Manual handling injuries are one of the most common forms of workplace accidents. In 2013/2014 the HSE reported that such injuries were 24% of total reported incidents, and this led to 909,000 lost working days in that period. The type of manual handling injuries included repetitive strain injuries, muscle pulls, sprains and strains, trapped nerves, finger trap wounds, cuts from sharp objects, hernias, upper limb disorders as well as back problems.

Contributory factors involved in leading to such problems involve carrying, pushing or pulling loads result from twisting, stooping or bending, may involve sudden movements, or excessive travel distances, sometimes with inadequate periods for recovery. The loads may be heavy, unbalanced, difficult to grip, or may be sharp, hot or cold.

Other factors which can add to manual handling safety difficulties can include poor workspace layout or working conditions (uneven floors, inadequate lighting or poor ventilation), duration and frequency of lifting action including lengthy time in a fixed posture position, and the condition of awkward loads (such as slippery or unwieldy weights).

While there are high risk industries such as healthcare, construction, agriculture, transport and storage, these lifting actions are commonplace throughout most occupations, although many to a much lesser extent. All industrial sectors must comply with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 to provide a safe environment for lifting of loads.

Label Source’s range of manual handling signs, notices and labels can assist in drawing attention to good practice to tie in with safe working guidelines, proper on the job training, matching the suitability of the person to the demands of lifting, health screening, job rotation, handling in teams or use of mechanical aids, such as hoists, trolleys, conveyor belts or forklift trucks.

Under PUWER (Provision and use of work equipment regulations 1998) all such equipment, including machinery, tools, plant and appliances, should be suitable and safe for use, should have been inspected and maintained, should have correct protective devices, and be operated by adequately trained staff.

The dangers and hazards relating to operating this equipment should be clearly identified, and our range of safety labels and signs can be used for this purpose. These health and safety risks can include from pinch, crush, trap and entanglement hazards, operating temperatures such as hot surfaces, or high or low ambient temperatures, chemical dangers (eg corrosive or toxic), and various other risks from electricity, flammability, lasers, radiation, and biological hazards.

In addition Label Source supply a wide variety of bespoke printed labels and signs incorporating combinations of safety symbols and custom text. For further information please contact us.

There are instances and locations where there are space restrictions on using the standard size ranges of safety signs. These simply will not fit. So, our range of mini safety signs has been designed to overcome such problems.

These small format signs, in a full range of safety sign classifications, come in a size of 50mm x 200mm, and are manufactured in pvc with an adhesive backing for easy use. All these signs comply with ISO 1710 and the Safety Sign and Signals Regulations 1996.

They cover a comprehensive range of safety requirements including;

Fire equipment signs for pinpointing the location of fire extinguishers, fire alarms and fire points.

Mandatory signs can be used to indicate the use of personal protective equipment, the use of guards on equipment, as well as access points such as fire doors, housekeeping, and personal hygiene.

Prohibition safety signs cover restrictions on smoking, drinking water, access, and use of mobile phones.

Safe condition safety signs determine fire emergency access points and escape routes, the location for first aid, emergency stop cut off points and drinking water.

Hazard warning safety signs identify the risks and dangers from electricity (electric shock, high voltage), from hazardous substances (toxic, harmful chemicals), and physical hazards such as slips, trips, and falls and scalds from hot water.

These products have been used in a wide variety of office, commercial and industrial locations to assist in complying with health and safety guidelines, and providing employees, customers and the general public with visible safety information.

As the pressure continues to redevelop brownfield sites, there is the need to dismantle defunct buildings, and provide site clearance. A paramount consideration during any demolition or structural alteration of buildings is that it is conducted safely and in a controlled manner for members of staff, sub-contractors and the general public.

Hazards can be numerous and varied, and these can include;

Falling from heights. This can include falling off the edge of building structures, through openings or off partly removed floors. Risk assessments need to be made for safe access, control of work on fragile surfaces and safe use of ladders and scaffolding structures.

Falling objects. Injuries sustained from being hit by parts of the building structure or from tools or other equipment. Exclusion areas and hard hat use, together with covered walkways and reinforced cabs on machines, and use of high reach equipment should form part of any safety plan.

Collapsed structures. Injuries from crush, lacerations and entrapment. Weight loadings, age of premises, former use of premises and surrounding structures should form part of any safety assessment.

Risks from connected services. Gas, electricity and telecommunications supply needs to be isolated or disconnected to prevent accidents. If this is not possible then any pipes or cables should be clearly identified by labelling.

Noise and vibration. Dangers exist to hearing from noise generated during demolition, and power tools need to be assessed to prevent hand vibration injuries. Suitable ear protection should be made available, and all hand held power tools (electric, pneumatic or hydraulic) need to be assessed for exposure levels established.

Hazardous materials. During removal workers can come into contact with asbestos, flammable liquids, paints and acids (covered by COSHH regulations), dust hazards, and microbiological hazards (particularly for hospitals etc.). Identification of all site hazards, and supply of protective equipment to handle such dangerous substances.

Risks from outbreak of fire.  Where sparks, heat or flames are generated during demolition there is the potential for fire.  A fire plan should be regularly updated identifying escape routes, location of fire fighting equipment and fire action training.

Risks from traffic accidents. Plant mobile equipment and vehicles used to remove debris from the site. A traffic plan should be established with designated pedestrian and vehicular routes, clearly marked crossing points, with controlled access for vehicles and establishing turning areas.

Risks from rodents and insects. Potential bites, stings and inhalation of contaminated dust from urine and faeces. It is necessary to provide protective clothing (ie gloves, dust masks), and have a policy on disposal of carcases.

Label Source can assist you with safety induction of staff and subcontractors with our range of health and safety signs to the latest legislation to identify workplace hazards, mark prescribed pedestrian and vehicle routes, fire equipment and access routes, and to identify the mandatory use of protective equipment and workwear. Also, we supply a range of construction related barrier tapes and underground utility pipe and cable marking tapes.

Any labels used outdoors are subject to the effects of ultra violet rays from sunlight. To mitigate this effect which has the tendency to fade label colours, it is important to extend the label life by choosing products, which are UV stable. One such material type is external grade engraving laminate, which is durable and provides colour fast identification products for a longer period.

These labels are used on instrument enclosures for water, gas, electricity, telecommunications, local authorities, construction and rail sectors, and provide location identification, serial numbering, barcoding and operational safety information.

Such labels can be designed to your own requirement in a variety of colour combinations, and can be fixed by adhesive backing or fixing holes for screws, self-tappers or rivets.

Please contact us by e-mail on sales@labelsource.co.uk for further information or a quotation.