Manual handling (a catch-all phrase that refers to any lifting, lowering, filling, emptying, or carrying that is done by manpower alone) can be quite dangerous, particularly if the loads involved are extremely heavy. The risks involved with these task means that injuries are common when the correct health and safety measures aren't followed. Of course, it's hard to avoid these tasks altogether, so here are three top tips for staying safe whilst carrying out any manual handling task in the workplace:

Our first manual handling tip is to fill out a manual handling assessment form before you start. These forms encourage workers to properly scrutinise the potential risks asociated with a manual handling task; a properly filled-out form will minimise the chance of an accident, and if an accident does occurr, it may help to exonerate the employer from blame by proving that the correct health and safety procedures were followed.

Our second manual handling safety tip is to always label heavy loads appropriately. Using warning labels such as the one shown above will ensure that your employees are aware of dangerously heavy loads before attempting to lift them.

Our final manual handling safety tip is to use the correct safety signs. Putting safety warnings around your workplace (as well as on the loads themselves) will further improve your workforce's knowledge of manual handling safety.

To follow these tips properly you should visit our Manual Handling Safety department now and start improving safety in your workplace!

Most of us use electricity every day - it's an easy luxury to take for granted, and in doing so, we often forget just how dangerous electricity can be. As May is Electrical Safety Month, here are a few stories to remind us of exactly what can happen when electricity is misused and safety regulations are ignored:

HGV Driver Electrocuted by Overhead Power Lines
from hse.gov.uk, 12 January 2015

Nigel Fox, a 59-year-old man from Northamptonshire, was tragically killed when the lorry he was driving struck an 11,000 volt power line on a farm in Salisbury. The farm's owner, Tony Slade, was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £5,609; in a press release, the Health and Safety Executive stated that "Mr Slade had made no attempt to remove or reduce the serious risk associated with the power line crossing the yard", going on to suggest that Slade should have considered "diverting the cable or providing signs or barriers to warn visitors of its existence".

Apprentice Electrician Killed by Exposed Electrical Bars
from rochdaleonline.co.uk, 22 April 2015

Nathan Brown, a 19-year-old apprentice electrician from Rochdale, was testing a set of lights when he came into contact with an unprotected set of busbars and received a lethal electric shock. The shock sent Brown falling head-first onto a roof below, but a pathologist stated that he "probably suffered a cardiac arrest before falling to the ground" - that is, he was killed by the electricity, not by the fall. Brown had been working with his father David, who in the aftermath of the accident made this statement: "As far as I am aware the busbar should have been marked up in a sleeve with the marking 'danger high voltage'. I have never come across a busbar not sleeved and marked with an appropriate sign."

Bradford Man Hospitalised After Using Unsafe Testing Equipment
from hse.gov.uk, 24 January 2014

An unnamed 22-year-old from Bradford needed skin grafts on both hands after touching an exposed conductor and receiving a 415 volt electric shock. The conductors were part of some testing equipment that the man was using to test a transformer; his employer, Wilson Power Solutions Ltd, was fined £6,500 for giving the trainee "unsafe, inappropriate and poorly maintained equipment to test an electrical transformer with no training or supervision".

So, how can you prevent accidents like these in your workplace?

• Use appropriate warning signs
• Keep electrical equipment in good condition
• Before allowing an employee to work with electricity, ensure that he/she is properly trained to do so

Do you have something to say about electrical safety? Join our #ElectricalSafetyMonth conversation on Twitter.

Last year, we published a blog post about the dangers of vandalising safety signs. At the time, these sensless acts were despciably common in Britain, and we regret to announce that little seems to have changed in the intervening months. Here are two shameful stories from this week alone:

Clevedon road safety signs stolen

from the North Somerset Times

Vandals in Clevedon have removed at least seven 30mph speed limit signs, along with multiple child crossing signs, from the town's roads over the last few weeks. The chairman of a local community group stated that it would be a "big job" to check throughout the town and replace the stolen signs, which are necessary to keep motorists driving at safe speeds.

Vandals remove safety signs at Scottish reservoir

from the The Evening Times

Essential safety signs have also been stolen from the site of Balgray reservoir in Glasgow. Reports suggest that signs have been removed, thrown in the reservoir, and even set on fire; a Scottish Water spokesman pointed out that the signs "are there to help save lives" and that "the vandals' actions could put lives at risk".

Photo by Elliott Brown

People throughout the United States of America are currently observing National Electrical Safety Month, an annual event that aims to raise awarness of electrical hazards and the potentially tragic consequences thereof. National Electrical Safety Month is organised by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), and the initiative has been recognised by, among others, US president Barack Obama. In a message bearing his signature, the president highlights many of the hazards that accompany the use of electricity, going on to state that "it is up to all of us to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our homes, schools, and workplaces from the dangers of electrical hazards."

While National Electrical Safety Month is an American observance, we at Label Source think that the whole world could benefit from marking the date and thinking a little harder about electrical safety. The closest thing we have in the UK seems to be Electrical Fire Safety Week (held each year in November), but this is both shorter and more specifc than the American initiative. Throughout the month of May, we'll be doing all we can to improve everybody's attitude towards electrical safety, and we'd be thrilled if everybody reading this did the same!

Here are just a few of the ways to boost electrical safety in your home and workplace:

• Leave electrical work to qualified professionals
• Abide by the manufacturer's safety instructions when using electrical appliances
• Use the appropriate safety signs and warning labels to identify electrical hazards
• Keep your electrical cables in good condition and label them to prevent accidents 

From now until the end of the month, we'll be using the #ElectricalSafetyMonth hashtag on Twitter and other social networks. Follow @LabelSourceUK now to keep up with our latest posts!

Everyone has the right to a safe working environment. If you are failing to ensure the continued safety and wellbeing of your employees, you could well be liable from a legal standpoint, and - more importantly - you may be putting people's lives at risk.

So, is your workplace up to health and safety standards? Here are 3 things to check:

Electrical Safety

Make sure that any electrical hazards in your workplace are properly marked with the appropriate safety signs. You should also label your electrical cables to minimise the risk of an incident. Ensure that all portable electrical appliances have been PAT tested and are safe for use.

Fire Safety

Would you and your staff members be able to safely evacuate the premises in the event of a fire? Are your fire doors clearly labelled and kept shut at all times? Does your building have easily accessible emergency exits, and if so, are they clearly signposted? Will your fire equipment be easy to locate and use in an emergency situation?

Personal Protection

Some workplaces - such as construction sites - require the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment). As the site owner, you must provide your workers with the necessary safety equipment (e.g. hard hats, goggles, breathing apparatus); you must also enforce the proper use of these items at all times and provide clear safety signs to inform people of any PPE requirements that apply to them.