Industry
Risk training and consultancy
Norwich Union Risk Services is the specialist division of Norwich Union, dedicated to minimising risk for businesses and offers training and consultancy services on a range of health and safety and environmental issues.
Our aim is to work with you and your clients providing you with the skills and knowledge to understand your risks and establishing systematic controls to comply with legal obligations.
The following are a list of areas to be aware of, when dealing within the Industry sector:
- Fire Precautions and Certification
- Manual Handling
- Slips, Trips and Falls
- Internal Transport and Materials Handling
- Hazardous Substances
- Noise
- Machinery
- Contractors
- Maintenance Work
Fire Precautions and Certification
The manufacturing sector is covered by all major Health & Safety and Fire Legislation.
Companies are therefore required to write a health and safety policy and develop management systems to identify and control risk (Health & Safety at Work Act, Management Regulations).
Your client should carry out a proper fire risk assessment, keep associated records, review fire risks in the workplace, check fire detection and alarm systems, means of escape and provide proper fire fighting equipment.
A documented undertaking to inspect premises on a regular basis to reduce the risk of arson would also be seen as sound practice. This may include staff training, correct waste disposal and keeping perimeters and fuel stores in a good state of repair.
Manual Handling
A risk assessment of manual handling tasks should be carried out, including the consideration of ordering supplies in smaller packages and ensuring that heavier items are stored at lower levels. Suitable handling aids such as trolleys must be provided where appropriate.
Specific written safety rules and training should exist to cover lifting techniques for staff involved in moving heavy objects.
Slips, Trips and Falls
The most common cause of accidents in industry are slips, trips and falls. To minimise the possibility of claims, a formal risk assessment must be carried out to review overall lighting, the condition of staircases and the appropriateness of floor finishes. Procedures and training should be in place to deal with spillages and the siting of warning signs when cleaning or maintenance is being undertaken.
Internal Transport and Materials Handling
Where forklift trucks are used we would expect the drivers to be fully trained and authorised. Routes must exist whereby forklift traffic and pedestrians are separated and the trucks themselves chosen to be appropriate to the size of the racking. People should only be lifted on them if a proprietary working platform is provided.
A surprising number of people are hurt in the delivery areas of industrial buildings. Assessments should be undertaken to review how deliveries can be planned to avoid congestion in loading areas and to allow sufficient room for proper manoeuvring. Loading bays themselves should be designed to include at least one pedestrian exit from the lower area to prevent staff being trapped.
Hazardous Substances
There are a wide range of hazardous substances which may be found in industrial premises. The exact type will depend on the processes carried out. We would expect a COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) risk assessment to be carried out, identifying the risks and corresponding actions to control them. For particularly hazardous tasks, written procedures must be provided and staff specifically trained and authorised. As a minimum the procedures must cover smoking, eating, drinking, spillages, emergencies and first aid.
Noise
Noise induced hearing loss is a long-term insidious condition, which is untreatable and incurable. Clients whose staff may be affected by excess noise (if conversation is difficult between people 2 metres apart) must carry out a noise assessment and reduce noise as much as possible. They must also ensure hearing protection is provided, and worn, if the noise is above 90 dBA.
Machinery
Every year significant numbers of employees are injured or killed whilst operating machinery. A risk assessment should be undertaken to identify potential areas of concern. It is vital that guards on machinery are regularly maintained and eye protection provided where appropriate.
Statutory inspection by a competent person is required of air receivers, lifting equipment, boilers / pressurised systems, exhaust ventilation and power presses.
Contractors
Clients must ensure that contractors and their staff are not at risk from the employer's business activities. Clients may also have liability for injuries caused by contractors. To manage contractors effectively, clients should have formal arrangements in place for the selection of competent contractors, ensure contractors provide method statements detailing the precautions they will take and provide written rules relating to issues such as fire evacuation, restricted areas and special hazards.
Maintenance Work
Maintenance work can be especially hazardous as it frequently occurs in confined spaces, on roofs or where normal safeguards have been removed. It is crucial your client ensures that maintenance is considered as part of the risk assessment process, safe working methods are developed and very hazardous activities are carried out under a permit to work.
