Health and safety guidance on handling metals

A HSE Health and Safety Executive product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 3, 2004

The Health and Safety Executive is publishing a new full colour book providing guidance to all those involved with the production, storage, transport and use of steel and similar metal stock.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is publishing a new full colour book providing guidance to all those involved with the production, storage, transport and use of steel and similar metal stock.

Safety in the Storage and Handling of Steel and other Metal Stock was written by the HSE in consultation with Wolverhampton City Council (the Lead Authority representing all Local Authorities), and the main trade association - the National Association of Steel Stockholders (NASS).

Storage and handling of metal stock accounted for 284 injuries according to provisional HSE figures for the reporting year 2003/04.

The majority of these were incidents such as musculoskeletal injuries, slips and trips, falls from height, struck or crushed by moving stock, struck or crushed by heavy lifting attachments, struck by moving vehicles or cut by sharp edges.

The guidance examines causes of injury and fatality, legal requirements, common hazards and how to assess and manage the risks from them.

It also covers the provision of training and information for employees, and the inspection and maintenance of storage and handling equipment.

The publication will prove useful for anyone working, or involved in training staff, in organisations such as stock producers, stockholders, stock hauliers or stock users.

Nick Edwards, chief environmental services officer at Wolverhampton City Council, said: "Publishing this guidance is a real achievement and shows what can be accomplished from partnership working.

"It has been eagerly awaited and I am in no doubt that it will help to improve health and safety standards.

"It will also act as an invaluable tool for enforcing authorities and assist in the consistency of enforcement - one of the original aims of the Steel Stockholding Lead Authority Partnership.

"Wolverhampton City Council is proud to have been involved in the project".

Karen Black of NASS commented: "Working in partnership with the HSE and Local Authority has enabled us to produce clear and achievable safety standards for our industry, which should help all the businesses within our sector, both large and small.

"We have worked together to make this guidance easy to understand, thereby assisting all of us to improve our health and safety standards".

John Powell of the HSE's Manufacturing Sector said: "This guidance promotes sensible health and safety, which is about managing risks, not eliminating them.

"This is a good example of HSE's commitment to being a good partner - working with Wolverhampton City Council as lead authority and NASS to improve safety in a sector of industry with an unacceptable high level of injuries and fatalities".

Copies of Safety in the Storage and Handling of Steel and Other Metal Stock, HSG246, ISBN 0 7176 1986 9, price GBP14, are available from HSE Books (follow the link from the HSE website home page) and from good booksellers.