Occupational Health Occupational Health To create and maintain - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Occupational Health

Occupational Health

• Group turnover of £105+ million

 Grounds Maintenance  Winter Maintenance (Gritting & Snow Clearance)  Arboricultural Services  Vegetation Management  Construction & Design  Ecology & Biodiversity  Pest Control  Roofing  Window Cleaning  Specialist Cleaning - Pressure Washing/Gum Removal

• A leading operator in the UK - servicing 45,000+ sites across the UK
• Local delivery – 1300+ local Delivery Teams, 70+ highly experienced Regional

Operations & Contracts Managers

• Central operations - supported by dedicated Key Account Managers, Surveyors,

HSQE Managers and national Quality Auditors

• Technology driven – value adding systems & reporting

To create and maintain external environments that are safe and enjoyable for all

Occupational Health

Our competitive advantage consists of:

• High density network of field teams (Tied and Direct),

Contract Managers, sites and customers

• Sophisticated ICT systems to schedule, deploy & monitor

work that are continually improved upon with your feedback

• Appropriately motivated and incentivised staff & teams
• Ability to deal with complex compliance requirements
• Outstanding people dedicated to World Class customer

service “Our operational delivery model allows us to deliver efficiently, effectively and safely – throughout the UK”

Occupational Health

Consecutive Met Office Gold Quality Marks Prestigious Green Flag Award Winners Multiple NFRC Safety Awards

BALI Award Winners (25 in total)

ROSPA Gold Medal Award (6 consecutive Gold Awards)

London Stock Exchange Voted in the as one of the ‘Top 1000’ Companies from a list of over 4.5 million. For fuelling the long-term growth of the UK economy

Best Growing Business and

• verall winner of Essex

Business of the Year 2015 Excellent Customer Service

Occupational Health

Winners of a Queens Award for Enterprise in Innovation

Specifically for our App Technology

Occupational Health

Occupational Health

Occupational health issues in groundcare and treework

By Neil Huck

Occupational Health

Manual Handling Statistics

Hit by moving, falling object 13% Fall 4% Hit by moving vehicle 2% Handling 38% Trip 23% Other 20%

Causes of Sickness over 3 Days

Occupational Health

Cumulative Strain

• Strain from mowing large areas of

grass at very steep angles

• Ride on equipment is unable to be

used safely on these angles

• Pedestrian mowers operations

leads to strain to lower back, legs and ankles

• The operatives were supplied with

footwear with very strong ankle support and the team was

• rganised to avoid long periods of

mowing on this grass

Occupational Health

Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome

Occupational Health

Collective term for a number of injuries

• Damaged nerves, blood vessels, bone

and muscles of the hands and arms

• Impaired blood circulation
• Vibration White Finger (VWF) is one form
• f HAVS
• Caused by prolonged and excessive

vibration

Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome

Occupational Health

First Stages

• Tingling sensation
• Pins and Needles
• May be accompanied by numbness
• Loss of sensation
• Aching digits and limbs
• Stiffness in hands, wrists, elbows and

shoulders

• Blanched fingers and numbness (tips at

first) Symptoms and Effects of HAVS

Occupational Health

Causes of HAVS

• Item

Contractor and Location Machine details Noise Reading Vibration Reading

• 1

A&J Arb, Royston Stihl HS81RC Hedgecutter, 3 months old, their ref: HC18 77-83 3.338

• 2

A&J Arb, Royston Stihl HS81RC Hedgecutter, 3 months old, their ref: HC19 77-82 3.119

• 3

A&J Arb, Royston Husqvarna 560XP Chainsaw, 3 months old, their ref: CS32 84-93 2.917

• 4

AIS, Elsenham Station Stihl HT131 Pole Saw, 6 months old 77-87 2.515

• 5

AIS, Elsenham Station Stihl MS261 Top Handle Chainsaw 14”, 6 months old 77-90 2.751

• 6

AIS, Elsenham Station Stihl HS81R Hedge Cutter, 1 year

• ld

76-82 3.793

• 7

AIS, Elsenham Station Stihl KN130R Combi Engine/ Pole Saw, 2 years old. 82-91 4.126

• 8

AIS, Newport Station Stihl MS241 15” Chainsaw, 1 year

• ld

74-90 7.219

• 9

AIS, Newport Station Stihl HS81R Hedge Cutter, 1 year

• ld

77-83 3.673

Occupational Health

Common Vibrating Tools

• Chainsaws
• Strimmers
• Hedge Trimmers
• Leaf Blowers
• Grinders
• Breakers
• Drills
• Pedestrian Mowers
• Turf Care Equipment

Causes of HAVS in Landscaping

Occupational Health

• Monitoring of exposure

levels

• Manufacturers records
• f vibration levels and

hours of exposure for each machine

Hand and Arm Vibration Syndrome Prevention

Occupational Health

• Avoid long uninterrupted use of

the machine

• Take frequent breaks to allow

blood to flow back to hands

• Rotate the use of the machine

amongst the team

• Chose machinery with low

vibration levels

• Ensure machinery is regularly

maintained

• Avoid smoking when using the

machines

HAVS Prevention

Occupational Health

• Prolonged exposure

high levels of noise can lead to permanent hearing damage and loss

• Plus conditions such as

tinnitus Hearing Damage From Work Based Machinery

Occupational Health

Hearing Damage

Do you know what levels of noise your machinery produces?

Occupational Health

Noise Levels from “Ground Control” Commonly used Machinery

• Ride on Mower

110db

• Large pedestrian mower

112db

• Strimmer

114db

• Hedge Trimmer

112db

• Hand Held Leaf Blower

114db

• Chainsaw

120db

Hearing Damage

Occupational Health

Hearing Protection at Work Regulations

• Requires all employers to assess noise levels to which

their employees are exposed to

• All equipment producing 80db and above, hearing

protection will be provided

• All equipment producing 85db and above, hearing

protection must be worn

Hearing Damage

Occupational Health

Mower accident

Occupational Health

Remote mower operation

• Reduced manual

handling and cumulative strain injuries

• Removal of

vibration exposure

• Reduction in

hearing damage

• Removal of ride

mower turn over risks

Occupational Health

And its still Going on!!

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Occupational Health

Construction Dust

• This is a general term used to describe different dusts that you may find
• n a construction site. There are three main types:
• 1. Silica dust – created when working on silica-containing materials like

concrete, mortar and sandstone (also known as respirable crystalline silica or RCS);

• 2. Wood dust – created when working on softwood, hardwood and

wood-based products like MDF and plywood;

• 3. Lower toxicity dusts – created when working on materials

containing very little or no silica. The most common include gypsum (e.g. in plasterboard), limestone, marble and dolomite.

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Occupational Health

Health Risks

• Anyone who breathes in these dusts should know the

damage they can do to the lungs and airways. The main dust-related diseases affecting construction workers are:

• Lung cancer;
• Silicosis;
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• Asthma.

27/03/2017 25

Occupational Health

Giant Hogweed, Heracleum mantegazzianum

Occupational Health

Giant Hogweed problem

Occupational Health

Giant Hogweed problem

• Grows to a height of 3m with

large leaves 600mm across

• Flowers are 400 to 600mm

across with up to 1000 seed per flower head

• Found in damp areas and

along water courses

• Contact with the hairs on the

leaves and stem, as well the sap, will cause burning and blistering of the skin

• Long term photo sensitisation
• f the skin

Occupational Health

Wild Parsnip

Occupational Health

Wild Parsnip

• This is a relatively new

invasive species found mainly in Kent, Sussex, and Norfolk it causes a large number of injuries in Europe and USA

• Injuries are mainly

confined to grounds maintenance operatives when strimming, it makes Hogweed burns look mild

Occupational Health

Sheep and deer ticks, Lyme's disease's

Occupational Health

Injuries Invasive species of insects

Brown Tailed Moth

Occupational Health

Brown Tailed Moth

• Causes sever skin irritation and asthma with

humans

• Defoliate trees and shrubs and they build a large

numbers of webbing nests on trees and shrubs

• Mainly found on members of the Roseace
• At risk are grounds maintenance team members

when pruning shrub beds and hedges

• Control by the use of Deltametherine insecticide

and physical removal of the wedding nests

Occupational Health

Oak Processionary Moth rash

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OPM Caterpillars

Occupational Health

OPM NESTS

Large Oak tree in Walton on Thames Queen Elizabeth Res, with 18 nest in the tree which had to be removed

Occupational Health

2016 Position

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Black Thorn health issues

Arboricultural operator pruning a large length of mature black thorn hedge 8m high He had one thorn in his finger 4 days later a second one The infection spread very quickly into his hand The hand became septic and had to be drained and cleaned out Evidence has shown there is an increased reaction to thorn strikes

Occupational Health

Drug use paraphernalia indicates the hazard to

• ur operatives and is a growing problem

Occupational Health

Compulsory Drugs and Alcohol testing

• Alcohol miss use in the work place can cause injury and

damage

• Alcohol and drug use in the work place can impair judgement

when operation plant and machinery

• The effects on operatives can be a problem in the work place

for days after use, putting others at risk

• Certain prescribed medication will also impair judgement and

employers must be made aware of operative who are prescribed drugs or treatment

Occupational Health

Here are just a few we test for!

27/03/2017 41

Occupational Health

Training at Ground Control

Certified In-House Training;

• QCF Emergency First Aid at Work
• NPTC City and Guilds Machinery Assessments
• Rider Mower
• Pedestrian Mower
• Strimmer
• Hedge Trimmer
• Coming Soon… Brushcutter
• NPTC City and Guilds Pesticide Assessments
• PA1 Safe Use of Pesticides
• PA6A & PA6AW Knapsack Sprayer Land & Near Water
• EUSR
• Water Hygiene
• SHEA Power
• S.P.A. – UKPIA Working on Petrol Stations
• BALI ROLO Health and Safety Course
• CIWM Waste Management – Wastesmart Training

Occupational Health

GC Learning & Ground Control Certified Training

We constantly look to add to our in-house course selection and

• ffer the current courses self certified by Ground Control;
• Behavioural Safety
• Abrasive Wheels
• CAT 4 Cable Avoidance
• Manual Handling
• Sharps and Needle sticks

Recently introduced GC Learning an online learning portal which currently holds over 100 courses ranging in subjects from health and safety to professional skills and customer service.

Occupational Health

Training at Ground Control

We work with training providers across the country facilitate training for our staff in the following areas:

• Arboriculture
• Chainsaw Qualifications
• Utility Arboriculture Qualifications
• Basic and Professional Tree Inspection
• PTS for Rail Arboriculture
• Landscape Construction
• SSSTS & SMSTS
• CSCS
• Telehandler, 360 Digger, and other machinery
• NPTC City and Guilds Safe use of Pesticide courses we do not
• ffer in-house
• Professional development courses we do not offer in-house

Occupational Health

Thank You!

Any Questions?