For the purposes of these Regulations, ‘work’ includes do-it-yourself activities, work undertaken as a favour for friends and relatives, and work for which there is no expectation of reward or gain, eg voluntary activity for charities. This means that anyone carrying out such work must have the necessary competence, as required by regulation. However, membership of an HSE approved class of persons under regulation is required only by businesses carrying out gas fitting work.
Which health professionals are exempt from a qualification in first aid? Provided they can demonstrate current knowledge and skills in first aid, the training and experience of the following qualify them to administer first aid in the workplace without the need to hold a FAW or EFAW or equivalent qualification: doctors registered and licensed with the General Medical Council; nurses registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council; paramedics registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.
No person shall install a gas fitting unless every part of it is of good construction and sound material, of adequate strength and size to secure safety and of a type appropriate for the gas with which it is to be used. Gas engineers should acquaint themselves with the appropriate standards for gas fittings and ensure that the fittings they use are to those standards.
No person shall install any installation pipework in any position in which it cannot be used with safety having regard to the position of other pipes, pipe supports, drains, sewers, cables, conduits and electrical apparatus and to any parts of the structure of any premises in which it is installed which might affect its safe use. Any person who connects any installation pipework to a primary meter shall, in any case where equipotential bonding may be necessary, inform the responsible person that such bonding should be carried out by a competent person.
Gas engineers should ensure that any appliance they install, or flue to which they connect an appliance, is safe for use. Requirements in regulations should be met as applicable, and reference made to appropriate standards. Appliances should be installed in accordance with manufacturers’ instructions, including any manufacturers’ instructions on flues to which the appliances can be safely connected.
This article covers the safe use of solid fuel appliances – such as tandoori ovens, charcoal grills and wood-fired pizza ovens in commercial kitchens. It is concerned mainly with the risks associated with exposure to carbon monoxide gas. The risk to workers is well known but there have also been reports of carbon monoxide exposure involving members of the public. These cases involved exposure in domestic properties neighbouring commercial catering premises using solid fuel appliances.
Whether you are an employer or self-employed, are you sure that you’re up to date with how to identify the hazards and control the risks from your work? Do you know how to get help – from your trade association, your local Chamber of Commerce, or your health and safety enforcing authority? Do you know what you have to do about consulting your employees, or their representatives, on health and safety issues? If not, you would probably benefit from some training.
Wet vacuum cleaner - effective at cleaning up liquid spills. This is more effective on smooth floors which can be left completely dry. Dry vacuum cleaner - effective at cleaning up dry/dusty contaminants. This is often effective on rougher floors. It avoids the creation of airborne dust. If the dust creates a health risk, make sure the filter is suitable. Scrubber-drier machines - can be an effective way to clean most kinds of flooring. Different designs of scrubber-drier machines lend themselves to different situations. The squeegee needs to be wide enough to recover all the water put down by the scrubber-drier.
This article gives guidance on using portable, hand-held, petrol-engine chainsaws at work. It is aimed at employers, the self-employed and those who control the use of work equipment and includes basic information on safe working practices which operators may find useful.
