The GHS (Globally Harmonised System) of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals becomes fully effective in the UK at the end of May 2015, and replaces the previous standards for marking of dangerous or hazardous substances and mixtures. So are you ready for the changes?

The GHS standards form part of the CLP Regulations, which make the regulations legally binding throughout the EU. The standards are aimed at protecting human health and safeguarding the environment by preventing chemical-related incidents or accidents where multiple classification systems previously existed and by streamlining health and safety training to reduce the level of injuries or illness.

While many of the GHS pictograms may be familiar to you, since they are closely based on the old EU classifications, there are some subtle changes plus the introduction of health hazards to humans (such as carcinogenic or mutagenic). Therefore, the new classifications replace the longstanding black on orange format classification structure, and these become legally binding on the 31^st May.

Click here to purchase your new GHS labels and stay up-to-date with the latest regulations.

If you thought asbestos was a thing of the past, think again. Before the turn of the millennium, asbestos was used in all types of building for its insulative and fireproof properties, and while we now know how harmful it can be to human health, asbestos is still commonly found in homes, offices, schools, hospitals, and other buildings.

Here are some sobering facts from the Health and Safety Executive:

• 20 tradespeople die every week as a result of previous exposure to asbestos
• 5,000 workers are killed by asbestos-related diseases every year - fewer people are killed in road accidents each year
• Asbestos can be responsible for many life-threatening lung problems, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis and pleural thickening

The HSE is currently running a #BewareAsbestos campaign to raise awareness of asbestos, the dangers associated with it, and the fact that it is still very common in the present day. Any building that was constructed before the year 2000 could potentially contain asbestos, and if it does, this poses a risk to everybody, especially any tradespeople (electricians, plumbers, contractors, etc.) who carry out work in the building.

Here at Label Source, we sell a wide range of asbestos warning signs that can be used to warn workers and the general public of asbestos problems on your premises. Here are some of the signs we can provide:

Click here to see the rest of Label Source's asbestos signs.

'Corporate manslaughter' is a phrase that we hear all too often in the health and safety industry. It feels like we see a new report about fatal negligence every week, and if you've been reading these stories as regularly as we have, you're no doubt wondering exactly what 'corporate manslaughter' is.

In a nutshell, 'corporate manslaughter' is a crime of which companies and organisations may be convicted if they are found to have caused (or failed to prevent) the death of a worker. If your company fails to follow health and safety regulations, and this negligence leads to the death of one of your colleagues, then your company may well be charged with corporate manslaughter.

One recent example (reported earlier this week on the HSE website) is the case of Jason Pennington, a 42-year-old construction worker from Lancashire who died after falling through a skylight onto a concrete floor. His employer, Peter Mawson, has been sentenced to eight months in prison, 200 hours of unpaid work, and two years' suspension. He must also pay costs of £31,504.77, and he is legally obliged to advertise the accident on his company's website for a set period of time, as well as taking out a half-page spread in the local newspaper. Furthermore, Mawson's company (Peter Mawson Ltd) has itself been fined a total of £220,200.

Corporate manslaughter has been part of UK law since 2008, and the above story demonstrates just how serious the penalties can be. Of course, as we've pointed out before, the risk of death alone should be incentive enough for business owners - if you don't put up the right safety signs and make sure everyone is working safely, you are putting human lives at risk. Don't let your company's name be sullied by corporate manslaughter charges!

When you work with live electrical equipment it is vital that the appropriate electrical hazard warning products are in place to ensure health and safety. Label Source offer a comprehensive range of Electrical Warning Labels and Electrical Warning Signs for the appropriate labelling of electrical hazards. 

Our range of electrical hazard warning products can be used in a variety of environments, both indoors and out. They are most commonly used, however, in the following areas:

• Power stations
• Workplaces with heavy machinery
• Environments with many plugs, extension leads and cables (e.g. live music venues)
• Electrified railways/tram lines
• Underground/overground power cables

Some of the electrical hazards that should be marked with our electrical hazard warning products:

• High operating voltages
• Safety connections
• Devices that require regular inspection
• Power supplies

Our Electrical Warning Labels are made of durable and rigid, and each label has a self-adhesive backing so that you can add them easily. Our electrical labels use internationally-recognised symbolds and clear, bold text that is extremely easy to read. Our Electrical Warning Signs also use clear and bold text, and are made to meet all necessary regulations including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994, and the Electricity Safety Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002. 

Electrical installations can be extremely dangerous and should always be marked with the appropriate safety signs and labels to minimise risk. Our range of electrical hazard warning products can prevent electric shocks, burns and even death be electrocution.

To discuss our Electrical Warning Signs, or for queries about our Electrical Warning Labels please don't hesitate to give us a call on 0800 3761 693. 

Two women have been injured in a scaffolding accident in Leicester. It is believed that strong weather conditions caused the scaffolding to collapse on this busy Leicester street, injuring two women in the process.

As advocates of helath and safety procedures and legistlations, Label Source are regularly seen posting content both in our blog and across our social media channels condemning those companies who disobey health and safety legislation, or fail to meet the health and safety standards required of their business. However, on some unfortunate occasions, like this one it seems, accidents can happen through no fault of the company - or indeed anyone! 

If the wind is strong enough to pull down scaffolding and unfortunately injure civillians in the process, then indeed there is nothing any degree of health and safety legislation could have done to prevent such a tragic accident. Occasionally accidents are unavoidable. However, any business is required by duty to protect themselves, their staff, and the general public by ensuring they meet health and safety requirements at all costs, and this is the best thing we can possibly do to attempt to minimise awful accidents like this from happening. Health and safety legislations are there to protect us and ensure our safety, and abiding by them religiously is the best way to ensure this. 

Site safety notice scaffold banner 

If you're working with scaffolding, please ensure you have the appropriate safety signs, labels, notices and tape in place to minimise the risk of accidents at all costs. Our range of scaffolding safety products can be viewed here. 

For any advice on which scaffolding safety products you need, please don't hesitate to give us a call on 0800 3761 963.