate a hazard completely but this isn’t always possible. For example, an abrasive wheel can break despite numerous safety precautions being taken. However, implementing these measures will greatly reduce the likelihood of a wheel breaking, and therefore,  the risk for those involved.

When implementing control measures to minimise workers’ exposure to grinding hazards, there is a priority order in which you need to apply these controls. This is called the hierarchy of control and the order is based on which control will most effectively prevent workers from being exposed to a hazard, thereby keeping them as safe as possible. 

You should aim to achieve the highest level of control on the hierarchy of control but if you cannot achieve this, then you should aim for the next level of control until you can implement one suitable. While the first two steps on the hierarchy aim to eliminate a hazard altogether, the final three are about reducing the risk a hazard poses. 

The hierarchy of control is: 

• Elimination – removing the hazard altogether. 
• Substitution – substituting the hazard for something else – for example, using a less dangerous machine instead of a grinding machine. This can be difficult if you are performing a specialised task that only one type of machine can perform. 
• Engineering controls – this may involve isolating, enclosing or guarding the hazard to keep workers safe. 
• Administrative controls – this involves changing the way people work to restrict their access to a hazard or how they interact with it and should involve employee training. 
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) – this is when workers are provided with specific equipment to protect them against hazards and is the least effective control method for preventing harm. 

The use of abrasive wheels is regulated by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations act 1998 (PUWER) which legislates how machinery should be handled and operated to keep workers as healthy and safe as possible. 

As an employer, you are legally required to conform with these regulations if abrasive wheels are used in your workplace.

Under PUWER, you must ensure that all machinery used in your workplace, including grinding machinery, is: 

1. Suitable for its intended purpose.
2. Safe for use. 
3. Properly maintained and regularly inspected by a competent and trained individual. 
4. Operated, supervised and managed by competent and trained individuals, only. 
5. Accompanied by suitable health and safety measures and controls. 

We will go into more detail about some of the health and safety measures you can put in place to control grinding hazards in your workplace later in this article. However, you first need to identify the specific hazards relevant to your workplace that need to be controlled.This can be achieved through carrying out a risk assessment. 

Looking to Learn More?

If your job role involves grinding and the use of abrasive wheels, our Abrasive Wheels Training course teaches you about the risks of using abrasive wheels and how to work safely with them, according to legal requirements, by putting the appropriate control measures in place.

Grinding Risk Assessment

PUWER requires employers whose employees use grinding machinery to carry out a risk assessment of the machinery and processes involved. 

An abrasive wheel risk assessment should identify any potential and existing hazards associated with grinding in your workplace and the control measures that should be put in place to eliminate or reduce the risk they pose to workers. 

There are five key steps to performing a grinding risk assessment, including: 

1. Identifying hazards 

Make a list of any hazards that could arise from grinding in your workplace. You can take a look at our article on the hazards of grinding for a list of common workplace grinding hazards, here. Just remember that this list is not exhaustive, your workplace may have different hazards that also need to be controlled and the risk assessment should be tailored to your specific needs

2. Determine who may be harmed by each hazard 

You next need to decide who is most likely to be harmed by each of the identified hazards and how this could happen. For grinding, this is most likely to be the person operating the machine, but other workers in that environment could also be harmed – for example, by dust in the air, sparks or projectiles. 

3. Evaluate the level of risk and decide control measures 

You then need to determine the level of risk – low, medium or high – that each hazard poses. Use this ranking to decide which control measures are appropriate to eliminate or reduce exposure to that hazard. 

4. Record findings and implement control measures 

If your workplace employs five or more people, then legally you must record the findings of your risk assessment. It is also essential that you implement the control measures you have identified in your workplace as soon as possible, including training staff on these changes. 

5. Regularly review your risk assessment 

Your risk assessment should be reviewed regularly to identify any new grinding hazards or hazards that are not being effectively managed by the existing control measures. If these are identified, the risk assessment must be updated and new controls decided. This is necessary, for example, if new grinding machinery or processes are introduced or you have new staff. 

Below we have provided a free risk assessment template that you can download and adapt for use in your workplace to help you identify and control the hazards of grinding. 

Grinding Safety Tips

Control measures must be put in place to manage the risks posed by grinding to the health and safety of workers. The following list outlines some health and safety control measures that can be put in place in your workplace to reduce workers’ exposure to grinding hazards and keep them safe at work.

Employee Training

Under PUWER, employers must ensure that anyone they employ to use, repair, modify or perform maintenance or servicing on abrasive wheels is sufficiently trained to do so. This will ensure that workers understand the risks involved in using abrasive wheels and can implement the appropriate health and safety precautions at all times. 

As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring your workers have this level of training, which should cover, at a minimum: 

• Any hazards and risks that can arise from using abrasive wheels and the precautions that can be taken to control these. 
• The marking system for abrasive wheels. If you’d like to learn what the markings on abrasive wheels mean, consider reading our article, here. 
• How to transport and store abrasive wheels. 
• How to inspect and test abrasive wheels for damage. 
• The functions of each component used with abrasive wheels, such as flanges or blotters. 
• How to assemble an abrasive wheel correctly to ensure they are balanced correctly 
• How to dress an abrasive wheel.
• How to correctly adjust the work rest on a grinding machine. 
• Use of appropriate grinding safety PPE.

Appropriate Equipment

Using inappropriate equipment for grinding is a hazard. Machine operators must ensure that the abrasive wheel they use is fit for purpose, meaning it is compatible with both the grinding machine being used and the task being performed. Different wheels perform different functions depending on their properties, and using the wrong wheel can lead to fractures and breakage. 

If you want to know more about the different classifications of grinding wheels, take a look at our article, here. 

You should also make sure that any grinding machinery in your workplace has the following safety features: 

• Suitable operating controls that are easy to see and use and which don’t allow the machine from being switched on by mistake.
• An emergency stop function that is easy to locate and use.
• A failsafe function for if the machine malfunctions. 

Storing, Handling and Installation

The way your abrasive wheels are stored, handled and installed prior to use in grinding machines can make them more or less hazardous when operated.

Some measures for reducing this risk include: 

• Ensuring anyone who installs grinding machinery in your workplace is qualified to do so, meaning they can recognise signs of damage to the wheel and know when a wheel is unfit for purpose.
• Storing grinding tools as close to the grinding location as possible, in a dry location protected from excessive vibrations. This reduces the risk of damage and eventual breakage. 
• Handling wheels carefully to avoid dropping or bumping them and avoiding rolling wheels wherever possible. 
• Transporting wheels using conveyors with adequate support, particularly for large wheels.

Safe Systems of Work

One of the main causes of harm while grinding is improper operation of machinery. This is why employee training is so important.

To reduce the risk to health and safety when operating grinding machines, operators should: 

• Check the wheel is balanced before applying the workpiece. An out of balance wheel will emit strong vibrations, increasing the risk of HAVS and the wheel breaking. Redressing a wheel can improve its balance in most cases and wheels should be lightly dressed on a regular basis. 
• Never apply excessive force to the wheel with the workpiece. This could cause the operator to slip and make contact with the wheel or cause the wheel to develop stresses and flat spots, making it vulnerable to breakage. 
• Apply gradual, even pressure to the wheel with the workpiece, rather than hitting it with force. 
• Only grind on the outer surface of the wheel. Never grind on the side of the wheel unless advised to do so by the manufacturer. This can lead to wheels bursting or workpieces becoming stuck between the wheel and work rest. 
• Ensure the work rest is always adjusted as close as practicable to the wheel and kept secure.
• Make sure that the speed of the wheel does not exceed what is marked on the wheel by the manufacturer. Overspeeding causes wheel breakage. 
• Never use a grinding machine, or any moving machinery, under the influence of illegal drugs, alcohol or some prescription drugs. 
• Take regular breaks from grinding and exercise their hands during breaks to reduce the risk of HAVS. 

The Working Environment

There are some changes that can be made to the environment where grinding work is being carried out to reduce exposure to hazards for the operator and other workers.

These include: 

• Ensuring the environment is spacious enough that the machine operator is not at risk of being bumped while working, particularly if they work with portable grinders. 
• Making sure the environment is well ventilated so that grinding dust is removed from the air, protecting workers from health issues. 
• Making sure the space where grinding is taking place is uncluttered, particularly from anything flammable as abrasive wheels produce sparks that could easily cause a fire or explosion.
• Using a machine guard to reduce the risk posed by offsets from grinding, such as sparks, abrasive particles and projectiles and reduce the risk of the operator making contact with the machine. Make sure the material used for the guard is strong enough to withstand the potential forces on it. 

Where practicable, grinding machines should be restricted to the person using them to reduce unnecessary risk to other workers. This is the best way to protect them from health hazards like noise and dust. 

Inspection, Testing and Maintenance

Often, a visual inspection of an abrasive wheel before use can help to identify hazards. To manage these hazards, you should:

• Visually inspect the wheel before every use to make sure it has not become damaged through handling, storage or use. Damaged wheels are more fragile and prone to breaking.
• Ensure wheels are inspected and tested regularly by a trained person to identify any maintenance or cleaning needs. 
• Label wheels with the date you received them, making sure to use older wheels before newer ones. 
• Ensure new or refitted wheels are tested by the operator for one minute before being used. This gets the wheel up to speed and allows the operator to sense if anything is not quite right before using it. 

Remember, cracks in abrasive wheels aren’t always visible to the eye. One way to test for cracks is the ring test. This is where you suspend a wheel from a bore and tap it with a light, non-metallic tool. If a wheel is solid it will emit a clear, metallic ringing.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As we have already established, PPE should be used as a last resort, after all other control measures have been implemented to manage risks. Employees should be provided with appropriate PPE to protect them against any unavoidable hazards of grinding. 

Depending on the type of work and machinery and as determined by your risk assessment, this may include: 

• Protective footwear to protect against anything, including the workpiece, being dropped from the machine onto their feet. 
• Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) including a face mask to prevent any dust that cannot be removed through ventilation from being inhaled by the operator or those in the vicinity. 
• Eye protection to protect against any projectiles, abrasive particles and dust that cannot be prevented using a machine guard, for example when using a portable grinding machine. 
• Hearing protection to protect against noise.
• Gloves to improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of HAVs. 
• Tight fitting overalls with cuffed sleeves.

As well as using PPE, there are some things that workers should avoid wearing while grinding, as a safety precaution against being drawn into the grinding machine. These include: 

• Long hair untied. 
• Long sleeves or loose clothing.
• Things worn around the neck, such as necklaces, ties or scarves.

With the number of potential hazards posed to workers using grinding machinery and abrasive wheels in the workplace, it is essential that you can identify these hazards in your workplace and put the appropriate controls in place to reduce risk. Performing a risk assessment is the best way to certify and maintain the health and safety of workers. 

Further Reading

• Ten Common Construction Site Hazards 
• RIDDOR: How to Report an Incident or Accident at Work
• 15 Workshop Hazards and How to Avoid Them
• What are the Consequences of Poor Health and Safety Procedures? 
• Health and Safety Training for Employees Course 

The post Grinding Safety Precautions and Control Measures appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

If your role involves grinding and the use of abrasive wheels, or if you are responsible for teaching or supervising others who are using them, you must be aware of the hazards of grinding. This will allow you to promote cutting and grinding safety at all times. In this article, we will explain what grinding is, what makes it so dangerous and the specific hazards that come with doing it. 

What is Grinding?

Grinding is an abrasive machining process that uses a machine consisting of a grinding wheel – also known as an abrasive wheel – to cut or remove material from a workpiece in order to finish it to a high quality or certain specifications. 

It is a common activity in a number of industries – such as manufacturing and toolmaking – and in a variety of workplaces, such as on large construction sites or in smaller workshops. However, the type of grinding machines, or tools, you’ll find in a workplace will depend on the type of work that’s being carried out there, as different grinding machines serve different purposes, depending on their properties. You can find out more about what kind of grinding tool would be right for the work you’re doing in our article, here. 

Using the right kind of grinding machine or tool for the task you’re undertaking is vitally important for safety. The two main types are hand-held portable grinders and stationary machines. The most commonly used grinding tool for industry is the angle grinder, a handheld grinder used mainly for abrasive cutting and polishing. 

Other types of grinding machine include: 

• Surface grinder. 
• Internal grinding machine. 
• Bench grinder.
• Cylindrical grinder. 
• Table saw. 
• Chop saw.
• Petrol saw cut-off. 

The Uses of Grinding

The main purpose of grinding is to change the physical appearance and quality of a workpiece, for example by giving it a certain shape, new dimensions, a smoother surface and finish or a sharper edge. It can be performed on various materials, predominantly iron or steel, but also other hard materials like metal, stone, wood, plastic and more. 

Abrasive wheels are made up of abrasive particles on their surface that are bonded together to form a hard, gritty surface. Each abrasive particle on the wheel’s surface acts as a cutting tool, making numerous tiny chips into a workpiece, creating a much larger single cut or removing large amounts of surface material from it. 

The abrasive material of the wheels is bonded together using either organic or inorganic substances. The type of bonding agent used can determine the wheel’s safety properties.

• Inorganic bonds are fired in a furnace, making the bond hard and strong, but brittle. These need to be dressed and are used for precision grinding. 
• Organic bonds can handle harsher grinding conditions as they are cured at low temperatures, making the bond resilient and shock-resistant. They are self-dressing and mainly used for non-precision activities. Only organic-bonded wheels should be used for portable, hand-held grinding machines. 

Looking for a Course?

If your job role involves grinding and the use of abrasive wheels, our Abrasive Wheels course teaches you about the risks of using abrasive wheels and how to work safely with them, according to legal requirements, by putting the appropriate control measures in place.

Why Can Grinding Be Dangerous?

Grinding is a dangerous activity with a large number of hazards associated with it. These hazards need to be controlled, otherwise they can pose a serious risk to the health and safety of the worker performing the task and those around them. 

The main reason why grinding is so dangerous is because it uses abrasive wheels. These wheels operate at very high speeds and are designed to cut through solid materials like metal and wood, meaning they could easily damage skin and bones. Due to the stresses put on them during the work, they are also liable to break and this can also create a dangerous situation for those in the direct vicinity. 

There are three main factors that will determine how dangerous a grinding job is going to be. These are:

1. The competency of the machine operator. 
2. The nature of the wheel – including its quality, condition and suitability for the task. 
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 

The type of grinding machine or tool you use will also impact how dangerous the grinding activity will be. For example, hand-held grinders – like angle grinders – work at a higher speed than stationary grinders and that can make them more harmful to come into contact with. 

Additionally, the safety of a hand-held grinding machine is much more user-dependent as they have more control over it, creating more hazards. For example, the user could drop the machine and cause harm to themselves or someone else, or accidentally make contact with another worker while holding it.

While these risks aren’t present when using a stationary grinding machine, making it generally safer to use, the two types of machine don’t perform the same functions and for some tasks a hand-held machine is necessary. It’s therefore important to be aware of these potential hazards, so that the appropriate safety precautions can be taken against them. This is essential for anyone wishing to be a competent grinding machine operator. 

The main safety requirement for abrasive wheels is the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). PUWER sets out requirements for providing and using certain equipment at work, to ensure the health and safety of workers. You can find out more about this in our article, here. 

Grinding Hazards

Grinding is particularly dangerous because it can cause serious impact injuries to the body, and it can also lead to workers developing damaging, or even fatal, health conditions over time, such as pulmonary diseases and cancers. Unfortunately, workers may not realise they have developed such a condition from their work until long after they have stopped working. 

We’ve listed some of the most common hazards that need to be considered when working with grinding machines with abrasive wheels below. 

Contact with the Wheel

This is the most common cause of injury when using a grinding machine. Abrasive wheels turn very quickly and their abrasive surface can cause you serious superficial wounds, or in more severe cases, cuts and amputations, if you come into contact with them. 

Handheld grinders pose a greater risk of contact because they are in the user’s control and their wheels turn at greater speeds than a stationary grinder. 

If any part of your body comes into contact with an abrasive wheel, it can cause varying degrees of harm. There are several ways that coming into contact with the wheel can harm you if you aren’t using the machine correctly, including:

• Part of your body being trapped between the wheel and the workpiece, causing cutting and/or crushing injuries. 
• Coming into contact with the wheel while it is not moving, or turning slowly, causing cuts and/or abrasions.
• Coming into contact with the wheel turning at high speeds, causing cuts, abrasions or even amputation. 

Drawing In

Drawing in occurs when something comes into contact with an abrasive wheel that can be sucked into or caught in it. This could be caused by:

• Long hair – the hair could be ripped from your head or your head could be pulled into contact with the wheel.
• Something worn around the neck like a necklace, scarf or tie – this could pull your body into contact with the machine and could lead to choking injuries. 
• Loose clothing or long sleeves – this could cause your body to be drawn into contact with the machine. 

It’s also possible for any waste in your workplace to become drawn into the machine – for example spare rags or rubbish. When you try to remove the item that has been drawn into a machine, this can result in contact with the wheel and bodily harm.

Kickback

Kickback is the term used when a grinding wheel grabs or jams on the workpiece while it’s being cut. This can cause the user to lose control of the machine or tool which can then hit the worker or be dropped on their legs or feet. 

Kickback is most commonly caused by the following: 

• Using the wrong type of wheel for a particular task.
• Running a wheel at the wrong speed.
• A badly set, dull or worn wheel.

Metal Fragments

When using a grinding machine on a metal workpiece, metal fragments chip off the workpiece and can fly into the air around the worker. This is something that’s hard to avoid during grinding and poses a risk to workers’ skin and eyes if they aren’t wearing appropriate PPE. 

Abrasive wheels can also give off sparks as the wheel wears down and sheds abrasive particles from its surface. These can also cause harm to the skin and eyes. 

In extreme cases, the whole workpiece, or parts of the workpiece, can be ejected from the machine, potentially causing serious harm if it hits the body. 

Bursting Wheel

Because of the high speeds that abrasive wheels rotate at, if one were to burst while in use it could cause serious harm to the user and those around them. When a wheel bursts in use, the fragments fly off, creating high speed projectiles that can seriously harm anyone around the machine and the environment.

For this reason, there are regulations in place to limit the maximum speed that different wheels can be run that must be followed to reduce the risk of them bursting. Abrasive wheels have marking systems to provide essential information such as their maximum operating speed. To learn more about these markings, and what they tell us about each abrasive wheel, you can read our article, here. 

The risk of a bursting wheel increases when wheels aren’t properly mounted and/or assembled and when the wrong wheel is used for a task. 

Vibrations

Hand-held grinding machines produce vibrations that travel through the user while they’re holding it. When hand-held grinders are used for significant periods of time – considered to be more than a few hours every day – this can cause workers to develop a condition called Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS). 

HAVS can also be caused by workers holding on to a workpiece while it’s being processed in a stationary grinding machine. It is a painful and disabling health condition affecting the nerves, muscles, blood vessels and joints in a person’s hands and arms. 

HAVS can also affect circulation and symptoms and symptoms include: 

• Numb and tingling fingers which can lead to disturbed sleep. 
• Loss of hand strength and grip making it difficult to pick up or hold things, particularly if they are heavy. 
• Reduced sense of touch in hands and fingers causing inability to feel things. 

If a worker continues to use high-vibration hand-held grinding machines, their symptoms are likely to get worse and may develop into: 

• Permanently numb hands. 
• An inability to pick up small or delicate objects, including work tools like nails and bolts. 
• A loss of fingers due to restricted blood flow. 

White finger is a long-term condition that can develop from significant use of vibrating tools and machinery. It causes the fingertips to turn white and the fingers to tingle and/or become numb. 

While white finger and the other symptoms of HAVS can be prevented, there is currently no cure, so putting the appropriate safety measures in place is vital. 

If you’d like to know more about HAVS guidance, check out our article, here. 

Noise

Using cutting and grinding machines and tools creates a high level of noise pollution. This poses a risk to both workers on a site and the general public outside it. Noise can damage hearing if it’s loud enough and someone is exposed to it for a significant amount of time. 

Noise damage can be disabling if it prevents you from being able to hear and understand speech, hear loud sounds, to engage in conversations or to communicate over the phone. 

Unfortunately, hearing problems can develop slowly, making it difficult to identify that they are happening. Sometimes, you may not realise you have experienced hearing damage until you are at an age where you start to experience hearing loss naturally, and it can be much more impaired due to past noise exposure. 

Hearing loss from grinding can be either temporary or permanent. You might find that you often experience temporary hearing loss after leaving your workplace if it is particularly noisy. However, this isn’t something you should ignore as it indicates that you are at risk of permanent hearing damage if you continue to be exposed to the noise. 

Another symptom of excessive noise exposure is tinnitus. Tinnitus is typically a constant ringing in the ears but can also develop as a whistle, buzz or hum. It can lead to sleep problems and even mental health problems due to the disruption it causes to a person’s life. 

Excessive noise in the workplace can create even more risks in the workplace, too. If workers aren’t able to hear or communicate with one another while carrying out work activities, they are at risk of missing warnings or having reduced awareness of what’s happening around them. Both of these things could cause them to come to harm. 

Dust

Grinding dry materials like concrete produces high levels of dust, some of these contain silica. Exposure to silica dust can cause people to develop debilitating health conditions including lung cancer, kidney disease and pulmonary diseases. It can also lead to silicosis. This is the irreversible hardening and scarring of the lung tissue, causing the lungs to stop working effectively. 

It’s important to know that long-term exposure to any kind of construction dust can lead to health problems over time, with metal, rubber, composite and fibreglass dust being particularly harmful when inhaled. Dust exposure can also cause less-harmful, short term effects such as skin and/or eye irritation, occupational asthma and other breathing difficulties.

Grinding dust can cause fires in some circumstances. Some grinding tools – including angle grinders – produce sparks, something that is largely unavoidable. If these sparks come into contact with construction dust, it can cause a fire to start – particularly when grinding flammable materials such as aluminium or magnesium. To promote angle grinding safety, safety measures must be put in place to control the danger these sparks pose.

If you are working in the vicinity of flammable or explosive substances, there is a serious risk of these sparks creating a fire or explosion in the workplace if the correct safety precautions aren’t taken. You can learn more about controlling dust hazards in construction in our article, here. 

It’s essential that anyone whose role involves grinding is aware of the hazards associated with this activity. Only once you understand the hazards associated with grinding and using abrasive wheels, can you take the appropriate steps to control them, ensuring a safe workplace for everyone. 

Further Resources:

• 15 Workshop Hazards and How to Avoid Them
• Ten Common Construction Site Hazards
• What Are the Consequences of Poor Health and Safety Procedures?
• What is Hot Work and Do I Need a Permit?
• What Are the Key Differences Between Flammable and Combustible Materials?
• Health and Safety Training for Employees Course

The post What are the Hazards of Grinding? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to gain access to work at height and to support people and materials for the work. Scaffolding consists of either individual components such as scaffolding tubes and fittings, or of prefabricated sections that are joined together. In Great Britain, traditional scaffolding consists of scaffolding tubes and fittings that are secured together and on which are laid wooden or metal boards or platforms, which with suitable handrails and toe boards provide a safe working platform for people and any necessary materials.

Scaffolding is used extensively in the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings and other structures such as industrial plant. It is also used to provide access to inspect, service or repair parts of structures or machines as well as for gaining access to places of work at height which are otherwise difficult to access. Scaffolding is used in many settings, not only for construction but for many other types of work.

In this article, we will outline some of the scaffolding safety requirements and examine the safety measures that need to be in place in order to protect you and those around you. We will also look at the most commonly used types of scaffolding.

What are Scaffolding Safety Requirements? 

Work at height is the largest single cause of fatal accidents at work. 50% of all fatal accidents in the construction industry, and 25% in other industries, are caused by falls from height. It is also a substantial cause of major injury accidents that result in extensive time away from work. 

Accidents mainly happen while getting access to, or leaving, the work location or while working at height. Falling materials and falling work equipment are other serious risks of working at height. Life-threatening injuries have occurred when materials have fallen on people who are passing below those working at height.

Scaffolding Safety Legislation

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (WAH) apply to access to and work at height and to all work at height activities – whether in factories, warehouses, construction sites or in offices. Therefore, whether you are an employer or an employee, if your workplace requires any sort of work at height, it’s essential to understand what you can do to reduce the risk and consequences of a fall.

The WAH Regulations require employers to ensure that work at height is properly organised and planned by competent people, who understand the hazards and risks of working at height and the correct control measures.

The Regulations also require that suitable work equipment is selected in a hierarchy as follows:

• First, avoid the risks by doing the task without working at height – for example, using long poles for window cleaning or using prefabricated structures.

• If avoidance of work at height is not reasonably practicable (that is, for work at height not technically possible) then falls must be prevented by providing work equipment that stops falls from happening in the first place. Scaffolding of all types fits into this category. Scaffolding is therefore one of the main methods of preventing falls and should be used if it is not reasonably practicable to avoid the work at height.

• The lowest level of the hierarchy is the mitigation of falls, for example, by the use of airbags, or the use of personal fall protection, such as safety harnesses and running lines. However, these types of mitigation equipment can only be used if it is not possible to prevent falls. 

In most cases where work at height has to take place, prevention of falls by using scaffolding or other forms of working platform (such as cherry pickers) must be selected by employers before equipment like harnesses.

The next section of this article will focus on the main types of scaffolding that can be selected, exploring the benefits and challenges of each type. The WAH Regulations require that competent personnel are in control of the selection of safe scaffolding and that anyone erecting, altering and dismantling the scaffolding is trained in the safe erection, alteration and dismantling of the specific type of scaffolding. You will find more guidance on this later in the article.

What are the Main Types of Scaffolding in Construction?

There are three commonly used forms of scaffolding. These are:

• Fixed scaffolding.
• Mobile towers.
• Low level mobile towers and podium steps.

Fixed Scaffolding

Fixed scaffolding is what is commonly seen on buildings or other structures. In the UK ‘tube and fitting’ scaffolding is commonly used. This consists of individual tubes and fittings, such as couplers, along with scaffolding boards and toe boards and other protection such as brick guards.

There is also a wide variety of proprietary scaffolding systems. These are either in the form of separate components such as proprietary designed tubes with connectors or as modular systems, consisting of individual sections that are connected together.

There are also specialised forms of scaffolding such as cantilever or suspended scaffolding. 

Design of fixed scaffolding

In all cases, those managing and working on the erection, dismantling or alterations of scaffolding must be competent. In many cases, specialist companies or scaffolding providers carry out any work that requires substantial scaffolding structures and each scaffolding project is individually designed.

For tube and fitting scaffolding design in the UK, there is guidance for standard design configurations for tube and fitting scaffolding. It can be found in the National Access and Scaffolding Federation (NASC) guidance book TG20 – ‘A comprehensive guide to good practice with tube and fitting scaffolding’. This guidance is important for those engaged in planning and carrying out the erection, alteration and dismantling of the standard designs of tube and fitting scaffolding.

For proprietary systems or modular scaffolding equipment, the manufacturer draws up the designs and issues erection guidance which needs to be followed.

For all types of scaffolding that are outside of the standard designs in TG20 or in the manufacturers’ instructions, then a competent person should carry out the design. Examples of these types of fixed scaffolding include suspended or cantilever scaffolding that are not to standard design, or other specialised scaffolding, such as shoring structures.

It is essential that a copy of the erection plan, standard or specialised, is available to those supervising and erecting scaffolding and that they are informed and instructed in its requirements. The next section will consider the safe erection of scaffolding.

The safe erection, alteration and dismantling of fixed scaffolding

As already mentioned, scaffolding can only be erected, significantly altered or dismantled under the supervision of a competent person and by those who have received training in the specific type of scaffolding.

The Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) and CISRS Card is recognised as evidence of training that is suitable for the type of scaffolding that the card specifies. Scaffolding equipment manufacturers and independent training companies also offer specific training on different types of scaffolding equipment.

Often workers are employed to act as ‘scaffolding labourers’. These personnel should only ever assist trained erectors and should remain in a safe place, either on the ground or on a permanent structure, or on a fully erected platform with guardrails and toe boards.

It is essential that there is a safe method of erecting any type of scaffolding. The NASC has produced guidance, ‘Preventing falls in scaffolding operations’ and manufacturers also produce detailed guidance on how to safely erect and dismantle their equipment.

Supervision by a competent trained person must be available at all times. This means that, during work, a fully trained scaffolding erector, or erectors, are on site at all times. For larger or more complex operations, a supervisor should be on site or regularly visiting, depending on the complexity of the scaffolding and the nature of the site.

It is essential that any scaffolding that is left incomplete (for example, at the end of a working day) is made safe. Any ladders or other access must be removed and stored or secured so that they cannot be used by others. Warning signs should be posted – for example, ‘incomplete scaffolding’. Physical barriers should also be put into position. There have been fatal accidents to children and others who have entered building sites or scaffolding when it is incomplete.

Cleanliness, tidiness and safe storage of equipment are essential at all times, both during erection and dismantling and when the scaffolding is in use. Any loose materials must be safely stored, including while waiting to be installed on the scaffolding, both to prevent trips and to prevent them becoming dislodged and falling from the scaffolding. It is important to keep accessways, platform ladder access points and stairways free of any obstruction both during erection and in use.

Handover and inspections of fixed scaffolding

There should be written evidence that the scaffolding has been erected to a design or to manufacturer’s guidance. This is often referred to as a ‘handover certificate’. The employer who will use the scaffolding must ensure that they have received the handover certificate and understand the safety aspects of the scaffolding that have been set out –  for example, the number of ties in the scaffolding. Any areas of doubt must be checked on handover.

The employer using the scaffolding should ensure that simple visual checks are made regularly (daily if necessary) on the general condition of the scaffolding, the access and the working platforms. 

Such simple checks include checking that:

• Sole plates and base plates are correctly in position, the standards are upright and evenly spaced.
• Access ladders and stairways are properly installed and secure. Ladders must be sufficiently long and at an angle of 75 degrees.
• Work platforms are fully boarded and there are no missing boards or toe boards.
• Handrails are in position (a minimum of a top handrail and middle handrail) and are secured.
• Any ties that are in the handover certificate are in place and firmly fixed.
• Access is unobstructed along working platforms.

Statutory inspections of scaffolding

The WAH Regulations set out the legal duty for statutory inspection of all types of scaffolding as follows:

• Before the scaffolding is first used by any person.
• At least every seven days, or more frequently if specified by the designer.
• When there is an event that may have affected the stability or condition of any part of the scaffolding.

Events include bad weather including wind and rain, storms, earth movement or structural movements.

The person carrying out the statutory inspections should be trained – there are many scaffolding courses for inspecting scaffolding provided by different organisations. 

Mobile Access Towers

Mobile towers (traditionally called ‘scaffolding towers’) are a useful method of carrying out work that is of short duration, on firm and level ground or another firm surface. It is also essential that there are no obstructions, in particular overhead power lines. Remember that some overhead power lines may not be easily recognised. A competent supervisor should check in advance for obstructions or overhead power lines at the locations of use of any mobile tower. Alternative safe methods of work may then be required and set out in a risk assessment.

Training of erectors

As with scaffolding, those erecting mobile towers should be trained in their safe erection, alteration and dismantling. There are several forms of techniques that have been developed. One technique uses advance guardrails and another technique is known as ‘through the trap’ (3T) training.

In both cases, the erector must have training in the specific erection system, and the employer must ensure that the correct additional safety equipment is available, for example, the advance guardrails, and that all equipment is in good condition.

Safe use of mobile towers

Many accidents have been caused during the use of mobile towers. From time to time, they overturn, or strike another structure trapping a person, or are incomplete, with guardrails and braces missing.

A common cause of overturning is their use on sloping ground. The risk assessment needs to consider the specific uses of the mobile tower and ensure that all elements are covered. For example, a tower may have to be dismantled and re-erected if there are areas of unsafe or sloping ground.

Inspection of mobile towers

Similar requirements for statutory inspections apply to mobile towers, as for other scaffolding. That is, inspection before use, after seven days or after an adverse event. If the tower is moved on site, it should be inspected every seven days in its new position.

Tower systems and low-level access

There is a significant use of low-level tower systems such as ‘room scaffolds’ or podium steps. These structures are a scaffolding framework with an inbuilt platform that can be folded and transported around the site. These podium steps or low-level towers give access to the tops of room walls or other lower-level access needs. The heights of the inbuilt platform can vary from 0.5 to 1.5 metres or more. In all cases, the podium steps should be properly maintained and inspected regularly by a nominated person who understands the safety elements of the equipment.

In addition, it is essential to ensure that podium steps and low-level towers are used in safe locations and that they rest on a firm, level surface and are the correct size for the work needed.

If podium steps are to be used near to a high fall risk, for example on balconies, near shafts or other areas where there is a fall to a lower level, then there is a need to carefully assess the situation. It needs to be ensured that there is no need to reach over the high fall area, which would create risks of overbalancing and falling from a significant height. In cases where there is such as need, substantial edge protection and working platforms should be used instead of low podium steps or other low-level access equipment. 

Further Resources:

• Working at Height Training Course
• Working at Height Rescue Plan
• Working at Height Rules and Regulations
• Safely Securing Ladders: Guidance & Procedure

The post What is Scaffolding Safety for Working at Height? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article we’ll outline what gypsum is and the important role it plays in the construction industry. We’ll also explain the risks associated with gypsum powder and the relationship between gypsum and asbestos in construction.

What is Gypsum?

Gypsum is a soft sulphate mineral with a white or grey colour, known scientifically as calcium sulphate dihydrate. It has the chemical formula CaSO4 2H2O, meaning it’s made up of calcium, sulphur, oxygen and water.

It is a naturally occurring mineral found in sedimentary rock layers and forms when water evaporates in mineral-rich marine soil environments. As time passes, more water evaporates, more minerals are brought to the surface and a solid deposit forms – this is gypsum. 

Gypsum deposits are found and mined worldwide, from the US and Brazil to Russia and Thailand. It is most commonly extracted using surface mining, then crushed using industrial machines and screened to sort it into different-sized pieces with different commercial uses. 

The mineral has been used in society for thousands of years. For example, alabaster – a solid form of gypsum – was used by ancient civilizations to create sculptures, while gypsum powder was used as a building material for the Egyptian pyramids. 

Today, gypsum can be found in the walls, floors and ceilings of many buildings, in fertilisers, as a food additive, in toothpaste, in medicine for creating casts and in many other places. Gypsum is hugely beneficial in our modern society, but it has its most significant uses in construction, where its properties, such as sound insulation and fire resistance, have improved the safety and efficiency of construction projects. 

Types of Gypsum in Construction

If you haven’t heard of gypsum before, you may be surprised at the number of building materials made from, or containing, gypsum. When added to building materials, gypsum improves that material’s functional and structural properties, meaning gypsum-based materials are used widely and frequently in construction. 

When used in building materials for construction, some of the properties gypsum transfers to that material include:

• Heat resistance. 
• Moisture resistance.
• Sound absorbency.
• Fire resistance.
• Strength and durability – including crack resistance. 
• Fast setting and hardening. 

What is Gypsum Powder?

In construction, gypsum is most often used in powder form. When solid, natural gypsum is heated up, it loses some or all of its water molecules, turning it into a powder. In the construction industry, this is known as plaster. Depending on how much heat is applied to the gypsum, you can create different types of gypsum plaster with varying construction uses. 

When water is added to the plaster, it sets and becomes solid gypsum again. This allows the gypsum to be moulded into almost any shape or smoothed flat for surfaces, providing many uses for construction. 

How is Gypsum Used in Construction?

Some of the main uses of gypsum in construction today include, but are not limited to: 

• Plasterboard: Also known as drywall or gypsum board, plasterboard is made from a gypsum core, which sometimes contains additives to improve its structural qualities. The core is sandwiched between thick paper called a backer and facer. Plasterboard has fire resistant and sound proofing properties, is light, quick to install and cheap. This makes it a popular choice of material for building interior walls, including partition walls and ceilings, meaning most modern residential, industrial and commercial buildings will contain gypsum. 
• Decorative plaster: When gypsum is heated to make plaster, this is known as plaster of Paris. Plaster of Paris is useful for creating moulds, models and casts in construction and decorating. It is also quick drying and usually shrink and crack resistant once dry. 
• Concrete: Gypsum is added to cement to increase the time taken for the cement to dry and harden, this improves the stability of the resulting concrete. 
• Gypsum fibreboard: Similar to plasterboard, gypsum fibreboard is used to line walls, ceilings, roofs and floors. It has soundproofing qualities as well as being shock and humidity resistant. 
• Building plaster: Gypsum plaster is used in walls and ceilings. It is easy to apply and sets quickly making it a popular choice of building material. 
• Plaster block: This comes in the form of gypsum tiles which are used in ceilings and gypsum blocks which are used for partitions in buildings. Their fire resistance makes them useful for projects like public buildings or buildings with a high fire risk. 
• Gypsum-based self-levelling screed: Used for ground levelling in buildings, this is a self-levelling mortar that can also be used as a base for ground decorative materials. It is stronger, more thermally stable and less prone to cracks than cement mortar. 

It’s clear that building materials containing gypsum are used at some point during the construction of most buildings, showing just how useful and effective it is for the industry. However, because gypsum has been used in construction for so long, there’s a risk that some of these gypsum-based materials could also be contaminated with asbestos. 

Does Gypsum Contain Asbestos?

The simple answer to this question is no, in its natural form gypsum does not contain asbestos. However, according to the Health and Safety Executive, there is a risk to health when working with gypsum-based plasterboard, if gypsum dust becomes airborne, as the dust may contain asbestos fibres. With this warning in mind, it’s unsurprising that people may believe gypsum contains asbestos. 

Although this is not the case, there is a link between gypsum and asbestos in the construction industry which means that asbestos control measures must be taken in some scenarios when working with gypsum-based building materials.

Does Plasterboard Contain Asbestos?

In the 1930s, gypsum plasterboard became a popular building material in the construction industry. At the same time, another mineral was becoming a popular addition to construction building materials – asbestos. Construction workers, and the wider population were unaware of the serious health risks we know about today, that come from inhaling and ingesting asbestos fibres. 

Asbestos was viewed in the same light as gypsum – as a useful substance which could improve the properties of building materials and the efficiency of construction projects. Like gypsum, asbestos was an effective insulator and strengthener, had fire resistant and sound proofing properties and could protect against corrosion. For these reasons, asbestos was used as an additive in various building materials – including in plasterboard. This means that in buildings constructed between the 1930s, when using plasterboard became popular, and the 1990s, when the use of asbestos was prohibited, there’s a chance that the plasterboard in the walls and ceiling will contain asbestos. 

When plasterboard is painted, the asbestos becomes sealed inside and the risk of harm is greatly reduced as asbestos fibres need to be airborne to reach the lungs. However, if that plasterboard were to be disturbed or damaged, then the asbestos fibres could be released and become dangerous. This means that if you are looking to do construction on a building which was built during this time period, it’s extremely important that the area is tested for asbestos and a risk assessment is carried out first. If you’d like more information on how to carry out an asbestos risk assessment, check out our article, here.

It has become common environmental practice in the construction industry to recycle old gypsum plasterboard into new plasterboard. To do this, the boards are broken down to a powder, at which point the powder is tested for asbestos. As it has been illegal since 1999 to use asbestos, if the tests identify asbestos in plaster then it cannot be reused. 

It isn’t just plasterboard produced during this time that poses an asbestos risk – in fact, one of the most common materials asbestos was used in during this time was joint compound which supports plasterboard. Joint compound is made primarily from gypsum powder but when using asbestos was still legal, asbestos was often also included in the mix. Again, in its solid form it isn’t necessarily dangerous to you, but as soon as dust or powder is produced, allowing asbestos fibres into the air, there becomes a serious risk of long-term harm. 

As well as the risk of gypsum-based building materials containing asbestos as an additive, asbestos-free building materials can also become contaminated if installed in a building with materials containing asbestos. So, even if a gypsum-based material didn’t contain asbestos when it was made, it can still become contaminated after being installed. 

Want to Learn More?

Our Asbestos Awareness course teaches you about what asbestos is and where you might encounter it, as well as the dangers of working with asbestos and what to do if you discover it, helping you to keep yourself and others safe from harm.

Can Gypsum Cause Harm?

Although natural gypsum doesn’t contain asbestos, there is a risk that gypsum-based building materials will be contaminated with asbestos if made before asbestos was banned in 1999. However, it is the asbestos fibres and not the gypsum itself that poses the most severe risk to your health.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, asbestos is the biggest occupational disease risk to construction workers. 

Despite gypsum being nontoxic, if ingested or inhaled regularly, any construction dust can cause serious harm to health, including gypsum dust. There should be control measures in place to protect workers in the construction industry from construction dust and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations sets strict legal limits on the amount of construction dust someone can be exposed to. 

In this article, you’ve learnt what gypsum is and how important it is for the construction industry, as well as the risks associated with gypsum powder and its relationship to asbestos. We hope you’ve found this article helpful and informative, whether you work in the construction industry or just want to learn more about a substance around us. 

Further Resources: 

• What is Asbestos Awareness Training & Who Needs it?
• What is Asbestos?
• How to Conduct an Asbestos Risk Assessment
• Asbestos Quiz

The post What is Gypsum in Construction? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we will look at what lock out/tag out is, including an explanation of the seven steps involved in the process. We will also examine why lock out/tag out is important and provide guidance on improving the procedure in your workplace.

What is Lock Out/Tag Out?

Lock out/tag out (often referred to as LOTO) is a phrase to describe the safety procedures for the isolation of machinery and other work equipment in which energy is used, stored or created. It’s a system that helps to avoid the potential accidents and incidents that can occur during maintenance, servicing, repair or inspection activities in the workplace. 

LOTO involves placing a padlock on a machine once the energy has been fully isolated from it, and then attaching a tag to the machine to communicate that it should not be used. This ensures that workers can complete necessary maintenance, servicing, repair or inspection work safely, without putting themselves or others at risk. 

It is also used for machines that present risks during maintenance, servicing, repair or inspection. For example: power presses, processing machines and automatic processing lines, mixing machines, ovens, conveyor systems, mechanical handling systems and process lines, amongst others.

Risk assessment and the hierarchy of control

Lock out/tag out is an administrative step on the hierarchy of control. LOTO is a part of the risk assessment and part of a safe system of work (SSoW). 

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) requires all employers to conduct risk assessments for their work activities and locations. 

To do a risk assessment, you need to take the following five steps:

• Step 1: Identify the potential hazards in your workplace and from your work activities.
• Step 2: Think about who might be harmed and how – not just employees but also contractors, visitors and members of the public
• Step 3: Evaluate the risks and implement controls. This involves deciding how likely it is that the hazards will cause risk to health and safety and what to do about it.
• Step 4: Record your findings. This is a legal requirement if you employ five or more people, but it is good practice for any workplace and activities there.
• Step 5: Regularly review your risk assessment as things change, such as new or altered processes or new employees.

It’s important to remember that LOTO as a process is not a substitute for a risk assessment. 

The hierarchy of control is intrinsic to a risk assessment. It is a five-level structure that helps employers and duty holders understand the order in which precautions should be applied to control the risks associated with their work activities.

The hierarchy starts with the most effective controls at the top of the structure, descending to the least effective. When considering selecting controls for your work activities, they must be adopted in the order outlined below:

• Elimination.
• Substitution.
• Engineering controls.
• Administrative controls.
• PPE.

As mentioned previously, LOTO is an administrative step on the hierarchy of control and part of a safe system of work. We will explore what this means below. 

Safe systems of work (SSoW)

Once elimination, substitution, and engineering controls have been considered to manage risks, under the hierarchy of control, administrative controls can be used to reduce any remaining risks.

Administrative controls include enforcing safe systems of work (SSoW) and ensuring employees are provided with the necessary information, instruction, and training. LOTO is one example of an administrative control. 

A safe system of work is a combination of physical controls, procedures, plans, training and information that provides a safe work environment or a safe work activity for all employees.

The key information contained within a safe system of work is:

• Safe Place of Work. The work environment should be safe and not pose risks to health or safety for the work activities that will be undertaken. For example, there should be adequate lighting, access, and ventilation.
• Safe Work Equipment. The safe system of work should include the selection of the most suitable type of work equipment and/or substance by an experienced manager, with the advice of a specialist company where necessary.
• Safe Substances for Use at Work. The safe system of work should only allow the safest substances possible. This may mean substituting dangerous, flammable, or toxic substances, such as chemicals or gases, for safer alternatives. 
• Safe Management, Supervision, and Monitoring. Managers, supervisors, those who plan the work, and other duty holders should be competent in their duties. This includes an understanding of the hazards and risks involved with the work activities and work environment, and how to safely supervise and monitor activities.
• Safe Workers. Employees and any others undertaking work activities must be fully trained in the safe system of work, including any work equipment, use of substances, and rescue arrangements.

The Seven Steps of LOTO

There are a number of critical steps to a LOTO procedure. These are a logical series of actions that ensure all the steps of LOTO are completed. Almost all LOTO procedures fall into this series of steps, which we have listed below. 

• Step 1: Preparation – This involves identifying the energy sources and control devices of the machine in question – for example, how is the machine powered? Electricity is the most commonly used energy source; however, some machinery is powered by hydraulic or pneumatic energy. 
• Step 2: Initial Information and Training – It’s crucial to ensure that everyone who needs to know that the work equipment will be under maintenance, serviced, repair or inspection are fully informed beforehand. This includes not only employees who usually work on or nearby the machine, but others such as contractors or cleaning staff that work in the vicinity.
• Step 3: Initial Isolation of Work Equipment – All forms of energy need to be fully isolated from the work equipment. The first step here is to switch off the stop button on the machine – which doesn’t isolate the equipment. That needs to be done separately, usually by moving the isolator switch for the equipment to ‘off’.
• Step 4: LOTO – Lock Out of Work Equipment –  Now that the machine’s isolator has been switched off, it should be locked with a padlock. Typically there are two holes in the isolator handle or the isolator switch in the main control panel. Once these holes are aligned, a padlock can be fitted and locked. Usually, the person who locks off the equipment also retains the key.
• Step 5: LOTO – Tagging and Testing – As soon as the padlock has been fitted, the person doing the work should also fit a “lock out warning tag”. This tag should be able to be attached securely to either the padlock or the machine, and must contain a warning label. It should also have the space to write the name of the person who has fitted it. 
• Step 6: Communication During the Work – It’s essential, for the safety of everyone involved, that there are clear lines of communication throughout the maintenance, service, repair or inspection work. Voice communication is often sufficient, however, if the maintenance takes place in an enclosed space, for example, or an area with low-light, it might be necessary to use a radio or another wireless system.
• Step 7: Completion of Work and Return to Service – Before the work equipment is released for normal service, a manager or supervisor must confirm that the work has been completed and the equipment is in a safe condition. It’s vital that the lock out devices and tags are removed by the same person who fitted them. 

Want to Learn More?

Our Lock Out/Tag Out course outlines the health and safety hazards and risks that LOTO helps to control, and how the principles of LOTO should be applied to risk assessments.

Why is LOTO Important?

Lock out/tag out is a safety process that helps to safeguard employees against hazards and risks that they, and other people in the vicinity, can be exposed to while routine maintenance is carried out. 

These include, but are not limited to:

• Moving parts of machinery. This can cause entrapment, crushing and/or amputation of parts of the body. Examples include the tools of machinery, moving parts of plant such as rotating blades in fans, mixers of tanks or drums or conveyor systems. 
• Electrical risks. As we’ve explained, electricity is the most commonly used energy source, and this presents its own risks. For example, electric conductors, which are assumed ‘dead’ and are exposed for work on them may become live and cause electric shock or burns.
• Falls from height. It’s common for maintenance work to involve working on roofs, gutters and building services. Equally, it may involve needing to reach raised sections of machinery or work equipment. These activities would involve using access equipment. For more information on controlling working at height hazards, check out our article, here. 
• Falls of heavy objects. Heavy items sometimes have to be moved or are disturbed during maintenance work – for example, access covers or disconnected parts.
• Disturbing asbestos. Many older plant and machinery items still contain asbestos products, for example, gaskets, filters and other parts. There is also asbestos-containing material in parts of older buildings and structures, for instance, sprayed asbestos coating on steelwork and pipes, lagging, and asbestos insulation boards. For more information on asbestos, check out our article. 

Legal Requirements

There are a number of Regulations under health and safety law that must be complied with that relate to LOTO. We have explained some of the key legislation below. 

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, employers must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, their employees’ health, safety and welfare whilst at work. This is a wide-ranging duty and encompasses preventing and controlling risks that may result from maintenance, servicing, repair or inspection work. This includes ensuring the proper planning, organisation, control, monitoring and review of preventative and protective measures.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) 1999 also applies to all work activities and places additional legal duties on employers to manage health and safety in the workplace. 

One of the key duties under MHSWR is to ensure that a risk assessment is regularly carried out and the findings are recorded. 

Under both the HSW Act and MHSWR, employees also have responsibilities to work safely and in accordance with any training and information given to them and to immediately report any health and safety concerns to their employer or manager.

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998 apply to a wide range of work equipment across all types of work activities, and are therefore relevant to LOTO procedures, too. 

How to Improve LOTO Safety

There are certain ways that employers can help to improve the safety of a LOTO procedure, including ensuring that inspections are carried out and that all employees are fully trained. We’ll look at these in more detail below. 

LOTO Inspections

If your workplace uses LOTO procedures, there should be an inspection conducted at least once every 12 months to evaluate the current system in place.

The inspection must be conducted by a competent person. There must also be a second person involved, who carries out the LOTO procedure. The person carrying out the inspection cannot be the one carrying out the procedure. 

A LOTO inspection must determine whether:

• Employees are aware of, and fully understand, their responsibilities regarding how to conduct a LOTO procedure safely.
• Each step of the LOTO procedure is being followed – including, for example, whether everyone involved is being informed of the upcoming maintenance and whether they each understand what the different types of lock out/tag out devices, such as padlocks or tags, mean. 
• The overall success of the current system in place. 

The results of the inspection will highlight any deficiencies with the current system and controls should then be implemented to improve or make changes to the process – such as offering further training to employees – if the results show a need for improvement. 

LOTO Training

Employers must provide LOTO training and having employees complete lock out/tag out training has many benefits. A training course outlines the hazards and risks associated with maintenance work in detail, highlighting the importance of using a LOTO procedure to protect employees from these. 

It also explores each step of the risk assessment process in detail, and explains how it links with the hierarchy of control and safe systems of work. 

A LOTO training course will also outline the seven steps of a LOTO procedure, and goes into detail about what is required at each step. It also describes the role and responsibilities of those involved in LOTO.

Take a look at our Lock Out/Tag Out Training course which is suitable for workers at all levels, who are involved in lock out/tag out procedures to complete routine maintenance, service, repair or inspection of work equipment.

However, it’s crucial to understand that a lock out/tag out training course must accompany practical training and be a part of general health and safety training. It is not a substitute. Completing an online course does not provide any assurances of being deemed competent to carry out procedures such as LOTO. Instead, it provides awareness and theoretical knowledge of the procedure. 

We hope you’ve found this article on lock out/tag out informative and helpful. If you have any further questions about the topics discussed in this article, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at High Speed Training. You can contact our friendly team on 0333 006 7000 or email support@highspeedtraining.co.uk. 

Further Resources

• Online Health & Safety Courses
• Understanding DSEAR – Area Classification & Hazardous Substances
• What is a Safety Data Sheet?

The post What is Lock Out/Tag Out? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

In this article, we’ll outline what an asbestos management plan is, why asbestos management plans are so important and how they can help to manage the risks of asbestos.

What is an Asbestos Management Plan?

As someone with responsibility for the safety of non-domestic premises, the law states that you have a duty to manage asbestos and therefore names you as the ‘dutyholder’ for that premises. This means that any asbestos present in your building must be identified and managed to prevent it causing any risks to health – something that can be done with an effective asbestos management plan drawn up by a qualified person.

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012, dutyholders are defined as any of the following:

• Owners of non-domestic premises.
• Anyone responsible for a premises – with or without a contract or tenancy agreement.
• Anyone with overall responsibility for maintenance and repairs to a building.

An asbestos management plan helps you to ensure that you’ve carried out an effective asbestos risk assessment. It involves locating the sources of asbestos, assessing the risks to health and determining what action to take as a result – all vital information for anyone who may encounter ACMs as part of their work.

Looking to Learn More?

Do you work in an environment where you may accidentally encounter asbestos or asbestos containing materials? Then our Asbestos Awareness (Category A) training is essential for learning more on managing the risks.

Why is an Asbestos Management Plan Important?

Having an asbestos management plan is important because it ensures you are managing the risks from asbestos effectively. It also gives your employees and customers peace of mind, knowing that the legal requirements are being met and that their health is being appropriately safeguarded.

For employees and contractors, your asbestos management plan signals that you have carried out a full asbestos risk assessment of the premises and can confidently state where asbestos is or may be located.

Note that construction, demolition or maintenance work must not begin in a premises until you have an asbestos management plan in place.

Who Needs an Asbestos Management Plan?

An asbestos management plan is needed by both small and large premises, regardless of the type of premises or the number of people who may be present. This includes members of the public, such as customers in a shop, as well as employees.

Asbestos was only used as a building material in premises built before the year 2000 so, if you know for certain that your premises was built after 2000, then it’s much less likely to contain asbestos and an asbestos management plan may not be required. Bear in mind, however, that just because a building is a ‘new build’, it could be built on a brownfield site that is contaminated with asbestos or it may house old equipment or machinery made from asbestos. In all cases, it’s important to never assume that asbestos isn’t present.

The dutyholder can inspect their premises, gather information on previous asbestos surveys and create a basic asbestos register based on their findings, but it’s recommended that a competent asbestos surveyor creates the asbestos management plan for your premises. 

Asbestos Management Plan Requirements

Your plan can be a computer document or a written record but it should be easy to read and easy to find by anyone who needs to see it. An asbestos management plan typically includes the following sections:

• Who has responsibility for managing asbestos. The plan must state exactly who is responsible for what, including their name and job title.
• The asbestos register. This states precisely where asbestos is located or might be located in the premises.
• The plan for work involving ACMs. How exactly should work be carried out to avoid disturbing any known or potential asbestos?
• The schedule for monitoring the condition of ACMs. The condition of asbestos containing materials can deteriorate over time and so must be monitored and checked at least annually. Note that any testing for asbestos must be done by a qualified expert and any removal of asbestos must be done by an HSE-licensed asbestos contractor.
• How people will be informed about the plan. This includes everyone who is going to work on the fabric of the building, such as decorators, roofers, plasterers, plumbers, electricians, engineers and surveyors, to name a few.

Your asbestos management plan should be updated by a designated person – usually the dutyholder or another knowledgeable manager – whenever any work is carried out on ACMs in your premises. It’s vital that the plan is up-to-date and that everyone is encouraged to read it before carrying out any sort of work that may disturb asbestos in your premises.

In this article, you’ve learnt about the importance of having an asbestos management plan in place if you are the dutyholder of a non-domestic premises. If disturbed by building work, asbestos can be extremely hazardous to health, so it’s essential that you’ve planned the work correctly and recognise the risks it can present.

Further Resources:

• Asbestos Awareness (Category A) Training
• What are the Three Types of Asbestos Training?
• How to Conduct an Asbestos Risk Assessment
• Asbestos Quiz
• What is Asbestos Awareness Training & Who Needs it?
• What to Do After Recent Exposure to Asbestos

The post What is an Asbestos Management Plan? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.