Health and Safety Executive – The NEN

The Hill Group launches national schools engagement campaign on construction site safety

Award-winning housebuilder, The Hill Group has launched an important awareness campaign aimed at engaging primary school children about the dangers of entering a construction site.

Hill is rolling out the campaign to all primary schools nationwide during Child Safety Week, 3-9 June, which is run by the Accident Prevention Trust. The campaign is centred around an educational video featuring Hill’s safety mascots, Jack and Jill, who demonstrate to children the rules that must be observed around building sites.

Child safety is a vital topic for the housebuilding industry; the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that each year, two or three children die after gaining access to building sites, and many more are injured.

The video, along with downloadable activity worksheets, will be accessible on Hill’s website, and the housebuilder will be engaging directly with primary schools in proximity to its current and forthcoming developments.

The initiative is supported by the Home Builders Federation (HBF), as well as the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).

Rhodri Williams, Technical and Sustainability Director at HBF, said: “Health and safety is vital in our industry, particularly as our members engage with communities where homes are being built.

“We are pleased to see child safety given a platform promoting awareness of best safety practices and protecting children. This will complement existing health and safety site practices in fostering safer communities for all.”

Lucie Wright, Head of Strategy at CITB, said:“Engaging with children to demonstrate the need for health and safety on a construction site is not just important for their wellbeing, but also provides an opportunity to introduce and promote the construction industry to younger generations – an urgent need for the industry.”

“Having workers that are trained and qualified in health and safety standards is vital for ensuring an employer’s workforce can keep themselves and those around them safe. It’s brilliant to see The Hill Group launch this initiative and raise awareness of health and safety on construction sites for children.”

The campaign was launched at Newport Primary School in Essex. Hill’s Charlotte Blair, the presenter on the awareness video, was on hand to deliver an assembly to the school on the importance of construction site safety with the help of mascots, Jack and Jill.

The assembly included a screening of the campaign film to all of the children and teachers at Newport Primary School which is located near Hill’s highly sustainable Hollymead Square development, where the housebuilder has collaborated on various school community activities since starting on site in February.

Rebecca Littler, Group Sales and Marketing Director at The Hill Group, commented “A construction site may seem like a fun place to explore for young children, but the risks of entering can be extremely serious.

“As a responsible housebuilder committed to prioritising health and safety, we actively engage and inform local communities about the work that we do, and site safety is a particularly important message to share.

“I’m very grateful to Newport Primary School for allowing myself, Jack, and Jill to present to the children, and we look forward to rolling out the campaign to more schools over the weeks ahead.”

Sherlyn Ramsey, Interim Head Teacher at Newport Primary School, commented: “It’s wonderful to see The Hill Group working towards safeguarding children in this way and informing them of the risks posed by construction site activity.

“The assembly was a great success, with the awareness video and campaign messages able to convey vital information in a fun and informative way to primary school children of all ages.”

Some readers may still recall an awful accident in Muirhouse back in August 1999, when brother and sister William (6) and Danielle (5) Welsh were killed by a reversing lorry when they played hide and seek on a construction site off Pennywell Road.

Leith Docks incident: eight people remain in hospital

Officers were called around 8.35am yesterday morning (Wednesday, 22 March, 2023) following a report of a ship becoming dislodged from its dry dock in Leith Docks.

Emergency services attended at the location at Imperial Dock and a multi-agency response was co-ordinated by Police Scotland.

The Scottish Ambulance Service took 15 people to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, four to the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh and two to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy, Fife. By around 1.20pm, all casualties were confirmed as being removed from the area and everyone accounted for.

Eight people remain in hospital this morning.

Superintendent Mark Rennie said: “I would like to thank partner agencies involved in the response to this incident which involved a complex operation to make sure everyone was safe.

“There is no risk to the wider public and enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what has happened. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.

“I would also like to thank the public for their patience while the emergency services undertook a very difficult job aiding casualties. We continue to ask people to avoid the area.”

A decade on, the farming industry still has the poorest safety record

Ten years after the first Farm Safety Week campaign, the charity behind it makes a plea for those living and working in the industry to do more to improve the poor safety record …

On its 10th anniversary Farm Safety Week 2022 aims to reduce the number of incidents which continue to give farming the poorest safety record of any occupation in the UK & Ireland
New figures released today show that fatal injuries on GB farms have shown a significant improvement – from 41 recorded in 2020/21 to 25 in 2021/22
According to the Farm Safety Foundation, the charity behind the annual campaign, while there is an encouraging improvement on the ten-year average of 36, it is important to continue driving safety messages to avoid a rebound
3 members of the public lost their lives in 2021/22 – 2 adults and a 9-year old child.

Figures released today from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Fatal Injuries in Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing in GB Report 2021/22, show that a decade after the first Farm Safety Week campaign, agriculture continues to have the poorest safety record in the UK and Ireland.

Over the last year, 25 people have lost their lives on farms in Great Britain– an encouraging improvement on last year’s total of 41, but one life lost is one too many according to UK-wide charity the Farm Safety Foundation (or Yellow Wellies as they are own).

Of the 25 people killed in England, Scotland and Wales in the past year, 22 were farm workers and 3 were members of the public including a 9-year old child. For an industry that still has between 1 and 2 children being killed through its activities each year, this simply MUST improve.

The picture is similar in Northern Ireland where farming accounted for 6 of the 18 (33%) reported workplace fatalities in 2021/2022 (HSENI). In the Republic of Ireland, farming which accounts for 4% of the workforce (according to CSO’s Labour Force Survey) has 26% of all workplace fatal incidents.

Farming has changed so much over the past decade so why hasn’t its safety record?

From the 18th – 22nd July, the Farm Safety Foundation will hold their tenth annual Farm Safety Week, a campaign which brings together five countries* over five days with ONE simple goal – to encourage farmers to make our farms safer places to live and to work.

This week, the Farm Safety Foundation will highlight some of the key issues facing the farming community, spotlight the work being done to drive a change in attitudes and behaviours and introduce ten inspirational farm safety heroes who have worked tirelessly over the past decade to reduce the injury risk for farmers and farming families across the UK and Ireland.

Agriculture is different from many industries in that it can present hazards to people not actively involved in the industry, such as children and family members living on the farm and visitors, in addition to farm workers. Hazards can also exist for vets, delivery workers and even the emergency medical services personnel, as they provide assistance and care to victims of farm incidents.

According to Stephanie Berkeley, Farm Safety Foundation manager: “Despite an encouraging improvement in the HSE figures over the past year, these are very sobering statistics.

We must remember that these are not just statistics – behind every fatal notification is a worker, a visitor or a child. We cannot become immune to the impact that each and every death has on farming families and communities across the UK and Ireland. Ten years after our first campaign, we cannot continue to accept that risk-taking is part and parcel of farming – we have to work harder to make it safer.

“Awareness of farm safety is at an all-time high with 66% of farmers in the UK (80% of under 40s) aware of Farm Safety Week according to NFU Mutual’s Voice of the Farmer 2022 survey – but the fact remains that, over the past year, 25 people lost their lives on GB farms so, awareness may be one thing but the time has come for action.

“This is why, a decade on, a focus like Farm Safety Week is still important. When many voices join together to drive a change, this is when it can happen. We should be farming safely every day of the year not just during Farm Safety Week.”

Sue Thompson, Head of Agriculture, Health & Safety Executive, said: “I congratulate the Farm Safety Foundation for the great work they’ve done over the last 10 years to raise the profile of farm incidents and their consequences.

“However, there are farming families left devasted every year when their loved ones are badly injured or killed while doing their jobs. We are starting to see safety improvements in some areas, but the pace of change is slow, and the rates of workplace injury and ill health in agriculture remain the highest of any major sector.

“Awareness of the hazards and risk have never been higher, and Farm Safety Week has played its part in this. But it’s regrettable that we’re not yet seeing the widespread changes in attitude towards safety, and the improvements in behaviour that will reduce the numbers of people hurt or made ill.

“Far too many farmers and farm workers suffer life-changing injury and lifelong chronic illness resulting from poor health and safety management”

“Everyone in agriculture has a role to play in making the changes we all want to see. Together, we can make farming safer.”

Stephanie added: “As a small charity that has delivered training sessions to over 18,000 young farmers in land-based colleges and universities across the UK and through the young farmers clubs network, the Foundation knows – and our research supports this – that the next generation of farmers are cultivating a better attitude to risk-taking and are starting to drive better safety behaviours in the workplace.

“Farming is an industry where people do not retire at 65 so, with the oldest farm worker killed over the past year being 85 years of age, we need to look after our older workers so they can continue to support the farm business and carry out tasks are appropriate for their mobility, agility and health conditions.

“But the truth is, farmers of ALL ages need to start challenging and changing their attitudes so we can make our farms safer places to work and to live.”

For more information on Farm Safety Week visit www.yellowwellies.org or follow @yellowwelliesUK on Instagram/Twitter/Facebook using the hashtag #FarmSafetyWeek

UK trade suicides visualised in Lunch atop a Skyscraper recreation

For Mental Health Awareness Week (9th-15th May), the iconic ‘Lunch atop a Skyscraper’ image has been recreated with 11 mannequins to represent the number of tradespeople who die from suicide each week.

The display was organised by IronmongeryDirect as part of its annual campaign to raise awareness of mental health amongst the UK trades.

Its 2022 report found that more than four in five (82%) UK tradespeople deal with some form of mental health problem due to work, and sadly, many take their own lives as a result.

Government data shows that there are 589 suicides in the industry each year, which works out at 11 per week, on average.

To visualise this tragic statistic, IronmongeryDirect positioned 11 mannequins on a platform, which was then lifted 30m into the air by a crane that was kindly donated by the excellent team at Bandshire Crane Hire.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the original skyscraper photo being taken, and the number of ironworkers in the scene matches the weekly suicide figure.

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The original Lunch atop a Skyscraper photo from 1932

As part of its campaign, the Essex-based ironmongery supplier has partnered with the mental health charity, Basildon Mind, and is donating over £3,000 to support its crucial services.

Emma Mamo, Head of Workspace Wellbeing at Mind, said: “In male-dominated industries such as construction, employees are often less willing and able to open up about their mental health and ask for support.

“This can be problematic because mental health problems often become worse if left untreated, and the consequences can be fatal.

“We urge employers to create cultures where employees can speak openly and honestly about their mental health.”

Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “The Lunch atop a Skyscraper image is famous for its message of hope for the industry and camaraderie between workers, so it’s heart-breaking to think that the same number of tradespeople seen in the photo die from suicide every single week.

“Unfortunately, our research found that almost nine in ten individuals don’t feel comfortable talking about their mental health, yet this is one of the most positive steps people can take to start addressing any issues.

“We hope that by raising awareness of mental health in the trades, this stigma can be removed and the situation can start to improve.”

To read IronmongeryDirect’s Mental Health in the Trades: 2022 report, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/mental-health-in-the-trades/

The Health and Safety Executive’s Working Minds campaign aims to raise awareness of the legal obligations that employers have to protect employees from work-related stress and its impact on mental health.

Take the Working Minds quiz to find out more preventing work-related stress Working Minds Quiz – Work Right to keep Britain safe (campaign.gov.uk)

Coronavirus: More than 350 deaths and 31,000 infections linked to exposure at work, new HSE figures reveal

Health and social care workers made up 70% of reported occupational deaths, GMB Freedom of Information request reveals

More than 350 deaths and 31,000 infections have been linked to Covid-19 exposure at work, new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures reveal.

The data, released in response to a GMB Freedom of Information request, shows that 31,000 the suspected cases of occupational exposure to coronavirus were reported to the Health and Safety Executive between 10 April 2020 and 13 March 2021.

367 workers’ deaths were suspected to be linked to workplace exposure to the coronavirus during the same period.

It’s likely the figures significantly underestimate the true extent of exposure and deaths among workers, warned the GMB Union.

GMB calls for urgent investment to make workplaces safe and full sick pay cover so that workers can afford to self-isolate.

Health and social care workers accounted for the overwhelming majority of infections and deaths notified under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR). 70 per cent of occupational deaths, or 257 fatalities, were recorded for workers in this group.

In total, 2,134 staff infections and seven deaths that were linked to workplace exposure were also recorded in educational settings since the start of September, despite Ministers’ repeated assurances that schools and other educational establishments were safe.

Occupational infections peaked in January at 5,710 and the highest monthly count of worker deaths (60) was recorded in February, according to the figures.

26,705 infections were reported in England since 10 April 2020, while 2,228 infections were reported in Wales and 2,447 were reported in Scotland. Northern Ireland is not covered by the figures.

Reports of infections and deaths should be filed ‘where there is reasonable evidence that the worker was exposed because of their work,’ according to the HSE, which means that many infections that cannot be directly attributed to a person’s work will not be recorded. The HSE acknowledges that ‘RIDDOR suffers from under-reporting’ and that ‘it is likely that [COVID-19] disease reporting is lower’ than the true rate.

The new figures, which had not previously been published, were uploaded to the HSE’s website following a GMB Freedom of Information Act request. The Information Commissioner’s Office issued a Decision Notice last week which required the HSE to reply to the request after it initially failed to respond.

Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said: “No one should go to work in fear of their life. Each worker’s death was preventable and the damning reality is that too many workplaces are still not safe.

“The fact that 70% of reported workers’ deaths are in the health and care sector should be a wake-up call, and sadly these figures are likely the tip of the iceberg.

“Two thousand infections and seven deaths in educational workplaces since September is the final proof that Ministers reopened schools before they were safe.

“Across the country too many people still face insecure workplaces and inadequate PPE.

“These figures shine a new light on the abject failure of too many to keep workplaces safe. Seven out of ten reported infections were since the start of the second wave, when the steps required to limit the spread of the virus were well understood.

“GMB calls on Ministers to urgently meet with unions, and for full sick pay cover to be provided to end the financial pressure that is leading to presenteeism and a greater spread of this terrible disease.’

Scottish construction praised for following safety guidance, but warned: Don’t take your foot off the gas

Scotland’s construction industry has been recognised for playing its part in the battle against COVID-19 – but has been warned not to take its “foot off the gas” after recent cases were reported on sites across the country.

The alert came from Russell Adfield, Head of Construction Sector and Policy at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) during a recent online meeting of the Construction Industry Coronavirus (CICV) Forum.

Mr Adfield told the industry collective that it should be congratulated for helping to ensure the sector followed correct protocols – and said its role was more vital than ever if the industry was to continue to stay safe.

He also acknowledged that the CICV Forum has provided businesses with the guidance they need to protect their workers, friends and families and meet the COVID-secure requirements of Construction Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Mr Adfield said: “During 2020, construction rose to the challenge and triumphed, protecting staff and providing the bedrock of the UK economy throughout the year.

“However, although plenty of good work has been done, it is vital that we don’t take our foot off the gas and must all continue to work hard to protect against the very real threat that remains.

“This year is a time of optimism and hope, and a time to be steadfast and disciplined. We need to reflect and learn, but also to develop and advance as we maintain and improve our health and safety performance.”

Mr Adfield said there had been 856 spot checks and 850 COVID site visits in Scotland since the start of the pandemic, which revealed 136 social distancing concerns.

He told the Forum at their latest meeting (18 February): “Although December, was encouraging, January and February this year have seen an increase in positive reports of COVID cases on construction sites with the main issues continuing to be around social distancing and cleaning regimes.

“This is a critical period in the pandemic and diligence must be maintained at all times. Pandemic weariness and vaccination optimism can adversely affect personal and corporate behaviour, but we mustn’t take our eye off the ball.

“Communication, cooperation and coordination in everything we do will be key in 2021 – and I know the CICV Forum will continue to help its members protect themselves and each other as we rebuild and recover.”

Becky Crosland, Chair of the Forum’s health and safety sub-group, said: “It’s encouraging to hear this recognition of the work that has been done, and good to know that the collective efforts of the CICV Forum are appreciated.

“However, Russell is right – we can’t take our foot off the gas. There is a long way to go and the end of the current need for stringent health and safety measures is not yet in sight.

“The construction industry has mostly been extremely patient, but we can’t let complacency creep in and spoil the good work that’s been done by so many in the past few months.”

The CICV Forum has been at the forefront of issuing industry guidance since the Scottish Government strengthened lockdown restrictions on 13 January, reinforcing pleas for everyone in the sector to take responsibility.

In the last few weeks, it has issued updated Construction Operating Guidance and information for those working in domestic and commercial premises, as well as a unique homeworking advice document and checklist.

Set up in March 2020, the Forum is now made up 30 full member bodies, and more than 120 individuals drawn from leading industry trade associations, private companies and professional bodies.

Since its inception, it’s campaigned for a consistent approach to the issues facing the industry, arguing that a common goal is more effective and mutually beneficial.