There are many apps specifically designed for learners who benefit from multisensory learning, which involves making use of sight, sound, and touch simultaneously. This enables dyslexic learners to transfer new information from short-term to long-term memory much easier.

As well as the visuals and sound, the touchscreen interface of most phones and tablets facilitates multisensory learning. The user can physically trace, drag, or touch the information contained in these educational apps, which alongside other sensory input will help their mind absorb it better.

Many of the apps listed in this article make use of this essential, and more importantly fun, learning method (and the ones that don’t are designed for different purposes!)

Need a Training Course?

Our Dyslexia Awareness Training discusses the characteristics of dyslexia and how this affects learning, and gives guidance on how to support children who have or who show signs of dyslexia. It dispels misconceptions, explores the challenges children with dyslexia face and provides techniques and learning activities you can use to support them. You might also be interested in our SEND in the Classroom Course.

Apps to Help with Dyslexia: Our Top Picks

Further Resources:

• 7 Creative Classroom Exercises for Teaching SEN Children
• How to Avoid Dyslexia Discrimination in the Workplace
• Recognising the Signs of Dyslexia in Children
• What are Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs)?
• Dyslexia Awareness Training

The post 8 Useful Apps to Help with Dyslexia appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

One important consideration is that leaning ladders need to be angled correctly to reduce falling risks. To achieve this, you should follow the ladder angle rule set out in health and safety guidance.

In this piece, we’ll explain what the ladder angle rule is, including the 4 to 1 ladder rule and the 75 degree angle ladder rule. We’ll also discuss the other vital ladder safety measures, such as checking a ladder before use and the importance of considering where you’re placing it.

What is the Ladder Angle Rule?

The ladder angle rule, as set out by HSE guidance, explains what angle a leaning ladder should be placed against a surface. This reduces the risk of the ladder falling and of the user falling off the ladder.  

The rule is set out in two forms:

• The 4 to 1 ladder rule.
• The 75 degree angle ladder rule.

Let’s look at what these both mean and at a visual example.

The 4 to 1 Ladder Rule   

Leaning ladders should be placed 1 unit out for every 4 units up.

So, for example, let’s say a ladder is placed at a height of 4 metres, i.e. the very top of the ladder is at that height. The distance between the bottom of the ladder and the surface against which it is being leaned will therefore be 1 metre.

The 75 Degree Angle Ladder Rule

The 75 degree rule is the same as the 4 to 1 ladder rule, expressed in a different mathematical format. It basically explains that the ladder should be leaning at a 75 degree angle against the surface. The correct angle is more easily achieved by following the 4 to 1 ladder rule, rather than placing the ladder and measuring the angle until you get it right.

Have a look at the illustration below, which demonstrates the 4 to 1 and 75 degree angle rule.

It’s important to note that the ladder must not be used if you cannot follow the 4 to 1 ladder rule and achieve a 75 degree angle. The only exception to this is if the ladder is entirely secure, for example a fixed ladder that’s part of a scaffold structure.

Why is the Ladder Angle Rule Important?

Following the ladder angle rule reduces the risk of the ladder falling and of the user falling off the ladder. This is crucial, because working at height poses a significant risk of falling and the consequences can be serious.   

Unsafe selection and use of ladders and stepladders are major causes of fatal and serious accidents at work and at home. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that falls from a height account for around 8% of non-fatal injuries to employees each year.

This is why it’s essential to follow the necessary control measures, including the ladder angle rule. If it isn’t set up and used correctly, the ladder could slide off the surface on which it’s being leaned or could fall sideways or backwards. If the user overloads the ladder or distributes their weight in an unsafe way, they could cause the ladder to break or fall, or fall off it themselves.

Want to Learn More?

Our Ladder Safety Training provides a complete introduction to ladder safety and the safe working practices you should follow. It explains how to select, carry out pre-use checks, set up, and use ladders as well as outlining the steps of a ladder-specific risk assessment.

Other Examples of Ladder Safety Rules

The 4 to 1 ladder rule is an important control measure to follow. However, it is not the only one. Ladders can present serious safety risks if not set up and used correctly.

The first important consideration is that you must only use a ladder if, according to the risk assessment, the use of more suitable equipment is not justifiable.

This usually means you can use a ladder if the risk is low, if it will be used for a short duration, and if existing features in the area cannot be altered to allow a safer way of accessing the height.

To clarify, low risk means that the ladder user is able to hold it at all times with three points of contact (i.e. two feet and at least one hand), where it involves light duties (e.g. clearing a gutter or changing a lightbulb), where the ladder can be made stable and secure, and where the work is readily accessible and doesn’t require overreaching.

Further examples of important safety measures to follow when using a ladder are set out below:

• Carry out pre-use checks. Users of ladders should check the ladder before each use and if conditions change, for example if it’s moved to a new location. These checks should include assessing the overall condition of the ladder, its stiles, rungs, steps, feet, nuts and bolts, etc. If there are any noticeable issues, it must not be used.
• Maintain three points of contact. As mentioned earlier, you must maintain three points of contact at all times when using a ladder, i.e. both feet and one hand. Also, you must not overreach. A good benchmark for preventing overreaching is keeping your waist within the same area as the ladder and both feet on a rung throughout the task.
• Place the ladder on a strong and stable surface. The bottom of the ladder must be on a firm, level surface and a clean, non-slip floor. You must never place a ladder on movable objects, like a pile of bricks, or use them in strong or gusty winds. The top must be placed against a firm surface, such as a solid wall. Never lean it against guttering or a window, as these could break under the weight.
• Never overload the ladder. You must not exceed the stated load of the ladder. There are normally pictograms or a label on the ladder showing the maximum weight that the ladder can safely bear.
• Secure the ladder if possible. While the 4 to 1 rule is effective for stabilising a ladder, it’s advised that you secure the stiles near the top if you can. For example, by tying the stiles to something or using a specific ladder stability device. You can find more guidance about this in our dedicated article on How to Safely Secure a Ladder.

These are just some of the important ways to set up and use a ladder safely. If you’re carrying out work with a ladder, it’s vital to familiarise yourself with all the safety measures required to use a ladder. In a workplace context, your employer must provide you with training in how to use ladders safely and you must follow it.

Ladders are useful for accessing heights, but they can pose serious safety risks if not set up and used correctly. This is why health and safety guidance sets out the 4 to 1 (75 degrees) ladder angle rule. Following this rule, as well as other vital control measures and safety practices, will help to ensure your safety when working at height with a ladder.

What to Read Next:

• Online Ladder Safety Training Course
• Ladder Safety Checklist
• Safely Securing Ladders: Guidance and Procedures
• Using Fall Protection to Control Working at Height Hazards
• Ladder Safety Quiz

The post Guidance on the Ladder Angle Rule appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

This is one of the most notable qualities of the industry: because it encompasses a huge range of roles, there’s something for virtually everyone. It does, of course, include the hands-on jobs that first come to mind when you think of construction. For example, bricklaying, crane operation, and carpentry. But there’s also so much more on offer, which we’ll explore throughout this article.

In this piece, we’ll discuss the types of careers that you can pursue in construction and the benefits of working in the industry. We’ll also provide a comprehensive (though not exhaustive) list of construction job titles, with a general description of what each role entails. This information will be a solid starting point for helping you decide which construction role might be right for you.

Contents of this Article

This article covers the following contents:

• What types of jobs are available in construction?
• How easy is it to get into the construction industry?
• Apprenticeship, worker, management, and senior management construction roles
• List of construction job titles
• Why should I work in the construction industry?

Use the above links to jump to different sections of the article.

What Types of Jobs are Available in Construction?

Construction projects require an incredible range of skills to go from conception to completion. Planning and management is just as vital as sawing and welding. During most construction projects, there will be people who come and go and people who are there from start to finish. Clearly, the scope of what you can do in construction is vast.

Later in the article, we’ll look at a list of construction job titles, to give you an idea of what sort of jobs you can get into. But first, let’s look at how accessible construction roles are, and at the overall levels and skill sets that many construction roles fall into. This will shed light on how you can get into the industry, whatever level of experience you have. Likewise, it’ll highlight the broad range of skills that lend themselves to the construction industry.

How Easy is it to Get into the Construction Industry?

As the construction industry is so vital, there’s no shortage of opportunity. In fact, many construction roles are currently in high demand in the UK.

According to a Construction Skills Network (CSN) report on The Skills Construction Needs, 266,000 additional construction workers will be required to meet UK construction demands by 2026 (53,200 workers per year). The report states that the sectors most in need are private housing, infrastructure, and repair and maintenance. The roles in particular demand include carpenters and joiners, construction managers, electronics and civil engineering technicians, estimators and valuers, and office-based support staff.

Now is evidently a good time to enter the construction industry. There is no lack of roles and you’d be joining a sector that contributes greatly to society. And there are many avenues through which you can enter the industry, whether you’re fresh out of school or already experienced in a construction role.

While you can enter into the industry at a range of skill levels, the actual skills and qualifications required depends on the role you’re interested in. To learn more about this, you can read our dedicated article on How to Become a Construction Worker.

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Apprenticeship, Worker, Management, and Senior Management Construction Roles

Whatever level you’re looking at within the construction industry, there are plenty of opportunities, especially due to the current high demand. To help with the growing demand, the UK Government and the construction industry have fostered numerous routes for accessing the industry over the years.

For example, various T-Levels are now available (as alternatives to A-Levels) to train you in certain construction-related roles. Likewise, apprenticeships are widely accessible, to help you pursue all sorts of construction careers. College and university courses are also widely available. These will all put you in an excellent position for entering the job market after studies. In fact, these avenues usually provide on-site work experience, so you can hit the ground running.

If you’re a little more experienced or are looking for a career change – and aren’t able to access avenues like T-Levels or university courses – there are still lots of effective ways to get into the industry. For example, you could take an affordable or even free online course. Many employers will train you up for the job if you don’t have a lot of experience, and employer grants are even available to help them with this. Some initial training, a genuine interest in the role, and some transferrable skills will instil confidence in a prospective employer.

You could even start your own business if you’re in a position to do so. Self-employment in the construction industry is common and has many benefits.

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List of Construction Job Titles

Below is a non-exhaustive list of careers in the construction industry, as well as a short description of what each role entails. This will help give you a general idea of what might be available, depending on your qualifications and experience.

• Architect. Architects are integral to construction projects, as they help to produce the visual and technical design of a building or other structure. They will set out what it needs to be built, e.g. the materials, dimensions, etc.
• Engineer. There are many types of engineering roles in construction, such as building service engineers, civil engineers, and geotechnical engineers. They are involved in the installation and maintenance of various structural elements, such as water, lighting, and heating facilities. Some roles may involve more large-scale projects, e.g. civil engineers may oversee infrastructure like roads and railways.
• Building surveyor. This role involves assessing and providing advice regarding how to improve buildings and other structures, such as repair or maintenance. It may also include providing guidance on the value or sustainability of the construction.
• Cost estimator or planner. A cost estimator or planner will, as the name suggests, help with mapping out the overall costings involved in a project. They will factor in everything required, including the labour, materials, time, etc.
• Project manager. Project managers map out and oversee a construction project’s progress from start to finish. They help to ensure it runs efficiently and in accordance with the budget.
• Site manager or supervisor. While project managers outline how work should be coordinated, site managers and supervisors help physically put this plan into effect. They oversee the people carrying out the work and ensure everyone is working effectively and safely.
• Site inspector. A site inspector will monitor and assess construction sites to ensure everyone is following the necessary safety standards and regulations, as well as the building plan and specifications.
• Glaziers. The role of a glazier is centred around working with glass, such as for windows or other glass fixtures like cabinets or doors. For example, their role may be to install all the windows for a new house.
• Electrician. This role is fairly self-explanatory: electricians handle the installation and maintenance of electrical systems in buildings, including lighting and heating systems.
• Carpenters. A carpenter’s role is focused on woodworking, from measuring the cuts needed, cutting and sanding the wood to shape, and putting the structure together, either on site or off site.
• Vehicle and /or machinery operator. Drivers of forklifts, cranes, excavators, HGVs, dumpers, skip trucks, etc. are vital roles for construction. For example, forklifts, HGVs, and cranes help to transport the necessary materials for projects, while excavators, dumpers, and skip trucks help remove dirt and waste from sites.
• Flooring installer. For example, carpet fitters and tilers. Their role is to measure, cut to size, and install flooring in buildings.
• Decorator and/or plasterer. A decorator’s role encompasses tasks like wallpapering, painting, and applying finishes to various areas of a building. They may come into the project at the end stages to follow the specifications already planned for the space, or they may lend their advice early on regarding how to decorate. A decorator’s role may also involve plastering throughout a building, though dedicated plastering roles are also an option.  
• Plumber. A plumber will work with all things plumbing, including installing and maintaining the systems for toilets, sinks, baths, heating, etc.
• Roofer. Roofing work involves installing and maintaining the roofing and guttering of various buildings and of various material types.
• Bricklayer and/or concrete worker. Bricklayers and concrete workers are essential for putting together the foundation and framework of a building with bricks, stone, concrete, and mortar.
• Pipefitter. A pipefitter’s role is to ensure all the necessary pipework is installed and maintained for a building or other structure, such as for the plumbing and heating systems.
• Steel fitter. Steel fitters weld and rivet various cuts of steel, such as steel pillars or girders, to construct and fortify building structures.
• Safety manager. A safety manager’s primary role is to monitor and maintain health and safety while everyone is on site. They will help to ensure everyone who needs information, instruction, and/or training receives and follows it.
• Banksman/traffic marshal. A banksman (increasingly becoming known as a traffic marshal) helps to ensure work activities involving vehicles and mobile plant are carried out safely. They may use hand signals to help guide vehicles where visibility is limited and other control measures can’t sufficiently reduce the risk.
• Transport modeller. A transport modeller’s role involves working with transport routes, such as designing a new route entirely, planning a route that connects to existing transport systems, or improving existing routes.
• Asbestos removal worker. An asbestos removal worker is vital if it’s been identified that asbestos needs removing from a building, as only qualified individuals can safely remove it. This is often required during demolition and deconstruction of old buildings.
• Scaffolder. A scaffolder’s role is to erect and dismantle scaffolding systems, including the poles, work platforms and walkways, and guardrails and toe boards, as well as safety nets in some cases. Safely setting up scaffolding enables workers to carry out their roles safely at height.
• Slinger-signaller. A slinger-signaller helps to ensure work activities involving crane manoeuvres are carried out safely. They will help direct the crane operator to lift and lower loads, often with the use of hand signals and/or verbal communication via a radio system.

The roles and descriptions above are helpful overviews for you, but only brief introductions. So, if you’re interested in any role in particular, have a look online at job listings or more detailed descriptions to gain further insight.

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Why Should I Work in the Construction Industry?

Pursuing a career in building and construction has numerous benefits:

• High in demand. As discussed earlier, construction roles are currently in high demand in the UK. A high demand means there is a lot of opportunity, and your chances of getting into or progressing in the industry are good. This is particularly the case if you’re interested in one of the roles experiencing greater shortages than others, like bricklaying.
• Accessible. We touched upon this in an earlier section in the article, but to summarise: you can access construction roles via many different avenues. Whether you’re fresh out of school or an experienced worker (in or out of construction), there are many effective ways to enter the industry.
• Career progression. As seen from the extensive job list, there are so many different routes you can pursue in construction. Many of these roles can build onto one another or progress into senior levels if you want them to. People in managerial roles have often worked their way up. 
• Good working rates and salaries. Because construction roles are often skilled and, as mentioned, in high demand, salaries and working rates are competitive.
• Hands-on and fulfilling work. Construction work can bring an excellent sense of fulfilment, as you help transform a project from an idea on paper to a completed, physical creation. Having that clear end-goal and sense of purpose can be incredibly motivating and satisfying.  

While there are clear, excellent benefits, it’s also important to be aware that construction roles can, like any job, come with challenges.

For example, although there are plenty of roles that are not labour-intensive, many are very physical roles and require a good level of fitness and desire to engage in that type of work. Furthermore, many of the on-site roles can come with health and safety hazards that require you to follow good control measures and training.

As long as you understand and prepare for the more challenging aspects of construction roles, then you’ll be able to choose a role that’s right for you. 

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The construction industry is brimming with opportunity, especially in the current UK job market where there’s a high demand for workers. The industry has a vast range of job roles, whether you’re new to the industry or are an experienced worker. Likewise, there are many options available depending on whether you want a more physical, on-site role, or if you’re more interested in planning and management. Plus, there are many ways to train up for and access various careers in the construction industry.

This article has hopefully provided you with a good starting point for gauging whether you’re interested in working for the construction industry, and what specific roles sound like a good fit for your career.

What to Read Next:

• Online Health and Safety Training Courses
• How to Become a Construction Worker
• Ten Common Construction Site Hazards
• Welding Hazards in the Workplace: Safety Tips & Precautions
• Guide to Construction Tenders
• Banksman Signals: Free Poster

The post Careers in Construction Industry: Opportunities and Roles appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

It’s therefore vital that employers put in place sufficient controls for reducing the risks. Banksmen may be one of these controls that the risk assessment identifies as necessary. A properly-trained banksman will help to ensure that operations can run as safely as possible, so accidents are prevented.

In this article, we will explain what a banksman is, what a banksman’s duties and responsibilities are, and how to become a banksman who is competent to fulfil the role. 

What is a Banksman?

A banksman is a trained and competent person who helps to ensure work activities involving vehicles and mobile plant are carried out safely. They form part of the safe working practices where other measures do not sufficiently control the risks posed by vehicles and mobile plant manoeuvres.

This means that duty holders (employers, self-employed people, and those who own or manage the premises) must consider other control measures first before a banksman. For example, redesigning the layout of the traffic routes to reduce risks. If risks still remain, the risk assessment may identify that the use of a banksman will help further reduce them to an acceptable level. 

A key part of a banksman’s role is directing vehicles and mobile plant, where the driver or operator needs assistance to safely move or manoeuvre.

For example, drivers and operators may need assistance because:

• Movement or visibility is difficult or limited in restricted areas.
• Other means do not sufficiently control reversing risks.
• The area is unfamiliar (such as when working in new parts of forestry).

Banksmen help with vehicle operations in many types of industries and for a range of work activities, such as those:

• In fixed sites, e.g. factories, warehouses, and construction sites. 
• In open air locations, e.g. public roads and open spaces such as forestry and agriculture.

A banksman’s overall duties and responsibilities are generally the same across each industry and type of operation that they help to guide. However, the specific ways in which they fulfil these and the specific on-site training required will differ between workplaces. This is because the work areas and activities will vary. We’ll cover all of this throughout the rest of the article.

What’s the Difference Between a Traffic Marshal and Banksman?

In the context of guiding vehicles and mobile plant operations for work, there is no difference between the terms traffic marshal and banksman. Traffic marshal is becoming increasingly used for this role, but banksman is also still widely recognised. This is why you will see both names referred to for this role.

Note that the role being referred to in this article is that of guiding vehicles and mobile plant used as part of work activities. There will be instances of these using public roads as temporary workplaces – such as during deliveries or road works. However, traffic marshal and banksman does not refer to roles that involve guiding public traffic on public roads.

What’s the Difference Between a Banksman and a Slinger Signaller?

A slinger signaller helps with guiding lifting and lowering operations, e.g. those that a crane carries out. Banksmen do not assist with these types of operations. Slinger signallers must receive formal training in how to safely provide assistance, and this is beyond the scope of a banksman’s role.

What Are a Banksman’s Duties and Responsibilities?

As mentioned earlier, a banksman’s role is to help ensure the safety of vehicle and mobile plant operations. To achieve this, they have a number of duties and responsibilities.

The key duties and responsibilities of a banksman usually include:

• Guiding drivers and operators of vehicles and mobile plant, where they need assistance during work operations. The banksman must guide them from a safe location, where they can always see the vehicle and where the driver or operator can always see the banksman. They must both agree that the driver will immediately stop the manoeuvre if they lose sight of the banksman.
• Helping to uphold the control measures for the work activities and environment. This requires having a good understanding of the risk assessment. They must know what controls the duty holder has put in place for sufficiently reducing the risks posed by the work area and operations. For example, understanding the layout and use of vehicle and pedestrian routes, obstructions in the area, visibility limitations of vehicles and mobile plant, speed limits, and more.
• Utilising their understanding of the risk assessment to identify if it is or isn’t safe to proceed with an operation, and to report any issues.
• Adhering to the training and preparation that they and the driver will receive for operations. This will ensure the banksman and driver both follow the necessary systems of work and are coordinated during the manoeuvre.
• Using an agreed and clear system of signalling to direct the driver or operator. The Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996 set out the hand and verbal signals that banksmen commonly use. They can use a different system of signalling if they wish, provided that this is agreed between the banksman and driver. In some circumstances, the banksman might use verbal signals instead of hand signals. For example, when very large vehicles or mobile plant are involved in the operation.
• Keeping the area free from others while operations are underway, such as workers and pedestrians.

Part of a banksman’s duties and responsibilities may also involve contributing to the risk assessment, where they have relevant experience.

It’s good practice for employers to ask them for verbal input in such cases. Note, however, that the overall legal duty to carry out a risk assessment and implement controls for vehicles and mobile plant rests with the employer, not banksmen.

How to Become a Banksman

According to Go Construct, there are many ways to become a banksman, depending on the route you want to take and what suits you. For example, you could take an apprenticeship or college course relating to plant operations and/or the relevant work vehicles and industry. This will help you to gain a good foundation of knowledge. Site experience will be highly valuable, such as from work experience or apprenticeships.

All of this will put you in a strong position to apply for a banksman role, either externally or internally. Note, though, that you will then need further training relating to the specific site’s activities and environment. We’ll explain this shortly.

Is There a Banksman Qualification?

There is no one specific banksman qualification that you need to take. However, as discussed above, there are many routes to becoming equipped for the role of a banksman. Certain qualifications may assist you, like a college course, T-Levels, or training for gaining a relevant CSCS card, depending on the industry in which you’re looking to be a banksman. But these courses alone do not qualify you to be a banksman.

To be qualified or, more accurately, competent to fulfil the role, you need to have the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience. These will come from a range of areas.

Banksman Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

A combination of suitable skills, knowledge, and experience are necessary to be a competent banksman. You will most likely gain these from numerous areas, including via specific training from the business for which you’re wanting to be a banksman.

It’s vital for banksmen to receive training from their employer in relation to the specific control measures that are in place where they work, as every work site is different.

All banksmen who are new to a business or are in a new location must be familiarised with the new work activities and locations in which they will work, and the vehicles and mobile plant they’ll work with. This usually means a combination of formal training and being under the supervision of a trained and experienced banksman, until they have completed their training.

Job-specific training for banksmen will usually cover:

• General information about the location, such as traffic and pedestrian route layouts.
• Special conditions of the location, such as overhead pipes, cables, or restricted access.
• Information about speed limits, parking and loading areas, and driving procedures.
• The arrangements for supervision of the work location and who is overall in charge of the work in progress.
• The vehicles and mobile plant that are used on the site.
• Additional visibility aids, their use, and their limitations. For example, the use of large mirrors or reversing alarms.
• When and how to report risks or accidents.

Note that this list is not exhaustive, as it depends on the specific work activities and environment.

You may also need further training in certain aspects of your role that are not site-specific, such as:

• The relevant legislation relating to work vehicles and mobile plant safety. This will help you understand what your employer must do for everyone’s health and safety, and the importance of following and supporting health and safety controls.
• General information about the safe management of vehicles and mobile plant. This will help you to recognise the hazards and risks posed by vehicle and mobile plant operations, understand how to help uphold the control measures in place at your site, and contribute to the risk assessment where requested.
• How to safely and effectively use the nine general hand signals that banksmen commonly use, as set out by the Health and Safety (Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996.

As this training is not site-specific, it could be delivered on site or off site. For example, via an online banksman training course.

In summary, all of the training and experience you gain from various routes can help you to become prepared and competent for the role of a banksman.

Looking at past or current job adverts for banksman roles can help give you more of an idea of what businesses are after. You can then research into the opportunities near you, like apprenticeships or courses, that align with this and go from there.

A banksman is an important role for helping to ensure safe work vehicle and mobile plant operations. The use of a banksman will be considered where other controls have not sufficiently reduced the risks. It’s vital that banksmen are competent for their role, and there are many routes you can take to gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience.

Importantly, however, banksmen must receive training for the specific work activities and environment in which they’re going to guide drivers and operators. This will be provided on the job. Further training in the safe management of work vehicles and mobile plant, as well as how to use the common hand signals to guide drivers, will also help form part of your overall preparation for the role. All of this will help you become competent to help reduce the risks of vehicle and mobile plant operations. In turn, you’ll help to ensure everyone involved in the work activity and anyone nearby is safe.

What to Read Next:

• What is Effective Communication in Construction
• How to Become a Construction Worker
• Guidance on the PPE at Work Regulations: Responsibilities and Changes
• Crane Safety Hazards and Control Measures
• Warehouse Safety Quiz
• Banksman Training Course

The post What is a Banksman? Duties and Responsibilities appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Chemical products come with safety data sheets, which provide comprehensive safety information about the product. For employers, these help to inform (but not replace) the risk assessment process, as they contain guidance on the risks that the chemical poses and advice on suitable control measures. All this information plays a part in helping employers identify what they need to do to control the risks. For example, by advising how the chemical must be stored.

This article explains the purpose of safety data sheets, what products require them, and who is responsible for providing them with chemical products. It also offers guidance on how employers should use safety data sheets. Finally, we’ll look at a safety data sheet example, so you can see what one typically looks like.

The topics covered in this article include the following:

• What is a Safety Data Sheet?
• What is the Purpose of a Safety Data Sheet?
• Safety Data Sheets and Employers
• Safety Data Sheets and Employees
• What Products Require a Safety Data Sheet?
• Who is Responsible for Providing Safety Data Sheets and When are Safety Data Sheets Supplied?
• What About Updating Safety Data Sheets?
• Safety Data Sheet Example and Guidance on How Information is Communicated
• Where to Find Additional Guidance on Safety Data Sheets

Use the above links to jump to that section of the article.

What is a Safety Data Sheet?

Under the UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (UK REACH) Regulations, manufacturers and suppliers of chemicals must provide safety data sheets (SDS), free of charge, with their products. This applies to almost all chemical products that are placed on the market.

A safety data sheet provides important information about the chemical:

• Identification of the substance or mixture.
• The name, address, and contact details of the manufacturer or supplier.
• Hazard identification of the chemical(s) in the substance, including hazards caused by reaction with any other substances.
• Composition details and information on ingredients, including the physical and chemical properties, stability, and reactivity.
• Toxicological information, including routes of entry to the body (inhalation, ingestion, skin or eye contact, or other routes), the symptoms of exposure, and exposure controls.
• Ecological information, including toxicity, persistence and degradability, bioaccumulation potential, and mobility in soil.
• Accidental release measures, including personal precautions and emergency procedures, environmental precautions, and methods and materials for containment and clean up.
• Safe transport, handling, storage, and disposal information, including any incompatibilities and any conditions to avoid.
• Exposure limits, including occupational exposure limit values and information on monitoring procedures.
• Regulatory information, including any safety, health, and environmental regulations and legislation that is specific for the substance or mixture.
• Personal protection, such as when eye or face protection, skin protection, or respiratory protection is required.
• First aid procedures, including any immediate medical attention and special treatment that may be needed.
• Fire-fighting measures, including how to suitably extinguish a fire involving the chemical and any special hazards that could arise, such as toxic fumes.

All of this information in the safety data sheet is produced by the manufacturer, and suppliers must provide the sheet with the product. As mentioned earlier, this is legally required under the UK REACH Regulations.

It’s worth noting that safety data sheets were previously known as material safety data sheets (MSDS), but this name was changed to safety data sheets (SDS) in 2015. If you see them referred to as material safety data sheets anywhere, they are using the old name for safety data sheets.

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What is the Purpose of a Safety Data Sheet?

A safety data sheet’s purpose is to provide comprehensive safety guidance about the chemical product. All of this information will help guide employers in identifying how to suitably control the risks posed by the chemical.

It’s crucial to note, however, that safety data sheets are not substitutes for risk assessments. Rather, they help to inform the assessment. This is because safety data sheets are not specific to a workplace and do not set out the controls needed for it. The circumstances of the premises, how the chemical is used, and other various factors all play a part in determining what controls are needed. The guidance in the safety data sheet should be used or adapted where relevant to these factors.

Safety data sheets can also assist in the employer’s duty to provide workers with information, instruction, and training where necessary. Employers must inform workers of the risks posed by hazardous substances and what they are doing to control them.

Let’s go into more detail about the purpose of safety data sheets in the context of both employers and employees.

Safety Data Sheets and Employers

The employer, or competent person who has been delegated the duty of carrying out the risk assessment, needs to consider the important information in the safety data sheet alongside specific details of their organisation. This includes how the chemical will be used, where it’ll be used, and who will use it in their business.

For example, they should consult the information about how the chemical should be stored, then assess if there is a suitable location on their premises. Likewise, they should look at the hazards that the chemical poses, consider who will be using them, and then determine how to protect those people from the hazards. This may include engineering controls like local exhaust ventilation to remove fumes from the air, for instance.

The measures required after reviewing the safety data sheet depend on the specific circumstances of the business and how the product is used. This is why it’s so important to not consider it a substitute for risk assessment.

All the information that is relevant to the particular use or production of the substance should be taken from the safety data sheet and added to the risk assessment. This will help to inform the control measures, safe systems of work, and instructions, training, and information provided to users.

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Safety Data Sheets and Employees

COSHH has specific requirements in relation to employers providing information, instruction, and training where necessary regarding hazardous substances. This will ensure that employees can fulfil their responsibility of properly using control measures and facilities.

Safety data sheets can form part of the information, instruction, and training that the employer provides to their workers. However, it is not sufficient for employers to only provide a safety data sheet. The controls for all hazardous substances in the workplace must be clearly explained and all the information provided in an understandable format.

Guidance on COSHH states that employers could distil the information from safety data sheets to give to employees, so they can understand them in the context of the chemical substances they work with or around. This will ensure they receive the information that is relevant to them and is comprehensible. Otherwise, safety data sheets contain a lot of complex information that may make things more confusing for workers.

If employees do want to see safety data sheets, however, then they should receive access to them. In that case, the employer should ensure employees understand that safety data sheets are a part of the overall risk assessment, not a substitution, which must be followed first and foremost.

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What Products Require a Safety Data Sheet?

The UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (UK REACH) Regulations state that safety data sheets are required if the product meets the following criteria:

Safety data sheets are therefore required for a very broad range of chemical products. Any chemical that presents a physical or health hazard requires one. In the context of business use, this means employers must receive a safety data sheet for any hazardous chemical products they purchase and that are involved in their business activities. 

The UK REACH Regulations also state that:

“The safety data sheet need not be supplied where hazardous substances or mixtures offered or sold to the general public are provided with sufficient information to enable users to take the necessary measures as regards the protection of human health, safety and the environment, unless requested by a downstream user or distributor.”

This means that the general public who purchase chemical products don’t need to be supplied with a safety data sheet. However, the safety data sheet will still exist, and must be referred to by employers when the product will be used in a work context.

It’s also important to note that hazardous substances which are generated as part of work activities don’t have safety data sheets, such as fumes created by welding or hazardous dust created by woodworking. Information about these, which are important to cover in the risk assessment, will therefore have to be sought from other sources. For example, from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance online or in the manufacturer instructions of equipment.

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Who is Responsible for Providing Safety Data Sheets and When Are Safety Data Sheets Supplied?

The ultimate responsibility of producing and making safety data sheets available rests with the manufacturer of the product.

They must also ensure that suppliers have access to these and can pass them onto employers. Suppliers must provide safety data sheets to employers who purchase the product. They can do so when they buy the product or on request.

Employers must refer to safety data sheets for their chemical products to help inform the risk assessment. As discussed in the previous section, they may also make the information from the safety data sheets available to employees by distilling the contents into all the relevant details they need to know, in a more comprehensible format.

What About Updating Safety Data Sheets?

Manufacturers and suppliers must update safety data sheets:

Employers should check annually with manufacturers or suppliers that their safety data sheets are up to date. If there’s a new version, they should obtain and refer to it instead of the old version. This may mean carrying out a new risk assessment if there are changes that impact it. They should archive old copies.

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Safety Data Sheet Example and Guidance on How Information is Communicated

Below is a safety data sheet example. This will provide you with an idea of what they look like if you haven’t seen one before.

Earlier in this article, we listed all the sections that are contained in a safety data sheet. Alongside the above example pages, that list will give you a good breakdown of what a safety data sheet covers and the information that employers can use to help inform their risk assessment.

As discussed earlier though, it’s important for these sections to be read in the context of how the product will specifically be used by the business. It’s therefore difficult to provide specific advice on how to interpret safety data sheets.

However, here is some guidance on how safety data sheets communicate information that will help with interpreting it:

• Hazard statements. These are phrases that describe the nature of the hazards that the substance or mixture poses. For example, “causes serious eye damage”, “toxic if swallowed”, “toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects”, or “may cause allergy or asthma symptoms or breathing difficulties if inhaled”.
• Precautionary statements. These describe the recommended control measures for minimising or preventing the adverse effects that can result from exposure to a substance or mixture, e.g. due to its use or disposal. Examples include “wear eye protection”, “do not eat, drink, or smoke when using this product”, “avoid release to the environment”, and “in case of inadequate ventilation, wear respiratory protection”.
• Signal words. The two signal words are “Danger” and “Warning”. “Danger” is used for chemicals with more severe hazards, while “Warning” is used for less severe hazards.

If the employer or competent person referring to the safety data sheet needs help interpreting any of the information, it may be useful for them to contact the supplier or manufacturer, whose contact details will be on the sheet.

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Where to Find Additional Guidance on Safety Data Sheets

This article has covered the fundamentals of safety data sheets, including what a safety data sheet is, what their purpose is, what products require a safety data sheet, and more. However, if you’d like further guidance about them, you can visit the following pages:

• The UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Regulations
• Guidance on the Compilation of Safety Data Sheets – European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
• UK REACH – the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• COSHH Frequently Asked Questions – the HSE

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Safety data sheets are important for helping employers carry out a risk assessment of chemical products, though it’s important to remember they are not a substitute for the assessment. They are produced by manufacturers and contain key information about the product, including identification of the substance, composition details, toxicological information, guidance on transport and storage, and more. This must all be considered alongside the specific details of how the product is used in the business, to help the employer identify how to eliminate or control the risks.

What to Read Next:

• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Training Course
• How to Safely Store, Handle & Dispose of Corrosive Chemicals
• COSHH – A Guide to Employers’ and Employees’ Responsibilities
• Health and Safety in a Bakery: Free Checklist
• Welding Hazards in the Workplace: Safety Tips & Precautions

The post What is a Safety Data Sheet? appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

However, as a result of Brexit, the CE mark is being phased out of use for products supplied in Great Britain. Two new markings are being gradually phased in as a result. For Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales), the new conformity marking is UKCA. In Northern Ireland, CE can continue to be used, but there is also a new conformity marking for products that have undergone mandatory third-party conformity assessment by a body based in the UK, and that are supplied in Northern Ireland. This is the UKNI marking.

It’s important that manufacturers, suppliers, and employers understand the UKCA and UKNI marking requirements, and from what dates the new rules are in effect. For manufacturers, the rules impact what markings they should be placing on their products; for suppliers, it affects what they can and can’t supply at certain points in time; and for employers, it affects what they can and can’t purchase from suppliers and use for their business.

This article was updated in January 2023 and explains the rules applicable to the use of the UKCA mark at that date. It also explains the guidance on UKNI, which is different to UKCA. In November 2022, the UK Government extended the deadline for when businesses need to use the UKCA marking. This article has been updated to reflect that extension.

What is the UKCA Mark?

UKCA is the new conformity marking that is replacing the use of CE in Great Britain.

As a result of Brexit, the UK Government now requires those who manufacture or supply equipment for sale in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) to transition to using the UKCA mark of conformity, instead of CE, on new products to which the conformity marking rules apply.

It indicates that the product has been designed and manufactured in accordance with essential health and safety requirements.

UKCA covers most products which previously required the CE marking, known as ‘new approach’ goods. It also applies to aerosol products that previously required the ‘reverse epsilon’ marking. Some products will have their own special rules surrounding markings and conformity however, such as medical devices.

Why is the CE Marking Being Phased Out?

As a result of Brexit, many EU requirements are being incorporated into UK legislation. The new UKCA mark is therefore an administrative change for products that are conformity assessed in Great Britain, which can only be supplied there. Similarly, the new UKNI marking only applies to Northern Ireland (though CE is still also used for Northern Ireland products, which we will look at later in the article).

The CE marking is only valid in Great Britain until the UKCA requirements fully come into effect, as described below. This also means that the UKCA marking is not recognised on the EU market. Products need a CE marking alone if they are going to be sold in the EU. They cannot carry the UKCA or UKNI markings, as UK conformity assessment bodies cannot carry out mandatory conformity assessments for products being placed on the EU market.

What are the UKCA Marking Requirements?

From the 1st of January 2025, all new products supplied in Great Britain must be marked with UKCA, or be accompanied by documentation that is marked with it. The UK Government advises that manufacturers should start using the UKCA marking as soon as possible, to ensure they meet the deadline.

Until then, it is permitted for new products to be either CE or UKCA marked. CE marked equipment that is already in circulation can therefore still be supplied until the 31st of December 2024, and it can continue to be used by employers until it needs replacing if it was supplied before that point.

For example, if an employer purchases an item of PPE on the 31^st of December 2024, it can carry the CE marking, and this PPE can still be used even in 2025. Once the PPE needs replacing however – for example, if it breaks in April 2025 – it must be replaced with an item of PPE that carries the UKCA marking, or comes with documentation that does.

The Health and Safety Executive states that the UKCA marking must be used for products if it:

• Is going to be sold in the GB market (England, Scotland, and Wales).  
• Is covered by legislation which requires the UKCA marking (e.g. the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, which requires equipment to conform at all times with any essential requirements).
• Requires mandatory third-party conformity assessment.
• The conformity assessment is carried out by a UK conformity assessment body.

There is a wide range of products to which the UKCA marking rules apply. The HSE lists the following examples:

• Machinery.
• Lifts.
• Pressure equipment.
• Gas appliances.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Low-voltage electrical equipment.
• Equipment for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

A full list can be viewed on the UKCA Government page.

The technical requirements (‘essential requirements’) that must be met for UKCA marking, as well as the conformity assessment processes and standards used to demonstrate conformity, are mostly the same as they were for the CE marking.

Additionally, the circumstances in which self-declaration can be used is the same as it was previously for the CE marking. For example, Category I pressure equipment, covered by the Pressure Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016, is within the scope of products that can have self-declared conformity for UKCA marking.

As mentioned earlier, there are different rules for certain products, including:

• Medical devices.
• Construction products.
• Cableways.
• Unmanned aircraft systems.
• Marine equipment.
• Transportable pressure equipment.
• Rail products.

It’s therefore important you look into the individual rules for these products if you manufacture, supply, or purchase them, and to keep following updates about the markings. There are government pages for some of these, such as for medical devices, that provide guidance.

What Are the UKNI Marking Requirements?

Similar to the UKCA mark, a new marking has been introduced for Northern Ireland. This is the UKNI marking, which is used in conjunction with an EU conformity marking. The Northern Ireland Protocol came into force as of the 1st of January 2021, so the rules for using this marking are now fully in effect.

In Northern Ireland, EU conformity markings continue to be used to show that goods meet EU rules. For most manufactured goods, this is the CE marking. However, the UKNI marking is for products placed on the market in Northern Ireland which have undergone mandatory third-party conformity assessment by a body based in the UK. It must be placed on the product alongside an EU conformity marking, such as in conjunction with CE. It must not be used on its own.

The UKNI marking can’t be used if the product is going to be placed on the market in the EU, or if a mandatory third-party conformity assessment is carried out by an EU body. In that case, it should just have CE.

These marking rules apply to most products – you can see a full list on this government page. However, like UKCA there are some products that have special rules, including medical devices, rail interoperability, and civil explosives.

How to Use the UKCA and UKNI Markings

This section of the article further explains how the UKCA and UKNI markings should be used, particularly by manufacturers. It is broken down into three categories: manufacturer duties, supplier duties, and the duties of employers who purchase products that should carry one of the markings.

Manufacturer Duties

Before putting a conformity marking onto a product, manufacturers or their authorised representative must follow the conformity procedure required for that product and the requirements of any relevant legislation. This usually involves carrying out a risk assessment, considering all the essential requirements relevant to the product, and ensuring these have been met.

Manufacturers can usually do this themselves, as long as they have the necessary expertise and they consult specialists where needed. Some products will require the use of a conformity assessment body, however. There is guidance and some set standards that can be reviewed to support this process.

Once conformity has been established, the relevant marking can be placed on the product.

In most cases, manufacturers in the UK must put the UKCA or UKNI and CE marking directly on the product or packaging. If they are supplying to the EU, it must carry CE alone. There are some circumstances where it can be on manuals and other documentation, such as if the product is too small for the marking to be placed on it (e.g. ear plugs for hearing protection).

In terms of applying markings, manufacturer duties for the UKCA and UKNI markings are as follows:

• The marking must only be placed on the product by the manufacturer or an authorised representative. The manufacturer takes full responsibility for the product’s conformity.
• The marking can only be placed on products that have a specific requirement to do so in relevant legislation, and in accordance with the rules required of them.
• The manufacturer must not place another type of marking or sign on the products in a way that could lead to the meaning or form of the marking being misconstrued by third parties. Markings must not be obscured by other markings.
• The marking must be proportionate to the standardised one set out and measured on the government pages for each marking. They must be at least 5mm in height for the whole logo (not the individual letters), unless relevant legislation for the product states a different measurement. The colour does not have to be solid as long as it is still visible and matches the required proportions. It must be permanently attached, i.e. should not be a removable sticker.
• The manufacturer or representative must keep documentation that demonstrates the product conforms with the regulatory requirements. A UK declaration of conformity is required for products that have the UKCA marking. An EU declaration of conformity is required for products lawfully carrying a CE marking, whether it is accompanied by UKNI or not.

Supplier Duties

As of January 2025, suppliers of products for Great Britain must ensure their products carry the UKCA marking where required. They must also ensure that the necessary documentation comes along with it, as described above, and that they supply this to the purchaser with the product. 

As of January 2021, suppliers of products that have undergone mandatory third-party conformity assessment by a body based in the UK, but are placed on the market in Northern Ireland, must have the UKNI marking alongside an EU conformity marking, such as CE. The necessary documentation must come with it and be supplied with the product.

Employer Duties

Employers in Great Britain must ensure that any products they purchase carry the UKCA marking where required (in line with the January 2025 deadline). As discussed earlier, the marking should be printed on the product or, where that isn’t possible, on accompanying documentation.

Employers in Northern Ireland must ensure that any products they purchase either carry the UKNI and CE marking, or just the CE marking, as required. This is in effect as of January 2021.

Additional Guidance from the UK Government and the Health and Safety Executive

There are a lot of rules to understand about the UKCA and UKNI markings. We have covered the main areas in this article, but if you still require further information then you may wish to visit the following pages:

• Using the UKCA Marking
• Placing Manufactured Goods on the Market in Great Britain
• Using the UKNI Marking
• Placing Manufactured Goods on the Market in Northern Ireland
• HSE UKCA Marking FAQ

As a result of the UK leaving the European Union, rules around conformity markings have changed. It’s important for you to understand these as a manufacturer, supplier, or employer purchasing products for your work, and we have explained the main aspects of these rules changes throughout this article to help you with this. Staying on top of the changes will ensure you can produce, sell, and purchase equipment that is in line with health and safety requirements.

Further Resources:

• Health and Safety Training For Managers
• How to Become a Health and Safety Officer: Key Roles and Responsibilities
• Guidance on the PPE at Work Regulations: Responsibilities and Changes

The post UKCA Marking: Requirements and Changes appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

Because extreme hot weather is a relatively infrequent hazard, many employees and even employers may not know the best approach for staying cool at work and what the law states about working in hot weather. The good news is that there are legal requirements and guidance in place to help businesses address the issue of working in the heat.

This article will explain what the legal requirements are around working conditions, discuss the guidance provided by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and provide some advice and tips for helping workers working in the heat. It will help answer common questions like what temperature is too hot to work in, the legal maximum working temperature, and how to complain about the temperature at work.

The topics covered in this article include the following:

• Can it Ever Be Too Hot to Work in the UK?
• Is There a Legal Maximum Working Temperature?
• How Can Employers Determine What Temperature is Too Hot to Work In?
• What Can Employers Do to Make Working in the Heat More Comfortable?
• What Are Some Tips for Working in the Heat for Employees?
• How to Complain About the Temperature at Work
• What About Working from Home in the Heat?

Use the above links to jump to that section of the article.

Can it Ever Be Too Hot to Work in the UK?

We’re fortunate that the UK rarely reaches temperatures that are too hot to work in. Over the years, however, global temperatures have been gradually on the rise, meaning heatwaves and hot summers are increasingly common. With this comes more difficult working conditions – particularly if the workplace doesn’t have air conditioning – which can lead to heat stress and fatigue. 

This means it’s more important than ever for employers to understand their legal duties surrounding working in hot weather. Similarly, it’s useful for employees to know what their legal rights are regarding what their employer should be doing for them. As a result, concerns can be raised confidently and they can follow the controls that are in place for them.

Is There a Legal Maximum Working Temperature?

It can be complicated to dictate the right temperature for a specific work area and for an individual, which means there is no legal minimum or maximum working temperature in the UK. As the HSE states, “Individual personal preference makes it difficult to specify a thermal environment which satisfies everyone.”

However, there is still a legal requirement on employers to manage the health and safety risks to employees, and this includes those that can be posed by a work environment, such as excessive heat.

Heat stress can make workers incredibly uncomfortable and put their health and safety at risk. At best, it can lead to manageable fatigue, but in many cases can result in major exhaustion and dehydration that impacts a person’s working ability, productivity, and health and safety. For example, difficulty concentrating in safety-critical roles could lead to a mistake that poses a serious risk.

Whatever the case may be, it is the employer’s legal duty – and in the business’s best interest – to maintain a comfortable temperature, so productivity and health and safety are maintained. This applies to both indoor and outdoor work.

Despite there being no legal working temperatures, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that working temperatures should provide reasonable comfort to workers and prevent risks.

They provide temperature ranges that are – as stated – not legal requirements, since it can depend on various factors. However, these give a good benchmark and starting point for employers to use for preventing heat stress. 

“The risk to the health of workers increases as conditions move further away from those generally accepted as comfortable. Risk of heat stress arises, for example, from working in high air temperatures […] For workplaces where the activity is mainly sedentary, for example offices, the temperature should normally be at least 16 °C. If work involves physical effort, it should be at least 13 °C (unless other laws require lower temperatures).”

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How Can Employers Determine What Temperature is Too Hot to Work In?

Ultimately, every employer must carry out a risk assessment to help them determine what temperature is suitable for their work environment, and to identify the necessary controls to achieve this. As mentioned, they should take into consideration the recommended temperatures and HSE guidance, but should also assess a range of other factors to fully inform their risk assessment. What is suitable for one work environment may not be for another.

Factors such as the ambient temperature, humidity, air flow, radiant heat, sun exposure, worker clothing, and movement should all be considered.

This will help the employer to determine what temperature in a working environment is reasonably comfortable, and what needs to be done to reach this comfort.

In terms of what needs doing, the HSE provides advice on actions that may arise from the risk assessment. The specific actions required for a business depends on the factors mentioned above, so it is down to them to identify which controls are right for their work activities and environment.

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What Can Employers Do to Make Working in the Heat More Comfortable?

Employers have a responsibility to make sure their staff’s working conditions are safe and as comfortable as possible. Fortunately, there are many measures that can be taken to manage working in hot weather.

Actions that employers may take following a risk assessment include:

Moving people’s working areas to cooler locations.

For example, they could move desks that are in direct sunlight away from that area, or, for outdoor working, move certain tasks into a shaded area where possible. The sun’s heating effects on indoor environments can also be addressed by orientating the building away from it (such as a temporary building on a construction site), or, where this is not possible, installing blinds or shutters on sun-facing windows.

Employers may also accommodate flexible working hours so people can work earlier or later when temperatures are not as intense and the sun has moved away from directly heating the working area. 

Introducing engineering controls for managing the thermal effect in a work environment.

For example, they may look at what is contributing to heat other than the weather and could be making it worse, to help reduce the overall ambient temperature. This could include moving machinery that emits heat to another area, for instance.

Installing and maintaining air conditioning units where possible.

This may not always be reasonably practicable however, so other measures, like those listed here, may need to be considered. Similarly, they may look at providing desk fans or temporary cooling units to improve air circulation and keep people cool at their desks.

Looking at dress codes and personal protective equipment (PPE).

For example, if office work usually means wearing a suit, employers could look at relaxing this rule in hot weather, allowing more informal wear such as no ties or no suit jackets to cope with the heat. For outdoor workers, they will need to think about whether PPE is necessary, such as hats, to protect them from the sun.

Providing refreshments and sufficient breaks.

By law, employees should have access to fresh drinking water. Likewise, employers should ensure that people can take rest periods and breaks from work. This will be particularly important for outdoor working, to ensure workers can have a break out of direct sunlight in a comfortable environment (such as an airconditioned breakroom).

Monitoring at-risk individuals.

Some people may be more susceptible to heat than others. For example: people with certain illnesses, health conditions, on certain medication, or who are pregnant. Extra precautions may need to be taken for them, such as enabling them to carry out less strenuous work when it’s warm.

Further advice on all of this can be found on the HSE website, and in the following guidance documents and pages: guidance for heat stress, workplace health, safety, and welfare, and outdoor working.

Need Health and Safety Training?

High Speed Training provide a range of online health and safety training courses, including Health and Safety Training for Managers and Health and Safety for Home Workers.

Our Health and Safety Training for Managers covers the topic of as work environment, so those in charge of health and safety know what needs to be done to create a healthy and safe work environment to look after employees.

Similarly, Health and Safety For Home Workers informs the learner about what employers should be doing to manage the health and safety of those who work at home, and teaches employees how to adhere to measures put in place for their health and safety.

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What Are Some Tips for Working in the Heat for Employees?

Employers must follow all the necessary legal requirements for managing working in hot weather, and will provide information, instruction, or training where required to employees about what controls they’ve put in place.

This should also include sharing advice and tips for working in the heat, which are supported by their control measures. It is then down to the employee to ensure they follow the advice and tips they’ve been given.

For example, tips for working in hot weather include:

• Working in a cooler area where possible. 
• Drinking plenty of water and/or cold drinks throughout the day to stay hydrated.
• Taking frequent breaks, in a cooler area if possible, to regain concentration and rest.
• Keeping blinds, shutters, and curtains closed on sun-facing windows.
• Keeping windows closed during the day to minimise hot air circulating, and instead opening them in the early and late hours of the day when it’s cooler.
• Using desk or standing fans, which help the body cool itself down easier.
• Wearing light-coloured, loose clothing. Avoid dark colours and heavy fabrics, especially if working in direct sun, as dark colours absorb the heat whereas light colours reflect it.
• Using ice packs and cold flannels to help keep cool. For example, sitting with an ice pack against both feet. Feet have lots of pulse points, and so placing an ice pack there will enable a cool down effect across the body. A cold flannel on the back of the neck also works.

If employees are unable to follow these tips due to them not being facilitated at work, then they should raise their concerns with their manager or supervisor.

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How to Complain About the Temperature at Work

It can be difficult to know how to complain about the temperature at work. However, if employees feel that their employer isn’t doing enough to control the temperature at work, they absolutely can and should raise concerns about working in the heat.

They should speak with their manager or supervisor about this, explaining the effect that the temperature is having on their physical state and their work, including productivity and health and safety. The guidance throughout this article can help equip employees with knowledge about their rights regarding working in hot weather. 

Following raised concerns, the risk assessment should be revisited and further controls put in place to help manage the heat where necessary.

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What About Working from Home in the Heat?

For those working from home on a temporary or permanent basis, the lines may appear to be blurred between who is responsible for what. But it’s important to note that employers have a duty to ensure the health and safety of all their employees, regardless of where they work.

This means they should make the necessary arrangements to help employees who work from home maintain a comfortable temperature.

Measures they may take include many of those described above, such as providing fans to help cool the employee’s working area and allowing flexible working, as well as providing guidance on how to stay cool. For example, ensuring staff know to keep curtains closed in sun-facing rooms, and encouraging them to take plenty of breaks to drink water and regain their concentration.

If employees working from home still struggle with heat after these considerations, further measures may need to be discussed as part of the risk assessment.

For example, they could assess whether there is a local office that is air-conditioned or generally cooler than their home where they can temporarily work.

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Working in the heat is never ideal, but fortunately there are measures that employers can take to mitigate the risks. There are no legal temperature requirements, but the law does require employers to ensure workers are comfortable and safe, so temperature is something that they must consider as part of their risk assessment.

Every business should therefore have measures in place for when the temperature rises to uncomfortable levels, to ensure people’s health and safety isn’t put at risk. Employees should follow the controls in place and any information and advice they receive to help manage working in hot weather. If the situation calls for it, they can raise their concerns to let their employer know that more needs to be done to help them work comfortably and safely. 

What to Read Next:

• Understanding DSE: Do You Know How to Set Up A Desk Ergonomically?
• PAT Testing for Home Workers
• Warehouse Safety Quiz
• Workplace Health & Safety Quiz
• Workplace Health and Safety Quiz for Employees
• Online Health and Safety Courses

The post Working in Hot Weather: Legal Requirements, Guidance, and Tips appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

• How Often Should I Renew My Food Hygiene and Safety Certificate?
• What Food Hygiene Certificate Do I Need? A-Z
• Food Hygiene Rules and Guidance
• Food Hygiene Quiz for Kids
• Health and Safety in the Kitchen Quiz
• Food Hygiene Quiz
• Level 3 Food Hygiene Quiz
• What Type of Training Must Food Handlers Receive by Law?
• Is There a Difference Between Food Hygiene and Food Safety?
• The Importance of Food Hygiene Training
• Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene Training

The post Level 2 Food Hygiene Quiz appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

This article will discuss some examples of fall protection. It will help to aid your understanding of the methods of fall protection that employers may select to control working at height hazards.

What is Work at Height?

Work at height refers to work in any location where, if there were no precautions in place, a person, object, or material could fall a distance that is likely to cause personal injury. For example, working in areas where someone can fall off an edge, through an opening, or through a fragile surface (e.g. a skylight or fragile roof sheeting); unsafe or inappropriate use of ladders and stepladders; or working on a scaffolding platform or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWP).

Examples of work at height include: 

• Roofing work, including inspections of roofs. 
• Working on top of, or near to, roof lights or fragile roofing.
• Gutter and window cleaning.
• Shelf stacking and unloading vehicles.
• Machine and plant maintenance.
• Putting up displays.

Working at height hazards and the level of risk they pose vary from business to business and the activities that are carried out there, but all work at height can pose a risk of falling if not adequately controlled. It’s therefore crucial for the work to be planned and carried out safely. 

Why is Working at Height Safety Important?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) annual statistics state that, in 2022/23, there were 60,645 non-fatal injuries reported by employers under RIDDOR, and falls from a height accounted for 8% of these. Additionally, falls from height accounted for 40 deaths and the highest proportion of fatalities caused by accidents. As these statistics demonstrate, work at height that is not adequately controlled can have serious consequences. 

It’s important to note that, under the Work at Height (WAH) Regulations 2005, the first duty of every employer is to ensure that, where possible, work at height is avoided. Where staff must work at height, it’s essential that it has been properly planned and organised from the beginning, is properly supervised at all times, and carried out so that it is safe, so far as is reasonably practicable. In addition, every person involved in all these stages must be trained and competent in how to carry out their tasks safely.

If work at height cannot be avoided, the risk assessment will need to identify what fall protection is necessary to control the working at height hazards.

Risk Assessment

Where staff must work at height, it’s essential that a risk assessment is carried out prior to the work commencing. Risk assessments must be carried out by a competent person, who has the necessary skills, knowledge, and experience to be able to safely assess the risks involved with working at height activities. They will need to consider and decide on control measures to eliminate or reduce these risks to as low as is reasonably practicable.

The WAH Regulations set out an order of effective controls for managing the risks associated with working at height. The order of controls starts with the controls that should be considered first at the top. You can read more about the hierarchy of control for work at height here: Working at Height Regulations – Hierarchy of Control Measures. 

Working at height fall protection is one effective way of controlling work at height risks, and the type selected must correspond with the hierarchy of control. 

Certain ones cannot be chosen first unless others are not reasonably practicable or they do not sufficiently reduce the risk, in which case a combination of controls may be used. For example, working at height harnesses cannot be chosen before considering safe working platforms, but they may be used in combination with them if residual risk is identified after the safe working platforms are considered.

Examples of Fall Protection Equipment

The examples of fall protection throughout this section are discussed in the order outlined by the hierarchy of control measures. Avoidance of working at height is explained first as this must be considered before fall protection equipment. 

1. Avoiding Work at Height

As previously mentioned, under the WAH Regulations, employers must always avoid the need for working at height where it’s reasonably practicable to do so. To comply with this, employers must properly plan all work activities before work begins and always consider how work at height could be avoided. 

For example, replacing ladders or low level access platforms with extension poles for window cleaning. Avoiding working at height could also be planned into the workplace, e.g. installing a light fitting that is designed to be lowered when changing the bulb, rather than having to work at height to change it.  

2. Preventing Falls

Where work at height cannot be avoided, the second step is to use an existing safe place that prevents people from falling, such as a flat roof with permanent guardrails. Where this isn’t reasonably practicable, employers must choose the most suitable work equipment to prevent falls, or if that is not reasonably practicable, to mitigate the consequences of a fall from height or the fall of materials or objects.

The individual who is responsible for selecting fall protection equipment will consider a variety of factors to ensure suitable equipment is selected. This includes, but is not limited to, considering the work environment, any space constraints, adequate clearance for the equipment, and how many people are working at height that need protection. 

Examples of types of fall protection equipment that may be used to prevent falls are listed below. 

Properly constructed working platforms

Properly constructed working platforms fitted with guardrails and toe boards are the most effective working at height equipment for preventing people or objects from falling from height. 

Examples of working platforms include scaffolding and mobile towers, and mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).

Safe working platforms are an example of collective fall protective equipment. They should be considered if avoiding the work at height or using an existing safe place is not reasonably practicable. Where possible, safe working platforms should be used for work at height in preference to other methods of fall protection.

Note that, where preventing falls using collective equipment is not doable, fall restraint PPE should be considered to prevent a fall. For example, using short lanyards when working on a flat roof with no permanent guardrails to stop employees reaching areas with a fall risk. We’ll discuss PPE usage later. 

Mobile towers

Mobile towers (originally called tower scaffolds) provide a safe alternative to full scaffolding for many routine maintenance or repair activities. They should always be considered before ladders. 

All mobile towers must be assembled by formally trained and competent personnel. The manufacturer’s instructions must always be followed during erecting, dismantling, and inspecting them. Furthermore, employers must ensure that workers can get safely to and from the work platform, and that all platforms have the required edge protection. 

Low level mobile tower platforms

For low level work at height, there is a wide variety of low level mobile tower platforms available. There are also low level platforms, commonly called podium steps or platforms, that can be used. Both have a working platform and handrails, and provide safe access up to a platform height of about 1.5 – 2 metres. They should always be considered before ladders.

Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs)

The two common types of MEWPs are:

• Telescopic booms (often called ‘cherry pickers’). These can provide access to difficult or restricted areas. 
• Scissor lifts. These have a large platform and so can take greater loads than telescopic booms, and are useful for safely installing electrical and mechanical equipment.

Before using MEWPs, employers must ensure that all work involving the MEWP is properly planned, that the MEWP will never be overloaded, and that anyone using a MEWP is competent to do so.

3. Reducing the Consequences of a Fall

If falls cannot be eliminated or prevented and there is no safe place, then the use of work equipment that provides collective protection to minimise the distances or consequences of a fall are the next level of the hierarchy of control. This should only be considered when it is not reasonably practicable to avoid or prevent falls from height. 

Examples of collective protection work equipment are:

• Safety nets. In select circumstances, high fall-risk activities may be mitigated by using safety nets. Safety nets may be appropriate in situations where work is carried out on or near fragile roofing. If used, there must be adequate clearance under the nets to prevent injury. 
• Soft landing systems, including airbags. Airbags might be appropriate in situations where falls might occur from a lower height, such as when loading and unloading vehicle trailers. They should be located as close as possible to the working area to ensure they catch anyone who might fall. Airbags decrease in effectiveness as the fall distance increases, so should only be used for small fall distances.

4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Once all the other steps of the hierarchy have been considered, fall arrest PPE can then be considered. Fall arrest PPE is used to stop a fall that is about to happen or is happening, either by stopping the fall entirely or stopping the fall before contact with a surface. 

There are two types of fall arrest equipment: 

• Fall restraint harnesses. This prevents a fall that could otherwise happen without it. For example, it may be used when working on a MEWP to prevent the person from being thrown out of it if the MEWP strikes an obstruction. The lanyard attached to the wearer’s safety harness must be short (less than 1 metre).
• Fall arrest harnesses. The main difference between a fall restraint and an arrest system is that the restraint system prevents the fall before it happens, whereas the arrest system stops the fall while it’s happening before contact with a surface. To be effective, they must have secure attachment points and clearance from the ground so the shock absorbing lanyard can deploy.

Fall arrest equipment should only be used when it’s not reasonably practicable to implement any of the hierarchy’s higher levels, or if the higher levels do not sufficiently control the risk. 

Furthermore, they require the wearer to receive thorough training in their use and depend on constant on-site supervision. In many cases, they are used in combination with higher levels of control where residual risk is present. A good collection of controls will ensure that the risks posed by working at height hazards are kept to an absolute minimum. 

It is an employer’s duty to assess the specific working at height activities and conditions, and select appropriate fall protection equipment for them where necessary. This may be a combination of many to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. Anyone who works at height also has legal duties in relation to fall protection equipment — to follow the instructions and training they receive, use the working at height equipment correctly and safely, and report any defects in the work equipment. All of this will help to ensure that working at height risks are minimised and everyone can stay safe at work. 

Further Resources: 

• Working at Height Training
• How to Develop a Rescue Plan for Working at Height
• Working at Height Rules and Regulations
• Safely Securing Ladders: Guidance & Procedure
• What is a Method Statement & How Do I Fill it in?
• Ten Common Construction Site Hazards

The post Using Fall Protection to Control Working at Height Hazards appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.

If PPE is identified as needed, then the employer and senior staff must ensure it is selected, used, and maintained correctly, and must ensure employees who use PPE have the necessary information, instruction, and training on using and maintaining it. Having an understanding of the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (also referred to as the PPE Regulations or PPE at Work Regulations) will help them understand what duties they need to fulfil.  

This article will provide a general understanding of the responsibilities set out in the PPE at Work Regulations, including those that apply to employers and employees, as well as explain some amendments that occurred to the Regulations in 2022.

This article covers the following topics:

• What are the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations?
• What are the 2022 PPE Regulations Changes?
• PPE at Work Regulations: Employers Responsibilities
• PPE at Work Regulations: Employees Responsibilities

Use the above links to jump to certain sections of the article.

What are the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations?

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 set out when and how PPE should be used to control the risks posed by work hazards. They apply to all work activities and cover a range of important factors for ensuring PPE is selected, used, and maintained safely.

Key topics that the PPE at Work Regulations cover include:  

• When PPE should be provided by employers to help control health and safety risks.
• Employers ensuring a risk assessment is carried out to determine whether the personal protective equipment that they intend to provide is suitable.
• How to ensure PPE is compatible when multiple items must be worn.
• Maintaining and replacing PPE.
• Ensuring PPE can be safely stored.
• Ensuring employees are provided with information, instruction, and training so they can use it correctly, as well as understand how to report lost or defective PPE.

It also sets out the definition of PPE in the context of the Regulations, which is as follows:

The Regulations also explain which types of equipment it does not apply to and where there are exemptions.

For example, it does not apply to uniforms that are not specifically for health and safety (such as branded attire) or to equipment used for competitive sports. Furthermore, an exemption is that the Secretary of State for Defence may, in the interests of national security, produce a certificate in writing to exempt any of the home forces, any visiting force, or any headquarters from certain requirements of the Regulations.

It’s important to be aware that there are other sets of regulations which contain their own requirements for PPE, and place specific duties on employers regarding PPE selection. The PPE at Work Regulations acknowledge this, and state:

Employers must understand the requirements of these Regulations if they have identified PPE as necessary to control any risks that they cover. For example, if hearing protection is needed, the employer needs to be aware of the requirements set out by the Noise at Work Regulations.

Finally, you should note that the PPE at Work Regulations were amended in 2022, via the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022. The next section explains what amendments have been introduced.

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What are the 2022 PPE Regulations Changes?

The PPE at Work Regulations were amended in April 2022 to include casual and other intermittent workers. The change was enforced through The Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

Employers therefore must provide and supervise the use of PPE for casual and intermittent workers in the same way as they do for employees. For agency workers, the agency must ensure that the PPE at Work Regulations are complied with for the individual worker and that PPE is provided for their use. The employer carrying out the work must ensure that they are managed and supervised in the same way as other employees.

This also applies to self-employed people. If a self-employed person works in any location (whether fixed e.g. a warehouse, or temporary e.g. a construction site or outdoors) that is under the control of another company, the other company may set site rules on PPE following their risk assessment. The self-employed person must comply with these rules. In those cases, the self-employed person has a duty to provide PPE for themselves and those working under their control, e.g. a casual worker.

Further guidance, such as the definitions of limb workers under the Regulations, can be found on the Health and Safety Executive website. The changes described above are the only changes that have been made to the PPE at Work Regulations as a result of the 2022 amendment.

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PPE at Work Regulations: Employers’ Responsibilities

Employers have a number of responsibilities under the PPE at Work Regulations. Regulation 4 states:

More specifically, the PPE at Work Regulations place duties on employers and the self-employed to ensure that PPE is:

• Selected in the order of the hierarchy of control. The hierarchy of control must be considered when an employer is looking at requirements for PPE. This is important for them to understand. Other, more effective controls must be considered first, as PPE only provides individual protection is only effective if used correctly, and is subject to subject to supervision and monitoring. There are also other factors that can impact its effectiveness. PPE is designed to control residual risks after other controls have been implemented.
• Assessed before it is used to ensure that it’s suitable for its intended use, that it fits the wearer, and is comfortable when used. It should also come with a suitable conformity marking to demonstrate it’s been made to a recognised standard.
• Provided with instructions, and where necessary, training in its safe use, cleaning, maintenance, and storage. Employers should take reasonable steps (via training, instruction, supervision, and monitoring) to ensure that employees wear PPE correctly and when required.
• Maintained and replaced as required to ensure it continues to provide effective protection. Managers and supervisors should regularly check that employees have adequate PPE, that it is in date, and is in a usable condition.
• Properly stored when not in use in a clean, dry storage area. Arrangements should be in place for removal and safe cleaning of PPE at the end of work periods. PPE must be stored in a clean, dry storage area in a dedicated changing room, and where necessary lockers should be provided for storage.
• Compatible with any other types of PPE that have to be worn at the same time. For example, if safety glasses or goggles are worn together with ear muffs, the arms of the safety glasses push the ear muffs away from the ears and reduce their effectiveness. In this situation, a good solution would be to provide ear plugs for those who have to wear safety glasses at the same time. This ensures they are compatible.
• Provided free of charge to employees. Employers must pay for PPE that they provide – employees are not responsible for covering the cost. This includes the cost of repairs and replacements.

The genuinely self-employed, which means those who offer their services as a business and control their own activities, also have legal duties under the PPE at Work Regulations in certain situations, such as in construction. They must carry out a risk assessment and provide themselves with suitable PPE where necessary.

Need Health and Safety Training?

High Speed Training offer a wide range of online health and safety training courses, from employers to employees and every level in between. For example, we offer Basic Health and Safety Training, Health and Safety Training for Employees, and Health and Safety Training for Managers. You can find all of these at our Health and Safety Training page.

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PPE at Work Regulations: Employees’ Responsibilities

Employees at every level also have responsibilities under the PPE at Work Regulations. While the employer has the primary duty for ensuring PPE is provided and used correctly, employees have a responsibility to ensure they adhere to what their employer has put in place.

More specifically, under the PPE at Work Regulations, employees must use the PPE provided to them in the way in which they have been instructed and, where required, trained in its safe use.

Instructions and training that they should follow include how to:

• Safely use the control measures and safe systems of work.
• Correctly use PPE, including how to put it on and correctly adjust it, e.g. respiratory protective equipment (RPE) or safety harnesses.
• Keep PPE in good condition and inspect PPE for damage.
• Correctly clean and store PPE, such as cleaning high vis clothing or replacing RPE filters.
• Immediately report any lost PPE or obvious defects and damage.

These are important responsibilities to follow. If employees adhere to all the information, instruction, and training provided to them by their employer, they will help to ensure the PPE does its job as intended, and will play a key part in helping to uphold health and safety.

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PPE is just one type of control measure for mitigating risks, but it is an important one if it’s identified in the risk assessment as necessary. Employers must be aware of their duties surrounding PPE, so they can ensure it’s selected, used, and maintained correctly. Likewise, employees should know what part they play regarding PPE at work. They must follow all the training provided to them, to ensure that the PPE serves its purpose of protecting them.

As we have discussed in this article, these duties are set out in the PPE at Work Regulations, which were amended in 2022 to include casual and intermittent workers, and many specific Regulations have their own requirements for PPE, such as the COSHH Regulations for RPE and the Noise at Work Regulations for hearing protection. Understanding the duties of various Regulations is therefore important for ensuring PPE is used correctly and safely.

What to Read Next:

• Refusal to Wear PPE: Guidance for Employers
• PPE in Construction: Safety Guidance and Checklist
• Hard Hat Colour Codes in Construction: What Do They Mean?
• PPE Quiz
• 15 Workshop Hazards and How to Avoid Them
• Warehouse Safety Quiz
• Online Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Training Course

The post Guidance on the PPE at Work Regulations: Responsibilities and Changes appeared first on The Hub | High Speed Training.