How Often is PAT Testing Needed?

If you run a business, hotel, school, or any other organisation where people gather for work, learning, sleeping, or simply meeting others, you may be curious as to how often you require a Portable Appliance Testing service.

PAT testing will ensure that your electrical devices are safe, reducing the risk of injury to any individuals. It is an essential service, but one that could cause disruption and one that will cost money each time your chosen testing company visits.

For this reason you may wish to minimise the frequency of your PAT testing. To do so you will need to understand exactly how often the inspection and testing of certain electrical devices is required.

As useful as it would be to inform you of the exact testing schedule that you require for your business or organisation, unfortunately there are actually no absolute rules as to how often your appliances should be tested.

Instead the guidelines simply state that the inspection of any of your electrical equipment must be 'regular'. While this lack of solid guidelines may seem frustrating at the outset, it does make sense.

The frequency of testing of different appliances is, as it should be, related to the risk posed by the users of said appliance. For example, heavy duty electrical machinery used on a building site will probably require testing more often than the computer of an office worker.

In deciding how often your electrical equipment requires PAT testing, the following four factors will help you to make your decision:

* What environment is your electrical equipment located in? Could the environment be described as arduous, for example a building site? Or would 'benign' be a more appropriate word for, for example, an office space.

* Are the users of the electrical appliances in question likely to report any flaws or failings? If an employee is likely to notice a potentially hazardous situation with the equipment that they are using, and report said situation, then PAT testing may not be required as often as if individuals will ignore the situation.

* The construction of the equipment is another valid factor in deciding how often portable appliance testing is needed. For example, a piece of Class 1 equipment must have a connection with earth to be deemed safe, whereas Class 2 equipment need not have a fixed earth connection.

* Finally, the equipment itself bears some influence as to how often PAT testing should be carried out. An electrical item that you carry around may be more likely to be damaged than one that is found in a fixed position.

Hopefully these four factors have got you thinking about how often your electrical equipment requires PAT testing. It is important that the frequency of your testing is determined by the factors above, and that it is kept under constant review to ensure that your employees, tenants, or any other individuals, are kept as safe as possible.

By : Rebecca_L_Waterman

Lessons From Ground Zero Help Businesses Prepare For the Worst

A positive legacy of the World Trade Center bombings has been the lessons learned and applied with regard to safety preparedness and disaster management. The critical security changes that were put into place after the first attack on the Twin Towers expedited the September 11th evacuation and brought more than 18,000 people to safety...four hours faster than in 1993.

Workplace 'Disasters' Are Common

Thankfully, few businesses will ever be targets of deliberate acts of violence that are the focus of this construction safety training video, but the probability that a terrifying accidental workplace 'disaster' will occur is high. Chief among the threats: fire.

According to research by Maine Municipal Association Risk Management Services, there are between 70.000 to 80,000 workplace fires in the United States each year. The cost of workplace fires is more than $2 billion annually. However the more troubling statistic is that 5,000 people are estimated to be injured in these fires and as many as 200 people lose their lives.

This makes disaster management a very 'human' issue in the business world.

Twin Challenges from the Twin Towers

WTC experts point to two key factors that have the greatest influence on successfully managing a disaster. The first is maintaining a state of preparedness.

To meet the demands of unexpected circumstances, workplaces should be prepared in advance with routinely tested radios, flashlights, and properly stocked first aid kits. Employees must be familiar with the proper use of fire extinguishers and should participate regularly in fire drills. Many people associate fire drills with their grade school years, but practicing what to do in an emergency really does save lives.

The second challenge for a disaster-ready business is creating a strategy to get people to safety. The events of September 11th underscore the importance of evacuation plans and how vital it is to have accurate building maps available.

How to Be Ready for Anything

It is not difficult to put together a comprehensive, custom-tailored emergency response plan for a business...but it is essential. An inclusive approach is most effective. On its web site, OSHA (the Occupational Safety and Health Administration) says that businesses "may find it beneficial to include a diverse group of representatives (management and employees) in this planning process and to meet frequently to review progress and allocate development tasks."

By : Mark_Woeppel

Everyone Deserves to Be Safe - Oh Really and Exactly Who Is Supposed to Pay for This?

It is amazing how many laws, rules, and regulations we have in our daily lives. It is known that the government's job to protect the American people, but they been taking their mission a little too far.

Now they wish to protect us from ourselves, and they want to make sure that we don't hurt ourselves, and I can't figure out why. The only thing that I can consider is they don't want us to hurt ourselves, or we might become unproductive, and unable to pay their taxes.

Indeed, I know that sounds silly, but let's look at this for a moment, let's have a dialogue on this issue. If we make laws and rules for the stupidest people amongst us, literally for the Darwin award winners, then we will create a society which is totally sterile, without innovation, entrepreneurship, or free thought.

We will create a society and civilization void of what has made America great. Indeed, if we look at other nations we see that their citizens can't think, they can't innovate, and they don't have original thoughts.

Personally, I do have original thoughts, and I have two per day. And it's taken me years to develop my mind in order to be able to do that. Many people in America may only have an original thought once per decade, and perhaps people that live in countries like China may never have an actual original thought of their own. That's a scary thought indeed.

Not long ago an acquaintance told me that; "Everyone Deserves to Be Safe," as he explained why government restrictive regulations needed to be even more invasive. But, I countered this with; "Oh really and exactly who is supposed to Pay for this - Everyone Else, and, if so, Why?"

We have all sorts of rules you understand, we have to wear a seatbelt, we can't talk while driving on our cell phone, and many of these rules are so we don't hurt ourselves, such as wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle, and other rules are so we don't hurt innocent bystanders.

Still, every rule must be enforced, and that takes money. In each time there is a new rule that takes a little bit of our personal freedoms away from us. There are so many rules now that you literally cannot live a single day of your life without breaking some rule, ordinance, law, or regulation without even knowing it. Now then, I live in California, and they actually have contests every year for who can think up the greatest new law.

Instead of dreaming up new laws, perhaps the California government should pay down its debt. Of course, I digress, but this is a significant issue. Does everyone really deserve to be safe? Or should everyone take it upon themselves to keep their family, their coworkers, their friends, their neighbors, and themselves safe and sound, by practicing a little bit of responsibility? Please consider all this.

By : Lance_Winslow

Health and Safety in the Office Environment

Ensuring that employees do not injure themselves at work is something which is prioritized by all businesses in modern times. Is it because the owners of the businesses deeply and genuinely care about the welfare of their employees? Perhaps it is more likely that business owners are concerned that a less than intelligent employee will injure themselves and then sue the company.

This growing fear that employees might injure themselves at work has cause health and safety to take priority in all working environments and has arguably created some outrageous health and safety rules.

One such example of an outrageous rule is how in certain offices across the UK workers are told not to move office chairs if they are found in the wrong position. In this case if someone breaks the rule and moves your chair to the other side of the room you should not move it back to your desk.

More outlandish rules are being applied in some schools across the UK such as students wearing goggles when handling blue tack and teachers being given a five page booklet about the dangers of Pritt-stick.

Ridiculous rules such as these have turned health and safety into somewhat of a joke, however some aspects of the practice are very important as hundreds of potentially serious accidents are avoided every year by following simple health and safety rules.

The primary safety hazard in any office is fire. Proper fire safety protocol and fire exits are standard in all offices whether it is Office Space Bracknell, office space Cardiff or Office Space Oxford.

All offices across the UK must have the correct regulations in place so that if a fire does ignite in the office building all staff members know how to react and will be safe. In the rather rare case of a fire breaking out in an office building following correct procedure can save lives

Another less dramatic hazard in the office working environment is the common trip hazard. Trip hazards account for a large amount of injuries that occur in office environments across the UK and also account for a large number of compensation claims taken out against companies.

There are several items which are classed as trip hazards from wires running along the ground to uneven stairwells. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that employees are aware of trip hazards and that all hazards are fix as quickly as possible.

Whilst health and safety in offices may seem trivial to some there are hundreds of hazards in which employees need to be made aware of. Fire safety and trip hazard awareness are just two of the simple ways in which accident and injury can be avoided. Health and safety does not need to become ridiculous as it has in some cases, it just needs to be managed properly.

By : Nikki_Maidment

Taking Safety Precautions As a Real Estate Agent

When one thinks of dangerous professions, a career in real estate does not come to mind. Real Estate safety always should be practiced. Discussing and planning for Real Estate safety is not something we enjoy but should never be ignored or avoided.

Real estate agents fall prey and become part of some of the highest crime statistics. Although murder comprises a small percentage of these statistics, assault and rape do not.

There are over 2 million reported assault and rape crimes every year. Women are the victims in the vast majority of these crimes. However, males certainly can be involved as well.

Since realtors do not surround themselves daily with other people, as in the corporate world, they become much more vulnerable to the criminal. As professionals, we are always meeting or being introduced to strangers.

We drive them around in our cars and show them homes when no one else is around. One of the most enticing opportunities for a criminal to assault or rape a victim is in a vacant property.

Below are some safety precautions we should be conscience of at all times. Always trust your instincts. Being alert and aware of these safety concerns will decrease the risk of putting oneself in harm's way.

1. Do not judge someone solely by their mannerisms and appearance. Ted Bundy is a perfect example. He was very normal looking and even attractive to his victims.

2. Always meet your prospective client in a public place, such as your office or coffee shop.

3. If possible, make photocopies of their Driver's License.

4. Do not hold Open Houses alone. Try to have a colleague assist you at the home.

5. Take your own car and have the clients follow you when previewing homes. It is also a good idea to make sure you let someone know where you are going and when you should be returning.

6. When showing homes always have the clients lead the way. In other words do not let them walk behind you. Do not go into rooms where you could be cornered such as a basement or closet.

7. If you are showing high-rise condos do not get in an elevator alone with your client. Tell them you need to make a quick call and will meeting them on the 11th floor as an example.

If you are placed in this type of situation use your adrenalin to your advantage. Fight back with all of your might. Kick, scratch, claw, or do whatever it takes. The more aggressive you are, the more likely the assailant will reassess the situation.

We always need to be aware of our surroundings. Take self-defense classes and frequently take "safety" classes. This will ensure we always have our guard up and can continue to enjoy what we love to do as real estate professionals.

By : Jeffrey_Austin

How to Set Effective Safety Standards in the Workplace

This article is an account of how safety standards were set in a long-established business that had a very poor safety record. The background to this breakthrough was that the organization was heavily unionized and had proved over the last 20 years, just how dangerous it was.

The management team was not very effective and relationships with the staff were adversarial. The management team had tried all sorts of methods to persuade the staff to work safely, however, these had been ignored with quite tragic results. In desperation, the organization asked a consultant to help them.

After getting a carte blanche from the senior members of the organization, the consultant organized a committee of veteran employees who were elected by the staff members. They monitored the workplace and recorded 29 incidents and analyzed the potential outcomes.

To their horror they found that 28 of them could've been fatalities. This provided the necessary momentum to introduce other changes.

The committee of veteran employees decided which behaviors were unsafe and which behaviors were safe. In effect, they used their experience to determine a clear-cut line between what should be done and what shouldn't be done.

They communicated this to the staff and asked for input. Because the rest of the staff had been given the information about the incidents and the potential fatalities, they readily gave the benefit of their experience.

Through negotiation and discussion with all members of staff, a safe operating plan was devised and each member of staff was given a copy. At the same time it was pointed out that as conditions changed so the plan would be updated and it was the obligation of every member of staff to contribute to the maintenance.

This involvement with all the staff created an environment where anyone could point out to a co-worker that they may be at risk from the way they are working.

It took a little while for this to be accepted but then it spread like a virus. There were other benefits that were far-reaching. The organization was a national one with branches all over the country. The safety initiative was installed in the worst area.

As a result of the safety initiative damage to property and equipment plummeted. Injuries and accidents became extremely rare. Communication improved and so did labor relations.

adversarial element between the management and staff melted away as they worked towards a common objective of a safer workplace. After approximately 12 months, the branch became the top performing part of the organization.

By : Peter_L_Mitchell

Occupational Health and Safety - Seven Key Elements Your Policy Statement Should Contain

The occupational health and safety policy statement provides your company and everyone concerned with it from directors to the office cleaner, to third part auditors and inspectors with concise details of the companies objectives and means of achieving, monitoring and maintain them.

To ensure this is the case there are seven key elements that ought to be covered in the policy, which are:

1. To identify any hazards to employees and any third party that may be affected by the work your business is involved in carrying out.

2. To maintain at all times safe and healthy working conditions; including all plant and equipment.

3. To work towards continuous improvements to prevent accidents and any work related illnesses.

4. To give all employees appropriate and adequate training to ensure that they are competent to carry out their tasks safely.

5. To ensure the safe and secure transportation, storage, handling and use of all hazardous substances.

6. To consult with employees on occupational health and safety matters that may affect their well-being and to give them all necessary information, training and supervision.

7. To review and revise the health and safety policy at regular intervals or whenever new procedures or equipment are introduced into the workplace.

It is important also that this policy statement is read and understood by all members of staff and I recommend that it becomes a part of your new employees' induction training and that they are notified via the company line management of any amendments and revisions.

The amount of information to be included in these seven key elements will depend on the size and type of company you operate; obviously a building contractor will need a far more detailed policy statement and additional documentation than a small office based company.

Finally, the statement should be signed and dated by the highest ranking member of the management team responsible for occupational health and safety which is normally the Managing Director, so that it becomes a powerful document to be held in high regard and authority by everyone within the company.

By : Steve_Tallamy

Fire Safety Lessons From 1980 SAS Iranian Embassy Siege

On the 5th of May 1980 the British SAS carried out a raid on the Iranian Embassy in London that has gone down in history. After a siege that had lasted for five days after gunman entered the building and took the occupants hostage the SAS commandos carried out what can only be described as a dramatic rescue operation as the world looked on in amazement.

Five of the six terrorist gunmen were killed during the raid and one was taken prisoner after being identified by the rescued hostages.

Millions of people got to see the SAS in action live on TV as the drama unfolded and the iconic images of that day will never be forgotten as the world saw what the best special forces unit on the planet was capable of achieving. It sent a message out that terrorism on British soil would not be dealt with lightly.

Grenades were thrown through windows as thirty SAS troops stormed the embassy from the front and rear. Screams were heard echoing from the building in Kensington as machine gun fire erupted and fifteen minutes later the hostages emerged safe. In the end one hostage was killed and two other injured.

The then Home Secretary William Whitelaw gave the order to attack after Iranian press attaché Abbas Lavasani was shot dead by the terrorists and his body dumped on the street outside.

After the raid the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher visited the SAS troops to congratulate them on a job well done and the success of the mission.

During the rescue mission the building caught alight as stun grenades were detonated in the rooms of the embassy and explosive charges used to break through the armoured windows on entry. By the end of the assault the building was well alight and was completely gutted inside by the ravaging fire that ensued.

The fire spread quickly as curtains burst into flames and the fire spread without anyone able to fight it due to the battle that was raging inside. The SAS managed to evacuate everyone from the building and it was then left to burn as it was unsafe for fire fighters to enter.

It is an acceptable after effect of such a military action that a building will often catch alight. A good fire alarm system would most likely be in place now and a sprinkler or water mist system would operate to quench and extinguish the flames automatically.

In the event of an accidental fire in a work premises staff could use fire extinguishers such as foam and CO2 models to combat the flames quickly and prevent further spread. Of course this would be impossibility in an event such as the 1980 siege but thankfully it 8is pretty rare to witness such an action.

A foreign embassy actually falls outside of UK and EU fire regulations as it is a piece of land that belongs to the sovereign state that owns it, Iran in this case. It is therefore not subject to having fire safety systems in place that a UK work place would require by law as it is exempt under diplomatic rules. Because of this many embassies in the UK actually have systems that would not pass stringent UK regulations and as such can pose an increased risk of fire spreading.

It's a little realised fact that this is the case but should be taken into account if you are ever present in an embassy and a fire starts.

By : Jake_Langwith

Prevents Spills and Leaks For a Cleaner and Safer Workplace

When working in factories, manufacturing companies and other industrial businesses, spills and accidents are almost always unavoidable. Being ready for such occurrences is the best way to prevent the unnecessary messes and accidents that go along with the spills.

But using ordinary rags and cloths to for taking up spills may not be very effective as they are not made to absorb all types of liquids.

Rags are best used for absorbing water but not oil, lubricants and other solvents. This is why you will need a more specialized type of absorbing tool to prevent the spread of oil spills and other liquids.

One product line that is sure to help solve these problems for you is the Spilfyter Absorbents. Its material is specially made to absorb all types of liquids effectively; this includes water, oil, coolants, lubricants and other harsh solvents.

They also have oil only products that specialize in absorbing oil and other oil-based products only. Their product line includes universal socks, industrial mats and sorbent pads which all have specific jobs to accomplish.

Universal socks are used to prevent the scattering of liquids on the floor, especially if there are leaks on the equipment or machineries being used. Due to its shape and elasticity, it can be placed around equipment with a customized fit.

The socks won't be displaced very easily thus ensuring that it does its job by sticking close to the leak and absorbing and liquids that go out. Industrial mats are placed along high traffic walkways to absorb liquids that may be scattered by wet shoes.

Sorbent pads can be placed along shelves to absorb drips and stains, and it can also be used to wipe up excess liquids in case of accidental spills. So keep a clean and safe working environment in your factory by using these absorbent products today.

By : John_F_Smith

How to Discover Topics For Safety Talks

It is a well established fact that safety talks have a considerable effect on workplace safety. People who practice this, will tell you that it increases awareness, it provides a forum for staff members to express their opinion and to give feedback regarding hazards, unsafe behavior and remedies to potential accidents.

A lot of people in leadership positions say that they have difficulty in providing subjects which will engage their team during the team talk and maintain their interest. This article explains the multiple sources for information that can be used in a safety team talk.

One of the prime areas to consider is current events in the workplace. As a leader you will spend time listening to staff members and it won't be long before a safety issue is raised. You can make a note of the issue and the circumstances surrounding it and use this in your next safety team talk.

Make certain that you always carry a notebook with you so you can jot things down because there is nothing worse than getting the story wrong when you come to tell it at their safety team talk.

One of the most important factors to remember is that whatever you talk about must be of interest and relevant to the group you're addressing. Think about your people, their aspirations, their jobs and pick a subject which will mean something to them.

If you read the safety material such as articles published in safety magazines, you will never be without a subject to discuss and safety team talk provided you make it relevant for the group.

The other source of subjects and information is what people are talking about in terms of safety. If you listen carefully to what other people say, what they complain about, what they recommend and what they say, you'll find a rich source of subjects to discuss in your safety talk.

When you are jotting down notes for your next safety talk, focus on a safety rule, a first aid hint, a housekeeping item, an unsafe practice and anything that is related to the workplace and safe behavior. Emphasize a hazard, ask the group for solutions to improve safety.

Tell the group about a safety tip. You will never run out topics if you approach safety team talks in this fashion. If you plan your talk, you will always be able to make it interesting and engage the group. Remember, always try and get comments from the group members about the subjects and potential improvements. Safety team talks are a great tool in the workplace.

By : Peter_L_Mitchell

Flame Resistant Clothing - 3 Basic Principles

Flame Resistant Clothing is worn by people who work in very close contact with fire and other hazardous conditions. These clothes help the users to defend themselves in the case of any fire and other mishaps.

These clothes do not catch fire easily and can resist them to a very large extent. These are compulsory clothing for any worker who is subjected to such dangerous situations at work. Thus if you are planning to buy such kind of clothes for your work, here are three most important things to consider.

Protection level: Different clothes might be made for different purposes. Thus it is imperative to know the level of protection to compare with the work you do. This is very significant because if you are working in some big industry in such dangerous condition, you need a good level of protection.

The knowledge of the fabric will let you know what kind of protection the clothing will provide. Moreover, during the old days people used to wear cotton clothes as their base layer over the flame resistant clothing. But as per the recent rule, one must wear FR inner clothes to ensure double protection.

Moisture treatment: When a worker is facing fire and other heated conditions, he might sweat a lot. If this moisture is not treated well, then they might lead to infections on the skin. This is why good moisture absorbent FR clothing is needed. Hence when you buy yours, know how good the clothing's absorbent power is.

Fit: Choosing the perfect fit for your clothing is very important as you need to work in them comfortably. They should be stretchable so that they can take in your swift movements and actions. Good FR clothing will not have seams from the clothing which will irritate your skin. Pay close attention to these minute details, because they might cause you skin allergies.

Adhering to these three basic rules in choosing your FR clothing, you can arrive at the best and work comfortably without any worries. Also know from the manufacturer, their washing instructions, because they are very important to keep your clothes safe in the long run.

By : Amy_J._Fuller

When Oil and Water Don't Mix - Why Oil Absorbents Should Be Part of Your Spill Response Plan

Oil spills can be very dangerous, especially if they happen on water where they have the potential to spread more quickly and cause irreversible damage to the environment. I

f you are working with oils on a daily basis it is important to have the correct spill kits and absorbents to be able to deal with any potential spillages.

Your spill response plan should incorporate different types of oil absorbents to contain and absorb dangerous oils spills whether on land or water.

Oil Spills on land & water.

Oil spillage kits and absorbents soak up and retain oils and oil-based liquids without absorbing a drop of water. If you have a spill on water, the oil will not mix with the water, it will simply float on the surface.

Whilst damage to the environment is unavoidable, using oil only absorbents on the water surface means that the oil spill can be contained and removed much quicker and easier to minimise the overall environmental impact.

The spill can be effectively contained and removed with oil-only absorbents such as socks, booms, mats and pillows which will absorb the oil but not any water and prevent the spill from becoming a disaster.

If you are working with oils in an outdoor oil storage area, you should also use oil-only absorbents if any spills occur due to the potential for wet and rainy weather conditions whilst working outdoors.

Containing spills that come from oil

To prevent an oil spill from causing damage to the environment and becoming a slip and fall hazard to employees the first step is containment. Socks and Booms that only absorb oil can be used to do this effectively as they are flexible and mouldable enough to surround any type of spill and absorb as well as contain oil spills.

Multiple socks and booms can be overlapped or linked together to encircle larger oil spills using sturdy clips and connecting rings which feature on some socks and booms on the market.

Oil-only socks and booms are easily identifiable in a spill response situation as they are typically white in colour to make absorbed oil easier to see, although some booms are also available in dark grey to hide the absorbed oil and blend in with the surroundings.

Containing and absorbing oil spills becomes quick and easy when absorbent socks and booms are part of your spill response plan.

Cleaning up

Once an oil spill has been contained it then needs to be cleaned up. This stage in your spill response plan should also include oil-only absorbents because although absorbent socks and booms absorb as well as contain other absorbents may be needed to clean up any excess oil.

Absorbent mats and pillows that are water repellent are designed for this type of outdoor spill application. Both mats and pillows float on water so they are easy to retrieve when the oil has been completely absorbed and are white in colour which makes it easier for you to monitor saturation.

Mats and pillows that repel water should be used in conjunction with each other to achieve complete clean up of oil spills so that damage to the environment, stock and employees is prevented.

By : Robert_MacLaren

Overcoming Workplace Bullying With Support From Others

Have you ever tried reaching out for your workmates or colleagues and close friends to tell them regarding your situation or experience with being bullied at the workplace, but they were not there for you? And why does this takes place?

There are top 3 reasons why sympathy and support might not be present for you when you are dealing with a situation regarding adult bullying:

1. They never realized that empathizing or the mere act of listening could greatly help, even if they don't know what other actions to carry out.

2. They might not care enough to help or support. Most individuals will care if they only know how to help solve the case of workplace bullying situations, but they don't.

3. They don't know what to do to support or help. Putting an end to bullying in the workplace is not an issue they know how to coach or cope with.

Here Is What You May Encounter When You Share Or Discuss About Your Adult Bullying Situation.

1. You are interrupted or bothered.

2. Most of them listen just to hear some gossip, and not for your best interests.

3. Some of them use patronizing comments like, "How is your bullying at the workplace condition coming along?"

4. Some of them change the topic repeatedly or let themselves be disrupted.

5. Some of the people do not to hear you out-they immediately jump right in, trying to tell you to do this and that, and they expect you to be able to fix or solve your bullying problems and difficulties fast.

6. These persons re-directs the conversation back at themselves: "Oh yeah...which reminds me of that time when I was also..."

7. Or some of them disagree with your feelings or sentiments regarding your workplace bullying predicament.

So What Could You Do In Order To Gain Support In Helping You Handle Workplace Bullying?

1. For more sound advice, seek guidance and professional help. When choosing a therapist, choose a person who has a specialty in workplace and adult bullying and more importantly, in conflict resolution. Be sure that you feel comfortable and safe with them. You can also ask about their results so far.

2. Look for a close friend or an office mate or colleague who is kind enough and caring and understanding to be an empathic listener that will not criticize or judge you harshly.

3. Let your workmate or buddy know that they don't have to listen to really solve the problem; you just want that comforting concern and care.

4. Keep in mind that the support of your workmates and colleagues could be empowering and influential, not to mention comforting. And having two or more friendly and sympathetic co-workers who are willing to serve as moral support or a witness when you take a formal action to your support needs could be a great help.

5. For some support at work, ideally you can approach your boss for protection.

But if your boss is the bully, then you could try the HR of the Employee Assistance Program representative.


By : Amy_Twain

Health and Safety Risk Assessments

United Kingdom health and safety regulations are stringent. Businesses and employers have to be on the ball when it comes to the safety of their staff and workers, and failure to do so can lead to possible prosecution and expense of large compensation pay outs.

In order to comply with the strict regulations employers need to be aware of the risks in the workplace. So it is necessary for them to carry out risk assessments in all sectors of the business.

Since 1974 any employer in the UK with more than five staff must draw up a health and safety policy.

And that policy cannot be drawn up without a number of risk assessments being undertaken. Although these procedures appear complicated the actual process can be boiled down to five basic steps.

1. Any hazards have to be identified.

2. Businesses must identify who might be harmed and how that is likely to happen.

3. Any risks must be evaluated and a decision made on how they can be avoided.

4. The findings must be recorded and then implemented.

5. The assessment must be periodically reviewed and if necessary updated.

Of course, there are no common risks across the wide range of business and industry. Someone working in a supermarket will not face the same risk as someone working on the factory floor.

There are various agencies which help businesses carry out their health and safety risk assessments. Some have formulated software and online tool-kits to help businesses formulate their policies.

They cover such instances as manual handling, where people have to lift and pull during their time at work. For those working on ladders or on scaffolding policies can be determined by using specialist working at height software or template statements. For those industries working with hazardous substances a COHSS risk assessment has to be carried out.

Health and safety risk requirements are not only a legal obligation, they also make sense. By ensuring the wellbeing of their staff, a business will have a more contented workforce and will avoid unnecessary disruption through injury at work.

By : Craig_Ellyard

Back Injury Prevention in the Workplace and at Home

Over 2 million back injuries occur in the workplace annually costing employers over 30 billion dollars. Many of these injuries are exacerbated by poor lifting techniques, bad posture and carrying too much body weight.

The natural aging process contributes to weakening of the back but there are a number of techniques and guidelines that can help workers avoid injury.

Since a deteriorated back caused by aging and other factors is more susceptible to injury it's crucial that workers do whatever they can to keep the back young and healthy. Sitting or standing for long periods of time, lifting heavy objects improperly and taking breaks with exercise are all vitally important. Moving around and stretching periodically is also vital.

Having good posture throughout the day is critical. Sitting up straight and standing tall distributes the weight of your body evenly and reduces unnecessary stress. Neutral positions are of utmost importance.

Right angles with your arms and legs while sitting at your desk reduces stress as well. Try to keep your forearms at 90 degree angles on your desk by keeping your chair high enough. Your feet should be flat and your thighs also at a 90 degree angle. A foot rest will work if your feet don't hit the floor.

When working with tools or at your desk keep everything you will reach for within 14 to 18 inches so that you do not overstretch your back. When you are standing make sure that your work is not too low so that you are not hunched over.

Standing itself can be hard on the back so try to rest one foot on a stool or platform to keep your lumbar region in the natural "S" position. Whether you are sitting or standing, don't get stuck in one position - move around.

Lifting heavy objects is another way to hurt your back. Make sure you are not having back pain and are feeling well before you even attempt a heavy lift. Also, stretch your muscles and loosen up. There is no proven back device that prevents injury so the best way to lift is with proper form.

Avoid reaching with your arms above your shoulders - this puts heavy stress on your neck and lower back. However the most dangerous things are below the belt. Bend your knees and keep objects as close to your body as possible.

Keep your body in an athletic position that keeps the natural "S" intact and try not to stretch or bend awkwardly. Lifting with your legs rather than your arms is a good thought to have in your head. When putting the load down bend your knees slowly and keep you back straight.

Driving can also be a strain on your back. Make sure you keep a good sitting posture here as well. Make sure your seat is positioned so you don't have to stretch to reach the pedals and your rear view mirror is positioned so you don't have to strain. Both hands should be on the steering wheel and you should avoid slouching or hunching over.

Don't forget about back safety at home. Exercising with low impact aerobic activities like walking, swimming or biking are great for keeping the back healthy. Sleeping on a mattress that is not too soft or too hard can be critical as well. Be careful when lifting your children too. Young children cause e a lot of back strain for parents.

When your back does get injured applying ice packs will help reduce swelling and a hot pad will help relieve stiffness. But, most importantly healing a back requires rest. Don't just sleep or lie on the couch.

Rest involves low impact movements to generate blood flow. Over-the-counter medications will help with pain and swelling but if a back injury persists a doctor or physical therapist should be contacted.

Back problems will hit most of us eventually but we can do a lot to avoid and lessen their impact on our lives. Simple lifting procedures combined with proper posture while sitting or standing will go a long way to better health - both at work and at home.

By : RJ_Sullivan

Three Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Work Gloves

Hand protection is the savior to many a hand in the workplace as well as at home. Our hands are subject to all varieties of hazard, they are constantly in the line of fire when we are doing anything remotely hazardous.

It is no wonder that many companies in the industrial field dedicate large budgets toward hand safety campaigns for employees.

Whether you are on the slope and need a pair of thinsulate gloves or on the job and need a pair of elbow high welding gloves there is a choice for you.

The only problem is that many people use hand protection but then remove gloves to gain a better grip or let their hands dry out only to sustain an injury while the protection is off. So the question becomes how can you use gloves more effectively?

The first thing to consider is what the hand protection will be used for. If you simply need a pair of gardening mitts a pair of goretex waterproof gloves would probably be overkill. But if you are using a cutting torch a pair of cut resistant kevlar gloves would probably not be adequate.

Using hand protection that is overmatched for a job can be just as dangerous as using gloves that are under matched for a job and create a whole set of potential hazards.

Make sure the gloves fit. This does not seem like rocket science but many people use gloves that severely limit dexterity because the gloves are oversized and the protrude far beyond the end of the actual fingers. This too can lead to potential hazards.

Using a table saw with oversized gloves can lead to a very dangerous and deadly situation. Try gloves on for size, don't feel like less of a man if you need a size medium or small. Test the gloves by making a fist, this should be comfortable and not overly restrictive. Realize that gloves will stretch out some.

Keep your gloves available. Don't set them down somewhere and forget about them. If you take them off get in the habit of keeping them accessible.

Put them in a pocket or get a glove clip that attaches to your belt. Keeping them available will increase your chances of using them when you need them and not taking short cuts. Keep it simple.

By : Nathan_Bills