Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Publications
Health and Safety Executive
HSE Books, 2008 (DVD)
Published 01/2008
This DVD contains re-enactments of three events where people have been injured by slow moving vehicles at work. Each of the three scenarios are played again, but this time showing how to do it safely.
[PDF 1.11MB]
C.J. Lea and M. Deevy of the Health and Safety Laboratory and Health and Safety Executive
(RR602)
Published 01/2008
The aim of this study has been to undertake CFD modelling to provide a basis for advice to inspectors and the industry on the effectiveness of flammable gas detection strategies for offshore HVAC ducts. CFD simulations of a high and low pressure gas release have been undertaken for idealised representations of an offshore platform, as well as a high pressure release for a more realistic geometry based on the Brae Alpha platform. In parallel with this modelling work a literature review has been carried out to build on a scoping study by Walsh et al (2005).
[PDF 999KB]
J Patel of the Health and Safety Laboratory and Health and Safety Executive
(RR604)
Published 01/2008
A programme of experimental work was carried out for a sample of six new concrete breakers:
The declared noise emission values could not be verified in the majority of cases. This may be due in part to differing interpretation of the defined test method. Omissions and technical difficulties in the defined test method are identified. Despite differences in test-generated data for some of the breakers, in real use there were no significant differences between the noise emission of the breakers.
The real use noise emission values were generally higher than the noise emission values from the defined test method. This is probably because the defined test method looks only at noise emitted by the breaker itself, and not noise generated by the machine/inserted tool/work surface interaction.
In general therefore, using manufacturers’ declared noise emissions as the basis of selecting/purchasing a concrete breaker will not reliably result in the selection of a tool that is low- or lower-noise in conditions of real use.
[PDF 11.2MB]
Centre for Corporate Accountability and Health and Safety Executive
(RR607)
Published 01/2008
This report provides an overview of the intervention and sentencing strategies practiced in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Sweden, the USA, the Canadian states of Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia, and the Australian states of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria to promote compliance with occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, reduce work related ill-health and injury, and to hold to account those responsible for breaches. The basic purpose of the review is to provide a better understanding of the basic form and effectiveness of the main regulatory strategies and sentencing options used in these regulatory jurisdictions as well as a clearer idea of contemporary trends in regulatory practice and sentencing overseas.
Health and Safety Executive
HSE Books, 2008. (HSE8(rev2))
Published 01/2008
This leaflet provides information on the fire and explosion hazards in the use of oxygen. It is for anyone who uses oxygen gas in cylinders.
Health and Safety Executive
HSE Books, 2008. (INDG339(rev1))
Published 01/2008
This leaflet explains what lift owners or anyone responsible for the safe operation of a lift used at work, need to do to in order to comply with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER).
[PDF 410KB]
Oxford University and Health and Safety Executive
(RR594)
Published 25/01/2008
This report examines the role of work-related social support as a risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). A review of the literature is presented, and empirical data analyses reported.
The literature review evaluates recent findings, and notes some methodological issues. Although some prospective studies report findings linking low social support to MSD outcomes, many inconsistencies are apparent in the results.
Three data sets were analysed using descriptive and multi-variate methods:
The analyses demonstrated that high supervisor support was associated with lower rates of MSD problems, lower pain severity, and fewer MSD-related absences (after adjustment for prior absences).
The findings for co-worker support were less clear; in two analyses, no overall relationship with MSD was found; in one analysis, high co-worker support was a risk factor for back pain. However, interactions of co-worker support with other factors revealed a more complex pattern of results.
In the analysis of MSD sickness absence, high partner support was a significant risk factor for subsequent absence episodes, after adjustment for prior episodes, work-related social support, and control variables.
These results are considered in relation to existing literature findings in a final section of the report.
[PDF 3.87MB]
Centre for Corporate Accountability and Health and Safety Executive
(RR603)
Published 23/01/2008
HSE defined a need for an improved training methodology for escape respiratory protective devices, essentially to provide a realistic experience of the hot air breathing effects of a device operating in a high carbon monoxide content mine atmosphere. Information was also sought by HSE on the tolerability and ultimately endurance limits associated with the extended wearing of an escape respiratory protective device producing a significant heat burden. This information would collectively help address HSE’s duty to offer advice to mine managers on escape respiratory protective systems selection and use, including where escape will entail conditions of high heat and humidity. The research work was addressed in two phases; involving (i) thermo-chemical modelling of filter self-rescuers and the development of a hot air simulation device, suitable for both research and training purposes, and (ii) a range of physiological trials which identified significant thermal physiological benefits from adopting a staged evacuation process in conjunction with safe havens.
[PDF 5.20MB]
S Turner, J Hopkinson, L Oxley, S Gadd, N Healey, P Marlow of Health and Safety Laboratory and Health and Safety Executive
(RR609)
Published 23/01/2008
Given the potential increase in the number of employees working in the waste and recycling industry, it is reasonable to anticipate that there will be greater exposure to health and safety related hazards, particularly in collecting and sorting waste where human involvement is essential. In order to reduce the high accident rate within the waste and recycling industry, it is essential to ensure that considerations of health and safety are included in the decision-making process regarding which systems to operate. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified that the provision of appropriate guidance or tools could present a useful means of assisting Local Authorities, or organisations (including community organisations) that are responsible for delivering waste management services, to select the most appropriate systems to ensure environmental targets are met with the least possible health and safety risk.
As a means of obtaining this information, the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) were jointly commissioned by HSE, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the Scottish Government (SG), and the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) to undertake an assessment of the occupational health and safety risks of systems for collection, transfer, treatment and processing of household waste and recyclables.
[PDF 5.20MB]
S Naylor, D Fishwick, L Bradshaw, C Barber, P Tate, J Elms, E Robinson, R Rawbone, A Curran of Health and Safety Laboratory and Health and Safety Executive
(RR601)
Published 22/01/2008
This study aimed to document key clinical differences between irritation and sensitisation in the workplace, with a view to potentially arming the clinician with new ways to assess cases of work-related respiratory disease. Hitherto, most clinical cases would be assessed on the nature and duration of symptoms alone, or perhaps in conjunction with simple measures of lung function and IgE testing where appropriate. The study was particularly interested in determining whether irritancy or sensitisation in the workplace was associated with the immune profile of a worker. Specifically, the expression of cell surface markers on T cells and monocytes, as well as the concentration of inflammatory cytokines, were investigated.
[PDF 1.70MB]
TUV NEL Limited and Health and Safety Executive
(RR611)
Published 30/01/2008
HSE commissioned TUV NEL to investigate the treatment of feed water for steam boilers using magnetic devices. The key aims of the project were:
The contract was divided into five phases the first of which was a literature search. The second phase was concerned with device selection in which suppliers of Magnetic Water Treatment Devices (MWTD) were identified and a judgement made of their engineering credibility and support capability. Magnetic treatment devices from four suppliers were recommended for evaluation.
This report describes the work carried out for Phase 3 of the project. This phase comprised the experimental programme executed to compare the performance of magnetic treatment devices from the four suppliers recommended in Phase 2. The chosen units were fitted to a test boiler system which enabled the effectiveness of the devices to be evaluated when operating across a range of boiler surface heat fluxes.
The device demonstrating the best performance was to be evaluated over a longer time period in Phase 4 of the work.
[PDF 1.70MB]
Huddersfield University, Health Services Consultancy, Humane Technology Limited, Tolls Royce, Derbyshire Royal Infirmary and Health and Safety Executive
(RR596)
Published 16/01/2008
This review, using a best evidence synthesis, examined the evidence on management strategies for work-relevant upper limb disorders and established the extent to which the biopsychosocial model can be applied. Articles were found through systematic searching of electronic databases together with citation tracking. Information from included articles was extracted into evidence tables. Themes were identified and the information synthesised into high level evidence statements, which were distilled into key messages. The main results are presented in thematic sections covering classification/diagnosis, epidemiology, associations/risks, and management/treatment, focusing on return to work and taking account of distinctions between non-specific complaints and specific diagnoses.
Neither medical treatment nor ergonomic workplace interventions alone offer an optimal solution; rather, multimodal interventions show considerable promise, particularly for vocational outcomes. Early return to work, or work retention, is an important goal for most cases and may be facilitated, where necessary, by transitional work arrangements. The emergent evidence indicates that successful management strategies require all the players to be onside and acting in a coordinated fashion; this requires engaging employers and workers to participate.
[PDF 5.5MB]
A Darby of Health and Safety Laboratory and Health and Safety Executive
(RR612)
Published 31/01/2008
The exact cause of back pain is often unclear but back pain is more common in jobs that involve certain tasks, one of which is driving. Driving exposes the vehicle’s occupants to whole-body vibration and in some cases shocks and jolts, factors which are believed to increase the likelihood of injury or pain in the lower back. The report describes a whole-body vibration and ergonomics toolkit that has been developed for use in assessing driving occupations.
The objectives of this report are: