The storage and use of chemical products is a key feature in many day-to-day railway activities. Even in common and well known forms such as cleaning agents, pesticides, lubricants, paints and solvents, the storing of chemicals in some capacity is highly likely. As part of a business’ duty to protect employees, there must be procedures in place for correctly using chemicals.…
With most of the UK railways electrified, the rail environment has the potential to create high electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as part of its day-to-day operation. All employers are required to assess risks in the workplace and implement control measures to reduce any identified risk – and EMF is no exception to this rule. Therefore, without proper controls in place, the high electrical voltage on the railway has the potential to expose workers to EMFs.…
COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, first introduced in 1988 by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Aiming to reduce accidents and minimise the risk to employee health in the workplace, COSHH was introduced to ensure any business using hazardous substances does so in a controlled and safe way.…
With engineering and science built into the modern methods of occupational hygiene and workplace monitoring, there’s a common misconception that occupational hygiene can’t be more than 100 years old. But occupational hygiene has a much longer (and more interesting) history than you would think – and plays a vital role in how occupational hygiene has evolved to modern day standards.…
There are a variety of materials commonly found within the rail environment which are classified as hazardous materials The presence of such materials may pose a risk to the health of staff or members of the public, and while some are fairly innocuous unless disturbed or released, others present a greater risk due to their presence.…
Following the launch of the Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) ‘DustBuster’ campaign, aimed at tackling occupational lung disease caused by construction dust and other hazardous substances, Mary Cameron, occupational hygiene team leader at SOCOTEC, takes a closer look at the initiative and how you can ensure compliance.…
Mary Cameron, occupational hygiene team leader, SOCOTEC, discusses the potential reasons behind poorly implemented occupational health strategies and how companies should be looking to overcome them in a bid for a healthy workforce and improved company performance.…
Ian Douglas, senior occupational hygienist, Environment & Safety Services, SOCOTEC, discusses the hierarchy of control when it comes to controlling exposure to diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEEs) and why this is important for ensuring safety and compliance in the workplace.…
An occupational hygienist is an important player in the fight against workplace-caused ill-health. In this blog Mary Cameron, occupational hygiene team leader, discusses the 'five w's' of workplace exposure to hazardous substances: Who is affected? What employers must do When should employers act? Where to find guidance Why SOCOTEC plays a key role in COSHH compliance…
In the workplace, exposure to hazardous substances should either be prevented or adequately controlled. The purpose of an Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) system is to control the emission of such substances to the atmosphere as close as possible to the point of source, thereby preventing release into the workplace. To be effective, LEV must initially be well designed and constructed. Over time, the performance of systems can deteriorate due to wear, blockage or damage. Thus, regular inspection and testing is critical to ensure that control of exposure remains adequate, and this is one of the many occupational hygiene services that SOCOTEC provides. Here, David talks us through the process at a major railway maintenance depot.…