28 October 2004 - Luton Inspection Blitz by HSE focusing on Operating Transport and Working at Height
The inspectors' views on health and safety risks within the workplaces visited were of the consensus that risks, in general, were controlled fairly well.
One of the improvement notices issued went to a company requiring a suitable and sufficient risk assessment to be put in place, whilst the other notice issued was within a motor vehicle repair company, which was found to require correct control measures to be implemented in order to prevent exposure to isocyanates. This was the recommendation, after examination of their LEV system.
Mr David Metson HSE Acting Principal Inspector for Bedfordshire commented:
"We concentrated on the two areas that cause the most serious accidents in the workplace - operating transport and working at height. We also looked at the control of occupational asthma, slips, trips and manual handling risks.
I advise all businesses in the area to assess their health and safety standards, not just for the risks we are targeting, but for all their activities. Poor health and safety standards at work not only put workers at risk of serious injury, but can also seriously damage profits."
Mr Rauf Ahmed HSE Inspector also commented:
"We were generally pleased with the standards we observed in the Luton area, although the fact that 2 inspectors had to issue an Improvement Notice reflects the need for increased attention on all health and safety matters. However, recent events have shown that accidents are happening in local areas and companies therefore need to look at all aspects of health and safety to avoid accidents happening on their premises."
Article by Alexandra Johnston
