WOMAN KILLED IN SUFFOLK FORKLIFT ACCIDENT
Posted Thursday, February 23, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that an employee of Scriggins Surplus Electrical & Engineering of Lowestoft, Suffolk, has died in what appears to be an industrial accident. According to one account the forklift truck became unstable and toppled, inflicting crush injuries.
SPINAL INJURY CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE VEHICLE SEAT
Posted Thursday, February 23, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
A commercial vehicle driver in his 40's, from Sheffield, is to receive £47,000 in an out-of-court settlement from his former employers, Onyx UK, of Beighton, Yorks, in respect of his losses that were maintained to have resulted from having to use a vehicle with a defective seat, a matter for which the company admitted liability.
His permanent disability followed an initial back injury while negotiating his vehicle over a rough surface, and a subsequent period during which he was obliged to drive the vehicle fitted with the faulty seat, a matter which he initially drew to the attention of his employer.
OFFSHORE INDUSTRY FATAL ACCIDENT
Posted Thursday, February 23, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that a worker, said to be employed by contracting organisation Cal Dive International of Aberdeen, has lost his life in an industrial accident on a vessel near the Gannet platform in the North Sea.
According to one account, he is reported to have sustained his injuries when he was struck by moving equipment.
BUNCEFIELD INVESTIGATION - PROGRESS
Posted Thursday, February 23, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
The Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board, set up to supervise the investigation into December's devastating oil depot incident, has published a progress report from the investigation board manager. A dedicated Buncefield website has been set up which carries a statement accompanying this initial report.
Additionally, a safety alert, which is the subject of a press release, has been published and copied to all UK COMAH operators and industry groups, the alert contains precautionary advice to operators of such fuel storage sites.
HSE requests operators with consent to store quantities of oil or other fuels that makes them subject to COMAH, to review their operations in the light of information obtained from the investigation to date, and report the outcome of those reviews to HSE by Easter 2006. HSE intimates that its inspectors will be carrying out targeted inspections at those sites over the next 3 months.
COMMENT:
"HSE has formed an inspection team charged with developing a targeted and nationally consistent action plan, based on operators revisiting the safety reviews at their sites, ensuring that relevant good practice precautions are in place and fully operational and that appropriate measures are implemented for responding to, and dealing with, emergencies involving loss of containment.
HSE will be meeting with key industry trade associations over the next few days to ensure that the programme gains maximum gearing from the industry, and to continue to encourage them to work with their members to review and to promote the sharing of information from dangerous occurrences.
HSE's advice to industry therefore centres on containment integrity issues, such as tanks, pipework and bunds. It will also look at the management arrangements for dealing with normal and abnormal operating conditions. When visiting the sites HSE Inspectors will discuss any reasonably practicable improvements that should be made, and will, if necessary, use their enforcement powers to ensure that timely improvements are made." - Head of HSE's Chemical Industries Division.
PAPER MILLS - GUIDANCE ON FIRE RISK
Posted Thursday, February 23, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
The HSC-appointed Paper and Board Industry Advisory Committee has, in consultation with the HSE, prepared Paper mills - Guidance on fire risk, updating the 1995 publication, it is aimed at managers in the paper and board industry for whom the management of risk arising from fire hazards is critical. It will also be useful to engineering management, health and safety advisers, trainers, technical staff, supervisors, safety representatives and everyone working in the industry. Following the guidance is not compulsory, but if you do follow it, you will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.
It includes information on: causes of fires; fire risk management;
housekeeping; smoking; vandalism and intruders; safety of mill fire teams; hazards and precautions in various operations; general fire precautions; and summaries of some fire-related incidents in the paper industry, selecting the appropriate extinguisher, permit to work, fire-resisting structures, emergency procedures, coating and laminating procedures.
WORKSHOP CHARTS WAY TO REDUCING POLICE STRESS
Posted Thursday, February 23, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
HSE, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) have just conducted a 2-day workshop for Human Resource Directors aimed at assisting them tackle what is the main cause of sickness absence in the public sector - work-related stress.
38 of the 51 police forces in Great Britain were represented, the identification and underlying causes of stress were examined, as were possible interventions before working lives become affected.
View HSE's Management Standards for stress, available on its website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/standards/index.htm .
COMMENT:
"Stress is the main cause of sickness absence in the public sector, but there is a growing realisation that it can be tackled effectively.
It is important that stress is taken seriously across the public sector. I am particularly keen to work closely with key stakeholders such as the police, as I believe this is a very good way of achieving mutual aims.
Police forces have achieved a great deal in terms of reducing sickness absence in recent years. This workshop aims to give useful information and practical advice based on HSE's Management Standards for stress, a tool designed to help both employers and employees manage the problem sensibly." - HSE Chief Executive.
"The police service in England and Wales is committed to working with the HSE to reduce absence. An emerging area of work concerns the impact of stress upon employees. This workshop is an opportunity to consider evidence and best practice and to agree how to make further progress." - ACPO lead on absence and Assistant Chief Constable of Kent Police.
"Unlike many forms of illness and physical injury, stress is not easily diagnosed or recognised. For those who have not experienced the debilitating nature of the condition, it can be extremely hard to understand. Police officers are trained to cope with a variety of high-pressure situations, but it is important to remember that they are human and that it is the combination of their training and their humanity that enables them to perform effectively. It is vitally important that chief officers do all they can to minimise the impact of stress as much as possible and provide support where necessary, which is why workshops such as these are so important." - Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales.
REMARKABLE TALE OF JOURNEY WITH OPEN RADIOACTIVE CONTAINER
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
A specialist company from Oxfordshire responsible for transporting an emitting flask containing a radioactive isotope, a source used for treating patients at a Yorkshire hospital, has been fined £0.25m, with costs exceeding £0.15m, for breaching safety legislation relating to the journey. The case was brought jointly by HSE and the Department for Transport (DfT).
During March 2002, AEA Technology Plc employees transported the large container containing Cobalt 60 at the hospital and conveyed it 130 miles across northern England to Sellafield, Cumbria, where its unplugged condition was detected by staff using instruments who picked up very high gamma ray readings in the vicinity of the flask which was, and had been throughout its travels, continuously emitting this highly dangerous stream of ionising radiation through the opening and on to the road beneath it.
The company admitted breaching the legislation¹ and was fined at Leeds Crown Court, it remains unknown whether any members of the public or persons at work were significantly exposed, the 2 employees responsible for transporting the load completed paperwork confirming they had undertaken the stipulated procedures and checks, something which they patently had not done.
A primary cause of the incident was the company's failure to supervise and support their staff properly.
¹ S.2(1), 3.(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; r.8(1), 19(1) of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999 (IRR); r.14(1), 31(2) of the Radioactive Material (Road Transport) (Great Britain) Regulations 1996;
COMMENT:
"I am pleased that the court clearly saw this as a serious matter. While there is no evidence that anyone received a significant exposure during the preparation and transport of this material, there was clearly the potential for an extremely serious incident. Anyone exposed to the beam coming from the container could have exceeded the legal dose limit within seconds and suffered radiation burns within minutes.
The case also highlights the need for proper preparation and monitoring of transport packages. Adhering to approved operating procedures would have detected the omission of the shield plug before the radioactive material was loaded to the package.
HSE is always willing to work with companies handling radioactive materials to ensure that workers and the public are not exposed to excessive and therefore unacceptable levels of radiation. In HSE's judgment, however, the management failures and the level of risk in this case merited prosecution, in line with our published enforcement policy." - HSE Principal Specialist Radiation Inspector.
MOU WILL HELP SIGNATORIES HANDLE PATIENT SAFETY INCIDENTS
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
Following wide consultations with others, the Department of Health, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the HSE have developed and are signatories to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help ensure that investigations into serious patient safety incidents are conducted in a consistent and well co-ordinated manner.
The protocol is of use in circumstances of unexpected death or serious untoward harm, involving NHS patients being treated in either NHS or independent sector hospitals, requiring investigation by the police, HSE or the police and the HSE jointly. This will normally be the case if an incident has arisen from, or involves, criminal intent, recklessness and/or gross negligence or, in the context of health and safety, involves a work-related death or serious injury.
The protocol provides for an Incident Co-ordination Group (ICG) to be established by the parties, which will provide strategic oversight but not direct the investigations of the police or HSE, but will facilitate discussion of matters such as: public safety concerns; safety of NHS systems; police and/or HSE investigations; the need to inform professional regulatory bodies; securing and preserving evidence; sharing information; and the needs of, and support to, patients, relatives and NHS staff.
COMMENT:
"The vast majority of NHS patients receive safe and effective care, but we have to recognise that in our modern, increasingly complex health service, mistakes do happen. By consulting early on what sort of investigation is necessary, who is to take the lead and how information is shared we can improve learning by conducting more effective investigations and reduce disruption in the day-to-day running of the NHS. It is important to recognise that the NHS is developing a learning culture where staff are encouraged to report and learn from errors rather than hide them. In this way, future similar errors can be avoided.
This unique document will mean that patients and relatives are fully supported and kept up-to-date during very stressful situations while investigations are ongoing, and the staff in each of the three services will be able to work better together in safeguarding patient safety." - Chief Medical Officer.
"On behalf of ACPO I am delighted to contribute to the national launch of the MOU. The finished document is the result of considerable work and commitment from a wide range of individuals. I consider it will be a significant and important document that will enhance patient and public safety. During my chairmanship of the development group I have been struck by the spirit of partnership and cooperation that has driven the work. The challenge for those involved to share experiences and understand other agencies requirements has been challenging at times. However, overall what has been produced is for me the manifestation of what can be achieved when we all work together. The willingness to put public and patient safety at the very top of our agenda in every consideration we have made has meant we have delivered a thorough and practical process that will ultimately improve the service to those who are affected by these types of incidents.
It has taken considerable effort to reach this point and throughout that time the team have never lost sight of the importance of enhancing the service the public receive during very distressing times and situations. The MOU acknowledges that organisations such as the police service, the health service and the HSE are always willing to learn lessons from these types of incidents and search for ways to forge forward and improve. I am personally grateful for the help and support provided by all concerned in developing this MOU. I have been impressed by their openness and willingness to reach real and sustainable outcomes." - ACPO lead on Victims and Assistant Chief Constable of Essex Police.
"HSE is really pleased to have been able to work with DH and ACPO on this important project. We welcome this agreement on best practice in liaison between the health service, the police and HSE over incidents involving unexpected death or serious untoward harm in the NHS. In particular we believe the MoU will help the different organisations work effectively together during these sensitive investigations." - HSE Director of Field operations.
OFF-THE-SHELF SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS NO MAGIC TALISMAN
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
DPT (Wear ) Limited, an importer and distributor of cosmetics and clothing, has been fined £2,000, with costs of £17,985, at St Albans Magistrates' Court after it pleaded guilty to breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. In August 2004, an employee died following an industrial accident at the company's distribution warehouse in Watchmead, Welwyn Garden City, although no causative link was established between the fatal accident and the offences.
The prosecution was instigated by the enforcing authority for the premises - Welwyn Hatfield Council. The investigation revealed that the deceased was receiving a pallet of boxed neckties at the edge of a mezzanine floor, although a special safety guard was fitted at the mezzanine edge, the pallet was over- stacked and, whilst not witnessed, it is apparent that prior to his fall the deceased had attempted to dislodge or remove part of the over-stacked load.
The company had purchased a comprehensive documented health and safety management system from external health and safety consultants, but this had not been implemented - no risk assessment of the activity being undertaken had been carried out.
HSE VISITING CONSTRUCTION SITES IN EAST ENGLAND
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
The momentum of the programme of site visits by HSE inspectors throughout E England continues this week. Part of the Watch Your Step in Construction campaign, the officials will be on construction sites today in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, Beccles and Bungay; on Thursday, February 23rd, in areas around King's Lynn, Thetford, Brandon, Swaffham, Downham Market, Watton and Fakenham; and in Chelmsford on Friday 24th.
Inspectors will be paying particular attention to slip and trip hazards and general site tidiness, but will no doubt observe some failings in other aspects of health and safety which require immediate attention by those in a position to effect remedies where risks are not being managed adequately.
EXPLOSION KILLS WORKER AS BUILDING IS DESTROYED
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
An employee of Tomkow Special Effects Limited has died in an explosion and subsequent fire at its premises in Droylsden, Lancs.
The incident occurred last Wednesday, 6 of the deceased man's colleagues escaped, but the fire prevented them and people from neighbouring businesses effecting a rescue.
CARDIFF SEMINAR LOOKS AT PERILS OF PAINT SPRAYING
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
Unless the correct controls are in place, paint sprayers in vehicle bodyshops using 2-pack isocyanate paints are at a considerably elevated risk of developing asthma from their work. Isocyanates are the biggest single cause of occupational asthma, with an estimated 150 vehicle paint sprayers contracting asthma each year.
The HSE has organised a seminar in Cardiff for those in the trade to find out the best way to prevent respiratory problems, the free sessions take place on 23rd February from 09.00 to 12.25 and from 13.00 to 16.30 at Glan Hafren College, Trowbridge Road, Cardiff, and employees from all bodyshops in the area are invited to attend.
HSE says the event precedes a local inspection campaign, to attend, contact HSE Cardiff on 02920 263056
COMMENT:
"Sprayers are more likely to get asthma because of chemicals in the paints they use called isocyanates. When the paint is sprayed, very high concentrations of isocyanates are released into the air. Sprayers can develop asthma rapidly if not properly protected and once the asthma starts that's the end of their life as a sprayer. We need people to come to this free event so they can learn how to control the risk and reduce their chances of getting this serious disease.
Occupational asthma must not be underestimated - it can be a debilitating disease. We want the paint spraying industry to work with us to minimise the suffering that asthma can cause." - HSE specialist inspector.
"Traditionally, HSE has relied on using workplace Inspection and Enforcement to help businesses comply with the law, so that their health and that of their employees is protected. But we are now inviting as many people as we can to this event, where HSE and industry experts will hold interactive sessions explaining what the risks are, and what they can do to minimise them.
HSE is all about taking sensible and reasonable steps to minimise the chances of people becoming ill or hurt at work. We don't like to see people suffer, and we urge as many paint sprayers as possible to contact us to reserve a space at the free event." - HSE Inspector who organised the event.
21-MONTH OLD BOY DIES FOLLOWING INCIDENT AT COMMERCIAL PREMISES
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
Edinburgh City Council safety officials are investigating a tragic accident which occurred last Tuesday when the 21-month-old son of a visiting employee fell from height at commercial premises in the Princes Exchange building, in the Tollcross area of the city.
According to accounts given, it appears he made his way through a gap in a barrier on a mezzanine level from where he fell 5 metres to the foyer below.
The building is leased to its occupants by the Halifax Bank of Scotland.
TOO MANY INJURED AND MAIMED BY WOODWORKING EQUIPMENT IN SCOTLAND
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
During 2004/05, there were over 100 major and over-3-day injuries, including one fatality in Scotland's woodworking premises, and as part of an initiative to reduce these figures, HSE has organised one of a number of free Safety and Health Awareness Days for the industry for today, Thursday 16th February, in Falkirk.
Over 240 representatives of small woodworking businesses from across Scotland are meeting at Forth Valley College to hear presentations, discussions and interactive practical demonstrations of scenarios that regularly feature in accident reports which will make up the day's programme.
The rolling programme of such events in Scotland will eventually involve the participation of around 800 small businesses, with HSE taking the view that individual business's attendance represents a positive commitment to managing health and safety risks within their workplace.
COMMENT:
"The rate of major injury in woodworking is around three times the average in the manufacturing sector in the UK. The Safety and Health Awareness Day will feature practical interactive demonstrations of scenarios that regularly feature in the accidents reported by woodworking businesses. These will include typical machinery and manual handling accidents. Each scenario will highlight the risks involved and give practical demonstrations on how these risks can be eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels.
HSE is running the events in partnership with an independent woodworking training provider. The day offers attendees the unique opportunity of being able to discuss safety issues with the people responsible for enforcing the law on neutral ground. Any woodworking business receiving an invitation to this free event should make every effort to attend." - HSE Principal Inspector.
SAFETY WEEK 2006 - EUROPEAN GOOD PRACTICE AWARDS
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
This year's Safety Week is dedicated to young people, and efforts made to try to ensure them a safe and healthy start to their working lives.
With this theme, nominations for the 7th European Good Practice Awards in occupational health and safety are now being invited by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
Businesses, trade and professional organisations, schools, colleges and training providers from EU Member States, making outstanding and innovative contributions in this area, can submit entries which should show good management practice, particularly the effective use of risk assessment and implementation of its findings, and should be focused on the successful prevention of risks to young people.
Winners will be announced at the campaign's closing event in March 2007 in Bilbao, gaining recognition across Europe for their good practice solutions.
COMMENT:
'Accidents at work are a serious threat to EU's 58 million young people. According to Eurostat data, the risk of work accidents is at least 50% higher among those aged 18-24 years than in any other age category. Through our 'Safe Start!' campaign and the Good Practice Awards competition the Agency will promote risk awareness and risk prevention in enterprises, schools and across Europe.’ - Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
EMFS, MELATONIN AND THE RISK OF BREAST CANCER
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
In a world where exposures to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are largely unavoidable, the possibility of their potential to cause harm to humans continues to be assessed.
The independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR) has just published a report, Power Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, Melatonin and the Risk of Breast Cancer , ISBN 0 85951 573 3, which by means of a review of scientific literature examined whether EMFs associated with the supply and use of electricity can influence the risk of breast cancer. It has been postulated that sources of exposure such as overhead power lines, electrical wiring and domestic appliances could, somehow, reduce melatonin levels which may increase the risk of breast cancer.
The report concludes that 'overall the evidence does not support the hypothesis that exposure to EMFs is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. In addition, EMFs do not appear to affect the production or biological action of the hormone melatonin.'
SAFETY MEETING COLLAPSES IN CHAOS!
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
Health and safety officers meeting to discuss evacuation procedures missed their chance to put their words into practice - when the office floor collapsed beneath them.
Firemen were called to pull the 21 officers to safety when the floor gave way in a converted mill in Hyde, Manchester.
Apart from a broken ankle and some bruising, there were no serious injuries.
Staff in a room below the meeting noticed the ceiling moving and ran out of the building.
Seconds later, the ceiling collapsed with a heavy wooden desk crashing to the floor - followed by the safety officers, chairs, flip charts, clipboards and paperwork.
After the rescue yet more health and safety officers arrived from the local council to investigate the cause of the incident.
It is not yet known if any of the workers will make a claim against their employer on health and safety grounds.
SAFETY MESSAGE FOR DUCHY OF CORNWALL ESTATE
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
Around 30 tenant farmers and their partners from the Duchy of Cornwall estate have benefited from attending an HSE/ Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority organised agricultural health and safety event at St Mellion Country Club this week.
Presentations were delivered on pesticides, manual handling and respiratory ill health and practical demonstrations of safe working systems using a tractor and sprayer were viewed. St John's Ambulance and the British Red Cross gave demonstrations on first aid, with Cornwall Central Health Promotion Service advising on healthy eating, the value of exercise, stopping smoking and emotional health and well-being.
COMMENT:
"As well as the high number of fatalities in this sector every year, there are 1,000s of cases of ill health and injury every year. Farming is an inherently hazardous profession because of the need to work with potentially dangerous machinery, workplace transport, chemicals and livestock. Farm workers are also often required to work at heights or near pits and silos.
The main causes of injuries and deaths are vehicles overturning or people being hit by vehicles, people being hit by falling objects, falls from height, accidents involving moving machinery and livestock. There are many aspects of farming that can also lead to ill-health, such as back problems from heavy lifting and respiratory problems caused by chemicals.
One of the best ways of spreading messages to the agricultural industry is by talking to farmers direct. We're delighted that the Duchy of Cornwall arranged for their tenant farmers to attend this event and for their partners to come along too. They are often the ones who can remind the farmers on a day to day basis about the need to pay attention to health and safety.
The event was a great success. By joining forces with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority we were able to offer a coordinated approach to health matters generally." - HSE's Principal Inspector based in Plymouth.
HOUSEBUILDING ENCOURAGED TO IMPROVE STANDARDS
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
A special safety and health awareness event for housebuilding took place in York last week to raise awareness of safety standards. Organised by HSE, with the co-operation of 13 major Yorkshire and Northern housebuilders, the Federation of Master Builders, National Federation of Builders and the National House Builders Corporation, in excess of 400 workers and apprentices attended.
Managing risks from falls from height, transport management with an emphasis on pedestrian segregation, manual handling and management of noise and vibration in construction were topics of discussion. There was also an exhibition displaying safety equipment and safety support systems that are available on the market.
NEW PESTICIDES CODE FOR PROFESSIONAL USERS
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
A new Statutory Code of Practice for professional users of plant protection products in England and Wales has been published, replacing 3 others:
the Code of Practice for the Safe Use of Pesticides on Farms and Small Holdings (Green Code); the Code of Practice for the use of Approved Pesticides in Amenity Areas and Industrial Areas (Orange Code), a voluntary code produced by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors and the British Agrochemical Association; and those parts of the Code of Practice for the safe use of Pesticides for Non-Agricultural Purposes - The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (Blue Code) which deal with forestry.
The Code of Practice covers protection of wildlife and the environment as well as human health, setting out the best practice for the use of pesticides controlled under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986, the Plant Protection Products (Basic Conditions) Regulations 1997 and the Plant Protection Products Regulations 2005.
Failure to follow this guidance is not in itself an offence, but the code is admissible in evidence in criminal proceedings.
The new code can be downloaded from the PSD website, the Scottish version approved by the Scottish Parliament is being produced, and will become available on the Scottish Executive website.
DEVELOPMENT COMPANY PROPRIETORS FINED
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
The proprietors and operators of development contractors Amato Developments have pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of the disabling injury accident suffered by a man who fell more than 3 metres from an inadequately protected opening at the top of the stairway of a house in Hampstead in February 2004.
City of London Magistrates fined them £9,000, with costs in excess of £4,000.
CIVIL ACTION PUBLICISES VEHICLE LADDER STORAGE DIFFICULTY
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
A successful civil action, taken on behalf of a member by trade union Amicus, points the way for employers who wish to avoid placing their employees at risk when they retrieve and store ladders on their vehicles.
The union, through its legal agents, Thompsons Solicitors, secured compensation when Northern Electric Plc, previously Northern Electric Distribution Limited (NEDL), admitted liability when its employee fell from his company vehicle while trying to secure a ladder to its roof. The man, in his 50s, was a rapid response electrician employed to respond to emergency situations in a Citroen Despatch van from his home, but in 2003 he slipped from the van while trying to secure a ladder to the roof and cracked several ribs as he fell onto the passenger door.
The pain from the rib injury meant he was unable to return to work for a period of time.
At the time of the accident, the company van was fitted with a static ladder rack on the roof, which could not be reached from the ground. It was established that the accident victim was never provided with any training on how to access the roof, or any recommended way of removing or replacing the ladders, until after the accident.
COMMENT:
“We’re very relieved that our member can finally claim the compensation he deserves. We are also pleased that this ruling has led to a decision by Northern Electric Plc to fit a sliding rack, known as an easy load ladder, to every van. This will prevent further injuries of this type occurring to our members.
The sliding rack, known as an easy load ladder, is fitted to the roof and is pulled off the roof by a handle. The rack then leans against the back of the van whilst the ladders are undone, which means the ladders can be untied or refastened on the ground." - Regional secretary for Amicus.
“The easy load ladder is much safer than the fixed ladder rack and if this system had been fitted at the time of my accident, I would have had no need to stand on the van seat and I wouldn’t have fallen. It upsets me that my pain and inconvenience could have been easily avoided by a simple health and safety risk assessment.
I was more upset to learn from my union Amicus that there have been a number of previous complaints about access to ladders. One or two of my colleagues have also nearly had accidents while clambering on the van to access ladders. To the best of my knowledge, NEDL failed to act on these complaints. If the complaints had been taken more seriously prior to my accident and the situation assessed, I believe my accident could have been avoided. I am pleased with the outcome and I have been very impressed by the speed and efficiency of Amicus’ free legal scheme and would recommend it to others.” - Accident victim.
“____ ____, like many other NEDL employees, adopted his own method of removing and refastening the ladder. He either stood on the back door lintel to reach the back rack or on the passenger seat to reach the front rack. This is not acceptable health and safety procedure for any company, especially for such a large company.” - Spokesperson for Thompsons Solicitors.
CAUTION WHEN USING A-WEIGHTED NOISE MEASUREMENT SAY RESEARCHERS
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
Work by academics at the Ålborg University in Denmark suggests that standard A-weighted noise measurement in dB underrates the potential damage caused by certain types of industrial noise, typically 'short noise peaks from rattling bottles, compressed air blasts, and metal on metal noises'.
The researchers recommend that alternative methods for measuring noise in the workplace should be developed. Visit hear it for more details.
PACKAGING COMPANY FINED £75,000 OVER WORKPLACE DEATH
Posted Tuesday, February 21, 2006 by Ahmed Khan
DS Smith Packaging Limited, Louth, Lincolnshire, has been fined £75,000, with £13,200 costs, at Lincoln Crown Court for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances surrounding the death in August 2004 of an employee in an industrial accident .
The deceased worker, while attempting to remove some cardboard from a press, reached into a dangerous zone of the equipment, being able to do so only because the press was inadequately guarded. He sustained massive crush injuries when the press suddenly activated, the prosecution maintained that the accident was foreseeable and should have been prevented by the risk assessment process. The danger could have been eliminated by very little expenditure, perhaps as little as £100.