Workplace Safety Compliance Guides
A Ridgegear winch refurbishment at Velocity Safety, including internal components, a new service kit and rope kit, with photos from the workshop.
“A davit arm is only as dependable as its base, its connections and the rescue plan behind it.” A davit arm can provide an overhead attachment point for confined-space entry […]
“An LEV test should tell you whether extraction still controls the dust or fume your workers are exposed to – not simply whether the fan turns on.” If your workplace […]
“An anchor point is only suitable if the whole system – including its fixings, supporting structure and intended use – has been considered.” A worker may see a metal eye […]
“For a fire involving electrical equipment, the right extinguisher matters. So does knowing when to leave it alone.” A CO₂ fire extinguisher is commonly used for fires involving electrical equipment. […]
“Service-free does not mean maintenance-free. P50 fire extinguishers still require a recorded annual inspection.” A P50 fire extinguisher is a lightweight composite extinguisher designed to provide long-life fire protection with […]
“A recent calibration does not prove that your portable gas detector will respond correctly today.” A bump test and a calibration are not the same procedure. Calibration checks the accuracy […]
“A great couple of days in Plymouth providing PortaCount 8040 and RPE competent person training.” Velocity Safety recently travelled to Plymouth to provide two days of respiratory protective equipment training […]
“Proper fall arrest block servicing requires manufacturer training, specialist equipment and the correct service procedures.” Velocity Safety is now an authorised G-Force service agent and distributor for G-Force fall arrest […]
“A coloured inspection tag does not prove that lifting equipment is correctly marked, traceable or safe to use.” Lifting equipment can appear serviceable while its identification plate, load tag or […]
“A powered respirator can appear operational while damaged seals, blocked filters, deteriorating batteries or insufficient airflow reduce the protection it provides.” JSP PowerCap systems combine powered respiratory protection with an […]
“Velocity Safety is now the sole UK service agent for applicable Aresta, JSP and Delta Plus fall arrest blocks – providing a direct, manufacturer-authorised route for inspection, servicing, repair and […]
“A PSSR examination is not a generic pressure vessel checklist. The Written Scheme of Examination determines what must be examined, how and when.” What actually happens when a pressure vessel […]
“Permanent doesn’t mean maintenance-free. A fixed ladder can stay in place for decades while its fixings, structure and access points deteriorate.” A fixed ladder may provide access to a roof, […]
“An anchor point can sit unused for months – but if somebody falls, it may suddenly be the most important component in the entire fall protection system.” Fall arrest anchor […]
“The right face fit test is the one that is suitable for the facepiece and wearer – not simply the cheapest or most technical option.” When tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment […]
“A PTV of 36 or more is generally the benchmark people look for — but it still needs context.” If you have had a pendulum slip test completed, one of […]
“New doesn’t always mean compliant.” A client recently supplied us with a brand new item of lifting equipment purchased online for examination before use. Although the equipment had never been […]
“Brand new doesn’t automatically mean compliant.” Many businesses assume that if lifting equipment arrives brand new in the box, it must be safe to use. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the […]
See real workshop examples of hidden spring and brake-disc faults, and understand the different roles of pre-use checks, periodic inspection and manufacturer-specified servicing.
“A supplied air respirator system is much more than just a compressor. Every part of the installation plays a role in keeping your workforce protected and your business compliant.” Installing […]
“Saving money on day one means very little if the equipment can’t be repaired five years later.” When businesses buy fall arrest equipment online, the purchase price often becomes the […]
“Installing fire extinguishers properly is about far more than putting a red box on the wall.” Most people think a fire extinguisher installation simply involves fixing extinguishers to the wall […]
“Buying safety equipment is easy. Knowing who will maintain it in five years’ time is the difficult part.” Buying health and safety equipment online has never been easier. Within a […]
“Testing a floor before it’s installed is usually much cheaper than replacing it afterwards.” Slip resistance is often only considered after someone has had an accident or once a newly […]
“Cheap doesn’t have to mean non-compliant.” Yes, you can buy refurbished or older fire extinguishers, but only if they are still safe, suitable, serviceable and properly commissioned before use. A […]
CAT4, CAT4+, C.Scope and Radiodetection tools all help reduce cable strike risk, but they are not all designed for the same level of locating work. Cable avoidance tools are used […]
If you’ve ever seen someone being lowered into a manhole, rescued from a confined space, or working safely over the edge of a rooftop, there is a good chance a […]
A failed inspection does not always mean your fall arrest equipment has to be replaced. Sometimes the bigger problem is whether anyone can legally repair, service or recertify it. When […]
Your LEV system can have a recent inspection report and still not be working properly on site. If your Local Exhaust Ventilation system has a recent inspection report, it is […]
“A new compressor can still need a Written Scheme of Examination before you switch it on.” Buying a new air compressor does not automatically make the complete installation ready for […]
A davit arm can look fine on the surface and still fail inspection if the paperwork behind it is missing. If your davit arm, socket or anchor system has failed […]
How Multi-Discipline On-Site Safety Inspections Work: Gas Monitors, Tripods, Winches & Fall Arrest Blocks Some jobs aren’t one-discipline visits. For many clients – especially those working in confined spaces, utilities, […]
When a large vessel docks for a tight turnaround, every hour matters. When that vessel is staring down £300,000 per day in delay costs, every hour really matters. Velocity Safety […]
When it comes to fall arrest blocks, inertia reels, harnesses and lanyards, it’s easy to assume that “any competent tester” can service or inspect them. But personal fall protection equipment […]
A lot of businesses believe LEV systems need a Thorough Examination & Test (TExT) every 14 months. It’s one of the most commonly repeated “facts” in health & safety. And […]
When a business books a LEV test, noise assessment, HAVS measurement, air purity test, or PSSR inspection, one assumption is quietly made: “The readings will be accurate.” Those readings are […]
Working safely at height on mobile access towers means being prepared for emergencies. A clear, step-by-step rescue plan is essential to protect your team if something goes wrong. Here’s a […]
At Velocity Safety, we’re always investing in the latest technology to provide our clients with the most accurate and efficient safety testing services. Recently, we took delivery of a new […]
Portable dust extraction plays a vital role in protecting workers from hazardous dust exposure. However, many sites struggle with a simple but significant issue: connecting dust extractors to tools correctly. […]
Fire safety is critical – but so is getting good value for your money. Unfortunately, overselling of fire extinguishers, stands, signage, and ancillary equipment is common in the industry. Many […]
What is an inertia reel? Explore illustrated fall arrest examples, model differences, clearance, rescue, inspection and relevant safety standards.
“A calibration date tells you when a gas detector was checked. The right interval depends on the detector, the conditions it works in and what could happen if it fails.” […]
If you’ve been struggling with renewing CHAS SSIP accreditation, you’re not alone. A recent client was caught in the nightmare of an expired Veriforce CHAS certificate – unable to complete […]
A Globestock G-Saver II before-and-after example, with practical checks to help assess refurbishment against replacement: condition, parts, manufacturer support and total cost.
Many compressors and their air receivers don’t get the proper maintenance or examination routines they legally require. Part of the reason? The Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (PSSR 2000) isn’t […]
Late Friday afternoon, a client contacted us needing urgent commissioning of new fire extinguishers for a site they were working on. They hadn’t realised that newly purchased extinguishers must be […]
Not all workers are exposed to the same levels of noise – yet most assessments treat them as if they are. That’s where personal noise dosimeters like the doseBadge come […]
Thorough examinations of lifting accessories are exactly that – thorough. When lifting chains are covered in surface rust, a simple visual inspection isn’t enough. Rust makes it harder to spot […]
“An annual service does not replace the checks needed during the other 364 days of the year.” Fire extinguishers need to remain in the right place, accessible and ready for […]
“A face fit test shows whether the mask you’ll use at work can maintain a seal while you breathe, speak and move.” A face fit test is a practical assessment […]
Lots of UK businesses assume that any facilities engineer, caretaker or “handy person” can do the annual fire extinguisher service. In reality, the law splits things into two roles: A […]
“A tight-fitting respirator only protects its wearer when the face seal fits that individual.” Face fit testing checks whether a particular tight-fitting respirator can form an adequate seal on the […]
Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a serious occupational hazard, and accurately assessing risk starts with understanding how your tools behave in the field – not just what the manufacturer says […]
Accurate noise monitoring is more than just taking a one-time measurement. To effectively protect workers and comply with regulations, you need properly calibrated equipment and consistent follow-ups to catch changes […]
Recently, Velocity Safety onboarded three new clients – all frustrated by other suppliers’ inflexibility or inability to complete vital safety work on time. Client Spotlights When providers fall short, the […]
Understand BS 5306 parts 3, 8 and 9, UK fire-safety duties, maintenance intervals and the records that support an extinguisher review.
“An old fire extinguisher may still be pressurised. Its contents and condition determine how it should be handled and disposed of.” An unwanted fire extinguisher should not be put in […]
What fire extinguisher commissioning involves, why new units need on-site checks, how it differs from servicing, and what records to request.
Most people think P3 filters are created equal. They’re not. If you’re buying powered respirators for a bearded workforce, or looking for a face-fit-free RPE option, don’t just compare models […]
“An outdoor cabinet can protect an extinguisher from rain, but it cannot make the wrong extinguisher suitable for freezing weather.” A fire extinguisher needs to suit both the fire risk […]
On a live construction site, a fire point has to work first time – signage clear, stands stable, and extinguishers ready to use. We recently helped a new construction client […]
Air compressors seem like set-and-forget tools – plug them in, pressurise, and get on with the job. But hidden inside the vessel is a rust time bomb if you’re not […]
Yes – and it’s one of the most commonly overlooked compliance gaps in workplaces using on-tool extraction. Portable dust extractors are often treated like ordinary site vacuums. But when they […]
Reusable respiratory protection requires ongoing attention – not just a one-off setup. Whether you’re using tight-fitting face masks, airline-fed systems, or half-masks for spray booths or COSHH controls, RPE must […]
One Stand. Three Emergencies. Zero Hassle Most site safety kits are cobbled together from different suppliers, held together with cable ties and crossed fingers. We’re doing things differently. This all-in-one […]
“An inspection booking does not replace a Written Scheme of Examination. The scheme defines what must be examined before the examination takes place.” An air receiver can be easy to […]
Off-the-Shelf Isn’t Always Enough When it comes to emergency preparedness, most stands and signage kits fall short. The templates are basic, the materials aren’t built for site use, and the […]
The wrong extinguisher in the wrong place can cost you money, compliance, and real protection when it counts. We recently came across a purple-labelled Class D extinguisher sat next to […]
We’ve carried out breathing air testing for several years – but we’ve now upgraded to a digital unit to give our clients even more traceability, speed, and accuracy. New Equipment […]
Every year, we service and calibrate our own kit because doing things right starts with the tools we use. What We Calibrate We recently received back a batch of essential […]
We’ve all seen fire point stands at outdoor sites telling people to “leave the building” – even when there isn’t one. At Velocity Safety, we think compliance should be smarter […]
Every site is different – but the goal is always the same: deliver full compliance with minimal disruption. Here’s a recent Friday job from the Velocity Safety team. Supporting On-Site […]
“A HEPA filter can be the correct grade and still leak after it has been installed.” A filter’s manufacturer rating describes the filter element under defined test conditions. It does […]
Discover how Pendulum Slip Testing measures real-world floor safety – and what your PTV score actually means. The Pendulum Slip Test (also known as the British Pendulum Test) is the […]
Explore how CAT & Genny detection modes work, why plastic pipes can be missed, and what calibration checks and certificates actually tell you.
“A fire point still needs to be in the right place when the workplace layout changes.” Fire extinguisher trolleys give businesses a way to position portable firefighting equipment where fixed […]
Gas detector calibration protects lives – and keeps you legally compliant. Gas detection units (GDUs) are essential for identifying hazardous atmospheres – but their accuracy degrades over time. If not […]
“The risk depends on both how strongly a tool vibrates and how long it is actually used.” A hand-arm vibration (HAV) risk assessment identifies which workers are exposed to vibration, […]
