SAFETY AND HEALTH BODY URGES “RISK INTELLIGENT” RETURN TO WORK
Businesses preparing to reopen workplaces must be risk-controlled and put health and safety first – to avoid becoming “places of transmission” of the coronavirus. Leaders must thoroughly plan and organise
the reopening process, using good risk intelligence from health and safety professionals, who can help ensure that proportionate safeguards and controls are in place. This caution comes from IOSH after Prime
Minister Boris Johnson provided details of how lockdown restrictions can be gradually eased once Government criteria are met. Addressing the nation, the PM advised that
anyone who is able to work from home should continue to do so. He said that people who cannot, for example those working in construction and manufacturing, “should be actively encouraged to go to work”. IOSH, the global chartered body for occupational
safety and health professionals, says that before businesses can open any workplaces up, they will
have to conduct thorough risk assessments. So, it is making its own guidance on this available, the latest in a raft of information and support that IOSH has provided its members and their organisations throughout the pandemic. These risk assessments, IOSH says, will
highlight the steps businesses need to take to ensure their premises are safe to open. Measures are likely to include redesigning processes to allow for physical distancing and also ensure adequate ventilation, plant inspection, hygiene arrangements and personal protective equipment in their planning. Awareness training around COVID-19 and ongoing monitoring and mental health support should also be factored in. Other measures which businesses can consider
include creating safe one-way systems around buildings, to avoid people crossing each other in corridors, and minimising the number of people required on the premises at any one time. They must also have arrangements in place for any suspected cases of COVID-19 going
forward, requiring those with symptoms not to enter the workplace. As well as the risk assessment guidance, the
resources IOSH is developing other resources to assist with the return to work process, including a webinar recording. This adds to a wealth of guidance it has produced throughout the pandemic, including guidance on managing the risks faced by healthcare workers on the frontline and tips on ergonomics and mental health concerns for people homeworking.
iosh.com
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W
elcome to the
Summer issue of Industrial Compliance. A lot has changed since the Spring
issue of the magazine. The last few months have seen many companies working in the safety sector, particularly those in the PPE sphere, answer the calls to deliver more protective equipment. We consider some of these efforts in this issue. Now, as lockdown begins to be
relaxed we also take a look at ways to help your business return to work in a safe and manageable way. Until the next issue, I hope you
stay safe. Victoria White - Editor
CORONAVIRUS DECONTAMINATION SERVICE LAUNCHED
As the global pandemic continues, Cawleys is urging businesses to ensure their premises are decontaminated before re-opening. As a reaction to the virus, Luton
based recycling firm, Cawleys, has launched a new Virucidal Fogging Decontamination service. This service involves spraying a
non-toxic virucide which covers all surfaces using ultra low volume fogging machines. The substance is administered in a fine mist and is therefore able to penetrate recesses and crevices ensuring total coverage. Cawleys specially trained personnel
carry out the process using the appropriate PPE to ensure they can
work safely in a designated airspace. Decontamination in this way will
allow businesses to have complete peace of mind that their offices, shops, hospitality, warehouses and food preparation areas are completely safe. In turn, this will give their staff and customers more confidence in coming back into the premises. Cawleys has many years of
expertise in dealing with hazardous waste and materials. They are delighted to extend this to help those who wish to ensure their premises and surfaces are completely fit for purpose as soon as the lockdown is lifted.
www.cawleys.co.uk
SATRA INVESTS IN FALL PROTECTION Permanent anchor devices were
SATRA has opened a new fall protection testing area at its purpose-built Century House technical facility. The new area will be able to test anchor devices in conjunction with different roof constructions and is in response to a new standard in development, prEN 17235, to which all permanent anchor devices will need to be tested. The construction industry is moving towards testing anchor devices together with applicable roof type(s) when working at height to ensure that the whole construction is safe to use. SATRA’s new fall protection testing area allows the building of mock roof
structures up to a maximum size of 6m x 6m to simulate real world use. Using three towers positioned around the mock roof, SATRA is able to carry out dynamic and static strength tests in all potential directions of loading (parallel, 45° and perpendicular). The anchor and the roof construction, and the fixings used to connect them both, can be assessed to determine the compatibility of the components and safety in use. Customers are able to watch and inspect all aspects of the testing from the safety and comfort of a viewing container positioned several meters above the ground.
4 SUMMER 2020 | INDUSTRIAL COMPLIANCE
previously covered under the European PPE Directive, however, in 2010 this was changed and these anchor devices were left for a number of years under no directive or regulation due to issues regarding the exact definition of what was covered under Personal Protection Equipment (PPE). Anchor devices have more recently been added under the Construction Products Regulation and will now be in prEN 17235 when published. Another standard, BS 8610: 2018, has been published which require anchors to be tested on a simulated substrate. SATRA offers comprehensive fall protection testing to EN, ISO, ANSI
and AS/NZS standards. SATRA is a European Notified Body under the PPE Regulation (EU) 2016/425 and the Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305/2011. For more information please email
ppe@satra.com or telephone 01536 410000.
www.satra.com
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