Safewell attended a safety day arranged by the MPA ( Mineral products association) and was hosted by Hills at their Calne quarry. About 150 operatives and managers from the quarrying industry attended. A range of H&S topics were covered by a number of presenters/exhibitors. Our Safewell representatives were Ida Okkels from Occupational health and Helen Sherwood from Health and Safety, they did a rolling presentation on respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and face fit testing – a hot topic in relation to controlling exposure to silica dust. They emphasised that wearing masks should always be a last resort, as other means of reducing exposure should be implemented first. However, there are many situations where residual risks can only be fully controlled by using an appropriate mask/filter. They explained the process of face-fit testing and common issues that arise with operatives wearing RPE in the workplace such as the recent resurgence of beards. Ida and Helen met one operative who had been provided with a top of the range mask which he had worn regularly for over a year but the filters had never been changed, as he had not been provided with any training or instruction. This is a good example of why education in the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is so important.
The day included topics on:
• Understanding Explosives
• Fire – Managing Risk and Equipment Use
• Emergency Response – First Aid
• Working at Height – Safe Use of Harnesses
• Electrical Isolation and Lock Off
• Human Behaviour – A Safe Working Culture
• RCS and Practical Housekeeping
• Transport – Vulnerable Road Users
• Transport – Practical Road Safety – Tyre Safety/Safety Checks
Members, non-members, contractors, hauliers and other interested parties attended.
We have worked with Safewell for many years and are retained clients, so we have developed an excellent working relationship with the team. However, this really came into its own when Covid 19 appeared.
As a Plumbing and Heating business, we were able to carry on working during the lockdown but only for responding to emergencies. We were obviously very concerned about the health and safety of our employees and before we even had chance to get in touch with Safewell, they had emailed us offering their assistance. It is hard to put down on paper how that made us feel - we like everyone else felt totally at sea, which way to turn, what to do? But Safewell were there guiding, supporting and being totally brilliant. Their attention to detail is very impressive and reassuring and we feel able to ask lots of questions without feeling silly.
During the pandemic Safewell helped us to write risk assessments, safety procedures and protocols. They kept in touch regularly, issuing new guidance as soon as it appeared and checking in with us. They held group Q&A sessions over Zoom which were helpful, and knowing other businesses were facing the same challenges and having the opportunity to discuss issues was invaluable. Their help during the preparation for a full return to work was brilliant, they enabled us to be fully prepared and feel in control, and when we had our first case of Covid within the team, because we had planned our response it felt ok.
I think our team felt very reassured by our robust approach and that our office was Covid secure. We are extremely grateful to all the team at Safewell
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