YH/470/07 15 October 2007

HSE finds printing 'on the right lines' in Yorkshire & Humber

An intensive inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of small firms in the printing industry in Leeds, Wakefield and York last month demonstrated some positive results.

It revealed standards in the region to be generally better than average, with most employers showing a good awareness of health of safety issues.

However HSE Inspectors, who in total visited 121 sites throughout the month and carried out 81 inspections, still found it necessary to issue a total of nine enforcement notices at five different factories.

These focused on issues like:

• Guarding and regular inspection of guillotines
• guarding on a litho press and gluing machine
• risk of skin irritation and dermatitis
• manual handling of screens used in screen printing
• maintenance of local exhaust ventilation
• poorly maintained electrical equipment
• lack of health and safety monitoring.

HSE Principal Inspector Keith King, who led the campaign, said:

“It is encouraging to note that, generally speaking, employers and employees in the region’s industry appear to recognise the benefits of what we might call ‘good housekeeping’.

“There is an understanding of the importance of floor cleaning in the prevention of slips, trips and falls, and the need to avoid contact with materials and protect the skin to prevent dermatitis.

“But more effort is still needed to ensure that proactive maintenance and checking of guards – particularly on ‘high risk’ machinery like guillotines and platen presses – is carried out routinely.

“Repetitive strain and manual handling injuries caused by unloading and loading pallets, and lifting and pouring liquids from containers, are still a problem and care continues to be needed in the storage and containment of flammable liquids and solvents.”

Employers in general were also advised about the particular needs of agency and migrant workers who, at the start of their employment might be considered vulnerable and in need of appropriate training and supervision.

The inspection campaign, which focused in on firms employing less than 25 people, covered 43 sites in Leeds, 23 in Wakefield, and 15 in York. Of the 121 sites visited where printing factories were previously registered, it was found that 40 businesses had since closed or moved.

Notes to editors

1. More detailed information about HSE’s current priorities for the printing sector can be found on HSE’s website at www.hse.gov.uk/printing/index.htm

Public enquiries

HSE's InfoLine: 0845 3450055
Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG

HSE information and news releases can be accessed on the Internet www.hse.gov.uk

Issued on behalf of HSE by Anne Haynes, GNN Yorkshire and Humber, tel: 0113 341 3172; email: anne.haynes@gnn.gsi.gov.uk