Campaigns
As well as our routine health and safety inspection work we are
also involved in a number of special projects. The
projects are influenced by the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE)
national priorities known as FIT3 (Fit for Work, Fit for Life, Fit
for Tomorrow). The program of work is designed to reduce the
incidence rate of work related injury and ill health across known
hazards and industry sector ‘hotspots’. So far we have been
involved in the following projects:
CAKE (Common
Approach to Kent Enterprises)
This project took place over the whole of Kent and it
involved targeting large industrial estates. A team of Local
Authority and HSE warranted officers
worked together to visit all the businesses on the estates
providing guidance or taking enforcement action as applicable. In
Ashford we targeted the Henwood Industrial Estate. We contacted the
businesses a few weeks before the inspections took place to give
them time to prepare and seek guidance on compliance. The estate
was then visited over a two-day period in November 2008 with both
HSE and
Local Authority enforced businesses being inspected. Officers from
Ashford, Tonbridge & Malling and Maidstone were involved as
well as the HSE. By the end of the
project we had visited 38 businesses and given advice and taken a
range enforcement action. In one case, a manufacturing company was
found to be using a circular saw with a broken guard. The defects
were such that an employee could have made contact with the blade
and there was potential for serious injury. A prohibition notice
was served on the company and the saw was immediately taken out of
action. The guarding has since been repaired and the saw is now
being safety used.
Carpet Manual Handling
This project was part of the national FIT3 programme. It aimed
to raise awareness regarding the potential dangers involved in
handling heavy and awkward carpets, floor laminates, etc. Visits
were made to several premises and advice was given. This campaign
focused on helping business to change their manual handling
practices and revise risk assessments. No formal enforcement action
was necessary in connection with this project.
Slips in Commercial Kitchens
This is an ongoing national campaign raising awareness of the
seriousness of slips in commercial kitchens and the number of
accidents that result from them. The health and safety officers
provided information, education and guidance to businesses
identified as having either significant hazards and/or a high risk
of an accident occurring. Support materials and national
advertising for the campaign was provided by the HSE.
Contact Dermatitis
During late 2008 officers visited relevant premises to give
advice and support on risks of dermatitis to staff in hairdressing
establishments. The risks addressed covered washing, bleaching and
colouring of hair and the use of latex gloves.
Asbestos
This project focused on the duty to manage asbestos under new
statutory provisions. Officers undertook refresher distant learning
prior to undertaking inspections and attended a training workshop
organised by the Kent Health and Safety Group. Industrial units and
older premises within the borough were visited and checks were made
for compliance. Notices were served in some case to secure
compliance. Again, this project enabled Council regulatory officers
and HSE
inspectors to work together on a proactive campaign across sectors
and geographical boundaries, further testing the use of their
flexible warrants, breaking down barriers to enforcement.
This webpage was updated on
7/14/2009