Weekly Digest: all the latest health and safety news and guidance

HSE's Weekly Digest e-bulletin: 15 December 2021

Having trouble viewing this email? View the content as a web page. Weekly Digest eBulletin HSE Weekly Digest eBulletin Issued: 15 December 2021 This week's edition has information on measures introduced to reduce the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission at work.   There is also guidance about people working from home, as well as links to useful information as HSE issues a reminder of the dangers of emergency tree work. We also have details of some current job vacancies and news from recent enforcement prosecution cases.   For all the latest health and safety updates visit our website. Measures announced to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission On 8 December, the UK government announced Plan B measures for England in response to the risks of the Omicron variant. The most recent GOV.UK guidance has information on the latest public health measures, including face coverings, COVID-19 status checks and the NHS Pass. Those who can work from home should do so. Anyone who cannot work from home should continue to go to the workplace.   There is separate advice for Scotland and Wales.   HSE's latest advice on keeping workplaces safe will help you to continue to work safely during the pandemic. You must still control the risks and review and update your risk assessment. The following workplace controls remain unchanged: adequate ventilation sufficient cleaning good hand hygiene Home working guidance and resources As an employer, you have the same health and safety responsibilities for people working at home as for any other worker. Our home working guidance has been redesigned and expanded to provide more detail on straightforward actions to manage home workers' health and safety.   This includes the risks of stress and poor mental health as well as working with display screen equipment (DSE).   There is advice for home workers themselves, as well as a video and practical tips on good posture when working with DSE.   Workplace experts Acas advise employers and workers to be practical, flexible and sensitive to each other's situation when working from home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Visit their website for more tips and advice. Oil company fined £500,000 following liquid petroleum gas leak Esso, the operator of the UK's largest oil refinery, has been fined for health and safety breaches after a leak of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) was discovered by a worker cycling home at the end of their shift. HSE's investigation found that the leak occurred because: LPG was put through the pipe work at too a high a pressure for the valve there was no process in place to detect the discrepancy in the flow in the pipe the company had failed to take all measures necessary to prevent a major incident Read this press release for more details on this incident.   You can find more information about the legislation referred to in this case on our LPG website.   Other recent enforcement news includes: Sawmill fined after worker's finger is severed in machinery Food manufacturing company fined after worker injures finger in machinery Reminder issued on the dangers of emergency tree work Fallen trees and branches have caused a lot of disruption, but it's important to remember that emergency tree work is dangerous and should only be done by experienced professionals. HSE is warning farmers to avoid carrying out the work themselves without the necessary experience.   In the past year eight people have been killed by falling branches or trees.   This sort of emergency work is complex with many risks, including the tree moving unexpectedly, or the need to carry out work in difficult conditions.   The planning and activity itself must be done by a competent person with the necessary training in emergency tree works such as assisted felling, windblown and part blown trees and emergency planning.   For more information and guidance on carrying out tree work safely visit the HSE website. Latest job vacancies at HSE Join our team here at HSE and help to protect lives and livelihoods. Find out more and apply by following the links on the latest vacancies below: Administration and Customer Service Officers (closes 2 January, x25 roles) Scientific Technician (closes 2 January) Head of Risk and Assurance (closes 4 January) View all current vacancies You can get all the latest news and updates from HSE across a range of industries and topics. Subscribe to our eBulletins here Subscriber services: Manage Preferences | Unsubscribe | Disclaimer Email was sent to bobbysellars573.spamhere@blogger.com

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