FARMERS CHOOSE WRONG RPE, SUFFER FROM MSDS BUT ARE ACTING ON ASBESTOS
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSE inspectors last week carried out a programme of random inspection visits to more than 140 farms in the North East of Scotland, with the control of occupational health risks on farms in mind. It is known that farmers are occupationally, compared with other groups, at relatively high risk of developing serious respiratory illness.
The visits revealed that some farmers are using 'non-toxic particle' face masks offering no protection against harmful agents such as grain dust, and the officials ask farmers everywhere to check that they use the correct face masks, marked to show they meet BSEN 149. For most jobs an FFP2 mask will be suitable, but an FFP3 mask providing higher protection may be needed for some jobs. They also advise farmers to carry out a face-fit test to check that the face mask actually provides them with the protection needed. RPE suppliers have been asked to help arrange these tests and farmers should ask their supplier for assistance/information on this.
ASBESTOS REGISTERS
HSE's inspectors found some farmers have prepared an asbestos register to help meet their duty to manage asbestos in the workplace, the officials explained that asbestos-containing materials in good condition should be left alone and condition monitored.
Information on the sensible precautions necessary to deal with small amounts of damaged asbestos cement was conveyed during the visits, as was the requirement for more complex work to be carried out by a competent contractor.
On the visits anecdotal evidence from farm workers was forthcoming of the prevalence of musculo-skeletal disorders in the agricultural workforce, animal handling activities responsible for much of it.
North Yorkshire and Cleveland
Asbestos management was also on the agenda for farmers in North Yorkshire and Cleveland who attended the latest in a series of HSE-organised seminars last week at Stokesley.
Other major topics included working at heights and workplace transport, both responsible for high rates of injuries and fatalities. Delegates were taken on a simulated 'inspection' of the farm, where inspectors from HSE pointed out the most common hazards.
"Agriculture is unique in that vulnerable groups such as children and elderly people form part of the farming community and figure regularly in the statistics for serious injuries and deaths on farms. It is imperative that children are not exposed to workplace hazards and that older people make a reasonable assessment of their physical and technical capabilities before carrying out work on the farm.
The hope is that the lessons learned from this event will be passed on to staff working on the farms and businesses managed by the participants, improving safety for workers and reducing the number of injuries and fatalities." - the HSE Inspector who organised the Yorkshire event.
LOWERMOOR INCIDENT - DELAYED OR PERSISTENT HEALTH EFFECTS UNLIKELY
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Much concern felt by residents about the possible deleterious effect on health of exposure to chemicals ingested is one of the consequences of the 1988 Lowermoor water pollution incident in which a contractor's relief driver deposited 20 tonnes of aluminium sulphate in the wrong tank at the South West Water Authority water treatment works at Lowermoor, near Camelford, North Cornwall .
A comprehensive draft report on the possible health effects resulting from the incident has been published, its authors, the Lowermoor Subgroup (LSG) of the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT), believe it is unlikely that the chemicals have caused any delayed or persistent health effects. However, the group wish to see further work undertaken to confirm this belief with a focus on: any effect of contaminants on neurological health; effects on the development of those under 1-year old at the time of the incident; and the incidence of diseased joints in the affected area.
A public open meeting takes place in Camelford on 17 February, the consultation period on the draft report will run for 12 weeks and contributions can be made via the Department of Health website.
FEEL SAFER AT OUR FOOTBALL GROUNDS
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Football Licensing Authority (FLA) reports that injuries at Premiership, Football League and international football matches in England and Wales fell to their lowest recorded level during the 2003/4 season.
The injury rate was 1 injury per 27,432 spectators, compared with 1 per 20,723 recorded in 2002/03, a figure which is less than 50% of that of 5 years ago. Furthermore, over 90% of these injuries were minor (typically cuts and bruises often resulting from trips or falls, or scalds from hot drinks) and readily treated, and over 65% of those treated were either ill or had pre-existing injuries sustained outside the ground. The number of injured spectators taken to hospital fell sharply from 205 in 2002/03 to 127 in 2003/04.
The report, based on information from all the Premier and Football League clubs, is at http://www.fla.org.uk/ .
"These figures are a great achievement. Going to a football match in this country has never been safer. This is largely due to better safety management and the majority of the grounds being all seated. It reflects the hard work and excellent relationships between ourselves, the football clubs, the local authorities and the police. You are now probably less likely to be injured at a ground than at home doing DIY! The challenge now is to maintain the pace of progress and to avoid complacency." - FLA Chief Executive
FORKLIFTS POISONED WORKERS
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Most headlines concerning the sometimes lethal effects of carbon monoxide (CO) arise from domestic poisonings where the insidious ability of the gas to claim lives is demonstrated only too often.
Recent incidents in Canada have shown the potential for poisonings in the workplace where risks are not controlled: several Newfoundland warehouse workers required hospital treatment for CO poisoning - propane-powered forklift trucks were reportedly the source of the exposure, in a workplace where open doors were the only ventilation;
on board a vessel in British Columbia, a crewmember felt dizzy during the night and got up to open the windows into the galley. The next day he found that another man sleeping in the bow area had died because an exhaust leak from under the floor of the cabin allowed CO to enter the sleeping accommodation.
LOCAL AUTHORITY PROACTIVE ON WORKPLACE SLIPS
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
This week sees a commendable initiative by a NW England local authority getting underway to reduce the likelihood of slip and trip injury in the workplaces for which it is enforcing authority.
Copeland Borough Council Environmental Health Department officials are to inspect and assess the condition of floor surfaces and, in particular, are able to ascertain their slip resistance using an instrument that can give readings indicating the likelihood of slipping.
The Borough says it has more than 40 slip and trip accidents reported to it annually, around 25% incurring serious injury; it says formal action may be appropriate in some cases, with an improvement notice a resort where employers fail to adequately manage the risk to employees or the public.
GOOD AND BAD OF HERTS WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSE officials and Hertsmere Environmental Health Officers, engaged on the latest of a series of inspections across the East and South East, report observation of a mix of good and bad workplace health and safety standards. The surprise visits to 50+ companies in Hertsmere last week found reasonable standards at many premises, but others displayed a need for improvement.
Inspections at Potters Bar, Borehamwood, Radlett and Bushey were focused on manufacturing industry, but construction sites and farms were also visited. Inspectors found that some companies were not adequately controlling risks and enforcement notices were issued concerning a range of issues, including the need to have competent advice on health and safety; safety controls when working at height; and statutory examinations of safety-related equipment.
PROHIBITION NOTICES
Inspectors found it necessary to issue 2 Prohibition Notices, during their inspections they were particularly interested in high-risk activities, such as working at height and transport, which carry the potential for the most serious accidents in the workplace. They also looked at excessive noise, occupational asthma, hand arm vibration, slips and trips, and musculoskeletal disorders.
"We were encouraged to see that many firms take the issue of health and safety in the workplace very seriously and had good standards. However, during one visit we were disappointed to find inadequate controls of risks when working at height - an activity so dangerous that a prohibition notice was issued to stop this immediately. Another Prohibition Notice was issued for inadequate facilities on a construction site and 5 Improvement Notices, requiring improvements to poor health and safety standards, were also issued.
Incidents in the area during the year have included several resulting from vehicle movement, lifting and from slipping or tripping. As well as causing considerable pain and suffering to the injured persons, these incidents led to the loss of many working days at a considerable cost to the employers. Such incidents can be prevented by more attention to risks in the workplace" - HSE Principal Inspector for Hertfordshire.
FARMERS' VEHICLES WARRANTED ENFORCEMENT ACTION
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Recent work by HSE agricultural health and safety inspectors, in the execution of a farm vehicle safety campaign in North Devon and West Somerset, resulted in the issue of 57 enforcement notices. However, an improvement in awareness of the need for safety training on farms was registered by the officials, this being observed around one year after a quad bike safety campaign in the North Devon area highlighted serious problems.
16 Inspectors conducted spot-checks on 72 farms over 2 days last month, the majority of farmers recognised the importance of driver competence and of regular vehicle maintenance, the adoption of safe working practices and, importantly, the consequences of not managing risks in terms of farming's high level of fatal accidents.
Nevertheless the officials were disappointed with the poor condition of some farm vehicles, many with missing mirrors and poor brakes, such deficiencies meant 29 Improvement Notices and 4 Prohibition Notices were necessary, covering the maintenance of tractors, telehandlers and related machinery. 10 Prohibition Notices were issued for unsuitably guarded power take off shafts. 14 Improvement Notices were issued in relation to quad bikes, 6 requiring quad bike training, 8 requiring the use of head protection when riding the quad.
"Fatal accidents on farms remain at a high level and around one third of these involve transport. There are many ways in which farmers and their employees can address these issues and take some simple and inexpensive steps to help prevent these tragic incidents occurring. For example, they can improve driver competence via additional training and monitoring of practice and also by conducting regular vehicle checks and maintenance.
We were encouraged to find that there was improved general awareness amongst farmers during our visits of the need to receive formal training for driving quad bikes, compared to our findings during the February inspections. We hope that the campaign has reminded farmers of their responsibilities for health and safety in relation to both themselves and employees." - HSE Inspector.
WWT CONSTRUCTION HEALTH & SAFETY SEMINAR - LIVERPOOL
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The WWT Construction Health & Safety Initiative – North West, is holding its next seminar at Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, on 4th March 2005.
This is the first venture into Liverpool for the North West Group, having successfully promoted similar events at Haydock Park and Carlisle racecourses from the year 2000. The seminar will, as usual, be aimed at the small to medium- sized contractor, hoping to attract the type of person who often misses out on health and safety training.
There will be talks, demonstrations, exhibitions and the opportunity to talk to experts from the construction industry and the HSE.
The event is funded by major contractors and exhibitors, entrance is free, but you must register in advance.
Further details of the event can be obtained by telephoning 0161 952 8200, and asking for the Construction Team.
PAYMENTS UNDER COAL HEALTH COMPENSATION SCHEME AMOUNT TO £2.3 BILLION
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
As at 31st December 2004 former miners and their families have received over £2.3 billion in compensation for respiratory disease and vibration white finger acquired during a working life.
The following figures make the British Government's coal health compensation scheme the world's largest: more than £1.1 billion to compensate more than 170,000 miners for injuries relating to vibration white finger; and more than £1.2 billion to 226,000 miners for injuries relating to respiratory diseases.
"We have paid a total of over £2.3 billion to nearly 400,000 people, with individual payments of up to £130,000 for vibration white finger and £370,000 for respiratory disease.
These figures show the impact of the payments on the economy of coalfield communities. The Government is honouring the debt to former miners who sacrificed their health to power this country." - Trade and Industry Minister.
DANGEROUS SITE VEHICLE COULD HAVE KILLED 4-YEAR-OLD
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The use of a rough terain lift truck in a dangerous condition on a Staffs construction site, by a teenage employee not formally trained in its operation, almost culminated in the loss of life when the vehicle hit a wall, pushing rubble on top of a small boy who escaped with minor injury.
Stoke on Trent Crown Court fined the Longport company director of Friog Management Services, the company appointed the project's Principal Contractor, £14,000 with £6,450 costs for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
HSE investigation of the July 2003 accident at Cobridge revealed site supervision by the company was inadequate, a lack of understanding of what the duties of a Principal Contractor entailed, and a failure to put in place what is necessary to adequately manage risks to health and safety on and near a construction site.
HEALTH AND SAFETY - HOW GOOD ARE YOU? - SME'S CAN NOW ASSESS THEIR PERFORMANCE
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The arrival of a new free HSE web-based tool, Health and Safety Performance Indicator (The Indicator), means SME's can now track and assess how well they are managing health and safety year to year. The tool's development was supported by the DTI's Small Business Service, and enjoyed the support of the Department for Work and Pensions, the Small Business Service, the Association of British Insurers, the British Insurance Brokers Association and the Federation of Small Businesses. .
A significant aspect of the Indicator is that it is a means by which insurers can determine levels of insurance premiums that better reflect how well those employers were managing risks to health and safety and shows HSE's continued commitment in helping businesses to improve their health and safety performance.
THE INDICATOR
The internet-based tool is generic in application and applies to all SME's, enabling comparisons across a wide range of activities, although this means it doesn't address the particular hazards some industries face which was considered impracticable. It is suggested that trade associations may want to consider developing questions along similar lines for their members.
The Indicator begins by asking a series of questions on: key hazards that the developers found most SME's encounter; and incident frequency.
A score out of ten is calculated for each.
Businesses using the indicator (who remain anonymous) can use their results to: get a measure of how they are performing; see areas where they might want to improve; benchmark against others; and share their results with anyone else should they decide to.
LARGE ORGANISATIONS
HSE is developing a Corporate Health and Safety Performance Indicator (CHaSPI) for use by large organisations to assist them to measure how effectively they are managing risks to health and safety and to put that information in a form that can inform key external stakeholders, including investors, insurers, trade unions and their members and the public. The electronic tool will be accessible via the web from May 2005.
"The Indicator is intended to be a tool to aid health and safety - showing how well businesses are performing. People don't have to use it. But we hope it will prove useful and that is what will drive it forward - in doing so, guiding people to give health and safety proper consideration. And thereby aligning with the Commission's strategy to get risks properly managed and giving rise to a culture of risk prevention that is to the benefit of all, including SME's. The HSC have made clear their belief that insurance premia need to better reflect how effectively employers are managing risks to health and safety. Good performers should not have to bear the burden created by poor performers. We believe that the 'indicator' has the potential to assist this goal." - HSC Chair
"BIBA is encouraged to see the hard work of the HSE coming to a head for the SME sector. The index should serve as a good platform for individual SME's to be judged on their own merits." - Head of Technical Services at the British Insurance Brokers Association.
"We are pleased to have been involved with HSE and DWP in the development of this key health and safety tool for SMEs. The tool addresses issues that can cost businesses dearly if they fail to address them, and we believe it will be of great value to small businesses in improving their health and safety, benchmarking their performance against other small businesses and eventually helping to reduce their insurance premiums." - Portal Editor for http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/
FATAL INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT IN GWYNEDD
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that a man died last week following an industrial accident featuring a forklift truck at premises on the Amlwch Industrial Estate, Anglesey.
160 BUSINESSES ATTEND W LONDON SAFETY EVENT
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
More than 160 West London small businesses attended this week's free Safety and Health Awareness Day in Brentford where advice on keeping their employees safe and their companies competitive was on offer.
The HSE and Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow borough councils' event aimed to communicate to small firms how effective health and safety management can lead to increased productivity; lower insurance costs; reduced absenteeism; better staff morale and retention; improved reputation; and reduced liability claims.
Those able to attend watched practical demonstrations, illustrating hazards most small businesses will encounter in their activities. The facilities provided by Glaxo Smithkline included a 2.5 metre tower scaffold, which was used by the instructors to show how work at height can be carried out safely and accidents prevented.
Other sessions gave treatment on the topics of manual handling, workplace transport, slips and trips, risk assessment and work-related stress.
There will be a similar event for small firms in East London on 18th March 2005 at Stratford Old Town Hall. To book a place tel 020 7556 2115.
"By getting out and meeting small firms at events like this we can give advice that is directly relevant to their business needs.
In the long run health and safety plays a vital role in the profitability of a company and can even give it that competitive edge, by reducing employee absence through sickness and accidents.
The companies who have come along today have shown they are committed to effectively managing health and safety in their workplaces. In the long term this can lead to benefits such as saving money, improving productivity, raising morale and helping create a happier, healthier workforce. " - Head of Operations of the HSE in London.
"I found the day very useful and informative. The structure of the day, where everyone rotated in different groups, was a really good idea. The session on falls from height was extremely useful and I was able to take back the knowledge to my own company, where some of our glazers work at height." - Chiswick Glass.
AMEY FINED FOR ITS PART IN AVOIDABLE AND TRAGIC INCIDENT
Posted Friday, January 28, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Amey Rail Limited has pleaded guilty to breaching S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of a serious accident made possible by its failure to conduct its undertaking, in relation to the movement of personnel and on-track plant in a railway engineering possession on the West Country Main Line, in such a way to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, that persons not in its employment were not exposed to risks to their health and safety.
On 25th January last year, during a track renewal project on an engineering possession of the main line, a road rail vehicle (RRV) was returning from a site 3 miles away to Cornwall's Hayle Station. The RRV was propelling a trailer bearing a 2-tonne ballast brush, behind which 3 workers had taken up positions.
Disaster struck as the vehicle entered Hayle Station when a protruding spigot on the brush struck the platform's coping stones, dislodging the brush from the trailer. The 3 workers jumped into the 6 foot area between up and down lines, one of them lost his footing on the sleeper ends and fell beneath the rubber tyred driving wheels of the RRV sustaining serious spinal injuries resulting in below waist paralysis.
Amey was fined £4,000 with costs of £4,209.50.
"This was an entirely avoidable and tragic incident that resulted in terrible injuries that have significantly impaired a man's quality of life. Rail maintenance and renewal works take place in a hazardous environment and this demands rigorous planning to secure the co-operation of all duty holders and to ensure reasonable standards of safety. The trailer being propelled by the RRV was not suitable for transporting personnel.
This incident has however effected a positive change in the safety culture of all parties involved. If this momentum is sustained, it should result in a lasting improvement in controlling the risks associated with the operation of rail mounted plant and machinery across the network." - HMRI Inspector who investigated the incident.
COMPANY FAILED TO PROVIDE SAFE SYSTEM FOR CLEANING EMPLOYEE
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The absence of a safe system of work for a contract cleaner working at an escalator in February 2003 caused him to sustain serious injury and resulted in the prosecution of Metronet Rail BCV Limited (formerly Infraco BCV Limited).
The cleaner was working with colleagues at Oxford Circus tube station cleaning the supports and trustwork under the steps on escalator No. 3. A number of step frames had been removed to enable access for this work which had been accomplished and he ascended the escalator to the top landing so the step frames could be replaced. He had taken up position a few steps below the gap, but as he moved forward to alight his right leg went into the gap and got caught between a step frame and the top comb where it remained trapped for about 45 minutes before the emergency services could free him.
Metronet Rail BCV Limited, of Templar House, High Holborn, London, pleaded guilty to a single charge of breaching S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for which London Magistrates' Court fined it £5,000 with costs of £9,842.
"Establishing a safe system of work based on a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is key to managing the dangers associated with hazardous work activities. In this instance - a full clean of an underground station escalator - access to the support structure is necessary and can only practicably be achieved by removing a section of the steps. This procedure is known as 'in & out' cleaning. There are very clear dangers - such as entrapment by those working near the open section - should the escalator move. It is vital that such work is properly managed and I am pleased to say that following this incident instructions, procedures and risk assessments have been revised to reduce the risk of entrapment during this cleaning process." - HSE's HM Railway Inspectorate investigating official.
DISABLED PASSENGER IN FATAL FALL FROM DIAL-A-RIDE BUS
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A male passenger in his 80's using a powered mobility chair has fallen to his death from the rear of a Hartlepool Borough Council-owned 'dial-a-ride' minibus.
It is reported that the service is manned by employees of a company contracted by the Council, by accounts it would appear the man was negotiating the tail-lift outside a supermarket in the town when the chair went over the edge and fell through a distance of around 1 metre, its operator sustaining injury to his upper body.
CONSTRUCTION COMPANY FINED £150,000
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A London-based construction company, McDermott Bros Contactors Ltd (MBCL), has been prosecuted and fined £150,000 with £15,175 costs for breaching S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. MBCL admitted the breach at the City of London Magistrates' Court on 29 October 2004, sentencing took place at Southwark Crown Court, the prosecution arose out of the circumstances of the death during December 2000 of a 54-year old carpenter employee.
The accident victim was working at the 280 Bishopsgate development just outside the City of London. While working on the 14th floor of the building, and busy striking out timber and plywood shuttering around a hole that had been cast in the floor, he fell through the hole some 4 metres to the floor below, sustaining head injuries that proved fatal later that day.
At the time of the incident no measures were in place to prevent a person falling, although a general method statement had been prepared that indicated that a safety harness would be worn.
"This is a very sad time for the deceased's family, especially as the final hearing of the case came so close to the anniversary of his death; our sympathies are with them at this time.
The case does however provide some very valuable lessons about working at height which if put into practice should help to prevent this kind of incident occurring. First, those who are responsible for planning work should carefully assess the work and decide what safety measures are appropriate. There is a hierarchy of control measures for working at height and the use of personal fall arrest equipment. Harnesses are at the bottom of this hierarchy. Harnesses are almost always a last resort measure and properly constructed working platforms and/or guardrails are nearly always preferable.
Secondly, principal contractors should always look critically at any method statement which specifies the use of harnesses to check whether this is the safest option. Where, ultimately, harnesses are chosen then there should be a detailed method statement and a high degree of supervision to make sure it is followed.
Lastly, all those who use a harness should have proper training, which should include how to inspect and wear it, what constitutes a suitable anchorage, and the limitations of harness use.
Sensible health and safety is about managing risks; working at height is a well known hazard, and not just in construction." - the HSE investigating inspector.
HEALTH AND SAFETY ON SCHOOL PLACEMENTS
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Representatives of more than 50 employers from across York and North Yorkshire attended a health and safety event at the Pavilions of Harrogate yesterday to discuss the way forward for work experience placement of students. The event is organised by the Business and Education Partnership for York and North Yorkshire (NYBEP), its purpose to enable businesses gain a clearer understanding of the requirements for young people in the workplace, either on traditional one or two-week work experience, or in support of other school work.
Those attending will benefit from the experience of a variety of professionals who will be sharing their knowledge with the other employers present, for example, the requirements for legal compliance in relation to work experience; the value of work experience; apprenticeships; and child protection. There will also be a humorous drama presentation by CragRats Theatre Company, and a chance to hear about work experience from the viewpoint of students from Manor School in York.
The HSE and NYBEP will be working in partnership on a programme of school visits where they will speak to students about the new experiences and challenges they will face whilst on placement, and how to keep themselves safe in the workplace.
Places are still available at the event - businesses wishing to attend should contact NYBEP on 01904 693632.
"This event is a must for any employer who is planning to, or already offers, work experience placements for students. Compliance with health and safety law requires that risks in the workplace must be properly managed. Owing to their youth and inexperience, Young People entering work for the first time are particularly vulnerable, so we are asking employers to make a positive effort to ensure they have good standards of risk assessments, training and supervision." - HM Inspector of Health and Safety in Yorkshire
"This is an exciting event and we are delighted to have had such a positive response from employers, both in their enthusiasm to attend and their willingness to share their experiences with others. This is the first time we have organised an event of this kind, I am sure everyone will gain something from the day to enhance the quality of work experience they currently offer across York and North Yorkshire." - Executive Director of NYBEP.
CROWN CENSURE FOR MOD
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The unusual Crown censure administrative process¹ was invoked last week with a hearing into the death of a 17-year old apprentice tradesman at the Resurgence Pool, Porth yr Ogof caves, Ystradfellte, Brecon. Crown censure by HSE is a resort in cases which cannot be heard in a Court of law because the body involved has Crown immunity from prosecution. The hearing at HSE's Cardiff offices concluded the process, the Ministry of Defence was censured under S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
HSE investigation established that:
the Army failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risk of drowning presented by caving generally, and specifically at Porth Yr Ogof cave; and they failed to identify and implement effective control measures or carry out adequate monitoring, all of which are also requirements of the Army's own Safe System of Training, as laid down in the MOD Health and Safety Handbook.
REPEATED FAILINGS
These failures meant employees were exposed to a significant risk to their safety, the Army was considered to be in breach of S.2 of the Principal Act, HSE believed there were repeated failings by several individuals on a number of different occasions which constituted a failure of the management system.
The Army has taken remedial action, including modifying the caving risk assessment to include additional measures to reduce the risk of drowning. It has appointed an Inspector of Adventurous Training in the Army Training and Recruiting Agency.
The teenager drowned whilst caving on an Adventurous Training Course at Sennybridge Army Training Camp during July 2002
¹ Crown Censure hearings are closed meetings between HSE and the Crown body involved. An HSE inspector presents evidence, the Crown body (eg MoD) responds with evidence. For the censure to be confirmed, the Crown body must acknowledge that, but for Crown immunity, it would have been prosecuted for the alleged offence(s) and formally accept the censure.
"We are grateful to the Army for their full co-operation during the investigation. We believe that there were significant failings, as outlined, that led to the young man's death but are pleased to note the actions taken to reduce the risk of a similar occurrence." - HSE Inspector.
HSE'S STORM WARNING!
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Prudent HSE advice to businesses in the NE of England, and valid everywhere else that experienced the recent spell of stormy weather, is to think carefully before attempting or planning repair work to property or tending to damaged trees, and not succumb to the temptations of quick but inappropriate solutions.
HSE warns - working at height, and work involving chainsaws, are two of the most hazardous activities that regularly cause serious and fatal injuries in both agriculture and construction - and these in turn are the most dangerous of UK industries.
"We don't want anyone to make things worse by injuring themselves or others while carrying out repairs, there are many situations on farms, industrial premises and around the home where the urge to carry out repairs quickly may lead people to take unnecessary risks. We would say 'don't become another statistic - make sure you are planning for safety.'
Windblown trees are among the most dangerous to deal with and chainsaws require trained operatives, so do not attempt the work if you are unsure about how it can be done safely, anyone engaging tradesmen or contractors should make sure they are qualified to do the job and also that they tell you how they are going to do the work safely." - HSE construction inspector.
CHROMIUM REDUCED CEMENT WILL HELP PREVENT ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The 17th January 2005, saw the introduction of legislation effectively reducing the permitted chromium VI content of cement and a wide range of products that contain cement such as mortars, grouts, tile adhesives etc.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (COSHH 2004) prohibit the supply or use of cement and products which have a chromium VI concentration of more than 2 parts per million.
The change will reduce the incidence and severity of occupational allergic contact dermatitis arising mainly from contact with wet cement to which trades such as bricklayers, tile layers, and concrete operatives are likely to be at most risk.
The reduction in chromium content is accomplished by manufacturers dosing their products with a reducing agent, but it may take time for all 'undosed' products to work their way through the supply chain.
Manufacturers must now provide information on safe shelf life (i.e. packing date, suggested storage conditions and suggested storage period), as the reducing agent is only effective for a limited period.
Certain exemptions apply¹.
HSE points out that even chromium reduced cement will continue to have the potential to cause ill health due to its irritant and highly alkaline nature.
SHELF LIFE
COSHH 2004 amend COSHH 2002, implementing a European Directive on cement - Directive 2003/53/EC (the 26th Amendment of the Marketing and Use Directive), introduces an EU-wide restriction on the placing on the market and use of cement, and cement preparations, which contain high levels of soluble chromium VI. In particular, the Directive:
prohibits the placing on the market or use of cement or cement preparations which contain, when hydrated, more than 2 ppm of soluble chromium VI;
requires that where cement or cement preparations have a soluble chromium VI content of 2 ppm or less, when hydrated, due to the presence of a reducing agent, their packaging should be marked with information on the period of time for which the reducing agent remains effective; and
¹ permits the placing on the market and use of cement and cement preparations not meeting the two requirements above only when it is for use in totally automated and fully enclosed processes, where there is no possibility of contact with the skin.
Further information on COSHH can be found on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm
"By the simple step of reducing the levels of chromium VI in cement and cement products, these Regulations should make allergic contact dermatitis, caused by skin contact with wet cement, a thing of the past. But the fact remains that wet cement can still cause serious burns if it comes into contact with the skin. So, whilst this change is good news, it doesn't mean that cement is now "safe". Our message to users is: treat this material with respect if you value your skin". - An HSE spokesman on skin disease reduction.
CONSULTATION OPENS ON CHANGES TO CHIP
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
New amending Regulations concerning the Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Chemicals are proposed by HSC.
The consultation period ends on the 8th April 2005, see Proposals for new amending Regulations about the Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Chemicals: CHIP3.1).
CIPD SAYS EMPLOYEE MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS ARE CHALLENGING EMPLOYERS
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)'s research confirms government views that poor mental health presents a significant challenge to employers who wish to check and reduce increasing absence levels, especially long-term absence. CIPD says there is a need to respond with greater effort in the area of rehabilitation, it found that around 50% of employers observed an increase in stress-related absence last year.
CIPD is to publish a guide - Recovery, rehabilitation and retention, on how organisations can support, rehabilitate and retain employees suffering from stress and other mental health problems, explaining practical ways to ensure that any individual's return to work is managed consistently.
The guide advises on: the provision of support for the employee in the workplace and on sick leave; recognising when referral for further assessment is appropriate; monitoring and evaluating the programme for effectiveness, including savings and benefits.
The guide will shortly be available from the CIPD website.
"Employers must do more than simply request and file a sick note if they are to cut absence. Managers should engage with their staff to get to the route of the problem and help staff to get back into the workplace - engaging with staff will help both organisations and employees.
Employers need to have a clear rehabilitation policy in place, this will help to ensure staff are aware of available assistance and managers are clear about the role they play in the process. Line managers play an essential part in the rehabilitation process and it is important they are trained so they are aware of how they can help members of staff who have been off work sick for long periods integrate back into the organisation.
It is essential for a member of the organisation, whether it is a line manager, a member of the HR team or occupational health, to take on the role of case manager in the rehabilitation process to ensure that it is managed correctly and consistently." - CIPD Employee Relations Adviser.
POSTAL WORKERS SHOULDN'T STOOP SO LOW!
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is working hard by a variety of means to impress on government the need to act to incorporate in our building regulations the recommendations on the height of letterboxes contained in the current European Standard¹.
Postal workers are too often obliged to stoop to reach 'mousetrap' letterboxes while loaded with mail, with obvious consequent risk of strain, CWU's National Safety Officer explains below.
¹ European Standard EN 13724 entitled "Postal Services - Apertures of Private Letter Boxes and Letter Plates - Requirements and Test Methods 2002, advises that for ergonomic and safety reasons the centreline of the Letter Box aperture should be at a height between 700 mm and 1700 mm. .
"There are currently around 3,000 back injuries to Royal Mail postmen and women each year delivering to low-evel letter boxes at the base of house front doors. This forces postal staff to stoop to ground level, whilst carrying a satchel of mail weighing up to 16Kg and thereby risking serious back strain.
Building Regulations deal with health and safety matters in the interest of the people who use the building. However there's no legal requirement in the UK to follow the specifications set out in current European Standard (EN 13724) covering private letter boxes which for ergonomic and safety reasons specifies the height, positioning and design of letterboxes in order that the safe delivery of mail can be made without the risk of injury. - CWU National Health and Safety Officer.
SCOTTISH COUNCIL PROSECUTED
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
During May 2004 a contractor's employee working on a trummel at Aberdeenshire Council's Inverboyndie waste treatment plant was injured when it inadvertently activated, throwing him to the floor of the building where he sustained major injuries.
The Council admitted breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of the accident, and was fined £6,500 at Banff Sheriff Court.
The Court deemed that the Council's failure to ensure that systems were being implemented to prevent equipment activation while work was in progress, and also to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the work activity, placed it in breach of the law.
INADEQUATELY GUARDED MACHINE INFLICTED NEAR-FATAL INJURIES
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
North East Tyre Collections Ltd, based in Middlesbrough, Cleveland, has been prosecuted and fined £8,700 with £1,060 costs at Guisborough Magistrates' Court for breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of an accident in which an employee reached towards, and was drawn into, a dangerous zone of an inadequately guarded tyre pulverising machine. The worker was seriously injured.
The company had no employer's liability insurance at the time of the incident.
AMERICAN OWNED ASDA PROSECUTED FOR BREACHING HEALTH & SAFETY AT WORK ACT.
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Asda has been prosecuted at St Helens Magistrates’ Court in Lancs for failings that amounted to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
In September 2003, a boy aged 10 lost the tip of his finger as he extracted his hand from the coin return of a parking meter at an Asda store. Investigation by the local enforcing authority for the store, St Helens Council, established that the meter's coin return had been adapted to deter theft and that it had been left in service for several days after the incident.
Asda's errors were compounded by a failure to report the incident to the Council, who only learned of the event directly from the boy's mother.
It was fined £15,000 plus costs.
COSHH (AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS COME INTO FORCE THIS MONTH
Posted Thursday, January 27, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (Amendment) Regulations 2004 came into force on 17th January 2005, although some of the requirements are not effective until 6th April 2005.
The new Regulations affect the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002 and the Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002.
MOBILE PHONES - NRPB SAYS 'CONTINUE WITH CAUTION'
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A major report on the subject of possible adverse health effects associated with the use of mobile phone technology published by the National Radiological Protection Board reiterates its previous advice that, with no 'hard evidence' of this, a precautionary approach should continue to be adopted.
The publication, Mobile Phones and Health. Report by the Board of NRPB¹, makes a number of recommendations, including:
the provision of better comparative information on the SAR values of different phones to better inform consumer choice; the monitoring of potential exposures from 3G base stations should be carried out concomitantly with the rollout of the network; a formal inspection procedure should be set in place to ensure that exclusion zones around base stations are clearly identified; and a continuing research programme on the possible health effects of mobile phone technologies should be strongly supported.
NRPB has also welcomed news of the work of the Institute of Occupational Health (IOH) in Birmingham. Levels of occupational exposure to RF fields can be higher than for members of the public and sometimes approach guideline levels. The IOH are establishing a register of occupationally exposed people to facilitate the determination of whether, occupationally, there are health effects from exposure to RF fields not observed in the general public.
¹ An Executive summary of the report is also available.
"The fact is that the widespread use of mobile phones is a relatively recent phenomenon and it is possible that adverse health effects could emerge after years of prolonged use. The evidence base necessary to allow us to make firm judgements has not yet been accumulated. What we can say is that there is as yet no hard evidence of adverse health effects on the general public, but because of the current uncertainties we recommend a continued precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies. This approach should be adopted by all involved in this area – including government, the mobile phone industry and all who choose to purchase a mobile phone for themselves, or their family, or their children”. - Sir William Stewart, Chairman of the NRPB.
HSC CONSULTS ON ITS DRAFT SCIENCE STRATEGY
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has opened a period of consultation inviting comment on its draft science strategy describing how both in-house scientific expertise and commissioned science will be used to support strategic programmes, conveying what it expresses as its 'continued commitment to high quality scientific and technological underpinning, which is essential in enabling HSE to continue to be an effective regulator.'
HSC Science Strategy 2005-2008 - Gathering Evidence; Developing Understanding; Identifying Solutions reveals an increasing effort on statistical work, evaluation and human factors.
The strategic programmes are:
Health and Safety Hazards - Falls from Height; Musculoskeletal Disorders; Work Related Stress; Workplace Transport; Slips and Trips; Chemicals; Noise and Hand Arm Vibration.
Sectors - Agriculture; Construction; Health Services; Government Setting an Example; Manufacturing; Utilities; Services and Transport.
Better Health at Work Partnership - Occupational Health and Safety Support; Corporate Responsibility and Accountability; Worker Involvement.
LOCAL AUTHORITY PARTNERSHIP
Major Hazards - Chemical Industries; Specialised Industries; Offshore; Rail; Nuclear.
"HSE regulates health and safety across a wide range of workplaces and industry sectors, often involving technically complex processes and giving rise to a diverse range of hazards and risks. It is essential therefore that HSE makes the most effective use of its science and engineering resources to help achieve the HSC's vision of a record of workplace health and safety that leads the world.
The world of work is changing and HSE needs to anticipate and respond to these changes. The new science strategy sees a continuation of the trend of recent years towards more work in areas such as human factors, statistics and evaluation and less in the more traditional areas. Newer areas of research include Musculoskeletal Disorders and Stress. We recognise the maturity of some areas of industry, such as major hazards, and will expect industry to do more." - HSE's Chief Scientist.
UNACCEPTABLE DISCHARGE OF MERCURY FROM CREMATORIA
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Government concern over the toxicity of mercury and the increasing emissions of the element from crematoria has led to the implementation of steps to sharply reduce this source of pollution derived from fillings in teeth, reckoned to be responsible for up to 16% of all UK emissions.
New government statutory guidance means that all crematoria should install equipment to cut mercury emissions by 50% by 2012.
The Federation of British Cremation Authorities and the Cremation Society are working on a nationwide burden sharing system, although it will be open to crematoria to enter into any burden sharing arrangements which meet the 50% reduction requirement.
"By 2020, crematoria will be by far the biggest single contributor to mercury emissions in this country. Something must be done. Our decision - on which we consulted widely - strikes a balance between the concerns about cost to crematoria and the need to control emissions of a substance which can damage human health and the environment." - Environment Minister.
PLANT COMPANY FINED
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
John Roberts Limited, based in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Merion, has pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of an accident in July 2003 at Aberduna Quarry in which a driver sustained major injuries when the 30-tonne dump truck he was driving went out of control and overturned.
The vehicle provided by the company had only partially effective braking, investigation established that this deficiency arose from it not being subject to regular maintenance.
Chester Crown Court fined the company £10,000 with £15,000 costs.
TUC PLEADS CASE FOR MALIGNED UK WORKFORCE
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The TUC has published a report, Sicknote Britain, suggesting that the term is inappropriately related to its membership, especially public sector employees. Rates of absence appear to compare favourably with those exhibited by other EU countries, but the UK fails when it comes to rehabilitation - a worker who suffers a major injury has a 50% chance of returning to work in Sweden, a 30% chance in the US, but just a 15% chance here in the UK.
The report finds merit in the Government’s Pathways to Work pilot scheme, pointing out that twice the number of people on Incapacity Benefit are getting work through JobCentre Plus, and five times as many are now joining the New Deal for Disabled People.
The benefits of a unionised workplace is recognised in contributing to a lower accident rate and consequent absence.
'Sicknote Britain is an urban myth. We take less time off than most other countries, and public sector staff are less likely to take time off for a short term illness. When employers complain of sicknote Britain, they are attacking some of Europe's most loyal employees.
And those who’ve been trying to make cheap political points about getting tough with the ‘work-shy spongers’ are completely missing the point. People on Incapacity Benefit (IB) have very genuine problems which make it very difficult for them to take the majority of jobs on offer.
Rather than spiralling out of control, as some would have us believe, the number of IB claimants is actually on the decrease. If we are serious about reducing still further the number of people who are currently on benefit, rather than forcing them into jobs for which they are totally unsuited, we need to learn from other countries about how to encourage and support disabled people back into work and tackle the discrimination among employers that is condemning many employees to a life of poverty on benefit.' - TUC General Secretary.
DIRECTOR JAILED FOR ROLE IN ROOF FALL DEATH
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A managing director of a building company has been handed a 16-month custodial sentence by Manchester Crown Court for the part he played in the accidental death of an employee.
The Director of Harper Building Contractors Ltd of Cannock, pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter¹ and a breach of S.2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA).
The accident victim, who had no experience of roof work, and several colleagues were employed to remove and replace the roof of a warehouse on the Lynton industrial estate in Salford. No safe system of work had been prepared before the work began and no safety precautions² were in place at the time of the incident. During June 2003, whilst working on the roof, the man stepped backwards onto a fragile rooflight on an adjoining warehouse. This failed to bear his weight and he fell almost 7 metres on to the ground floor.
¹ In order to determine whether an act constitutes the offence of gross negligence manslaughter, the Crown must establish that:
there was a duty of care owed by the accused to the deceased; there was a breach of the duty of care by the accused, death of the deceased was caused by breach of the duty of care by the accused;
the breach of the duty of care by the accused was so great as to be characterised as gross negligence and therefore a crime.
² Work at height requires careful planning for safety. Simple precautions can be devised to prevent anyone working on, or adjacent to, fragile materials, such as roof lights or asbestos sheets, placing themselves in danger.
Precautions include:
placing platforms over fragile materials to work over them, platforms must be at least 600mm wide and supported by solid materials; either cover with a material capable of supporting weight or provide edge protection (ie hand-rail, mid-rail and toe-board) if working near fragile materials; where a roof will be removed, the above Precautions must be used and, in addition, it is possible to provide safety netting beneath the roof service to provide collective fall protection; when putting these precautions in place, or for jobs of short duration, harnesses may be an appropriate solution - but care must be taken to find a suitable fixing point; training courses are available for roofers that include basic health and safety; a supervisor should be in charge of the work to ensure that safe systems of work are being followed.
"No penalty can make up for the loss of a loved one. However, the Director's sentence properly reflects the seriousness of his failure to ensure that his employee was safe and HSE is pleased that the matter has been concluded. There was a fundamental failure to recognise that the roof included fragile roof lights that will not bear a man's weight. Moreover, the equipment to prevent people falling through fragile materials is readily available and relatively cheap. A sensible, straightforward approach to health and safety in managing the risks on this job should have prevented this tragic death." - HSE's Head of Construction for Scotland and the North West.
ROSPA SEES 80MG DRINK-DRIVE LIMIT AS IMPEDIMENT TO ROAD SAFETY PROGRESS
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Royal Society for The Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) continues to lobby for greater police powers and a drop in the permitted blood alcohol levels for drivers from 80 to 50mg, bringing us in line with the bulk of European countries in this respect.
RoSPA views the current passage of the Road Safety Bill as an opportunity to legislate for these changes which it believes would save 50 lives and 250 serious injuries annually. The introduction of 'evidential' breath testing would mean that someone who failed a roadside test would no longer have to be taken to the police station.
The Road Safety Bill is due to have its second reading this week
“We are now one of only 4 countries out of 15 in the EU with a level above 50mg. At levels between 50mg and 80mg drivers are 2-to-4 times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than drivers with no alcohol.
If we are to make any real progress with drinking and driving in this country, the Government has to act to cut the limit now and prevent more needless deaths on our roads.” - RoSPA.
VESSEL'S MASTER NODDED OFF ON BRIDGE
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Rhein Maas Shipping (RMS) has been fined £20,000 with costs of £22,227 for breaches of Rule 5 of the Collision Regulations and two breaches of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code in relation to two separate incidents on consecutive days in March 2003 in which two of its vessels, `RMS Mulheim' and `RMS Ratingen', were effectively out of control for a period of time.
The Chief Officer of the `RMS Mulheim' was alone on the bridge at night on the 24th March 2003 when he became unconscious, his incapacity remained undiscovered until the vessel ran aground in Sennen Cove, Cornwall.
On the next day 'RMS Ratingen' was approaching Shoreham to pick up a pilot prior to berthing for discharge. The Pilot spoke with the ship about an hour before arrival at 01.35hrs but later it was not responding to radio calls and was moving steadily through the anchorage at slow speed. When the Pilot boarded the vessel, by virtue of climbing over the gunwale, he found the Master fast asleep in the pilot chair. He roused him and pilotage continued without further incident.
"This was a very serious offence and in the RMS Ratingen case it took place in a very busy shipping lane, and we did consider sending the case to Crown Court, however in the light of their early guilty plea, we have decided to deal with the case today. If both Masters had ensured that there were two people on watch in both cases then these incidents would not have occurred. The potential consequences of their actions could have been far more serious." - Chairman Of The Camborne Bench
"These two incidents once again re-iterate the need for a separate lookout on all vessels in congested/pilotage waters and especially in hours of darkness. Guidance on lookouts is clearly laid down in the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watch-keeping (STCW) Code. Owners, managers and operators of all vessels are reminded to ensure that the bridge is properly manned at all times." - Enforcement Officer for the MCA.
LEGIONNAIRES' INVESTIGATION CONTINUES IN FIFE
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Health authorities in Fife say they are still unable to positively identify the likely source of the recent number of cases of legionnaires' disease in the West Fife region.
It is now more than 4 weeks since the last case of the disease was diagnosed, already one person has died, two others are still receiving treatment and several others have fully recovered.
Last week Legionella bacteria were discovered in tanks into which waste water from ships is deposited at Rosyth Dockyard. Owners, Babcock Engineering Services, have acted to remove any threat to workforce or passers-by.
CARE HOME SCALDING
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A care home resident in her 80's has sustained serious scalding injuries when she was doused with hot water when a sink apparently fell from the wall on which it was mounted.
The incident occurred at Ebory Care Home's Dunbeth Lodge in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire Council health and safety officials are investigating, the resident is being treated at a specialist burns unit in Glasgow.
COMPENSATION CULTURE - THE CONFERENCE
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
An HSE/Bond Pearce Solicitors/EEF Western-hosted conference on the myths and realities of compensation culture takes place on Tuesday 1st March at the At-Bristol Complex, Bristol. The conference is to feature presentations by specialists in occupational health, the law and the media, who will explore perceptions of compensation culture and the influence of the media, giving boardroom decision makers from organisations in South West England the opportunity to explore how risk management affects business strategies.
Interactive voting, question and answer sessions and specialist exhibition stands will be available to delegates, for further information about attending the conference call 01772 767 762 or email: hseriskmanagement@glasgows.co.uk
"The conference aims to work out where our ideas of compensation culture come from and how those perceptions, whether myths or realities, affect the decisions we make about the way we run organisations and manage risks. We expect a wide range of employers and senior decision makers from public and private sector organisations across the South West to attend to get the debate going and to understand more about issues like better health and safety." Head of operations for HSE in its South West region.
NRPB UNPERTURBED OVER LATEST RF FIELD STUDY RESULTS
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) has responded by statement to the public interest generated by the EU-funded REFLEX project study co-ordinated in Germany by the Verum Foundation, which sought to observe any effects of radiofrequency (RF) fields on cells in culture that correspond to levels roughly equivalent to the maximum advised for humans in existing exposure guidelines.
The statement reads (in part) - 'In aggregate the research published since the IEGMP report does not give cause for concern. The weight of evidence now available does not suggest that there are adverse health effects from exposures to RF fields below guideline levels, but the published research on RF exposures and health has limitations, and mobile phones have only been in widespread use for a relatively short time. The possibility therefore remains open that there could be health effects from exposure to RF fields below guideline levels; hence continued research is needed.’
NRPB advocates a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies, it will be issuing further advice on mobile phones and health early this year.
HSE TO WRITE TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES ABOUT PADDLING POOL SAFETY
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE has decided to clarify what is required of operators of paddling pools to meet legal requirements, in the interim its Deputy Director General briefly explains what is necessary: "What all pool operators must do is weigh up the risks and provide precautions which match the level of risk they have identified, and they have had to do this by law for 30 years. Each situation has to be assessed on its own merits and, for paddling pools, issues such as the size, depth and usage of the pool will determine what measures are appropriate.
Sensible health and safety is about managing risks, not eliminating them all. HSE is not in the business of stamping out simple pleasures wherever they appear and at whatever cost. We recognise the benefits to children's development of play, which necessarily involves some risk, and this shouldn't be sacrificed in the pursuit of the unachievable goal of absolute safety.
We intend to write to local authorities to clarify the situation."
NI INFORMATION CAMPAIGN ON PASSIVE SMOKING IN THE WORKPLACE
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
In Northern Ireland the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) has launched a new information campaign informing the public of the dangers of passive smoking in the workplace. The current campaign phase focuses on employers and those responsible for welfare.
The campaign includes television advertising and a pack - Protecting your workforce from tobacco smoke. A guide for employers, to help workplaces devise a smoking policy. Workplaces can obtain the pack by calling the Smokers’ Helpline on 0800 85 85 85.
“Passive smoking kills. I cannot stress too strongly the importance of all employers having in place clearly defined policies on smoking. Should the Government, or a future devolved administration, decide to introduce new legislation in this area, it will take some time for a ban to come into force. That is why it is vital that we continue to promote the adoption of smoke-free facilities in order to protect employees sooner rather than later”. Chief Medical Officer for the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
“Many workers are totally unaware of the damage second-hand smoke can do. 85% of second-hand smoke is odourless and invisible but it can still cause deadly damage. The government’s Scientific Committee on Tobacco and Health (SCOTH) states that passive smoking significantly increases the risk of serious illness and no infant, child or adult should be exposed to it.
With this in mind we are encouraging smokers not to expose others to the damaging health effects of their habit and hope it further adds to the number of smokers likely to make a quit attempt, as well as supporting ex-smokers who want to stay that way.
Research carried out by the HPA revealed that when people were asked how much they were bothered by other people’s smoke almost 8 out of 10 women and 7 out of 10 men said they were bothered by it. The message is clear, non-smokers do not want to put their health at risk.
We know that already a number of businesses and organisations in Northern Ireland have been operating a smoke-free policy for years, and we want this campaign to encourage those employers who don’t have a no smoking policy in their workplace to implement one.” - Chief Executive of the HPA.
NEW TECHNOLOGY TO HELP REDUCE DRIVING AT WORK ACCIDENTS
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Organisations intent on reducing costs and casualties arising from driving while at work may wish to review new products now available to assist in this priority safety area.
Such a product, DriveTronics Driver Safety System, is aimed at haulage companies, fleet managers, teenage drivers, parents, school buses, local authority vehicles, ambulances etc.
The system captures an amazing amount of data that can be used to monitor and improve fleet and individual driver performance, a key to reducing accidents. The equipment is available from Florida-based Island GPS.
HSE READY FOR FOI ACT
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE has created a new FOI website which, it says, will allow the public to access information as it becomes available and request information not already published.
The Freedom of information (FOI) website features:
the Publication Scheme, restructured to include full text of HSE's internal operational guidance for field staff, hazardous industries' inspectors and nuclear installations' inspectors; HSE's corporate retention policy, detailing the principles surrounding disposal of records and the disposal arrangements for the various classes of information; and HSE's charging policy for providing information under FOI.
IOM GETS TOUGH ON FIRE SAFETY
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
An Isle of Man hotel has fallen foul of fire safety legislation. Skyland Investments Limited, the proprietors of the Castle Mona Hotel and leisure centre in Douglas has incurred fines totalling £2,000 with £450 costs for breaches of fire safety legislation that came to light during fire service inspections in 2003 and last year.
The misdemeanours related to means of escape being blocked, self-closing fire doors being kept open by objects, the IOM fire authority and courts are making it very clear that breaches of fire safety legislation will not be tolerated.
FREE INTERACTIVE SAFETY SOFTWARE PACKAGE FOR FARMING
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Farming industry health and safety duty holders can now utilise a just released free interactive software package (CD-ROM also from HSE Books) to help carry out risk assessment.
HSE says the software, generated using funding from the Treasury's Invest to Save Budget, offers a step-by-step route into learning about what must be accomplished to protect the health and safety of those who could be affected by farming activity. Importantly, it says users should not feel overwhelmed by the product.
The software includes:
an application which can be installed on a computer and completed off-line at leisure; a configuration screen that tailors the questions to those which are relevant to the farm business; a series of questions on key health and safety topics; a benchmark for each question detailing the minimum standards which should be reached to comply with legal requirements, and the reasoning behind the benchmark; the ability to order relevant free HSE guidance; a facility to add additional risks to the assessment on issues and hazards which are either not covered by the questions or which are unique to the farm;
a facility to allow separate assessments to be produced if more than one farm or holding is managed or owned; printouts in the form of a prioritised list of identified actions; and an optional facility to submit the completed assessment to HSE¹.
The software also contains the full suite of HSE's free agricultural leaflets and associated guidance. The software is designed for off-line use but has a facility to allow farmers to electronically submit their completed assessment to HSE.
¹ The submit facility is entirely optional; if a farmer does choose to make a submission it will be assessed by HSE staff and may be discussed by phone or upon a future visit.
"HSE has produced this self-assessment software to help improve the health and safety record of an industry that has one of the worst fatal accident levels. In the ten-year period from 1994/95 to 2003/04, 489 people were killed as a result of agricultural work activities and several thousand more were injured or became ill.
This software simplifies the process of risk assessment and is intended to help farmers apply good health and safety practices. We hope farmers will find it a useful tool to help improve awareness of health and safety and so reduce the risk of costly accidents on their farms." - HSE's Agriculture and Food Sector.
READING THIS IN A COLD WORKPLACE?
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
If you are, then your employer has failed to heed the advice of the TUC who are apparently inundated with calls, after long public holidays, from aggrieved employees who must contend with not only an end to the break but also an unacceptably cold working environment.
The TUC is concerned that, because many workplaces have been without heating for such a long time, it could take up to a day for buildings to get back to their normal temperatures. It says not only is working in arctic conditions very unpleasant, but excessively cold working environments can also affect dexterity and mobility. The TUC General Secretary explains:
"This is hardly the season for employers to play at being Scrooge. Every year we get lots of calls from workers who return from the festive break only to find their building is like an ice-box. Returning to a bitterly cold workplace having spent perhaps the past ten days relaxing with family and friends is no joke. But ensuring staff return to warm, comfortable workplaces is simple enough to organise, all employers need to do is to arrange for someone to come in a day early and turn the heating back on."
CARE HOME RESIDENTS DRINK CAUSTIC SOLUTION
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Three residents of the Plas Dyffryn care home in Valley, North Wales, have been treated in hospital for the effects of drinking a caustic solution they reportedly believed to be a soft drink. One sustained sufficiently damaging burns that a period in an intensive care unit was necessary for two days of treatment, although all are expected to make a full recovery.
Such incidents occur each year, during October 2001an elderly resident of Plas Rhosnesni home died after drinking a caustic cleaning solution. Home owners Hallmark Healthcare Wrexham Ltd were fined £40,000 with £6,000 costs after they admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
In another tragic poisoning a resident of the Lady Astor Court nursing home in Slough, operated by Southern Cross Healthcare, died after imbibing a quantity of dishwasher detergent.
KOREAN RESOURCE TO STRENGTHEN OSH ONLINE INFORMATION NETWORK
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Korean Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) have decided to become a participating member of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work’s online information network. The EU/Korean website is expected to go online in the spring 2005.
The Japan International Centre for Occupational Safety and Health (JICOSH), a division of the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association (JISHA), and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, are also collaborating - visit http://www.eujposh.org/
ELEVATING PLATFORMS REQUIRE USERS TO BE ADEQUATELY TRAINED
Posted Monday, January 17, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Merryhill Envirotech, the parent company of industrial cleaning business IDM, has been prosecuted and fined £20,000 with £20,000 costs at Swindon Crown Court for breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of a fatal industrial accident during November 2002.
An employee was accessing work at height using an elevating platform when it inflicted fatal crush injuries when he was caught between its cage and structural steelwork.
The company acknowledged failing to adequately train its employees to use the equipment safely and this was deemed to have placed it in breach of the legislation.