Home
Subscriptions
Back Issues
Media Info
Useful Links
Recruitment
Reader Reply
Contact Us
About Us

 

Our Magazines

Health and Safety International
AWE International
OSA Magazine
Healthand Safety Middle East

 

Forthcoming Events

IFAT Exhibition
WEFTEC
The Filtration Conference
Arbeitzschutz Aktuell
ADIPEC, Abu Dhabi
Expo Protection
Safe Work
Pollutec
Protex 2011
Pittcon 2011

 

Article Topics

Search  

Air Quality
Asbestos
Back Pain
Breathing Apparatus
Calibration
Certification
Chemicals
Chromatography
Confined Spaces
Contamination
Desalination
Emissions
Gas Detection
Hand Protection
Hazardous Waste
Head Protection
Health & Safety
Hearing Protection
Heavy Metals
Humidity
Laboratory Analysis
Land Remediation
Landfill
Lighting
Noise
Nuclear Waste
Odour Monitoring
Optical Radiation
Particulate Monitoring
Personal Protection Equipment
Pipetting
Pollution
Protective Clothing
Protective Eyewear
Protective Footwear
Protective Gloves
Quality Control
Respiratory Protection
Safety Policies
Skin Protection
Sludge & Biosolids
Soil Sampling
Spectroscopy
SSPAT
Static Electricity
Training
Water
Weather
Welding
Working at Height

Health & Safety

Health & Safety Articles

Below is a list of articles that have been published on this topic.
Click on the title to view the whole article

Ear Protection [Jun 2010]

 

Waste of money or good investment?

In noisy workplaces hearing must be protected with hearing protectors. Often the results are poor, however, which makes the ear protection a bad investment. The key to successful ear protection is the careful planning and deep understanding of things that can go wrong. Failing to do so means the numbers suffering hearing loss will 
not decrease.

Height Safety [Jun 2010]

 

Industrial rope access developments in Singapore and South East Asia

At the Construction Safety, Health and Security campaign in Singapore, the minister of State for Trade, Industry and Manpower announced key initiatives to raise the safety and health standards of the construction industry in Asia. The speech stressed the responsibility of all stakeholders in ensuring safety in the workplace. 

At the meeting, the minister addressed the need for a Fall Protection Plan, highlighting that over the last three years Singapore’s construction and marine sectors accounted for more than 70% of the fall from height accidents. The HSE substantiated this claim reporting 34 fatalities in the six months to September 2008 for the sector including construction.

Respiratory Protection [Jun 2010]

 

Relax and take a deep breath 

An airborne contaminant is any type of material or gas that does not normally occur in the natural ambient atmosphere. Unlike other types of hazards in the workplace, airborne contaminants are often invisible because of their small size or ubiquitous nature. You may not be able to see, feel or even smell them, however, the lungs are an extremely efficient filter and quickly absorb contaminants from the air we breathe. 

Chromatography - The Science of Separation [Jun 2010]

 

Measuring the radioactive noble gas Krypton using chromatography

Chromatography is the science of separation, with the analyte of interest being in a mobile phase, passing through a series of stationary phases. This allows the analyte to be isolated for quantification through a wide variety of techniques. This article looks at how chromatography is used to separate the noble gas krypton from air.   

Face Fit Testing [Jun 2010]

Although workplace legislation and Health and Safety practices vary from country to country, some technical aspects of respirator fitting are fairly consistent. This article highlights UK practices, which may also apply to other countries throughout the world. 

Analysis of Water Samples [Jun 2010]

 

Automated Analysis of PAHs by HPLC in Drinking Water and Surface Water Samples

The Water Framework Directive (WFD) is a body of legislation that is geared towards achieving “good quality” status for all bodies of water throughout the EU by the year 2015. 

Gas Detection [Jun 2010]

Gas detectors for the Chinese market 

The certification process for gas detection equipment can be complicated in China. Gas detection manufacturers from other major trading blocks around the world will find that exporting products to the Chinese market doesn’t follow a similar route to those for European or North American approval, for example. Differences in national standards, and a stringent approval route makes Chinese approval for gas detection products confusing and time-consuming, but not without its economic advantages. 

Ammonia Sensors and Their Applications [Sep 2009]

The key to success is understanding the monitoring environment, and the specific benefits and limitations of the sensors selected

Industrial Protection [Sep 2009]

New International Standards for fire protective clothing

Chemical Safety [Sep 2009]

Emergency safety showers and eye/facewash units

Training [Aug 2009]

Keeping A Workforce Safe, Healthy and Doing Their Job

Planning Pays Off [Aug 2009]

The Importance Of Proactively Protecting Your Workers

Fall Arrest [May 2009]

Calculating the Total Fall Distance (TFD)

It is well documented and acknowledged within the HS industry that falls account for the majority of HS related fatalities and injuries in the workplace and foremost in the construction sector. However, certainly in the Middle East, we all see instances where proper fall arrest measures are either ignored or just not in place, nearly on a daily basis. But saying this we must remember that fall arrest systems used poorly can be as dangerous as no protection at all.

The Case for Training [May 2009]

A Lack of Training can cause Serious Accidents

Failure to train is training to fail - was a popular saying a few years ago. Nobody disputes that teaching someone how to do their job is a good thing, but too little weight is given to the value of continuing training. Learning is development, and without development you get stagnation, and that isn’t a good thing for any business. In terms of health and safety, training is not only important, but essential for workers’ continuing competence and safety.

 

Confused or Confined? [May 2009]

A Background on Confined Spaces

In the 26 years I’ve been working in confined spaces, the practices we employ to ensure our safety have changed little. Attitudes and legislation, however, have changed dramatically and sometimes I wonder why.

Ranking PPE [Apr 2009]

Protective clothing used in the explosives industry

Part 1 of this paper¹ considered the ranking of body clothing employed as personal protective equipment (PPE) for explosives workers, when evaluated using a moving manikin. The apparatus, explosives sources used and calculation method were all the same in the present study, which examines the performance of a range of protective headwear.

Breathe Easy [Apr 2009]

The how, why and when of RPE selection

Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) has been placed fi rmly at the bottom of the hierarchy of control and is often referred to as a control measure of last resort. The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations have enshrined the hierarchy in legislation for over 20 years. This hierarchy indicates the relative desirability and effi cacy of various forms of control. (See fi gure 1).

Safety at Height [Apr 2009]

The challenges facing the height safety industry

When entering the world of height safety some 18 years ago, I was astounded by the range and complexity of available products for ensuring the safety of people who choose to work at height.

Detecting Gases [Apr 2009]

What you can't smell can hurt you

Walking through a drill-site area, a worker smells rotten eggs and stops for a minute or two to assess where a gas leak might exist. Rubbing his itchy eyes as he investigates further, he notices that he no longer smells the tell-tale hydrogen sulphide odour. He does not realize that the gas has deadened his olfactory senses and unless he leaves the area within seconds, he could lose consciousness and possibly his life. A well-researched and planned gas-detection strategy can help reduce the likelihood of situations such as this.

Safety Footwear [Apr 2009]

Protection and comfort, beyond safety standards

Feet have a tough job to do in working life, a fact that is overlooked all too often. Prolonged standing, walking, climbing, handling heavy machinery, falling objects, and slippery or sharp surfaces are just some of the many workplace hazards that feet may be exposed to on a daily basis. According to Health and Safety Executive (HSE) statistics, slips and trips account for the highest number of work-related major injuries across all industry sectors, while TUC figures show that over two million sick days are lost every year owing to lower limb disorders.

Ignition Risk [Feb 2009]

Due to Optical Radiation in Hazardous Areas

Introduction

In industrial sectors, such as measurement and control systems for process plants, equipment that utilizes optical radiation is increasingly used. For example, optical fibre technology is very highly valued due to its high data transmission speed, as well as, its immunity to external interference during signal transmission.

Don't Make a Spectacle of Yourself [Feb 2009]

Many people are blind to the fact that they are putting themselves at risk

The wearing of eye and face protection in hazardous areas is a requirement under Regulation 4of the Personal Protective Equipment Work Regulations 1992 that requires employers to provide suitable personal protective equipment to employees who may be exposed to risks to their health and safety.

Simulation Testing [Nov 2008]

Assessing protective clothing for the explosive industry

Following an ignition in a fireworks production facility¹, work was done to quantify the size, duration and thermal emissive power of fireballs produced when different quantities of a range of pyrotechnic compositions are ignited². This study was subsequently followed by an equivalent investigation relating to propellants³.

On Your Feet? [Nov 2008]

The onus is on the individual to follow procedures

Just about everyone knows what we mean when we talk about 'safety boots' ....or do they? Hidden behind this familiar and widely used term are several layers of complexity, which can lead to confusion and misunderstanding, which can in turn lead to significant injuries or, in extreme circumstances, death.

International Recognition of Health and Safety Qualifications [May 2008]

Global Qualifications Matched to Global Standards

Despite the increasing global recognition of the importance of health and safety at work, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that approximately 2 million workers annually die of occupational injuries and illnesses, equivalent to over 5,000 workers dying worldwide every day.

Protective Gloves [Oct 2007]

Choosing gloves for specific applications

Appropriately selected gloves can provide users with invaluable protection against hazards that might otherwise cause injury. In order to achieve the best possible protection, however, it’s important to understand how gloves for protective applications are categorised and certified.

Slips and Trips [Oct 2007]

Workers views on this important issue

This report presents baseline findings from a survey on IOSH members’ views on the issue of slips and trips. The findings build a picture of how the issue is currently perceived, what’s being done about it and what additional support IOSH members feel they’d like. Annual surveys in 2007 and 2008 will provide both IOSH and HSE with further valuable information on how the situation is changing.

Confined Spaces [Oct 2007]

Good practice advice which you may find helpful

A number of people are killed or seriously injured in confined spaces each year. This happens in a wide range of industries, from those involving complex plant to simple storage vessels. Those killed include not only people working in the confined space but those who try to rescue them without proper training and equipment.

Far REACHing Objectives [Oct 2007]

The New European Chemicals Regulation

How do you objectively assess the risk of a chemical? Ever tried to compare safety data sheets on the same substance from different suppliers? What are the risk management measures you need when using a chemical in your factory? What should you do to minimise the environmental impact of a chemical when it leaves your site? Who really decides what constitutes an acceptable risk of using a chemical? Are chemical users across Europe playing on a level playing field and just where did those lists of banned chemicals come from?

A Safe Pair of Hands [Sep 2007]

Demystification of disposable glove legislation

The use of disposable gloves in the general working environment is widespread. Indeed they are such a big part of our working lives that glove usage in Europe has increased, but most dramatically the US has increased from less than 1 billion to over 20 billion. We tend to use disposable gloves for either process protection from human-borne contamination or for personal protection and often for both reasons. However, as safety in the occupational environment becomes an increasing concern, do we really understand what level of protection we are getting?

Streamlining Regulations [Sep 2007]

Control of the use and disposal of chemicals

REACH is the EU Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals which entered into force on 1 June 2007. It places duties on all manufacturers, importers and users of chemicals in the European Union, and is aimed at ensuring adequate control of risks to humans and the environment from the manufacture, use and disposal of chemicals.

Hearing Protection [Sep 2007]

The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

Hearing protection is your final stop on the journey to control workplace noise and prevent people losing or damaging their hearing. Only when practical and managerial controls to reduce the intensity and duration of noise exposure have been exhausted should you consider hearing protection as anything more than a temporary measure.

Protective Helmets [Sep 2007]

Design principles, safety and performance

SATRA is one of Europe’s foremost European Notified Bodies for certifying protective helmets, and is able to carry out testing and EC type examination work using established European standards or in house developed test specifications. Deputy Chief Executive, Austin Simmons explains design principles and the tests involved.

Hearing Protection [Jul 2007]

Standards and testing methods

European EN 352 standards define testing methods for hearing protectors which satisfy the basic requirements of European legislation based on the New Approach. The basic requirements for the design, manufacture and use of hearing protectors against the harmful effects of noise are in Directive 89/686/EEC on Personal Protective Equipment of 21 December 1989. Directive 2003/10/EEC of 6 February 2003 defines the minimum health and safety requirements for workers regarding noise exposure.

Confined Spaces [Jul 2007]

Choosing the best confined space gas detector

The “best” confined space gas detector doesn’t come from any one manufacturer; it’s the instrument that best fulfils the requirements for your confined space programme.

Safe Flooring [Jul 2007]

A step in the right direction

The UK Health & Safety Executive is currently concentrating on the assessment of floor surface slipperiness as part of its “Revitalising Health and Safety” strategy. Dr. Paul Lemon and Dr. Marianne Loo-Morrey, scientists at HSE’s Health & Safety Laboratory, discuss the methods of assessment currently favoured by HSL ... and the problems associated with the use of many alternative test methods.

Testing for Protection [Jan 2007]

Eye-related injuries are prevalent in industry

In the UK it is estimated that almost one in ten workers employed in manufacturing industries and in agriculture, forestry and fishing will go to hospital in the course of the year as a result of a work-related accident. Of these, approximately 20% will be for eye-related injuries.

Hazardous Waste [Jan 2007]

A bitter legacy for generations to come

December/January 2007 | AWE International 49 Hamish Robertson, Sypol Limited Hazardous Waste A bitter legacy for generations to come Although hazardous waste is produced by practically all areas of society, some of the worst waste produced, with a legacy of the poorest controls, comes from the military-industrial complex.

Gas Detection [Jan 2007]

Mining, health & safety practices, regulations

Mines can be hazardous environments and the possibility of fire, flood, explosion, asphyxiation, toxic gas poisoning and collapse has the potential to simultaneously affect a large number of people.

How Safe Is Your Floor? [Jul 2006]

Slipping on floors results in many injuries - the cost to industry in terms of the disruption, worker time off and compensation is thought to be huge - the UK's Health and Safety Executive has estimated it at £512 million.

Slipperiness Assessment [Jul 2006]

A Step in the Right Direction

The UK Health & Safety Executive is currently concentrating on the assessment of floor surface slipperiness as part of its 'Revitalising Health and Safety' strategy. Dr. Paul Lemon and Dr. Marianne Loo-Morrey, scientists at HSE's Health & Safety Laboratory, discuss the methods of assessment currently favoured by HSL ... and the problems associated with the use of many alternative test methods.

Sludge and Biosolids Management [Mar 2006]

Sludge and Biosolids Management

State-of-the-Art Spectroscopy [Mar 2006]

Protecting our environment is the most important strategy for maintaining a high quality of life for current and future generations.

A Fully Functional Lab In Your Pocket [Mar 2006]

Field and continuous monitoring instruments

Remediating Contaminated Land [Mar 2006]

The costs and benefits of land remediation

Regulations Will Affect You! [Oct 2005]

Important new regulations cover all industries

Preventing Disasters [Oct 2005]

New developments in the field of gas sensing technology allow for subsequent advances in the provision of better gas safety systems.

Safety Helmets [Oct 2005]

Expectations of protection and performance

Attack of The Killer Spaces [Jul 2005]

Mise en scène - It's more like a scene from a Hammer Horror B-movie than reality, but it actually does happen, at least once a year. Someone goes into a harmless-looking opening, perhaps to retrieve something they have dropped, or just for a look, and they don't come out.

Don't Fall Down on Protection! [Jul 2005]

Personal fall protection systems and equipment

Slips, Trips and Falls [Jul 2005]

The correct footwear will have a positive effect

Eliminate The Risks [Jul 2005]

The chemical protection of employees

They Have Ears But Hear Not [Jul 2005]

People have ears. Fish don't but they can still hear

Arc Protection [Jul 2005]

Protection against thermal hazards

Ergonomic Design at Work [Oct 2004]

Preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders by improving efficiency.

Advances in Sorbent Technology [Oct 2004]

'Patent Pending' - Air sampling for airborne gas & vapour contaminants

Do I Have to Carry Out Fit Testing? [Jul 2004]

The answer is almost always yes!

Lone Working [Jul 2004]

In his diary dated 17th September 1941, political Hugh Dalton wrote 'How I love a colleague-free day! Then I can really get on with the job' and actor John Barrymore (1882-1942) would quote from Genesis the text which says, 'it is not good for man to be alone' and then add 'But O my God, what a relief'.

Industrial Flooring [Jul 2004]

Most people give little thought to the flooring on which they work and walk each day, unless they slip, trip or fall or have feet, leg or lower back pain from standing.

Deep Mining [Jul 2004]

Still a risky business

Safe on Rail [Apr 2004]

Safety on railways is only achieved by a combined effort - the asset owner and
employers provide the recognised safe systems for work with Rules for workers,
signalmen and train drivers that are designed to protect the track worker.

On-site Medical Response [Oct 2003]

What could be more important than making provision for your employees for when things go wrong? Although PPE covers most eventualities and easily prevents most incidents requiring medical treatment there are occasions when these defences are breached. This article, split into three parts, aims to provide you with food for thought and solutions to potential problems.

Rope Access Systems [Oct 2003]

A permanent means to saftey clean and maintain buildings

The Heart of the Matter [Jul 2003]

Successfully protecting a workforce has moved beyond hard hats and rule books, says United Utilities. Health and safety has, quite rightly, worked its way onto and up the boardroom agenda over the last few years

High Frequancy Roof Antennas [Jul 2003]

Safety in their vicinity

Rescue - No Second Chance [Apr 2003]

A Re-Assessment of the Priority Given to the Question of Rescue at Height in Industry

Dont Let It Happen to You [Apr 2003]

The new European Union 'ATEX1' legislation provides a timely reminder of the dangers that lurk wherever flammable substances are present. There are too many grim pictures of the devastation that can be caused if the proper precautions are not taken.

Arcing Fault hazards and Worker Protection [Apr 2003]

Every year many workers are needlessly injured or killed due to electrical incidents. The impact on the workers, families, and businesses is significant. These deaths and injuries can and should be avoided.

Industrial Slip and Fall Accidents [Apr 2003]

Slips and falls are the major cause of accidents reported to the UK Health and Safety Executive. They account for 35% of non fatal major injuries (e.g. fractures and amputations) and 21% of over-three-day injuries (e.g. sprains, strains and minor fractures). A recent estimate of the costs to the UK of these accidents was £1bn p.a.