Health And Safety Manuals Deal With Extreme Environments

By Author: Abbey smith
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Health and Safety manuals can make sure employees in extreme working environments are aware of the risks to which they may be exposed.

The Health and Safety Executive has reminded employers of their obligations, as well as pointing out some of the conditions that can put workers at risk without them realising it.

In terms of the built environment in which work is carried out, temperature is a key concern - and one that employers have specific responsibility to take care of.

Health and Safety manuals for cold premises

Whether due to outside environmental conditions, or because of the nature of the work carried out, it is important to provide Health and Safety manuals to employees who are exposed to extremely cold temperatures.

At temperatures below 12 degrees C, there is no specific HSE guidance; however, the Executive stresses the importance of safety equipment such as protective gloves when handling cold items.

Employers should ensure they have assessed any relevant risks and taken steps to negate them - making Health and Safety manuals even more important in the absence of general ...
... guidance for such environments.

Health and Safety manuals for hot premises

Health and Safety manuals can also highlight the threat of heat stress to those working in hot environments.

The effects of high ambient temperatures can be compounded by wearing unsuitable clothing, and by dehydration, putting employees at unnecessary risk.

But issuing comprehensive Health and Safety manuals can counteract this risk by encouraging employees to take on water when it is safe to do so, and to use any mechanical aids intended to keep them cool in a way that does not put them under any additional threat.

Health and Safety manuals for temperate climates

Even in working climates where temperatures rarely reach beyond the usual, comfortable range, there are many reasons to provide Health and Safety manuals to employees throughout the workforce.

Those involved in manual work must still be reminded of proper handling procedures for items and the correct way to use any machinery associated with their role.

Office workers face a different kind of threat; here it is unlikely that heat or cold stress will be a major ongoing factor, but other forms of stress can be significant.

As such, Health and Safety manuals should cover the basics of how to sit comfortably, correct positioning and use of keyboards and mice, and the value of taking regular short breaks to avoid psychological strain.Health and safety manuals are available from Valco Services to suit most requirements within the building services and engineering industries.