BLACK BOX WILL REVEAL CAUSE OF TUBE CRASH
Posted Monday, January 27, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Saturday's London Underground train crash that injured over thirty passengers may well have been a result of mechanical problems related to the type of train.
According to one speculative account, the derailment and collision with tunnel walls could have resulted initially from a motor's retaining bolts loosening. The RMT union say the driver reported a fault some minutes earlier and had been directed to continue to Holborn station one stop beyond where the crash occurred
Saturday's London Underground train crash that injured over thirty passengers may well have been a result of mechanical problems related to the type of train.
According to one speculative account, the derailment and collision with tunnel walls could have resulted initially from a motor's retaining bolts loosening. The RMT union say the driver reported a fault some minutes earlier and had been directed to continue to Holborn station one stop beyond where the crash occurred
KARTING SAFETY BRIEFINGS
Posted Monday, January 27, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
New guidance for karting operators has been issued to make sure that driver safety briefings are effective.
Written in consultation with the National Karting Association and the Fairgrounds Joint Advisory Committee, kart drivers, who are effectively in control of their own safety and that of others on the track, need to know how to control the vehicle and how to respond to the safety signals they are given while driving.
The guidance emphasises how important it is that the briefings present the safety information in a way that the drivers can understand and remember.
Devising briefings
The information in Effective safety briefings for drivers at karting circuits is based on the findings of research carried out by the Health and Safety Laboratory and includes a briefing framework that can be used by operators when devising their own briefings.
Gavin Howat of HSE's Food and Entertainment Sector says:"This information sheet complements information already contained in the HSE publication 'Go-karts, guidance on safe operation and use' and will help operators to continue to run their circuits in a safe manner. I would like to thank all those involved in the preparation of the sheet for all their hard work."
Copies of Effective safety briefings for drivers at karting circuits Entertainment Information Sheet no 21 can be downloaded from the HSE website or ordered online at www.hsebooks.co.uk
HSE HAS ISSUED A WARNING AGAINST THE USE OF DUST MASKS.
Posted Monday, January 27, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
People who work with harmful dusts should not use nuisance dust masks to protect themselves from exposure, it advises. HSE is encouraging the voluntary withdrawal from sale of nuisance dust masks, also known as comfort masks or hygiene masks & is urging the use of approved CE-marked disposable respirators instead.
The warning comes in support of HSC's campaign to reduce respiratory diseases such as occupational asthma, which is the most frequently diagnosed occupational related respiratory disease in Great Britain.
Dust masks are not protective devices
Nuisance dust masks should only be used when dusts are not hazardous to health, but they are often used as cheap alternatives to the correct protective equipment.
Despite resembling the kind of disposable respirators that should be used, nuisance dust masks are not protective devices. They perform badly & do not have to meet basic health and safety requirements. However they are readily available to industry, DIY enthusiasts & hobbyists, which means that they may be found in a variety of occupational and domestic environments and consequently could be used for purposes that they are not intended for.
NUISANCE DUST MASKS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR:
For protection against fine dusts, welding fumes, asbestos, fine sand, paint spray, gases, vapours or aerosols.
For substances with a maximum exposure limit because the law requires that exposures to these be reduced as much as possible. This means they are unsuitable for protection against grain dust, flour dust, ferrous foundry dust, hard or softwood dust, wool process dust or fume from rosin-based solder flux.
To give protection from substances that cause occupational asthma but do not have occupational exposure limits. Examples include some dyes, antibiotic dusts, proteolytic enzymes and mould spores.
ENFORCEMENT
HSE principal specialist inspector Dr Bob Rajan says: "HSE will enforce against employers who issue nuisance dust masks inappropriately when proper respirators should be used, although HSE cannot prohibit their sale. A statutory ban on these masks would require a change in European law. However HSE is committed to ensuring that workers' health is better protected. In particular, HSE has set a target of 30% reduction in new cases of occupational asthma by 2010. If nuisance dust masks have been used because of a lack of proper risk assessment, replacement by appropriate disposable respirators should show health benefits."
Nuisance dust masks may consist of a thin metal plate that holds a piece of gauze over the nose and mouth or a lightweight filter that looks similar to a disposable dust respirator and are not classified as personal protective equipment.
They are not CE-marked to show that they comply with European Directive (89/686/EEC) or against a recognised standard for respiratory protection.
All disposable respirators must be individually CE-marked. They are also marked to show the European standard, EN 149, and class, FFP1 (low efficiency), FFP2 (medium efficiency) or FFP3 (high efficiency). EN 149 indicates that the respirator conforms to British Standard EN 149:2001Filtering half masks to protect against particles.
BSIF
Geoff Hooke, secretary general of the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) comments: "BSIF members have expressed concern over the fact that purchasers of respiratory protection buy nuisance dust masks because of the low price. The BSIF supports the current initiative by HSE towards the elimination of nuisance dust masks from the UK market."
The withdrawal of nuisance dust masks from sale has also received the support of the Agriculture Industry Advisory Committee (AIAC); the Deep Mined Coal Industry Advisory Committee (DCMCIAC); the Textiles Industry Advisory Committee (TEXIAC); the Rubber Industry Advisory Committee (RUBIAC); the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) and the Health and Safety in Bakeries Liaison Committee .
VOLUNTARY BODY FINED £75,000
Posted Monday, January 27, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
The death of volunteer Rowan Hunter-Dassanaike, 21, who succumbed to multiple injuries when a novice-piloted boat struck his vessel in a training exercise in London's Royal Victoria dock in June 1998, led to a £75,000 fine with £35,000 costs against the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem who pleaded guilty to failing to ensure he was not exposed to risk to his health and safety.
It transpired that Mr Hunter-Dassanaike and two other participants in the exercise were not trained competently in "man overboard" drill and supervision was not sufficiently hands-on to "cut-out" switches to prevent the accident.
The HSE expressed cognizance of the financial implications of the rigours of the law for a charitable organisation but felt the case "underlines the message that voluntary organisations need to consider health and safety in their activities."
The deceased's mother Shirani expressed her criticism of St John Ambulance's procrastination of the issue and lateness of plea.
RESEARCH ON MOBILE MASTS
Posted Monday, January 27, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Scientific research is to begin to conclusively eliminate, it is hoped, fears that emissions from phone masts are damaging to health. The Government has part-funded the mobile telecommunications health research programme (MTHR) to focus exclusively on base stations.
The National Radiological Protection Board's Dr Mike Clarke says: "There is a great body of research into the use of handsets. But I think they have realised that there is a need to look at health risks from mobile phone base stations as well. Although there have been a lot of studies measuring the EMF's produced by masts, this is the first to look at people who think they are ill and masts."
McDonald's fast foods, Shell garages and some schools are known to accommodate mobile masts on their property, a matter that raises both occupational and non-occupational safety and health issues.
It is known that MTHR is to study groups of individuals who maintain their health has been adversely affected by the proximity to masts.
TRAIN DRIVER'S REACTIONS AVERT FIRE
Posted Tuesday, January 14, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Prompt action by a train driver at Farndon in the environs of Newark, activating on-board fire extinguishers to control a blaze after oil had spewed on to hot exhaust & ignited, averted a major incident according to local fire services who commended his actions.
The incident occurred at 4 am on Monday involving a train pulling 20 tankers of diesel.
NEW EUROPEAN STANDARDS FOR OUTDOOR PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
Posted Tuesday, January 14, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
The following free entertainment and leisure sheets are available from the HSE website:
Facts for freelances
Smoke and vapour effects used in entertainment (Entertainment Information Sheet No 3)
Working with animals in entertainment (Entertainment Information Sheet No 4)
The new European standards for outdoor playground equipment (Entertainment Information Sheet No 11)
Safe operation of miniature railways, traction engines and road vehicles (Entertainment Information Sheet No 12)
Managing crowds safely
WINDSCALE CLAIMS CONTRACTORS LIFE
Posted Tuesday, January 14, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
A police and an internal British Nuclear Fuels Ltd (BNFL) investigation is underway into the death of a contract worker who fell to his death while engaged on decommissioning work on the Windscale chimney at the Sellafield plant in Cumbria.
A BNFL spokesman said: "BNFL deeply regrets to report that a contractor employee at Sellafield has died in a fall while working on the decommissioning of the remaining Windscale Pile chimney."
The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) began dismantling work almost a year ago but this was suspended in October over concerns that heat was still emanating from radioactive fuel in the reactor core & uranium & plutonium, there being problems with the technical logistics of remote handling.
SMOKERS APPLY PRESSURE!
Posted Tuesday, January 14, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Midlands smokers are applying pressure on a train operating company over the issue of smoking. A boycott is imminent after Midland Mainline train services confirmed its intention to prohibit passenger smoking from this week & withdraw its provision of smoking status carriages.
'Smoking Campaign Against Midland Mainline' points out that smokers will effectively be unable to use the services for which they have paid, such is the extent of the desire to 'light-up' during longish journeys.
Organiser Nikki Leftly of Leicester stated her position: "I think it's unfair to expect people who smoke regularly to go without a cigarette for that long. We are all grown-ups & we choose to smoke. I don't see why we should be penalised because of that."
GUIDANCE TO REDUCE JUNIOR DOCTORS' HOURS
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Guidance has been published to help the NHS adapt to the requirements of the European Working Time Directive (WTD).
The Directive, by domestic legislation, already applies to most UK employees, with few exceptions, eg doctors in training. From August 2004 when this group will come within the remit of the WTD, doctors in training will then be subject to an average maximum working week of 58 hours.
Health Minister John Hutton commented: "The WTD is a huge challenge, but it is also a huge opportunity for the NHS of the 21st century to deliver care in a way that gives a better balance for clinicians and better care for patients."
The recommendations include:
Reduction in the number of rotas;
More cross cover working;
New working patterns for different staff groups;
Team working and building on the expansion of staff numbers; and
More effective use of IT
For doctors in training, the changes will mean:
Working hours per week - by August 2004, a reduction to overall average weekly working hours of 58 hours; an interim 56-hour week by August 2007; a further reduction to 48 hours August 2009 (this could be extended to 2012)
Rest provisions from August 2004 - 11 hours continuous rest in every 24-hour period; minimum 20 minute break when shift exceeds 6 hours; minimum 24-hour rest in every 7 days or minimum 48-hour rest in every 14 days; minimum 4 weeks annual leave; maximum 8 hours work in 24 for night workers (if applicable).
Improving the working lives and safety of the workforce
Peter Hutton, President of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said: "The WTD was introduced to improve the working lives and safety of the workforce. Its successful implementation in the NHS requires close cooperation between doctors, managers and other healthcare workers. The Academy of Royal Medical Colleges is fully supportive of the work done by the Department of Health in bringing these groups together and looks forward to playing its part in the development of quality service and training programmes."
The guidance can be found on-line at www.doh.gov.uk/workingtime/ . Further details can be obtained from the Changing Workforce Programme at www.nhs.uk/modernnhs/cwp and at www.doh.gov.uk/workingtime .
HEALTH AND SAFETY CLIMATE TOOL - HOW HOT IS IT?
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
The climate safety tool (CST), a computer based product, allows organisations to customise and print a climate survey questionnaire and enables them to analyse the results of the CST and produce graphical summaries and reports. Evidence from a number of users of CST effectiveness was obtained by an analysis of telephone interviews with 213 users, including in-depth interviews with 25 users to gain a better understanding of how the CST had been used, and what organisations had done as a result. Case studies provided information on how the CST could improve health and safety and risk control.
One of the conclusions is that the HSE Climate Survey Tool has helped to identify actions that could improve an organisation's health and safety culture and climate.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the Health and Safety Executive's Health and Safety Climate Tool, HSE and the Keil Centre, HSE Books, 2002, (Research report 042) ISBN 0717621596, price £10.00. Research reports are also available free of charge on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm
DRIVERS WITH MOBILE PHONES BEWARE!
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
From February through the rest of the year West Midlands Police will be conducting Operation Breeze focussing on the undesirable practise of using mobile phones while driving, the purpose being to educate the public with advice and leaflets as to the dangers while cracking down on recalcitrants.
"People cannot concentrate on the road and the conditions around them when they are talking on mobile phones," says road policing policy officer, Sgt Dave Swift. "Last year there were 90 deaths on the roads in the West Midlands, 33% alcohol related, 33% speeding and the other third included factors such as mobile phone use as well as vehicle defects and carelessness. It is not a specific offence to use a mobile phone while driving but it is if it impairs the ability to properly drive a car."
Serious cases can expect a £30 fine or a place on a driver improvement scheme, with a magistrate's court appearance and £1000 fine liable for most persistent or dangerous offenders.
GMB CALLS FOR SPECIFIC STRESS LEGISLATION
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
In recognition of the situation whereby this country's level of reported work-related stress rate has apparently doubled since 1990, the GMB wishes to see specific legislation to check the phenomenon.
The Union's Kim Sunley commented: "This comes as no surprise to us, we know that there are employers out there who are still doing nothing to address work-related stress, no policies and no risk assessments, we also know of employers who are taking inadequate or inappropriate actions, such as only providing counselling.
It is clear that the carrot approach of providing advice and information including the HSE's guide on stress has failed to reduce work related stress. At the very least we need an Approved Code of Practice and an enforcement stick to make sure it is applied."
FILM, BROADCAST, VIDEO & COMMERCIALS PRODUCTION SAFETY
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
A free publication is available aimed at everyone working in film, broadcast, video & commercials production to help them understand & comply with their legal duties in maintaining safety, whatever their role in the production process. Health and safety in audio - visual production; your legal rights explains the obligations & responsibilities of the: investor/client, production company, producer, contractors, designers, suppliers as well as other workers.
It also offers practical advice on: competence, training, risk assessment & employment status.
Health and safety in audio - visual production; your legal rights, HSE, 2002. (INDG360); Single copies free from HSE Books, also available in packs of 5 at ISBN 017625516; £5.00 for 1 pack; £4.00 for 2-4 packs; £3.00 for 5-9 packs; £2.00 for 10-49 packs; £1.50 for 50 or more packs.
FAT HITS THE FAN!
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
A Hinckley fast food premises was been badly damaged by a fire on New Year's Eve. The Chef's Takeaway was set ablaze by what according to firefighters was an ignition of an accumulation of fat on an extractor fan in the shop.
ABRASIVE WHEEL EXPLODES
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Forst Broach, now trading as Forst Cardinal, a subsidiary of La Pointe International, has been fined £20,000 with £9,300 costs over lapses in safety standards that led to a serious accident at their tool manufacturing premises in Leicester during February 2001.
A 28 year old employee sustained brain injury & fell into a coma when an inadequately guarded abrasive wheel disintegrated, a piece embedding in his skull.
The dangerous condition of the wheel arose after an incorrect size for the wheel was entered into a computer, causing the machine to give it too high a velocity.
The requirements of The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, if implemented, protects users of such equipment from its many dangers.
TEA FACTORY BLAZE
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
A blaze in the Tetley GB tea factory in the Durham Lane Industrial Estate in Eaglescliffe on Teesside left the plant heavily smoke logged after a tea bag production machine overheated.
Emergency services raced to the scene amid fears. later unfounded, that some workers had been trapped in an extraction unit.
COUNCIL GETS TOUGH ON SMOKING AND DRUGS
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Barnsley Council is set to implement tougher policies regarding smoking & substance misuse in the workplace, wishing to extend its present restrictions on smoking at work.
Department management are being encouraged to be pro-active in identifying employees with a possible drink or drugs problem & to offer options of counselling or therapy which, if declined, could lead to sacking if it is regarded that the issue jeopardises work.
The fresh proposals will be studied by the Corporate Scrutiny Commission, the first occasion that it has had the opportunity to scrutinise smoking at work policy & it can make recommendations.
The Council anticipates that this initiative will effectively tackle the issue of passive smoking for staff & public, support those who wish to quit & prove a safeguard in terms of future litigation by affected parties.
FALL FROM ROOF
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
A building worker has been rescued from a scaffolding platform after he sustained a chest injury falling from a house roof surface he was tiling at Sandiacre, Nottinghamshire. He is reported to have struck the end of a vertical scaffolding member. The rescue was accomplished by the fire service, one of whose number, Bob Hudson, said: "He was lucky, it could have been much worse. He tried to break his fall by reaching out but ended up on top of one of the scaffolding poles."
An HSE spokesman said: "When we carry out an investigation into such a matter we will look at the circumstances. Questions we ask include whether people are properly trained & if safety guards were in place."
SCOTTISH ASBESTOS VICTIMS NEED QUICKER SETTLEMENTS
Posted Sunday, January 12, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
There is a prospect that compensation claims from terminally ill asbestos sufferers in Scotland may be paid earlier.
A report by the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee talks of personal injury claims being fast-tracked through the courts.
Clydeside Action on Asbestos have for many years applied pressure on those with the ability to effect change.
Convener Pauline McNeill commented: "Crucially, we believe that a faster system is required for those cases where life expectancy is less than 18 months." .
FEARS GROW OVER 2 MISSING CRAB FISHERMEN
Posted Monday, January 6, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Fears have been expressed for the safety of 2 crab fishermen, whose partially submerged creel boat Kirsten Ann was sighted 4 miles northwest of Oban off Scotland's west coast.
The pair were reported missing on Tuesday evening, their last contact being a text message to a relative at 14.00 that day & a major search & rescue team including police divers & a rescue helicopter with thermal imaging spent Wednesday combing the remote coastline in the hope they managed to swim ashore, survival time in the water being estimated at 6 to 8 hours by a coastguard spokesman.
STORING FIREWORKS - NEW PROPOSALS!
Posted Monday, January 6, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
New legislation is being proposed where it is intended that Mode A registered premises holding between 200-250kg net of shop good (HT4) fireworks will have to maintain a 5-metre separation distance from 3rd party buildings & 2.5 metres from footpaths & roads.
Anticipating problems for existing premises in complying with this requirement, a sample of Mode A premises storing HT4 fireworks was selected from across 39 local authorities.
A study sample was deliberately focused towards the type of premises expected to hold between 200-250 kg of fireworks & to distributors rather than shops or supermarkets.
REGULATORY IMPACT
According to the study's data, some registered premises will have a problem with the proposed separation distances & the owners consider this will adversely affect their operations. The significance of this regulatory impact in the context of the proposed legislation therefore needs to be carefully evaluated.
Analysis of impact of proposed changes to separation distances for Mode A registered premises holding HT4 fireworks, Walker, G., Fairburn, J. and others, HSE and Staffordshire University, HSE Books, 2002. (Research report 041), ISBN 0717621588, price
£5.00. is also available on the HSE website at: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm
PIZZA DELIVERY MAN IMPALED
Posted Monday, January 6, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
A stumble on dwellinghouse steps in Altrincham left a 21-year-old pizza delivery man hospitalised for the removal of a section of iron railing from his arm after becoming impaled on a metal spike.
Firemen had to use hacksaws to free his arm which had become impaled on the spike just under the elbow, before he was transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital in Greater Manchester for removal of the metal section remaining in his arm.
APPRENTICE JOCKEY KILLED!
Posted Monday, January 6, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Philip Greally, 20, of Newcastle has died in a workplace accident as a result of a kick from a horse he was tending at a stable. Mr Greally, an apprentice jockey, was kicked at Mick Easterby's yard at Sheriff Hutton, North Yorkshire. He died in hospital in Leeds.
Mr Easterby commented: "Philip & a girl noticed a strap had come off a rug on a horse in one of the paddocks & they went in to put it back on. They tried to catch the horse & just as Philip was chasing after it, another horse cantered past, lashed out with his hind legs & caught Philip on top of his head. I can't believe how it happened. It was a chance in a million."
HIGH PUBLIC SECTOR SICK LEAVE IN BIRMINGHAM
Posted Monday, January 6, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
The issue of unacceptably high levels of sick leave among Birmingham City Council's 50,000 employees has become a political football with Labour councillors bickering over the direct route to the goal of reducing it, while Conservatives claim it amounts to "3 weeks extra paid holiday .. there is no indication of intent or will to deal with what is causing the problem."
City Council leader, Sir Albert Bore has himself termed the high sick leave figure of 17.9 days per employee per annum (down from 18.5) as unacceptable & is not only well above public service averages but reflects poorly against the CBI's figure of 6.7 days for the private sector.
ILL-HEALTH RETIREMENT
This month's scrutiny report estimated the cost of absence among the 50,000 workforce to cost £61m annually, with Housing, Transportation, Education and Social Services accounting for 75% of total sick leave and discovered that long-term absence (4mths+) was up from 234 to 244.
The Council's mechanism for tackling this includes a Notification of Concern by management after 3 absences in one year, with further absences attracting a Final Notification of Concern. Two subsequent absences within 6 months leads to a final case hearing whose outcome can be termination of contract or retirement through ill-health.
The Council's target for the end of financial year March 2005 is 11.4%.
FISHERMAN DROWNS AFTER FALLING OVERBOARD WITHOUT LIFEJACKET
Posted Monday, January 6, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
A 58-year old fisherman who was not wearing a lifejacket has drowned after falling overboard from the fishing boat Mojo near the mouth of the River Usk.
The Mojo's mayday was responded to by a rescue helicopter from RAF Chivenor in Devon as well as Barry Dock lifeboat & one other fishing boat but their combined efforts failed to save the Risca fisherman. Swansea Coastguard's Bernie Kemble said: Immersion suits & lifejackets were carried on board the vessel, but were not being worn. We would like to remind people that the water is very cold at this time of year & a lifejacket is designed to keep you afloat. It is advisable that when you put to sea to wear warm suitable clothing & wear a lifejacket. In any incident where you need assistance do not hesitate to call the Coastguard on VHF Ch 16 which is the Marine Distress & Calling frequency or 999 on a telephone as a secondary means of communication."
FIRE FORCES FISHERMEN TO ABANDON SHIP OFF SOUTH COAST
Posted Monday, January 6, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
3 clam fishermen had to abandon their boat, the 30-foot Silver Eel, in the Wareham Channel near Poole in Dorset after an engine caught fire & petrol exploded igniting the whole boat.
The trio were picked up by another fishing boat as Portland Coastguard towed the burnt out ship back to harbour.