Plant safety at any cost?
Don't get me wrong: it's hard to argue with current moves to streamline health and safety legislation, in line with Lord Young's 'Common Sense, Common Safety' report – especially given that chief among the aims is to reduce the bureaucratic burden on small companies. If that makes the UK a more attractive place for employers to set up plants, resulting in increased employment, more tax revenue, and a stimulated and revitalised economy, that's good news.
Playing it safe
The October 2011 arrival of new guidance for the safe operation of steam and hot water boilers gives boiler operators and managers up-to-date advice, and recognised training is a key focus. Brian Wall reports
Raise high the pallet, engineers
It's too easy to go for the same old equipment for yet another lifting or handling task. Brian Tinham examines some of the options and the engineering issues in specifying plant
Regulating safety
Plant engineers and managers bear a grave responsibility when it comes to health and safety. Brian Tinham examines what's available to help them do better
Safe operation of escalators and moving walks
SAFed's guidelines for the safe operation of escalators and moving walks was published in May last year. In the first of a two-part feature, Vince Sharpe reviews key elements for owners and operators
Is your boiler house safe?
As de-manning on steam and hot water boiler plant continues to gain momentum, operators need to consider best practice and their legal duties in respect of operational safety, warns S Moore Holmes
Laying down the law
European directives are continuously forcing changes to UK legislation around health and safety. Brian Wall reports on what plant engineers and managers need to know
Head for heights
There are many concerns when it comes to working at height, not least cheap inferior products now flooding the UK market. Brian Wall reports
Lifting the bar
Case law demonstrates that courts are taking an increasingly tough line with lifting-related accidents, if companies and plant managers cannot prove due process, writes Crispin Kenyon
Shock tactics
About 1,000 accidents at work involving electric shock or burns – of which around 30 prove fatal – are still reported to the HSE annually. Brian Wall investigates procedures that could prevent needless deaths