 Lone workers can be at greater risk of harm as they may not have anyone to help or support them if things go wrong. Employers should provide training, supervision, monitoring and support for those working alone. Our free-to-download leaflet Protecting lone workers: How to manage the risks of working aloneis for anyone who employs lone workers, or engages them as contractors etc, including self-employed people. The leaflet is supported by: |
The fine came after the worker was crushed by a railway track weighing 6 tonnes while working at a rail depot. The incident happened when the worker was cleaning the inside of a machine that welds 2 sections of rail tracks together. The machines conveyor system was on the wrong setting, which meant a section of rail track entered the machine while the worker was inside. HSE's investigation found that Network Rail failed to : - ensure there was a safe system of work while carrying out maintenance on its rail production line
- provide an adequate risk assessment for this type of maintenance
HSE's website has guidance about permit to work systems. Read this press releasefor more details on the incident. HSEs Working Minds work-related stress campaign has been launched in the transport sector with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) joining as a partner to help raise awareness of employer legal duty and of the support and resources available. Within the transportation and storage sector, around 4 in 10 cases of work-related ill health are due to stress, depression or anxiety. Long hours away from home, demanding delivery times and limited access to toilets and showers are common causes of stress for drivers. Employers have a legal duty to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health by doing a risk assessment and acting on it. Find out more about HSEs Working Minds campaign and the 5 steps to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health: Reach out; Recognise; Respond; Reflect; Make it Routine. You can also sign up to become a campaign champion. A new episode of the HSE podcast focuses onHSEs Dust Kills construction campaign In this episode, our recent Dust Kills campaign is discussed by: - Duncan Smith, Acting Head of HSEs Field Operations Division Health Unit
- Abigail Bainbridge, Home Builders Federation Health and Safety Committee member and Group Health, Safety and Environment Director at Persimmon Homes
The conversation covers the risks of breathing in construction dust and what those working in construction need to know to ensure their respiratory health is protected at work. You can: HSE has issued a safety noticewarning users and suppliers of potential problems with BendPak XPR series two-post vehicle lift arm restraints. The concern centres around lifts where the arm restraint gear is bolted to the lift. Some lifts have been found to have the wrong class of bolts in use the bolts do not meet the required strength standard, increasing the risk of a major incident. The HSE safety notice sets out the actions users and suppliers should take to rectify any potential problems with BendPak XPR two-post vehicle lifts associated with the incorrect restraining mechanism. Users/suppliers are also reminded of a previous HSE safety alertissued in 2018 regarding the securing of the restraint gear. Read the safety notice | 
