Category: Health & Safety

BS EN ISO 45001:2023+A1:2024 (which replaced BS OHSAS 18001) is the recognised international standard for occupational health and safety management systems.

The purpose of an occupational health and safety management system is to underpin the creation of safe and healthy workplaces, prevent work-related injury and ill health and continually improve occupational health and safety (OH&S) performance.

Although there is no legal requirement to implement ISO 45001, improving an organisation’s approach to occupational health and safety management has benefits over and above simply reducing accidents and ill health at work. The British Standards Institute (BSI) cites other advantages of adopting ISO 45001 and these include:

•            Higher levels of discretionary effort by employees

•            Increased performance levels and enhanced productivity

•            Strengthened recruitment, diversity, engagement, and retention

•            Reduced costs and improve compliance

•            An authentic culture of trust and work engagement

•            Adapting to the future of work

ISO 45001 adopts a management approach founded on the universally applied ‘Plan-Do-Check-Act’ model, which provides a framework for organisations to plan what they need to put in place to minimise the risk of harm. The measures should address concerns that can lead to long-term health issues and absence from work, as well as those that give rise to accidents.

There is a much stronger emphasis on organisational context with ISO 45001. The role of ‘leader’ is also prominent, with a requirement for organisations to demonstrate that their occupational health and safety management system is driven from the highest level.

ISO 45001 is applicable to any organisation regardless of its size, type and nature. All its requirements are intended to be integrated into an organisation’s own management processes. The standard stresses that the level of detail, the complexity, the extent of documented information and the resources needed to ensure the success of an organisation’s OH&S management system will depend on a range factors, such as: the organisation’s context (e.g. number of workers, size, geography, culture, legal requirements and other requirements); the scope of the organisation’s OH&S management system; and the nature of the organisation’s activities and the related OH&S risks.

KGS Ltd could provide a Gap Analysis Checklist to help you undertake an internal review, assessment and benchmark your OH&S management system against the ISO 45001 standard.

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional

LinkedIn

Sprinkler systems are increasingly recognised as a crucial fire safety measure, and their installation is becoming mandatory, either through legislation, insurance provider requirements, or from the findings of a fire risk assessment in a growing range of new or refurbished premises including residential buildings, care homes and sheltered housing, hospitals and health care facilities, hotels, high risk shopping centres, warehouse and storage facilities, and high risk industrial premises.

A sprinkler system, when installed in a premises is a valuable active fire safety measure that could remove or slow the growth and spread of fire after ignition, increasing the safety of occupants and reducing the potential effects of a fire if one occurs. 

Sprinkler systems are considered to provide a high degree of reliability, but to ensure this protection is available when needed, it is essential that systems are routinely serviced and maintained.

KGS Ltd could provide a log to help you schedule, record, monitor and manage your sprinkler system servicing and maintenance activities.

The log explains the minimum frequency of the various service routines required and who is both responsible and capable of carrying out these tasks in line with EN 12845 and ‘LPC Technical Bulletin TB203 – Care and Maintenance of Automatic Sprinkler Systems’. It provides additional practical descriptions of the task to be undertaken and, where relevant, why these tasks are necessary.

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional

LinkedIn

Working at height refers to any task performed in a place where a person could fall, including tasks on ladders, scaffolds, Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), rooftops, or near fragile surfaces.

Even with precautions taken to prevent, or minimise the distance or consequences, a fall from height can still occur resulting in the suspension, injury, or incapacitation of a worker. Workers can also become injured, unwell, or incapacitated at height without falling. Where work at height is carried out, there should be an appropriate emergency procedure in place to rescue any such worker. 

A work at height rescue plan is a pre-planned procedure designed to safely retrieve someone who has fallen and is suspended, is injured, ill, or incapacitated at height.

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional

LinkedIn

A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a documented set of procedures and strategies that outlines how an organisation will respond to and recover from disruptive incidents. These events can range from natural disasters (floods, fires) and technological failures (cyberattacks, system outages) to human-caused incidents (pandemics, supply chain disruptions).

Essentially, a BCP aims to ensure that critical business elements can continue to operate or be quickly resumed in the event of an interruption, minimizing the negative impact on the organisation’s operations, reputation, and financial stability.

Key components typically included in a BCP are: –

• Risk Assessment: Identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities that could disrupt business operations
• Business Impact Analysis (BIA): Determining the critical business elements and the potential impact of their disruption (financial, operational, legal, reputational)
• Recovery Strategies: Developing specific plans and procedures for recovering critical elements, including data backup and recovery, alternative site locations, communication, and staff roles and responsibilities
• Contingency Plans: Outlining alternative processes and workarounds to maintain essential operations during a disruption
• Testing and Exercising: Regularly testing and practicing the BCP to identify weaknesses and ensure its effectiveness
• Maintenance and Review: Periodically reviewing and updating the BCP to reflect changes in the business environment, technology, and potential threats

Implementing and regularly tested a BCP offers significant benefits to an organization, including: –

• Minimises operational downtime by having pre-defined recovery strategies
• Protects Revenue and Profitability
• Safeguards Reputation and Customer Trust
• Ensures Regulatory Compliance
• Enhances Organisational Resilience
• Improves Stakeholder Confidence
• Provides Competitive Advantage
• Protects Employees and Assets
• Facilitates Faster and More Effective Recovery

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Profesisonal

LinkedIn

Managing Health and Safety in the construction industry presents a unique and formidable set of challenges. This sector, characterized by its dynamic environments, heavy machinery, diverse and interacting workforce, and often time-sensitive projects, faces a heightened risk of accidents and injuries.

From the initial stages of site preparation to the final touches of a building, every phase introduces potential hazards, demanding meticulous preparation, planning, organisation, execution and monitoring. The importance of effective H&S management cannot be overstated; it’s not merely about compliance with regulations, but about safeguarding the lives and well-being of workers, preventing costly project delays, and maintaining a positive reputation.

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Profesisonal

LinkedIn

Work activities and processes may result in harmful substances contaminating the air in the form of dust, mist, vapour, gas or fume. For example, when: –

• Cutting a material such as stone or wood
• Using a product containing volatile solvents
• Handling a dusty powder
• Welding

Workers may also need to work in areas where oxygen levels are or may become low, for example, in confined spaces, trenches, or silos.

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) is a particular type of personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to protect the wearer from breathing in harmful substances or from oxygen-deficient atmospheres when other controls are either not possible or insufficient on their own.

If you require further information, or guidance in relation to this subject, please contact KGS Ltd via email: enquiries@keygroupservices.com or Tel: 01443 740306.

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional

LinkedIn

THE HSE RELEASE OF A VIDEO ON THE FACEFIT RESPIRATOR DEMONSTRATOR MODEL (FFRED)

In partnership with the British Safety Industry Federation (BSFI), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a refreshed version of a video on the FaceFit Respirator Demonstrator model (FFRED).

The video is for tight-fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE). It provides information for workers and their employers about:

• why it is important for individuals to have face fit tests for tight-fitting masks, such as disposable filtering face pieces (FFPs) and reusable half-face mask types
• the importance of it having a good seal to the face

The video also shows workers what happens if the respirator does not fit properly, for example:

• if the straps or nose clip are not tightened or not in the correct position
• if it has ear loop straps
• if you are not clean shaven
• if it is damaged
• you are wearing other personal protective equipment (PPE) on your head which interferes with the mask

You can watch the video on the FaceFit Respirator Demonstrator model (FFRED).

If you require further information, or guidance in relation to this subject, please contact KGS Ltd via email: enquiries@keygroupservices.com or Tel: 01443 740306.  

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional

LinkedIn

A pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) is used in the procurement stage when a buyer is identifying suitable suppliers of a service, and it helps the buyer to determine who meets the requirements of that role. On completion of the PQQ, it is at this point a supplier may be invited to tender.
 
Specifically, their purpose is to: –

• Shortlist suppliers: PQQs help contractors and procurement teams identify suitable suppliers and contractors
• Ensure compliance: PQQs help ensure suppliers meet the minimum requirements of the contract
• Set expectations: PQQs help set expectations for the standard of work and competition

PQQs are used by: –

• Public sector: PQQs are a standard part of the public sector tendering process
• Construction industry: PQQs are commonly used in the construction industry
• Other Industries: PQQs are increasingly being used in other industries to ensure standards are met in relation to supply chain compliance, and Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG)

A PQQ is a list of questions that potential suppliers answer to demonstrate their suitability for a contract. A PQQ may include: –

• Name of the company, financial compliance, and exclusionary grounds
• Technical references
• Contract examples and technical references to assess the supplier’s ability to deliver the work
• Health and safety, quality, and environmental questions
• Questions about how the supplier ensures quality and environmental compliance
• Memberships and accreditations
• Questions about whether the supplier has the required memberships and accreditations

TYPE OF SUPPLIER
 
Specific to ‘construction works’, and when using an online platform to complete a PQQ, there will be varying requirements dependent on whether you are a contractor, principal contractor, designer, principal designer, or a non-construction works supplier.
 
Ensuring you correctly identify what type of supplier you are will mean you only have to answer questions and provide evidence related to your level of duty as defined in the Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations 2015.
 
WORK CATEGORIES
 
There may be additional requirements above the core H&S criteria dependant on the type of ‘Construction works’ you carry out to ensure you meet the minimum standard for the industry or work activities you provide.
 
Work categories that required the provision of additional information and evidence include: –

• Working at height
• Electrical installations and communication installations
• Work on gas installations
• Confined space work
• Work with Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM)

Ensuring you correctly identify what type of work category you come under will mean you only have to answer questions and provide evidence related to the hazards relevant to your undertakings.

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional

LinkedIn

Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other types of demand placed on them. We all experience pressure regularly. It’s healthy and essential that people experience challenges within their lives that cause levels of pressure, for example, the need to make decisions quickly when faced with a dangerous situation. It can motivate us to perform at our best. It is when we experience too much pressure and feel unable to cope that stress can result.

It’s also important to remember that every individual is different and their experience of pressure, and when that can tip into stress, will vary.

Work-related stress is a major cause of occupational ill health which can cause severe physical and psychological conditions in employees. It can also lead to poor productivity and human error, increased sickness absence, increases in accidents, high staff turnover, and poor performance in the organisation.

Work-related stress has been identified as having a major impact on employee’s lives. Recent statistics indicate that: –

• Approx. 250,000 people suffered from work-related stress in 2023/24
• Approx. 5.5 million working days are lost due to work-related stress in 2023/24
• 55% of workers feel that work is getting more intense and demanding
• 61% of workers say they feel exhausted at the end of most working days
• Deloitte reported that 64% of managers have considered quitting for a job that would better support their wellbeing
• 70% of managers cited organisational barriers to supporting staff wellbeing, including company policy, heavy workload, unsupportive workplace culture, and not being equipped with the right skills

Written by Daniel Prosser, MSc CMIOSH L4DipFRA OSHCR
Health, Safety and Wellbeing Professional

LinkedIn