At this time of year, surfaces can be perilous – there are plenty of seasonal factors to consider when avoiding these sorts of accidents. Poor lighting, excess water from rain and even wet and decaying leaves can all cause slip-and-trip…

For help with completing your actions in Civica, these guidance sheets could be useful. Each help sheet contains screenshots and step-by-step instructions. How to complete a Questionnaire (annual return) in Civica How to complete an Inspection in Civica How to…

Advances in technology, changes in behaviour, convenience, and environmental concerns, have caused an increase in demand for battery powered vehicles, tools, equipment, and devices. Whilst single use non-rechargeable batteries have been around for many years, there is a growing demand…

Batteries are all around us in energy storage installations, electric vehicles (EV) and in phones, tablets, laptops, and cameras. Under normal working conditions, batteries in these devices are stable. However, if subjected to some form of abnormal abuse such as…

The HSE has released an ebulletin that states they will be carrying out a programme of inspections of primary and secondary schools in England, Wales and Scotland to assess how schools are managing the risk from asbestos. The inspections will…

Trampoline parks have seen rapid growth over the past few years, with over 200 in operation across major towns and cities. Hundreds of thousands of customers have now enjoyed them, however communities have seen a rise in visits to A&E…

On-line COSHH courses have been developed and they are aimed at Facilities team members, Premises managers, Property staff, Caretakers, Cleaners, and anyone who works with substances that are hazardous to health. Course link for Corporate users: COSHH on TLC and…

LA maintained schools told us that they value unlimited access to important Health and Safety training and we have set up a course on the Blackboard training platform. This training includes PowerPoints, YouTube videos and quizzes that can be accessed…

A private boarding school has been fined £50,000 after exposing five pupils, two employees and their children to high levels of radioactive radon gas. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Kingswood School in Bath had not monitored radon levels…

The team are currently working on a new monthly Fire Check form in the Inspections tab of Civica for schools, which will ask for evidence about your weekly fire call point tests for example. We will be removing the weekly…

The Civil Contingency Unit (CCU) issue Heatwave Alerts and this week issued a Yellow Heat-Health Alert. Practical actions managers may wish to consider to mitigate the risk to employee health. What’s the concern? During a heatwave employees are more susceptible…

A plastics manufacturing company in West Bromwich has been fined after it put workers and the public at risk of being infected with potentially deadly bacteria. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated Riaar Plastics Limited after members of the…

Somerset Council is committed to reducing the risks to employee’s wellbeing when using display screen equipment (DSE) and all computer peripheral equipment. Although computers are of benefit to us all, they can cause problems if incorrectly used. Even if a…

There are new training course dates for schools that require an External Visits Coordinator (EVC) to monitor and endorse off-site visits and activities as part of their outdoor education programme and in line with recognised school duties and responsibilities. The…

Maintained schools within Somerset Council use European Educational Consultants (EEC) as its primary Health and Safety Management System. This system enables schools to compile risk assessments, record accidents and near misses, submit off-site visit applications for endorsement and provides the…

Common questions that are asked by External Visit Co-ordinators (EVC’s): Q: Do I need risk assessments from a provider? A: Providers from an Outdoor Education perspective are businesses that provide adventurous activities. Some of the common providers you will be…

A YouTube recording has been made of the EEC training webinar that the Corporate Health & Safety Unit delivered in June. Maintained Schools within Somerset Council use European Educational Consultants (EEC) as its primary Health and Safety Management System. This…

Training is available for School Premises Managers and is bookable through SSE, the next courses are 30th October 2023 and 24th November 2023. Premises Manager training is aimed at Headteachers, Business managers and anyone within the school setting with Health…

A YouTube recording has been made of the Working at Height awareness webinar that the Corporate Health & Safety Unit delivered in June. This webinar focused on the news story about a city council that was fined after a school…

There has been poor engagement and a low uptake in completing the new Introduction to Risk Assessment training course which was published in April and is available on The Learning Centre (TLC). This course has been designed to support employees…