Safety Footwear has minimum safety standards set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The current standard for Safety Footwear across Europe is EN ISO 20345:2011. This means that all Safety Footwear must now have toe protection against an impact of 200 joules as standard. There are several Safety Ratings for Safety Footwear and these will be explained.

SB is Safety Basic. These must have a toe protection against an impact of 200 joules.

S1 has the same features as Safety Basic, however, also features energy absorption in the heel and has anti-static protection.

S2 is the same as S1 but also features a water-resistant upper.

S3 has the same features as S2 with a penetration resistant midsole added.

S4 are the same as S1 but have a waterproof polymer upper.

S5 has all the same features as S4 but has a penetration resistant midsole added.

Anti-slip footwear is vital in many working environments. There are 3 different standards that non-slip footwear is tested against. These are SRA, SRB & SRC.  SRA means they have been tested on a ceramic tile that has been wet with a diluted soap solution, whilst SRB means they have been tested on steel with glycerol. SRC refers to footwear tested under both the conditions of SRA and SRB.

It is important to consider what are the best safety footwear for you. The most important factor to consider is what level of protection you need. As SB is standard that may be enough for your job, however in certain jobs you may require more than this, for example, needing a penetration resistant midsole. You should buy all your safety footwear new to ensure that they are prepared for your needs, as if you were to purchase second-hand you would not know what they have been subjected to beforehand.

Slips, Trips & Falls are responsible for 50% of all reported accidents to all members of the public that happen in the workplace.

Slips, Trips & Falls outdoors increase during Autumn and Winter and this is due to a number of reasons. Just some of these include: less light, an increase in leaves on pathways, which then can become wet and slippery and cold weather such as ice and snow.

There are several things that we can do in order to reduce the potential risks. It is important to improve lighting, for example, turning on outdoor lights, particularly if you are not able to see potential hazards on the ground. It may be beneficial to ask employees if they struggle to see when entering or exiting buildings in the dark. In addition, it is important to attempt to remove leaves wherever possible, for example, by brushing regularly or racking them up. Slip resistant paving is important to reduce the risk of slips and trips, whilst also ensuring signage is in place, for example, wet floor signs at building entrances. In snowy and icy conditions, gritting is often the main option used to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls.

Gritting should be carried out when frost, ice or snow are forecast or when pathways become or are likely to become wet, and the temperature is at or below freezing. It is always therefore vital to monitor weather and temperature. Outdoor areas should be identified which are likely to be affected by poor weather, for example, carparks, walkways, entrances and exits.

It is important to use signage such as warning cones in snowy and icy conditions and wet floor signs when wet, however it is essential that these are only used when necessary and not always left out otherwise individuals will just ignore signage.

According to the HSE, falls when working at height are the highest cause of workplace fatalities, responsible for a quarter of worker deaths and 8% of all non-fatal injuries.

The Ladder Association sets out guidance for using ladders safely. It is important that ladders are only used when it is safe to do so, such as level, secure and stable.

All individuals using ladders at work should have training to ensure that they are competent. All ladders should be checked before use to ensure that they are safe to use. A check should be completed every day before any work begins, by the individual using the ladder and when there is a change, for example, the ladder has moved. The check should ensure it checks all areas of the ladder such as the stiles, the feet, the rungs, the locking mechanism, the stepladder platform and the steps or treads on the ladder.

It is important to be aware that you have a responsibility for yourself and others, therefore any safety issues should be reported to the employer and use of the ladder stopped. It is also your responsibility to ensure all ladders are being used correctly and as guided.

Leaning ladders and stepladders have guides printed by the Ladder Association and HSE which should be studied and followed by all ladder users. It is important to be aware that it is not only the ladder that should be considered in relation of safety during use, but also the environment in which the ladder is being used. Accidents can also occur if a ladder is not being used in the environment correctly, for example, not being secured or being used on a slippy, wet floor. Ladders should be used in places where it is not possible for the general public to gain access, walk under it or around it.

A formal inspection should be completed at least every 6 months when using ladders, with all documentation completed and recorded where accessible. This allows for the identification of any changes to a ladder’s condition and safety since previous inspections. These inspections should be carried out and completed by a competent person.

Here at Adapt Health and Safety, we offer ladder inspections as part of our many services. Please get in touch for more information.

The Client?

CDM defines a client as anyone who a construction project is being completed for. Clients can be domestic or commercial. A commercial client refers to construction work being carried out for a business, for example, a school or property landlord. A domestic client refers to the completion of work for an individual not related to a business, for example, a family member.

Client’s Role?

The Client, Principal Designer and Principal Contractor are responsible for the management of Health and Safety during construction projects. These 3 individuals are referred to as Duty Holders. The main responsibility lies with the client in relation to how successfully a project is managed. However, they should be supported by the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor dependent on the stage of the project. It is important that the Client controls any risks to the Health and Safety of individuals concerned. The Principal Designer is involved in how the Health and Safety is managed during pre-construction, whilst the Principal Contractor is involved in the management during construction.

Pre-Construction Phase

It is the client’s role to ensure that before a construction project is carried out, it is well planned, resourced and managed.

It is important for the Client on a project to ensure that during planning, designing and constructing, appropriate arrangements are made to ensure Health and Safety of all individuals involved in the project. In addition, it is important to make appropriate arrangements which consider their welfare. All arrangements made should be suitable for the nature of the work being completed and allow for the completion of work free from any risks.

Management arrangements should:

• Describe how the Client ensures designers and contractors have the essential capabilities required by their work in relation to your selection and appointment
• Assign sufficient time and resources throughout each stage of the project
• Guarantee appropriate welfare facilities are in place for all individuals before any work starts

However, it is important to be aware that some projects are much more complex than others, so therefore may have more risks. This means that for these projects more management arrangements need to be made. These will need to cover:

• Expectations of the design team to guarantee they consider health and safety risks for the whole project, from construction to use and maintenance after completion
• Arrangements for obtaining the individuals involved in the design and construction of the project, for example, ensuring qualifications, training and experience is appropriate for the project
• Arrangements for tracking performance of those involved in the design and construction process, ensuring that all individuals are meeting targets and legal requirements are being met. These usually involve meeting with the Principal Designer and Principal Contractor.

The client has an important duty to appoint a Principal Designer and Principal Contractor in writing, as if not then this duty falls to the client. It is important to ensure that the individuals you chose to hold these roles are qualified to do the job. This means ensuring they have experience and training, are aware of their roles and responsibilities and have access to all essential information.

As the client, you need to make sure you have the selected the correct person by for example, asking for evidence from previous jobs or using individuals who you are aware have been assessed by Health and Safety boards, for example.

It is important to be aware of any legal requirements when completing a construction project. For example, if a project is to last longer than 500 days or last longer than 30 days, with more than 20 workers working at one time you must inform the HSE of your project (F10).

You should have regular meetings with your Principal Designer to ensure that they are carrying out their roles and responsibilities for a successful pre-construction phase. It may be useful to produce a pre-construction client checklist in order to help you understand your role and your responsibilities.

The role of the Client in any construction project is vital to the Health and Safety of all involved. Having access to competent impartial advice will take the pressure of the client and ensure legislative compliance.

Adapt Health & Safety are here able to help with all your CDM needs, including taking on the role of principal contract advisor or client advisor.