Feature Articles

Guidance has been published to make it easier to communicate the essential messages for safe working at height to designers, clients, managers and workers, says Peter Bennett.

Unmanned drones could avoid the risk posed by using helicopters to inspect offshore wind farms, but much larger and more powerful models will have to be developed to cope with the strong winds, says Robert Garbett.

Aluminium scaffold towers can provide safe access to awkward high areas, but it’s essential they are only designed, assembled and dismantled by qualified personnel, says Don Aers.

Many people feel the recent shift to home working has boosted their productivity and work-life balance, so it’s crucial employers consider the views of staff when deciding whether to offer remote working as a long-term option, says Phil Pinnington.

HSE has published a booklet designed to allow employers and employees to record near misses at work. The booklet features 46 pages of perforated forms upon which near-miss incidents can be recorded. The idea is to help employers identify any patterns and trends in near misses that could provide an early warning of the risk of accidents or other dangers to the health and safety of workers and others, such as the public.

Smartcard technology is making it easier for construction site managers to check workers have the right qualifications, training and skills to work safely and in a competent manner, says Alan O’Neile.