WOBO recognises the developments taking place within the UK and thanks HSE for their support in global news and developments.
Minimise manual handling risks for workers this festive season
Christmas is nearly upon us and it can be a demanding time for those working throughout the festive season.
The run-up to Christmas can be especially busy for those who work in haulage and distribution.Workers in this industry are vulnerable to the risk of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) injuries from hazardous manual handling. This can include:
- people lifting heavy parcels around warehouses
- delivery drivers moving products across the country
Our step-by-step guide to manual handling at work should help you minimise these risks. We also have advice for users and suppliers of agency, or temporary workers, as many of these are specifically employed for the festive period.
HSE has launched a new MSD body mapping tool. The body mapping tool will help workers report and discuss any musculoskeletal aches or pains that may be caused or made worse by work activities.
Register to access the tool, along with a guide and posters on how to run a successful body mapping workshop.
Legionnaires’ disease – what you must do – Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal type of pneumonia, contracted by inhaling airborne water droplets containing viable legionella bacteria.
If you are an employer, or someone in control of a premises (including landlords), you:
- are responsible for health and safety
- need to take the right precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to legionella
HSE’s step guide on Legionnaire’s disease outlines what you must do to take the right precautions to reduce the risks of exposure to legionella. This includes:
- identifying and assessing sources of risk
- managing any risks
- preventing or controlling any risks
- keeping and maintaining the correct records
- carrying out any other duties you may have
Visit our website for further guidance and resources on Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease.
Fundamental review of building regulations guidance – BSR is set to undertake a fundamental review of how building regulations guidance is produced, updated and communicated to the construction industry.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced the review of guidance to the building regulations known as the Approved Documents (ADs) during this week’s Commons debate on the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 report.
ADs provide detailed guidance for builders, architects and other professionals on how to meet functional requirements of building regulations. However, concerns have previously been raised about them being overly complex and difficult to use.
This review is a vital step toward simplifying guidance, making compliance easier, and improving safety and quality in construction.
Find out more about the building regulations guidance review
Shaping a positive industry culture: your views needed
We are looking for people across the building industry to join a workshop exploring what ‘good culture’ looks like in the built environment. Aligned with BSR’s 3-year strategic plan, this workshop will offer an opportunity to feedback on the newly developed Culture Framework.
We want the insight of:
committee members, industry leaders and regulators, industry bodies and trade associations, architectural and engineering sector bodies, accreditation or education providers.
Those selected will be invited to a 90-minute session with independent research agency, Verian. Apply now to be part of change.
Volumetric Modular Construction: research reports
Volumetric Modular Construction is a type of Modern Method of Construction (MMC) which happens off-site.
It sees modules built off-site, transported to site and assembled to create permanent buildings. Once site installation is complete, in most cases, buildings will need only limited additional work to be considered complete and ready to use.
The government has committed to greater use of MMC, however, this is coupled with the recognition that the existing regulatory framework was set out in relation to traditional construction.
Independent and separate research has been carried out by the government and HSE to consider potential risks to the safety and performance of volumetric modular construction and identify potential options for mitigating those risks.
Read the government’s research report