Dame Judith Hackitt, of the Health and Safety Executive has criticised the increasingly excessive worries over health and safety in schools, which she describes as “nonsensical”.

The phrase “its health and safety gone mad!” is a regular saying these days, as more and more companies, work places and schools make the decision to ban a seemingly harmless activity or item. For instance, one school in the UK has a ban on their students wearing frilly socks because they are a trip hazard. In one out of four schools, traditional playground games “tig” and British bulldog are now banned, and in some schools even throwing snowballs are banned!

Dame Judith argues that these ludicrous bans are undermining the efforts of the HSE to improve safety in dangerous industries, such as construction and farming.  So much so, she has said that children should be allowed to climb trees and play games that have a risk of injury, going on to say that not allowing children to learn to handle risk will lead to young adults who are poorly equipped to deal with realities of the real world.. The will become a liability in any workplace if they don’t have the basic skills, to exercise judgement”.

In the most part we agree with what Dame Judith is saying. Health and safety management is not about ruining peoples fun, it’s about managing and preventing serious risks.

Instead of worrying about what type of sock your students are wearing, schools should be concentrating on managing real risks such as Fire Safety Procedures and asbestos management.

Asbestos Management in Schools

As it stands at the moment, government policy states that if the asbestos is in good condition and is unlikely to be disturbed, they will not remove the asbestos that in the school, instead opting for safe management of the material for its remaining life. This means that a majority of our schools, here in the UK, still have asbestos present in the building. This policy of not removing asbestos unless it is truly necessary often leaves schools with asbestos that is either in bad condition, unsealed or hidden.

 Some of the schools in the UK have developed an effective asbestos management system; however, a majority does not.

A nationwide study conducted in 2010 of 600 school safety representatives highlighted the shocking fact that only 28 per cent of schools had the presence of asbestos clearly marked, and perhaps even more shockingly, when they were asked if they had an accurate register of where the asbestos was located in the buildings, only a third of the representatives where aware of the register, and only 20 per cent said that the register was shown to contractors before they began building work.

There seems to be a common trend here, which is the serious lack of awareness about asbestos. Over the years inspections have been carried out which has highlighted that many schools have an inadequate management system in place and/or the school safety representatives are confused by where the responsibility lies when it comes to managing asbestos. This has forced the authorities to have to provide advice or even enforcement action against some schools.  

Shockingly, inadequate surveys have been conducted and the presence of asbestos has not been identified because it is located in a hard to access area. Inadequate surveying and inefficient management systems has led to the Asbestos Consultants Association to conclude that, in many schools, asbestos management is ineffective, and at times dangerous.

The fact of the matter is, asbestos can be disturbed through normal school activity, and this can cause the fibres to be released over a period of years, meaning that children and teachers could be at risk of contracting asbestos related illnesses.

It is important that schools start managing asbestos correctly, and label any asbestos risks present in the building correctly.

Summary

We are fully aware that there are hundreds of serious risks that are managed successfully on a day to day basis by schools and for that we are grateful; however, wrapping a child up in cotton wool isn’t going to help with developing their own risk judgements. If a girl trips over her frilly sock and hurts her knee, it is very unlikely she will wear that pair of socks again.

We believe that schools should allow children to make their own judgements, and focus on putting into place health and safety management systems that will really make a difference, not only for the children but for the staff as well.

The amount of schools that are reported to be managing asbestos correctly is incredibly low. We believe that this is unacceptable, and more must be done to help raise awareness of asbestos in school buildings and how to manage asbestos correctly. This includes labelling any area of the school that is known to hold asbestos, keeping fully comprehensive records of the location and condition of the asbestos, and passing this to any contractors who are going to be undertaking any work on the building.

Here at Label Source we are proud to offer a comprehensive range of asbestos signs. However, if you can not find the exact sign you require, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.  

Thermal transfer labels are manufactured for use with industrial thermal transfer printers, and come in a selection of sizes, colours and shapes to suit a variety of purposes. They are also available in a variety of materials, in order to allow you to select the appropriate level of durability and security required for your labelling needs. At Label Source, we stock the following selection of Thermal Transfer Labels:

Self-Adhesive Paper 

Our self-adhesive paper have a thickness of 71 micron, and are available in a range of sizes and colours. They have an operating temperature range of -15 to +90 degrees (celsius), making them suitable for use in a variety of environments. Each label is top coated for print clarity, making them ideal for barcode labelling.

Self Adhesive Vinyl 

Like the regular self-adhesive labels, these vinyl thermal transfer labels come in a wide selection of colours and shapes, with a top coat for print clarity. What sets these labels apart is their high tack and bond properties, as well as their weather and chemical resistant properties. They also have an increased operating temperature range, allowing them to be used at lows of -30 degrees.

Destructible 

These labels are available in two material colours, but still come in a selection of shapes and sizes for your convenience. Like the self-adhesive vinyl, the material is highly bonding, and is resistant to weather, water, UV and chemical damage. Unlike the self-adhesive labels, however, these have a thickness of 50 micron for added durability.To provide improved security, the material fragments on attempted removal, which means that it cannot be removed intact or re-used. 

Tamper Evident 

These labels also come in a thickness of 50 micron, and have an impressive operating temperature of -40 to +150 degrees (C). They are highly durable, and can withstand damage caused by poor weather conditions or contact with chemicals. An ideal choice for security marking, this label will delaminate on attempted removal, leaving a pattern behind to mark the area. 

To see our full selection of tags, labels and nameplates, click here.

Every time we go to the bathroom, we are presented with blue signs reminding us to wash our hands.  However, it seems that these signs have become faded into the background and people have started to not notice them, or ignore them all together! Washing your hands after you have been to the bathroom and before you prepare food will kill any viruses you may be carrying and eliminate the risk of infection or contamination. A lesson that Raigmore hospital in inverness is hoping to teach their patients and visitors.

Raigmore hospital has arranged demonstrations on hand hygiene as the hospital has had multiple outbreaks of the Norovirus. Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause inflammation of the stomach and large intestine lining.  If you have contracted a norovirus you may experience flu type symptoms, such as, a low-grade fever, Chills, Headaches, muscle aches and fatigue.  Norovirous can be controlled simply by washing your hands. Doctors at Raigmore hospital are hopeing that their demonstrations will help to “re-educate” patients and visitors on how to keep their hands clean.

Unfortunatley you cannot force someone to wash their hands, using signs can work to gently remind people to wash their hands, for these signs to work effectively please ensure you have placed them in a location where people will notice them and take action.

Here at label source, we supply a huge range of mandatory hand washing signs, ideal for companies to use in their bathrooms, food preparation area or hospitals. If you can can’t find the exact sign you require, feel free to get in touch! 

Manual handling is the act of lifting or moving loads that is carried out manually by workers. These activities can include lifting, pulling, pushing, holding, stacking of heavy loads, such as boxes.

Despite its apparent simplicity, manual handling accounts for over 30% of workplace injuries, which might come as a surprise. The reason for this high number of injuries is often attributed to complacency, or the failure to anticipate anything going wrong when lifting objects.

Manual Handling Injuries

There are many risks of manual handling. Here are a few examples of manual handling injuries that can result from incorrectly picking up heavy loads.

Back Injury

Regarding manual handling, the most vulnerable area of your body is your back, especially if you lack proper lifting technique or are attempting to lift something too heavy for your capacity.

Being cautious about your back is essential not only during lifting but also while carrying, as improper posture can quickly lead to back damage. Stooping or twisting, for example, increases the risk of injury to your back, including spinal injuries and slipped discs.

Hand Injuries

During various manual handling tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling, you typically rely on your hands for gripping. However, this can pose its own hazards depending on the nature of the objects you handle. For instance, if the load is hot, it might cause burns or scalds to your skin, and if it has sharp edges, there's a risk of getting cut.

Hand injuries may not always result from direct contact with the load; the way you position them also matters. When dealing with heavy loads, failing to remove your fingers from underneath during placement could lead to bruising or even broken bones. Additionally, there's potential for fingers to become trapped between the load and nearby obstacles like containers or walls, especially during team lifts involving other individuals moving the load.

Strains and Sprains 

Have you ever experienced the frustration of picking up an object only to realise it was heavier or more challenging to grip than expected? Or perhaps, as time passed, the burden became too much to bear? You're not alone in this experience. However, it's important to be cautious, as overextending your muscles beyond their limits can result in inflammation, bruising, and discomfort.

Muscular strains and sprains frequently occur during manual handling tasks, particularly affecting the back, arms, or wrists. Therefore, it's crucial to be mindful of these risks and handle objects with proper care and technique to avoid unnecessary strain and potential injuries.

Hernias 

Continuously subjecting the abdomen to strain can lead to hernias, and it's important to note that most hernias require surgical intervention for improvement. Overexerting yourself by attempting to lift loads beyond your capacity can increase the likelihood of developing a hernia, and this risk tends to be higher as you age.

To ensure safety during manual handling tasks, it’s crucial to carefully assess the activity, taking into account both the load and the individual involved. When necessary, provide appropriate lifting aids to reduce the risk of hernias and other potential injuries.

Foot Injuries

Even though lifting typically involves hands, foot injuries remain among the seven types of manual handling injuries. Fractures often affect the foot when handling leads to dropping the load, especially if proper protective footwear is not worn.

Certain actions during manual handling, such as lifting heavy loads, carelessly dropping them from height instead of lowering them cautiously, or failing to maintain a secure grip, can result in crushing, bruising, or even broken bones in the feet. Therefore, it's crucial to prioritise safety measures and wear appropriate footwear to reduce the risk of foot injuries.

How to Prevent Manual Handling Injuries

In order to prevent manual handling injuries, follow these essential steps:

• Training and Education: Provide comprehensive training to employees on proper lifting techniques, hazard identification, and the use of lifting aids and equipment.
• Risk Assessment: Regularly assess manual handling tasks to identify potential hazards and implement control measures to reduce risks.
• Lifting Aids and Equipment: Encourage the use of lifting aids, such as trolleys and forklifts, to minimise physical strain.
• Team Lifts: Promote teamwork for heavy loads and ensure clear communication among team members.
• Proper Lifting Technique: Emphasise bending the knees, maintaining a straight back, and using leg muscles during lifting.
• Weight Limits: Establish and communicate weight limits for tasks to prevent overexertion.
• Cautionary and Safety Signs: Lifting safety signs will help you to comply with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (and the amendments in 2002), which refer to the lifting, lowering, carrying, pushing, pulling, or supporting of heavy loads. 

Protect Your Workers with Label Source

Here at Label Source, we offer a range manual handling safety signs and warning labels including signs that remind your workers to lift loads correctly, stack their loads correctly to prevent boxes falling, and to gently remind people to ask for help if they are tasked with moving a heavy load.

Not only do we produce safety signs, but we also supply safety guides. These are more detailed signs talking through how to prevent injury by correctly lifting loads, and the manual handling regulations, so in the event your employee has forgotten how to lift correctly, they can refer to these guides.

Here at Label source, we provide a huge range of electrical labels that will help you take the steps for identifying the risks and hazards of electricity and greatly reduce the likelihood of an accident.

Every year thousands of people are severely injured or killed because of accidents involving electricity. A lot of these accidents could have been prevented with the implantation of electrical warning labels; due to the very nature, and unpredictability of electricity not all of these accidents are not completely preventable. This is why it is so important that you take the correct steps to provide warnings to your employees or visitors of any electrical hazards they may encounter in your workplace.  

Contact with electricity can cause devastating effects, from shocks, which can lead to falls from height, to painful burns and in the worst cases, death.  The type of accident the contact causes is dependent on the voltage of the electricity.  Coming into contact with a voltage as low as 50v can cause a person to have a cardiac arrest, or prevent them from breathing.

To help prevent electrical accidents in the workplace it is crucial that you are testing your machinery,  equipment and even office tools such as computers, monitors and even your kettle to ensure that they are safe to use. In the event that you do find that some of your equipment is unsafe, make sure you shut it down immediately and use one of our plant maintenance electrical labels to inform every one of the machines status.

We take electrical safety extremely seriously here at label source, and we hope that you do too. This is why we have a whole department dedicated to electrical labels. Our electrical labels have been designed to highlight the hazards and dangers of live electrical equipment.  These electrical labels will help mark the following electrical hazards; High voltage, Connections, Power supplies, Live wires, and safety signs. Click here to view our electrical label department

We supply a comprehensive range of electrical labels, including a variety of specific electrical signs, however, if you cannot find the exact label that you are looking for please don’t hesitate to contact us or call a member of our customer service team on 0800 3761 693