If life was only this simple!
Thursday, 29 July 2010
Monday, 26 July 2010
Make your Home Safe for Children
Many toddlers are seriously injured in accidents around the home.
These can include: falling down stairs, banging their heads, pulling objects on top of themselves, getting seriously scalded or burnt, or even falling out of windows that haven't been properly shut or locked.
Making your home as safe as possible will allow your child a better opportunity to explore their world in safety and give you peace of mind.
However, it cannot be emphasised strongly enough that no matter how safe your home appears to be, parents should always keep an eye on their children.
It's important to know where they are and what they're doing at all times.
The kitchen
The kitchen can seem like an exciting place for a child. But it's full of dangers: electrical appliances with trailing cords, kettles full of boiling water, hotplates or gas burners on the stove, hot saucepans and kitchen drawers full of sharp knives.
The drawers and cupboards themselves can also be dangerous. If a drawer can be pulled out completely it could land on top of a child.
It's also easy for children to get their fingers trapped in drawers or doors. Because they don't have complete control over their actions, they can easily slam a drawer shut on their hands.
There are two ways to secure drawers and cupboards. You can fix a stopper to the drawers to prevent them being pulled out completely or fix a safety catch to prevent a child from opening the drawer or cupboard at all.
It's also a good idea to fix a catch on the fridge door – so that a child can't get their fingers trapped, or even worse, climb inside. If the door closed by accident they would quickly suffocate or suffer from hypothermia.
Cleaning products and household chemicals
It's especially important to lock all cabinets that contain harmful or toxic products.
Dish-washing agents, cleansing agents, detergent, petroleum, turpentine, flammable liquids and fertilizers are all toxic if swallowed.
Dish-washing powder is also dangerous if it comes into contact with skin – for example, if a child spills a packet over themselves.
There's nothing that a child will not try to drink out of curiosity, regardless of how it might look or smell to us!
Electrical cords
It's easy for a child to grab hold of an electrical cord and pull a kettle, blender, or other appliance onto themselves causing severe scalding or serious injury.
This can be prevented by installing a cord holder, which will make the cord too short to reach over the edge of the table or work surface. You can also simply make electrical cords shorter.
Stoves and ovens
To prevent a child burning their fingers on hotplates or grabbing a saucepan handle and pulling the contents over him or herself, you can fix a grating at the edge of the stove. Always make sure that saucepan handles are turned inwards so children can't reach them.
You can also safeguard the knobs on the stove to prevent the child from turning on the stove or changing the temperature.
Put a catch on the oven door, so a child can't open it.
The glass window on the oven door may also get hot enough for your child to burn him or herself. You can prevent this by putting a fireguard or grate over the door.
Living rooms and bedrooms
Drawers and cupboards in the living room and bedroom can be secured in the same way as kitchen cupboards.
There are many sharp, pointed edges in the living room – on tables and shelves for example – that a toddler could accidentally fall against. Low corners that could poke a child in the eye are especially dangerous.
The best way to make them safe is to put plastic corners on them – or if you can't find these, foam rubber secured with a rubber band. This may not look attractive, but it could save your child from serious injury.
Use a wedge or hook on doors to hold them permanently open, so that a child can't get their fingers trapped.
Windows
As soon as toddlers are able to get around and explore their surroundings, they may start trying to climb up and look out of windows. If windows are not locked, put stoppers on them so they can't be opened by more than 10cm. The best place to put them is at the top of the window so your child can't reach them.
Move furniture away from windows, so children can't climb up in the first place.
Shelving
Some children may try to use book shelves as a climbing frame. Make sure all shelves are fixed securely to the wall so they can't topple onto a child.
Floor coverings
Loose carpets and rugs are dangerous for children who are just learning to walk because they could easily trip over them. Put rubber matting or stoppers under the carpets and don't put down loose rugs until the child is older.
Tablecloths
Toddlers will naturally grab hold of a dangling tablecloth to help themselves stand up. If you are using a tablecloth, make sure you fasten it to the table with pegs or clips so a child can't pull the cloth and everything on the table over him or herself.
Power points
Electrical accidents are always very serious. They can cause severe third degree burns or even death.
All power sockets should be secured with a plastic covering that a child can't remove.
Find out if there is a safety relay or circuit breaker in the house and if there isn't, have one installed.
The bathroom
Children love playing with running water but it only takes 10cm (4in) of water for a small child to drown.
If a small child's face goes underwater, they will automatically breathe in so that they can scream and this will fill their lungs with water.
Children also lose their sense of direction underwater, so they can't react by pulling their head out or standing up as an adult would do.
Put bath and basin plugs out of reach, so that a child can't fill up the bath or basin.
The toilet lid can be held down with a clip attachment, so a child can't open it.
You may want to adjust the thermostat on the boiler while your child is still a toddler – so if they turn on a tap, they won't be scalded with very hot water.
Medicine and Tablets
All medicine, tablets, vitamins and herbal remedies should be locked in a medicine cabinet or other cupboard, so a child can't get to them and swallow them – colourful pills are very attractive to children.
Remember that medical poisonings can be extremely serious.
There are no completely child-proof containers, so make sure that anything dangerous is locked away or well out of reach to an inquisitive and agile child.
Stairs
Stairs are difficult for children to walk down forwards, until the age of about four years. Teach the child from a young age to go down lying on their tummy.
You can safeguard against falls at any age by putting gates in front of the staircase and not allowing children to play on the landing (when any aged child can accidently trip and fall down stairs).
If there are openings between the steps, these should be blocked up to prevent your child from falling out underneath or getting their head stuck.
A child's head can also get lodged between the banister rails if they are more than 7.5cm (3in) apart.
Working at Hights (Get it right)
A steeplejack firm that breached work at height regulations has been fined £6600 after a worker fell more than six metres when rotten boards gave way underneath him.
The worker, who was employed by The Cedars Steeplejack (Midlands), suffered serious injuries in August 2008 while removing bird debris and cleaning a bell chamber at the Church of St Peter in Lenton, Lincolnshire.
He climbed a staircase inside the church spire with a colleague, then set out scaffolding planks to stand on to carry out the work. But because the planks were laid on rotten floorboards, when he stepped onto a board, it gave way and he plunged 6.3 metres to the floor below. He cracked five vertebrae, broke his pelvis and suffered serious internal injuries.
Grantham Magistrates’ Court heard that his employer had failed to assess the risks properly and did not select the right equipment for carrying out the work safely.
The system of work was unsafe and no one had properly checked the condition of the rotten floor boards before work began.”
The Cedars pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations, which require employers to plan and carry out work at height safely.
Magistrates ordered the firm to pay £4774 in prosecution costs, as well as the £6600 fine.
The worker, who was employed by The Cedars Steeplejack (Midlands), suffered serious injuries in August 2008 while removing bird debris and cleaning a bell chamber at the Church of St Peter in Lenton, Lincolnshire.
He climbed a staircase inside the church spire with a colleague, then set out scaffolding planks to stand on to carry out the work. But because the planks were laid on rotten floorboards, when he stepped onto a board, it gave way and he plunged 6.3 metres to the floor below. He cracked five vertebrae, broke his pelvis and suffered serious internal injuries.
Grantham Magistrates’ Court heard that his employer had failed to assess the risks properly and did not select the right equipment for carrying out the work safely.
The system of work was unsafe and no one had properly checked the condition of the rotten floor boards before work began.”
The Cedars pleaded guilty to breaching Regulations 4(1)(a) and 4(1)(c) of the Work at Height Regulations, which require employers to plan and carry out work at height safely.
Magistrates ordered the firm to pay £4774 in prosecution costs, as well as the £6600 fine.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
European Standards CEN 15288
CEN 15288 came into practice in March 2009 after a period of 20 years without any changes in legislation for swimming pools.
People and companies who design, operate and manage pools in the UK have to consider both the CEN standard and HSG 179. This is not the best way of doing things, as it raises critical questions as to the interaction of the two standards; there is some overlap between each.
EN 15288 - Part 1 specifies safety requirements relevant to certain aspects of the design, planning and construction of swimming pools.
EN 15288 - Part 2 specifies safety requirments for the operation and management of public and private swimming pools.
Both these areas are covered by HSG 179 Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools, the UK "gold standard" of guidance for pool operators over the past 20 years.
The CEN standards do not have the force of law and arguably fall short of existing UK standards in some areas. However, they should NOT be ignored but considered and applied in tandem with HSG 179. I would advise all pool operators to have a copy of both sets of standard, read them and apply them to your envirnment.
So, the key message is that in the event of any discrepancy between the two standards - HSG 179 remains the gold standard to be applied in preference to the EU Standard.
People and companies who design, operate and manage pools in the UK have to consider both the CEN standard and HSG 179. This is not the best way of doing things, as it raises critical questions as to the interaction of the two standards; there is some overlap between each.
EN 15288 - Part 1 specifies safety requirements relevant to certain aspects of the design, planning and construction of swimming pools.
EN 15288 - Part 2 specifies safety requirments for the operation and management of public and private swimming pools.
Both these areas are covered by HSG 179 Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools, the UK "gold standard" of guidance for pool operators over the past 20 years.
The CEN standards do not have the force of law and arguably fall short of existing UK standards in some areas. However, they should NOT be ignored but considered and applied in tandem with HSG 179. I would advise all pool operators to have a copy of both sets of standard, read them and apply them to your envirnment.
So, the key message is that in the event of any discrepancy between the two standards - HSG 179 remains the gold standard to be applied in preference to the EU Standard.
Monday, 5 July 2010
BSI Certification Energy, Environment in Business Management
Office design and fitting company Morgan Lovell is the first organisation in the UK to achieve certification from BSI to the new energy management system standard, BS EN 16001:2009.
The aim of the standard is to help organisations establish the necessary systems and processes to improve energy efficiency, and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.
BSI says that 16001 can be used in isolation or integrated with other management systems, such as the environmental management standard 14001. Morgan Lovell secured 16001 certification after establishing processes and systems to improve energy efficiency at its London office. This has included fitting smart meters to measure and control energy usage, technology to power down equipment such as computers when they are not in use, and regular communication with staff to promote the benefits of adopting environmental efficiencies. The company has also introduced a range of sustainable features in the office to reduce its impact on the environment, including lighting based on movement sensors and a heating and cooling system, which uses any heat rejected in areas being cooled to warm up other parts of the building. Since introducing these measures, Morgan Lovell has seen its energy bills drop by about 30% over 12 months.
“This new energy management system standard provides a comprehensive set of controls designed to help organisations establish the systems and processes necessary to improve energy efficiency, as has been demonstrated by Morgan Lovell.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
Health & Safety Questions - Part 1
Question 1
Do we have to provide outdoor workers with sun screen?
Answer
Employers do not have duty to provide sunscreen. They should ensure that their risk assessment considers work in the sun, shade, covering up and job rotation.
The Health and Safety Executive advises that employers should:
Include sun protection advice in routine health and safety training
Encourage workers to keep covered up during the summer months
Encourage workers to use sunscreen of at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15
Encourage workers to take their breaks in the shade, if possible, rather than staying out in the sun.
Consider scheduling work to minimise exposure.
Site water points and rest areas in the shade.
Encourage workers to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Keep workers informed about the dangers of sun
Encourage workers to check their skin regularly for unusual spots or moles that change size, shape or colour and to seek medical advice promptly if they find anything that causes them concern.
Question 2
Is it correct that turban wearing Sikhs don’t have to wear hard hats on construction sites?
Answer
Following a campaign by the British Sikh Federation, Sikhs working on construction sites are exempt from the requirement in the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 to wear hard hats. Therefore, the duties on employers and self-employed persons in these Regulations to provide head protection, and ensure that it is worn, do not apply in connection with the wearing of head protection by a turban-wearing Sikh.
No other workers are exempt from the Regulations.
Do we have to provide outdoor workers with sun screen?
Answer
Employers do not have duty to provide sunscreen. They should ensure that their risk assessment considers work in the sun, shade, covering up and job rotation.
The Health and Safety Executive advises that employers should:
Include sun protection advice in routine health and safety training
Encourage workers to keep covered up during the summer months
Encourage workers to use sunscreen of at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15
Encourage workers to take their breaks in the shade, if possible, rather than staying out in the sun.
Consider scheduling work to minimise exposure.
Site water points and rest areas in the shade.
Encourage workers to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Keep workers informed about the dangers of sun
Encourage workers to check their skin regularly for unusual spots or moles that change size, shape or colour and to seek medical advice promptly if they find anything that causes them concern.
Question 2
Is it correct that turban wearing Sikhs don’t have to wear hard hats on construction sites?
Answer
Following a campaign by the British Sikh Federation, Sikhs working on construction sites are exempt from the requirement in the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 to wear hard hats. Therefore, the duties on employers and self-employed persons in these Regulations to provide head protection, and ensure that it is worn, do not apply in connection with the wearing of head protection by a turban-wearing Sikh.
No other workers are exempt from the Regulations.
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