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Useful INDG Health and Safety Guides - page 2
Health and Safety Executive
INDG is an Acronym for Industry Guidance
Health and Safety INDG Industry Guides 214 to 297
> INDG209 - Reducing health risks from the use of ultraviolet (UV) tanning equipment
> INDG214 - First aid at work
> INDG219 - How offshore helicopter travel is regulated
> INDG223 - Asbestos : A Short Guide to Managing Asbestos in Premises
> INDG225 - Preventing slips and trips at work
> INDG229 - Using work equipment safely
> INDG230 - Storing and handling ammonium nitrate
> INDG231 - Electrical safety and you: A brief guide
> INDG232 - Consulting Employees on H&S : A Guide to The Law
> INDG233 - Preventing contact dermatitis and urticaria at work
> INDG236 - Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments
> INDG238 - Gas appliances: Get them checked Keep them safe
> INDG240 - A guide for employers on alcohol at work
> INDG241 - Working safely with agricultural machinery
> INDG242 - Vibration : Control Back-pain Risks from Whole-body Vibration
> INDG244 - Workplace Health Safety & Welfare
> INDG247 - Electrical safety for entertainers
> INDG248 Solder fume and you
> INDG249 - Controlling health risks from rosin (colophony)-based solder flux fume
> INDG254 - Chemical reaction hazards and the risk of thermal runaway
> INDG258 - Confined spaces
> INDG259 - An introduction to health and safety
> INDG261 - Pressure systems A brief guide to safety
> INDG266 - Are you involved in a diving project at work?
> INDG269 - Managing musculoskeletal disorders in checkout work
> INDG273 - Working with solvents
> INDG275 - Plan, Do, Check, Act - Managing Health & Safety
> INDG277 - Leadership for the major hazard industries
> INDG285 - Landlords: A Guide to Landlords' Duties Gas Safety
> INDG286 - Diesel engine exhaust emissions
> INDG290 - LORER 1998 : A Simple Guide
> INDG291 - PUWER 1998 : A Simple Guide
> INDG293 - Welfare at Work: Guidance for employers on welfare provisions
> INDG296 - Vibration : Hand-arm Vibration
> INDG297 - Safety in gas welding, cutting and similar processes
INDG209 Reducing health risks from the use of ultraviolet (UV) tanning equipment
Introduction
The use of any ultraviolet (UV) tanning equipment (eg sunlamps, sunbeds and tanning booths) may expose staff and will expose customers to UV radiation. UV radiation can cause injuries and ill health either in the short term (eg sunburnt skin or conjunctivitis) or in the long term (eg premature skin ageing, skin cancer and cataracts). Exposure to UV radiation tanning equipment before the age of 35 years significantly increases the risk of several types of skin cancer. Younger people seem to be more at risk from the cancer-causing effects of indoor tanning.
HSE considers the advice in this leaflet to reflect good practice for employers operating UV tanning equipment. This leaflet gives advice on how to reduce health risks.
INDG214 - First aid at work
This leaflet answers some basic questions about first-aid provision at work.
It is aimed at employers in small and medium-sized workplaces, but may be useful to all employers, managers and others involved in first aid at work.
INDG219 How offshore helicopter travel is regulated
Safety - the top priority
The helicopter is known as the workhorse of the UK offshore oil and gas industry because it is the primary means of transporting workers to and from installations.
Millions of flights have taken place since the 1960s. The safety record is good, but accidents and fatalities have occurred. There can never be room for complacency with offshore helicopter safety, particularly in the harsh environment in which helicopters operate. That is why the arrangements to ensure the safety of offshore helicopter operations are so important. This leaflet describes those arrangements, and how they are regulated.
INDG223 - Asbestos : A Short Guide to Managing Asbestos in Premises
Who is this guidance for?
This guidance is for, anyone who is responsible for maintenance and repairs in a building, which may contain asbestos. The ‘duty to manage' asbestos is included in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. You are a ‘dutyholder’ if:
> you own the building:
> you are responsible through a contract or tenancy agreement:
> you have control of the building but no formal contract or agreement; or
> in a multi-occupancy building, you are the owner and have taken responsibility for maintenance and repairs for the whole building.
What buildings are affected?
> All non-domestic buildings, whatever the type of business.
> The common areas of domestic buildings, eg halls, stairwells, if shafts, roof spaces.
> All other domestic properties are not affected by the duty to manage.
If you are not the dutyholder but have information about the building, you must co-operate with the dutyholder, eg leaseholders must allow managing agents access for inspection.
INDG225 - Preventing slips and trips at work
What is this leaflet about?
Slips and trips are the most common cause of injury at work. On average, they cause 40 per cent of all reported major injuries and can also lead to other types of serious accidents, for example falls from height. Slips and trips are also the most reported injury to members of the public.
This leaflet describes measures that employers may need to implement to help prevent slips and trips. It will also be useful to employees and their safety representatives. The solutions are often simple and low-cost.
INDG229 Using work equipment safely
Introduction
Every year, there are a number of accidents from using work equipment, including machinery. Many are serious and some are fatal.
This leaflet explains what you, as an employer, may need to do to eliminate or reduce the risks from work equipment. It will also be useful to employees and their representatives.
It covers all workplaces and situations where the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 applies, including offshore installations. If you are an employer, a manager, a supervisor or hire out equipment for use in the workplace, this leaflet will help you understand what you can do to reduce the chances of an accident happening.
For some operations you will need more detailed information. If you wish to build, modify or add equipment (for example to a production line) you will probably need to seek advice from a competent engineer or equivalent person who is aware of the relevant European standards and requirements.
If you would like information on the law, or on other publications which give you more guidance on selection, protection measures and the safe use of particular types of machinery or other work equipment, see 'Further information'.
INDG230 Storing and handling ammonium nitrate
INTRODUCTION
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 imposes general duties to ensure that workers and others are protected against risks to their health and safety from work activities. This leaflet has therefore been produced to help duty holders to ensure the safe storage and handling of ammonium nitrate at, for example, harbours, merchant stores and manufacturers' premises. The main use of ammonium nitrate is as a fertiliser, marketed either as prills (small spheres) or granules. The different types of ammonium nitrate fertiliser are described at the end of this leaflet.
INDG231 Electrical safety and you: A brief guide
Introduction
Electricity can kill or severely injure people and cause damage to property. Every year many accidents at work involving electric shock or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Most of the fatal incidents are caused by contact with overhead power lines.
Even non-fatal shocks can cause severe and permanent injury. For example, shocks from faulty equipment may lead to falls from ladders, scaffolds or other work platforms.
Those using or working with electricity may not be the only ones at risk – poor electrical installations and faulty electrical appliances can lead to fire, which may also cause death or injury to others. Most of these accidents can be avoided by careful planning and straightforward precautions.
This leaflet provides some basic measures to help you control the risks from your use of electricity at work. Further guidance for particular industries or subjects can be found on HSE’s website (www.hse.gov.uk).
INDG232 - Consulting Employees on H&S : A Guide to The Law
Employers have a duty to consult with their employees, or their representatives, on health and safety matters. This leaflet is aimed at employers and discusses what they need to do to ensure they are complying with the law.
The law sets out how employees must be consulted in different situations and the different choices employers have to make. There are two different regulations that require employers to consult their workforce about health and safety:
> the Safety Representatives and Safety Committees Regulations 1977 (as amended); and
> the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations 1996 (as amended).
INDG233 Preventing contact dermatitis and urticaria at work
Introduction
This leaflet explains how you, as an employer, can protect your employees from skin problems known as contact dermatitis and urticaria. It will also be useful to employees and their representatives.
The leaflet will help you identify what tasks and substances may cause harm, and introduces practical steps for controlling the risks. The information it contains will help you comply with the law.
INDG236 Maintaining portable electric equipment in low-risk environments
Introduction
This leaflet explains the simple and sensible precautions that need to be taken to prevent danger from portable or movable electrical equipment in low-risk environments, such as offices, shops, some parts of hotels and residential care homes.
It also provides examples of this sort of equipment to help you decide what you need to do to maintain portable appliances in your workplace.
INDG238 Gas appliances: Get them checked Keep them safe
The problem
Every year about 14 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by gas appliances and flues which have not been properly installed or maintained.
Many others also suffer ill health. When gas does not burn properly, as with other fuels such as coal, wood or oil, excess carbon monoxide is produced, which is
poisonous.
You can’t see it. You can’t taste it. You can’t even smell it. But carbon monoxide can kill without warning in just a matter of hours. You are particularly at risk when you are asleep because you cannot recognise the early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. These include tiredness, drowsiness, headache, nausea, pains in the chest and stomach pains. These symptoms can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused with flu or simple tiredness.
INDG240 - A guide for employers on alcohol at work (withdrawn - archive copy)
This booklet has been developed to help the owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses deal with alcohol-related problems at work. It reaffirms the Government’s commitment in The Health of the Nation to encourage employers to introduce workplace alcohol policies and evaluate their impact.
Ninety per cent of personnel directors from top UK organisations surveyed in 1994 stated that alcohol consumption was a problem for their organisation. Most regarded alcohol as a fairly minor problem, involving a small number of employees. However, 17% of personnel directors described alcohol consumption as a ‘major problem’ for their organisation. What concerned directors most, in order of priority, was:
> loss of productivity and poor performance;
> lateness and absenteeism;
> safety concerns;
> effect on team morale and employee relations;
> bad behaviour or poor discipline;
> adverse effects on company image and customer relations.
INDG241 Working safely with agricultural machinery
Introduction
This leaflet gives advice on how to work safely with mobile and stationary agricultural machinery – particularly when carrying out maintenance and dealing with blockages. See ‘Find out more’ at the end of the leaflet for sources of detailed guidance on working safely with specific types of machines, eg round balers.
INDG242 - Vibration : Control Back-pain Risks from Whole-body Vibration
Who should read this leaflet?
You should read this leaflet if you employ operators of off-road mobile machinery, agricultural vehicles or industrial trucks.
You may also find it helpful if:
> you employ drivers of other vehicles, particularly if they suffer from back pain;
> you are a driver or operator of a mobile machine or vehicle;
> you are a trade union safety representative or an employee representative for drivers or operators.
This leaflet will help you manage the risk of back pain in your employees and will tell you what you need to do to comply with the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
Most people who drive road-going vehicles at work are not likely to experience high levels of whole-body vibration and so their employers are unlikely to have to take any action under these Regulations.
INDG244 - Workplace Health Safety & Welfare
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 cover a wide range of basic health, safety and welfare issues and apply to most workplaces (with the exception of those workplaces involving construction work on construction sites, those in or on a ship, or those below ground at a mine). They are amended by the Quarries Regulations 1999, the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002, the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
Employers have a general duty under section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their employees at work. People in control of non-domestic premises have a duty (under section 4 of the Act) towards people who are not their employees but use their premises. The Regulations expand on these duties and are intended to protect the health and safety of everyone in the workplace, and ensure that adequate welfare facilities are provided for people at work.
INDG247 - Electrical safety for entertainers
Who is this leaflet aimed at?
If you are an entertainer who uses electrical equipment for sound, lighting or other effects, this leaflet is for you. Others who use electrical equipment in the course of their work, such as wardrobe or scenic artists, may also find this guidance useful. It sets out basic measures you can take to help control the electrical risks from use of such equipment.
This revised version brings the content up to date and includes:
> changes to legislation and links to further guidance;
> updates to reflect current working practices, equipment and terminology.
INDG248 - Solder fume and you
This guidance is aimed at people who solder using rosin, specifically colophony-based solder flux, which can cause asthma and dermatitis.
INDG249 Health and Safety Executive Controlling health risks from rosin (colophony)-based solder flux fume
Introduction
This leaflet gives guidance on how to protect your employees from the risk of ill health caused by rosin (colophony)-based solder flux fume at work. It will help you to understand how to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) (see Need to know more?).
It is aimed at employers but will also be useful to employees, their safety representatives and health and safety professionals.
INDG254 - Chemical reaction hazards and the risk of thermal runaway
A chemical reaction that goes out of control and runs away can create a serious incident with the risk of injury to people and damage to property and the
environment.
This leaflet:
> identifies the main hazards of carrying out chemical reactions;
> provides guidance on how you can ensure a safe operation; and
> identifies some sources of further information and guidance.
The advice is aimed at small and medium-sized companies in the chemical manufacturing industry, although the A chemical reaction that goes out of control and runs away can create a serious principles apply equally to all firms.
You must assess the risks of your chemical processes but this does not need to be time-consuming or expensive. You should then ensure that the systems in place reduce the risk of runaway to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable. The effort you take to do this should reflect the complexity of the process and the scale of risks involved
INDG258 - Confined spaces
This leaflet explains what you, as an employer, may need to do to protect your employees when working in confined spaces. It will also be useful to the self-employed or employees and their representatives. The leaflet will help you take the necessary action to meet the requirements of the Confined Spaces Regulations 1997.
INDG259 - An introduction to health and safety (withdrawn - archive copy)
Health and safety in small businesses What you should know about where to get more information
It's your business but we can help you look after it!
Getting hurt at work or becoming ill through work is not a pleasant subject to think about. The reality is that over 200 people a year lose their lives at work in Britain. In addition, around 150 000 non-fatal injuries are reported each year, and an estimated 2 million suffer from ill health caused or made worse by work.
The mistake is to believe that these things happen in highly unusual or exceptional circumstances that never occur in your workplace. This is not the case. Some basic thinking and acting beforehand could usually have prevented these things from happening.
Implementing health and safety measures doesn't have to be expensive, time consuming or complicated. In fact, safer and more efficient working practices can often save money but, more importantly, they can help to save lives.
This booklet shows you the kind of things which cause the more common accidents and harm to people’s health. It lets you see what applies to your work activities, and tells you how you can get more help and information.
This is especially important if you are in charge of work activities, eg you are an employer, because you have legal responsibilities.
INDG261 - Pressure systems A brief guide to safety
Introduction
If pressure equipment fails in use, it can seriously injure or kill people nearby and cause serious damage to property.
This leaflet describes what employers need to do to minimise the risks when working with systems or equipment which contain a liquid or gas under pressure. It will also be useful to employees and their safety representatives.
As an employer or self-employed person, you have a duty to provide a safe workplace and safe work equipment. Designers, manufacturers, suppliers, installers, users and owners also have duties.
The leaflet does not cover gas cylinders (now called transportable pressure receptacles or transportable pressure vessels), or tanks and tank containers.
INDG266 - Are you involved in a diving project at work?
Introduction
This leaflet is for anyone who is involved in a diving project including: clients who place contracts for diving projects;
> contractors, divers and supervisors undertaking diving projects;
> other people, such as vessel operators, whose actions and activities could affect the safety of the dive team.
It explains, in simple terms, the main legal responsibilities of all these groups. You can find more detailed information and guidance on planning and undertaking a diving project in the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 (DWR), and in the relevant Approved Codes of Practice.
INDG269 - Managing musculoskeletal disorders in checkout work
What is this leaflet about?
This leaflet will help employers manage checkout work at point of sale and reduce the risk of their workers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders.
Working at a point of sale in a busy store can lead to aches and pains. If these are not dealt with they can cause more serious ill health.
The retail industry employs over 3 million people, around 10% of the working population, and a significant percentage of this workforce is in an age group considered particularly vulnerable to MSDs.
What are MSDs?
The term MSD covers any injury, damage or disorder of the joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves or other soft tissues in the upper/lower limbs or the back.
The common symptom is pain but other symptoms may include discomfort, tingling, numbness, stiffness or swelling. Most MSD symptoms will clear up without any need of medical attention. More information is available at www.hse.gov.uk/msd.
INDG273 - Working with solvents
Introduction
This leaflet is aimed at employees who are exposed to solvents at work. It gives important advice about the precautions that employees and their employers should take to avoid risks to the health of workers who use solvents and products that contain solvents.
INDG275 - Plan, Do, Check, Act - Managing Health & Safety
This leaflet is for those who need to put in place or oversee their organisation’s health and safety arrangements. The advice may also help workers and their representatives, as well as health and safety practitioners and training providers.
It’s a brief guide to help you comply with the law, and summarises the more detailed guidance in Managing for health and safety (HSG65)
INDG277 - Leadership for the major hazard industries
Introduction
This booklet was originally designed for the offshore industry, but it has been revised by the Hazardous Installations Directorate of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to help industry leaders further improve the health and safety performance of all major hazard industries, both on and offshore.
In the booklet we refer to ‘senior managers’. By this we mean executive directors and other managers reporting to board members whose position and responsibilities have the potential for significant impact on the health and safety performance of a business.
INDG285 - Landlords: A Guide to Landlords' Duties Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
This leaflet is aimed at landlords and explains some of the main requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 as amended by the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2018. It also gives guidance on how to comply with them (see boxed text). The leaflet will also be of interest to tenants, making them aware of landlords’ duties.
INDG286 - Diesel engine exhaust emissions
Diesel engine exhaust emissions have the potential to cause a range of health problems. This leaflet is a short guide for employees to the hazards posed by the emissions, and describes the precautions that employers and individuals can take.
INDG290 - LORER 1998 : A Simple Guide
This leaflet provides general information about the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER). It describes what you, as an employer, may need to do to protect your employees in the workplace. It will also be useful to employees and their representatives.
INDG291 - PUWER 1998 : A Simple Guide
This leaflet provides an outline of the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and describes what you, as an employer, may need to do to protect your employees in the workplace. It will also be useful to employees and their representatives.
Do the Regulations apply to me?
If you are an employer or self-employed person and you provide equipment for use at work, or if you have control of the use of equipment, then the Regulations will apply to you.
They do not apply to equipment used by the public, for example compressed-air equipment used in a garage forecourt.
INDG293 - Welfare at Work: Guidance for employers on welfare provisions
If you employ anyone (however short the period) you must ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’, provide adequate and appropriate welfare facilities for them while they are at work. This means you must provide such facilities unless it is clearly unreasonable in terms of time, trouble, cost and physical difficulty.
‘Welfare facilities’ are those that are necessary for the well-being of your employees, such as washing, toilet, rest and changing facilities, and somewhere clean to eat and drink during breaks.
This leaflet gives you simple, practical advice on how you can meet these requirements. The information may also be of interest to employees and the self-employed.
It summarises the requirements of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
INDG296 - Vibration : Hand-arm Vibration
This pocket card is aimed at people who use handheld powered work equipment or workpieces which vibrate while being processed by powered machinery, such as pedestal grinders.
INDG297 - Safety in gas welding, cutting and similar processes
This leaflet is for people who use compressed gases for welding, hot cutting and similar processes. It describes the hazards associated with portable oxy/fuel gas equipment and the precautions for avoiding injury and damage to property.
Introduction
Oxy/fuel gas equipment has many uses - welding, cutting, heating, straightening, and descaling. The equipment is versatile, easy to move and cheap. It is so widely used that sometimes people forget about the dangers. Many people are injured each year by the incorrect or careless use of oxy/fuel gas equipment. Some people die. This leaflet describes the hazards associated with portable oxy/fuel gas equipment and the precautions for avoiding injury and damage to property.
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