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Drugs and alcohol policies

Lucie Ponting | Features | HSW | 01.05.2007

Following some national press attention last year, the battle against Britain's binge-drinking and drugs culture is now entering the boardroom. Lucie Ponting considers the sensitive subject of drugs and alcohol policies and when testing can be considered a legitimate option.

IOSH 2007 conference report

Louis Wustemann | Features | HSW | 01.05.2007

Louis Wustemann and Jocelyn Dorrell report on the highlights of the safety body's annual conference.

Stress management at Manchester University

Jocelyn Dorrell | Features | HSW | 01.05.2007

Implementing a consistent and unified stress policy in an organisation the size of the University of Manchester, which has 11,000 employees, is no mean feat. Jocelyn Dorrell reports its stress-management and wellbeing initiative.

Employers' obligations on sight tests for DSE users

Adrian Taylor | Features | HSW | 04.04.2007

Why is there so much confusion about employees' entitlement to sight tests? Is it the regulations? Or the status of glasses? Adrian Taylor of Specsavers brings into focus employers' obligations on sight tests for display screen equipment users.

Special treatment for new and expectant mothers

Lucie Ponting | Features | HSW | 01.04.2007

Every year, 440,000 women continue to work during pregnancy. But despite legislation making employers pay specific attention to the needs of new and expectant mothers, most fail to carry out even basic assessments. In fact, EOC research suggests only half of working pregnant women have had a health and safety risk assessment. These women need special treatment, explains Lucie Ponting.

A workplace stop-smoking scheme

Jocelyn Dorrell | Features | HSW | 01.04.2007

A workplace stop-smoking scheme could offer more than health benefits, finds Jocelyn Dorrell, in the last of our series on the smoking legislation

Making your workplace smoke-free

Jocelyn Dorrell | Features | HSW | 01.03.2007

The countdown to smoke-free workplaces has begun. Jocelyn Dorrell talks to some organisations that have already made the switch, and finds out that time is of the essence

Site specifics: Asbestos

Bridget Leathley | Features | HSW | 04.02.2007

Despite the fact that asbestos is no longer used in the UK, the legacy of the estimated six million tonnes of it still present in our schools, hospitals, ships, offices and factories makes it the greatest single cause of work-related deaths in the country. Bridget Leathley finds the best sources of information online on managing the UK's greatest workplace killer.

Taking accurate noise measurements

Seggy T Segaran | Features | HSW | 01.02.2007

The Health and Safety Executive's advice has always been that if you have to shout to talk to someone two metres away this is usually a clear indication that noise levels are around the 85dB mark. Seggy T Segaran argues that estimating workplace noise levels is often a poor substitute for taking accurate measurements.

New smoke-free legislation for England and Wales

Jocelyn Dorrell | Features | HSW | 01.02.2007

This year will see English and Welsh workplaces finally become smoke-free zones. In the first of a series of articles on the new legislation, Jocelyn Dorrell looks at signage, shelters and penalties

Site specifics: lifting operations

Bridget Leathley | Features | HSW | 01.12.2006

Bridget Leathley discovers that web guidance on lifting operations is not always within easy reach.

Minimising spillage and leaks

Richard Proctor | Features | HSW | 01.11.2006

Eliminating spills from the workplace would involve eliminating carelessness, lapses of attention, even sheer bloody-mindedness, from human behaviour - but even then there would still be simple bad luck. Richard Proctor of Darcy Products shows how to prepare for workplace leaks and spillages.

Occupational asthma

Lawrence Bamber | Features | HSW | 01.11.2006

The UK has one of the highest rates of occupational asthma in the world, and it is still rising. Around a million people with existing asthma symptoms find that their working environment irritates their breathing system and makes the condition worse. Lawrence Bamber looks at occupational asthma, respiratory sensitisers and COSHH.

Workplace Health Connect

Louis Wustemann | Features | HSW | 01.11.2006

Following the launch of the government's Workplace Health Connect consultancy, aimed at giving SMEs advice on issues from absence management to musculoskeletal disorders, businesses have got more than they bargained for. Louis Wustemann and Jocelyn Dorrell investigate.

Examining safety procedures for deaf people

Liz Parslow | Features | HSW | 01.11.2006

Every day, deaf people are exposed to unnecessary, life-threatening dangers because there is little or no access to fire alarm warnings for deaf people in commercial, public-access buildings and workplaces. Liz Parslow of Deaf Alerter examines the different options for warning systems and evacuation methods.

Hazards of call centre headsets

Jocelyn Dorrell | Features | HSW | 01.11.2006

What will keep health and safety managers busy in years to come? A lack of physical activity by desk-bound employees? Thermal discomfort and "multi-factoral risks" where workers face a number of interacting risks? Jocelyn Dorrell finds that some of the hazards faced by call centre workers come via their headsets.

Lancashire Constabulary's slash of accident and absence rates

Louis Wustemann | Features | HSW | 01.10.2006

Earlier this year, Lancashire Constabulary won the Improving Working Lives award, for an overhaul of its approach to health, safety and attendance that cut sickness absence rates by 17% in a single year. It did so under the guidance of Ashley Judd, its occupational health, safety and welfare (OHSW) manager. Louis Wustemann found out how.

Regulations require checks for ill health in staff

Lucie Ponting | Features | HSW | 01.10.2006

Regulations increasingly require businesses to check staff for signs of ill health. Lucie Ponting reports how surveillance to find the early signs of work-related ill health range from simple self-assessment, through to checks by occupational health professionals.

Fatigue at work

Lucie Ponting | Features | HSW | 01.08.2006

Fatigue at work dents productivity and can lead to accidents. Lucie Ponting sends a wake-up call.

Managing special events

Sara Bean | Features | HSW | 01.08.2006

If your organisation is hosting an event this summer, chances are they'll call on you as the person responsible for health and safety to ensure it all goes smoothly and safely. From summer parties and open days to music festivals, Sara Bean looks at the safe way to manage special events.