World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025 takes place on Monday 28 April

 

Monday, 28 April 2025

93 million workers die each year as a result of work-related factors

 World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025 takes place on Monday 28 April

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is held annually on 28 April. It was established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2003 to promote safe and healthy working conditions for all employees. The objective is to prevent occupational accidents and illnesses globally. This article looks at the theme of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work and sets out a case study of one of Stewarts’ clients who sustained a life-changing injury at work.

In 2023-2024, the ILO published the following figures:

93 million workers die each year as a result of work-related factors.

395 million workers worldwide sustain a non-fatal work injury each year.

41 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat, partly due to global warming, each year resulting in 18,970 deaths.

$361bn billion could be saved globally by implementing improved safety and health measures to prevent injuries from excessive heat in the workplace.

This year’s World Day will focus on how new technologies are transforming occupational safety and health (OSH). This includes the automation of tasks, the use of smart OSH tools and monitoring systems, extended reality and virtual reality, and algorithmic management of work. Without proper OSH measures, digital technologies can cause accidents, ergonomic risks, increased work intensity, reduced job control and blurred boundaries. So, they may not be the panacea they might be thought to be, and their introduction needs to be properly risk assessed.

Case study

Stewarts frequently represents clients who have sustained life-changing injuries as a result of accidents in the workplace.

In 2022, Stewarts settled a case on behalf of a client, a full-time engineer, who caught his sleeve in a metal-turning lathe, resulting in his arm being pulled into the machinery. He had to have a traumatic amputation of his left arm above the elbow and also sustained serious injuries to his left shoulder and chest and fractures to his C6 and T4 vertebrae.

When the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited the employer’s premises, they found many machines were unguarded and, therefore, not safe. The defendant was charged with breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by failing to ensure the safety of their employees.

As a result of our client’s injuries, he was unable to return to work. Stewarts helped the client recover significant provision for his future prosthetic and rehabilitation needs.

We have a film showing another example of how we have helped clients after they’ve sustained life-changing injuries at work.

World Day for Health and Safety aims to prevent accidents like this by identifying and mitigating risks early

Understanding Step Potential and Touch Potential: Why It Matters in Electrical Safety

In high-voltage substations and transmission systems, step potential and touch potential are critical safety concerns.

Step Potential is the voltage difference a person can experience between their feet when standing on the ground during a fault condition. If there is a ground fault, dangerous voltage gradients can develop across the ground surface and just taking a step could expose someone to severe electric shock.

Touch Potential refers to the voltage difference between a grounded object (like a structure or fenceing ) and the ground itself. When a person touches a conductive object during a fault, their body can become part of the path for fault current — leading to dangerous outcomes.

Mitigation techniques include:

• Proper grounding and grid design

• Gravel surfacing to increase ground resistance

• Maintaining safe approach distances

In the world of electrical maintenance and operation, understanding these potentials is not just technical — it’s about protecting lives.

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Anonymous28 April 2025 at 23:47

Building Excellence: The Ultimate QC Checklist for Precast Column Production 🏗️*

Ensuring the quality of precast columns is crucial for the structural integrity and longevity of buildings. Here's a comprehensive checklist to guarantee excellence:

*6️⃣ Critical QC Checkpoints*

1️⃣ *Mould Preparation* 🧹

- *Dimensions*: Verify mould dimensions match approved drawings and specifications.

- *Cleanliness*: Ensure mould is free from dirt, dust, and hardened concrete.

- *Release Agent*: Apply release agent uniformly, avoiding excess.

- *Embedded Items*: Confirm correct positioning of anchors, starter bars, and inserts.

2️⃣ *Steel Cage Preparation* 🔗

- *Rebar Size and Grade*: Verify rebar size and grade match specifications.

- *Bending and Shaping*: Ensure rebar is bent and shaped according to design requirements.

- *Stirrup Spacing*: Check stirrup spacing and overlaps.

- *Cover Block Placement*: Ensure proper cover block placement to maintain concrete cover.

3️⃣ *Pre-Pour Inspection* 🔍

- *Joint Inspection*: Conduct joint inspection with relevant teams before concrete pour.

- *Mould Dimensions*: Recheck mould dimensions and alignment.

- *Rebar Positioning*: Verify rebar positioning and cage stability.

- *Embedded Items*: Confirm embedded items are properly placed and aligned.

4️⃣ *Concrete Pouring & Compaction* 🌡️

- *Concrete Temperature*: Verify concrete temperature meets specifications.

- *Slump Control*: Measure and adjust slump as necessary.

- *Continuous Pouring*: Maintain continuous pouring to avoid cold joints.

- *Vibration*: Ensure proper vibration to eliminate air pockets and achieve uniform concrete.

5️⃣ *Curing* ☁️

- *Immediate Curing*: Start curing immediately after surface sets.

- *Curing Method*: Use appropriate curing methods (wet hessian, curing compound, etc.).

- *Complete Coverage*: Ensure complete coverage, avoiding dry spots.

- *Documentation*: Document curing method and start time.

6️⃣ *De-moulding & Final Inspection* 📝

- *Curing Completion*: Confirm curing is complete before de-moulding.

- *Dimensions*: Measure final dimensions for length, width, and verticality.

- *Surface Finish*: Inspect surface finish for cracks, honeycombs, or voids.

- *QC Sign-off*: Mark columns with identification numbers and QC sign-off.

*🚨 Don't Let These Common Issues Compromise Your Project*

❌ Rebar corrosion due to insufficient concrete cover

❌ Cracking from improper curing

❌ Inaccurate lifting anchor positioning

❌ Honeycombing from poor compaction

❌ Deformation during erection

*💡 Prioritize Quality, Ensure Safety*

By following th

is checklist and addressing potential issues, you'll ensure the structural integrity and longevity of your building.