HSE are actively seeking feedback from woodworking industry stakeholders and other industry stakeholders on HSE's draft Manufacturing Sector Plan.
If you wish to comment on the draft visit HSE's Strategies and Plans Webpages.
There are also plans to hold a series of regional roadshows in 2017 and HSE's website will be updated regularly with further details so keep an eye out.
New Manual Handling Tools & Guidance
New Risk Assessment of Pushing and Pulling (RAPP) tool
This new simple tool will help you identify high-risk manual pushing and pulling operations and check the effectiveness of any risk-reduction measures.
The RAPP Tool is aimed at those responsible for health and safety in workplaces – employers, managers and safety representatives. It uses colour coding and numerical scoring like the MAC Tool.
There are two types of pulling and pushing operations you can assess using this tool:
Printed copies are also available, in priced packs of 5, on HSE's Website.
New edition of L23 Manual handling: Guidance on Regulations
This revised and updated guidance on the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 explains how to avoid, assess and reduce the risk of injury from manual handling and will help employers comply with the regulations.
The full risk assessment checklists are now online only and do not appear in the book.
The new edition also reflects changes introduced for the self-employed.
The publication can be found on HSE's Publications Website where printed copies can also be ordered.
Fines and Prosecutions
Four receive suspended jail sentences for health and safety failings
The director of a Port Talbot furniture factory and three of its managers have received suspended prison sentences for ongoing health and safety failings which included poor control of wood dust, no maintenance of work equipment including fume and dust extraction and noisy conditions. More information on the prosecution and individual fines can be found on HSE's Press Release.
Timber-frame firm fined for fire safety and traffic offences
A South Wales company has been fined £100,000 for running an unsafe timber-frame construction site. More information can be found on HSE's Press Release.
HSE has a free Workplace Transport Guide that can be downloaded from HSE's Website.
