Health and Safety Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

11/11/2021 PPE: Up close and personal In the wake of supply failures and often mediocre quality PPE equipment during the pandemic, a new conformity assessment process is now in force for placing all forms of such protective wear on the market. By Brian Wall » Read More

17/08/2020 Suit up The International Space Station is a modular space station in the low Earth orbit and just like industrial, commercial and domestic facilities across our planet, it typically needs to be maintained, repaired and upgraded by its residents. ... » Read More

15/06/2020 Cutting effects Testing, inspection and compliance services provider Socotec discusses the health risks associated with respirable crystalline silica (RCS) and how best to protect against its harmful effects » Read More

01/06/2020 A national effort The UK, like many parts of the world, has been constrained by the on-going Covid-19 pandemic. However, in such a time of need, UK industry has stepped up once again and continues to play a key role in the fight back » Read More

30/03/2020 Handy advice Irritant contact dermatitis is an eczema that can be triggered by a range of substances used across industry. This article focuses on employee hands and looks at what measures can be put in place to prevent it » Read More

05/08/2019 Listen ear Noise exposure from tools and equipment can be damaging to personnel. A range of PPE and other solutions can mitigate the risks » Read More

05/02/2019 Cleaning up Leaks and uncontrolled releases of diesel can have major impacts on nature and the environment if they aren’t dealt with properly. Luckily there are different measures, products and services available for operators and businesses in ... » Read More

17/10/2018 Now you see me High-visibility clothing has become an essential part of work in and around industrial environments and vehicles. Adam Offord explores the legal basis, performance standards and properties of the much-used personal protective equipment » Read More

28/10/2017 Industrial vending – vote or veto Industrial vending machines can be used to stock a range of items and tools, but would they work on your site? Adam Offord explores the options » Read More

28/10/2017 Protecting the protective equipment Everyone knows the importance of wearing the correct PPE at all times. However, Chris Beck discovers there is a worrying knowledge gap when it comes to caring for this vital equipment » Read More

15/04/2013 Education and innovation The forthcoming Safety & Health Expo promises to deliver a broad educational content, as well as a showcase of the latest products and services. We look ahead to the event and find out what visitors can expect to see and hear. » Read More

16/01/2013 Human shield Keeping employees safe from workplace risks or hazards is a daily challenge for manufacturing employers. That's where personal protective equipment comes in, as Laura Cork reports. » Read More

01/08/2012 Accidents waiting to happen? Although blessed with one of the best industrial health and safety records on the planet, statistics reveal that the UK cannot afford to become complacent. Brian Tinham examines problems and solutions » Read More

01/08/2012 To protect and serve Personal protective equipment is clearly a must in all sorts of plant and factory environments, yet problems with adoption are still reported. Brian Wall advises that PPE needs to be carefully monitored and regulated » Read More

05/04/2012 Is your boiler house safe? As de-manning on steam and hot water boiler plant continues to gain momentum, operators need to consider best practice and their legal duties in respect of operational safety, warns S Moore Holmes » Read More

08/08/2011 The master forgers Employee safety remains paramount and the legislation around personal protective equipment reflect that. But how do you tell counterfeit goods from the authentic? Brian Wall reports » Read More

09/02/2011 Maintec 2011 preview This year's tightly focused maintenance technologies event is aimed at engineers, technicians and managers specialising in plant assets. Brian Tinham reports » Read More

09/12/2010 Safe maintenance Following publication of Lord Young's report into improving health and safety, plant engineers need to get back to basics. Brian Tinham talks to Geoff Cox, HSE's head of manufacturing » Read More

10/08/2010 Comfort zone Protecting plant employees with state-of-the-art equipment and clothing is both the goal and bane of plant management, as Brian Wall reports » Read More

01/10/2009 It’s a (dangerous) gas Gas detection is critical on a wide range of plants, in a wide range of industries. Brian Tinham looks at the issues with installation and particularly maintenance » Read More

01/04/2009 Protection collection Much more comfortable safety gloves and shoes, ultra lightweight eye glasses and overalls, an ingenious plastic drum barrow and clearer warnings on gas detectors were among highlights at the Health and Safety 09 show at Sandown race course. » Read More

01/04/2009 Belt and braces Can you recall some of the more extreme reactions from the general public when the idea of compulsory seat belts was first mooted? They ranged from: 'No one can make me put one of those things on' to 'No [expletive deleted] way!' In short, ... » Read More

01/04/2008 Overall benefits The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide (Scotland) Act 2007 will enter the statute books in June this year. Under its provisions, it will be easier for companies of all sizes to be successfully prosecuted for causing the death of ... » Read More

01/03/2008 A process of elimination Mercifully, serious incidents in the process industries are few and far between. Sadly, however, when they do happen, they're devastating. Consider Flixborough back in 1974, Piper Alpha in the North Sea in 1988 and, much more recently, ... » Read More

01/04/2007 Getting the personal touch Nothing can be more important than employee safety: turnover and profit are meaningless in comparison with the well-being and security of staff. If a serious accident, or worse a fatality, occurs as a result of poor safety practice, the ... » Read More