HYDROCARBON RELEASE REDUCTION CAMPAIGN BEARS FRUIT
Posted Saturday, November 30, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The number of Hydrocarbon releases, viewed by some as a measure of the offshore industry's safety performance, is reducing, but more still needs to be done says Taf Powell, Head of HSE's Offshore Safety Division.
Hydrocarbon release reduction is currently one of HSE's key programmes of work aimed at delivering targeted resources to tackle potential major hazard initiating events.
At the recent seminar in Aberdeen, jointly organised by HSE and the United Kingdom Offshore Operators Association (UKOOA), Mr Powell said: "Leak reduction has been one of HSE's highest priorities in recent years. Together with much of industry, HSE has put in a considerable amount of effort into trying to reduce the annual level of offshore hydrocarbon release and we have therefore been particularly pleased to see that this effort is now bearing fruit."
Target setting
On the HSE strategy of setting performance targets he commented: "The target we set industry was to achieve a 50% reduction in the number of major and significant hydrocarbon releases by the end of year 2003/2004. In the first two years of the campaign, up to the end of March this year, that figure fell by 21.6% whilst the number of releases in the major category alone fell by 66% which is particularly encouraging. To obtain such a large reduction in major releases in such a relatively short period of time is excellent news.
I'm pleased to report that this year the downward trend seems to be continuing. I welcome the reductions so far but we should be under no illusions. It is going to require a sustained effort from everybody involved in the industry if the overall target is to be met. Leak reduction is not an area where one can ever relax - it is only by being continually vigilant, continually bearing down on the problem, that success is likely to be achieved."
One of the most pleasing aspects of the release reduction campaign so far has been the degree of collaboration and co-operation that appears to have taken place both between different companies in the industry and also between the industry and HSE. From our own analysis of the causes of hydrocarbon releases, it is clear that the vast majority occur not for reasons of great technical complexity but rather as a result of failure to follow some of the basics in areas such as the making of bolted pipe joints. If we can get a common understanding of what constitutes good practice in these problem areas and then secure wide conformance with good practice once it has been agreed, we should be able to make significant inroads into the number of related releases."
The target for hydrocarbon releases is 70 releases by the end of March 2004, on a baseline of 1999/2000 when there were 139 major and significant releases, 12 majors and 127 significants.
JAIL FOR FAIRGROUND SAFETY INSPECTOR
Posted Saturday, November 30, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
A safety inspector of fairground equipment, Barry Ramsey, 52, has been jailed for 18 months having been found guilty on 2 counts of manslaughter & 2 breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act after 2 customers died in a west London fairground in May 2000 when the car in which they were riding on the Super Trooper ride broke off its mountings, despite having been inspected by Mr Ramsey 3 weeks earlier.
Ride owner Darren Jones, 34, was exonerated by the Old Bailey jury who accepted that he had placed faith in the safety certificate issued by Ramsey as a licensed inspector. In gross dereliction of professional duty Mr Ramsey had apparently failed to inspect the metal frames under the fibreglass seats, which may never have been done in the ride's 18 year history, nor was attention paid to metal fatigue, cracks & rust on the joints and mountings holding the cars to the ride.
PUBLIC NOT AT RISK FROM RADIOACTIVE FLUID LEAK - DOCKYARD CONFIDENT!
Posted Saturday, November 30, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate are investigating an incident which occurred over 2 weeks ago at Plymouth's Devonport Dockyard, operated by Devonport Management Ltd, in which radioactive fluid escaped from the nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard undergoing a refit.
The Environment Agency says 10 litres of radioactive coolant was released during a transfer of coolant. The Dockyard's technical director Andrew Clark attempted to allay fears saying: "We are absolutely confident that there was no danger at any time to either to our workers or to members of the public. There was no release of this material outside the dock to the environment at all, it was all contained & was cleaned up using the proper procedures."
DON'T FALL FOR IT - FARMERS TOLD!
Posted Saturday, November 30, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
A new HSE 'black spot' report highlighting the dangers of falls from heights in agricultural industry has been launched at the Royal Smithfield Show. During the past 10 years falls from height have claimed 80 lives, representing the second largest cause of fatalities in the sector.
On the report - Why fall for it? Preventing falls in agriculture, Linda Williams, HSE's Chief Inspector of Agriculture, said: "HSE has analysed accident statistics & published the findings in this booklet. All too often falls have occurred because risks were not properly assessed & little, or no, safety equipment was used. Many of these accidents occurred during roof work & involved falls through roof sheets & roof lights.
The fragile nature of many roofing materials is constantly ignored as farmers appear to take chances, risking serious injury & even death.
The booklet highlights the importance of selecting & using the correct equipment for carrying out safely any work at height. Some fatal accidents & many serious injuries occur because the wrong equipment is used. For example, accidents happen when ladders are used for work which could be done more safely from alternative access equipment such as a scaffold tower or a work platform on a materials handler.
I hope this booklet will show people the importance of properly planning the means by which work at height is carried out, and how the use of appropriate equipment can reduce the risk of falling". Copies of Why fall for it? Preventing falls in agriculture (INDG369), are available free from HSE Books.
RABIES DEATH LEADS TO SUSPENSION OF BAT HANDLING LICENCES
Posted Thursday, November 28, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
In the wake of the death of David McRae, who died at the weekend from European Bat Lyssavris after being bitten by a Daubenton's bat (carrier of north European rabies) during the course of his work, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) has announced the indefinite suspension of all but a handful of licences issued for persons to work with bats in Scotland.
"All but a handful of the 101 licences have been suspended until we know what the risks are and what procedures need to be put in place," said spokesman George Anderson.
A newly established Bat Fieldwork Team comprising 8 fully inocculated people is now in place and bat workers attended a health and safety workshop at SNH's Battleby Centre, near Perth at the weekend, sadly Mr McCrae had never been vaccinated against EBL, his being only the 3rd instance of infection recorded in the British bat population since the first in 1996.
630 EBL cases were recorded in northern Europe, mostly, Germany, Holland and Denmark between 1977 and 2000, at this time of the year most bats should now be in hibernation.
DANGERS OF CATTLE HANDLING
Posted Thursday, November 28, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
A new HSE video is available which serves to remind farmers of the inherent dangers of cattle handling. Farmers describe their real life experiences of the dangers from working with cattle. In the past 10 years, 27 people have been killed working with cattle & many others have been seriously injured.
Linda Williams, HSE's Chief Inspector of Agriculture comments: "Much of people's understanding about risks comes from shared experience. In this video, farmers & others tell their stories of handling cattle. We hope this will make other farmers think about how they handle their cattle & what they can do to reduce the risks.
HSE recognises that farmers in the beef & dairy sector are under pressure, but they & their families will be under far greater pressure if they get seriously injured or killed. With fewer and fewer people working in farming, the need for proper facilities such as pens, races & crushes is more important than ever. Gone are the days when there were 4 or 5 people around the farm who could all pitch in to help with cattle handling. The same applies to housing for bulls & bull beef. Failure to get it right could cost someone's life."
The video, Deal with the danger - Safe cattle handling, looks at the factors which affect the behaviour of cattle, sets out the features of good stock handling facilities & graphically illustrates what can go wrong by recreating some typical accidents.
Chris Broome, a dairy farmer from near Lichfield testified: "My accident was the classic case of not thinking about the risks involved. I was separating a cow from the bull after service & he went for me. He butted me all the way down the passage & pushed me into the corner. I was completely helpless. Luckily the cow came back to see what was going on & he lost interest, otherwise I would have been killed. "My message to all farmers is - don't get complacent, think about what you are doing. If you've got handling facilities - USE THEM - don't take shortcuts. If you haven't the right facilities, spend the money & put them in. They cost you a lot less than someone's life."
Copies of the video Deal with the danger - Safe cattle handling, ISBN 0-7176-2512-5, priced at £25.00 plus VAT are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787 881165 or fax: 01787 313995. Copies of the free leaflets Handling and housing cattle (AIS 35) and Preparing cattle for slaughter (AIS 34) are also available from HSE books or can be downloaded at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/agindex.htm .
HSE CONSTRUCTION BLITZ - IT'S YORKSHIRE'S TURN!
Posted Thursday, November 28, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
33 HSE Inspectors are to carry out a 'construction blitz' across sites in Yorkshire between 28th November & 6th December 2002. The programme of site blitzes is part of its new drive to cut down on the unacceptable toll of deaths, injuries & ill health on badly run sites. They will visit sites both large & small in the Yorkshire area, however particular attention will be paid to some of the smaller sites that would not normally be notified to HSE.
Out of the 291 work-related deaths last year, 106 were on construction sites. Inspectors will be adopting a rigorous enforcement-led approach & they will be stopping work on sites where poor standards are identified.
ACTION AGAINST THOSE WHO FLOUT SAFETY LAW
Mr Geoff Cox, Head of Construction for Yorkshire and East Midlands, said: "The number of workers killed in the construction industry is unacceptably high. Although we will be concentrating on falls from height, we will also address other health & safety issues where we find poor standards. We will take immediate action against those who flout health and safety law. The industry must improve its standards, if it is to meet the 'Revitalising' health and safety targets it has set itself. Falling from heights is the single biggest killer in construction - last year accounting for 44% of all deaths in the industry. Solutions are well known & the controls required to prevent falls from height are not costly. We expect construction companies to get it right - and if they do not we will take action."
SUPERVISOR CHARGED WITH UNLAWFUL KILLING
Posted Thursday, November 28, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The death of a 36 year old railway track worker who was fatally struck by a Midland Mainline express while engaged in maintenance work near Market Harborough in Leicestershire, has led to a rail site safety supervisor being charged with unlawful killing at Kettering Magistrates court.
Although strict safety measures were allegedly in place at the locus of the accident, including closure of the track where he was working, he was apparently struck by the Nottingham express on another track.
RISK-BASED MEDICAL STANDARDS FOR SEAFARERS INTRODUCED
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Over 80 doctors have been approved by the Maritime and Coastguard agency to carry out seafarer medical examinations typically concerned with the areas of implementation of audiometry programmes for seafarers, mental health problems & issues relating to vision. The new UK seafarer medical examination system came into effect on 1 September 2002.
Some key changes in the new Medical Examination Regulations, and two new Merchant Shipping Notices are:
All seafarers - regardless of the size of ship on which they work - will now need a valid medical fitness certificate to work at sea;
updated and more flexible medical standards are being introduced;
the maximum validity for a medical certificate is now two years;
new supporting documentation is available as well as the Merchant Shipping Notices, including comprehensive guidance for all Approved Doctors (appointed to conduct statutory seafarer medicals), a Marine Guidance Note which provides guidance to employers and information leaflets which are available for seafarers; and
all supporting documentation will also be accessible from the Agency's website at www.mcga.gov.uk .
OLDER MARINERS AND HEART DISEASE
Dr Tim Carter, Chief Medical Adviser to the MCA and Chairman of the Working Group deployed on the changes said: "Medical fitness of seafarers makes an important contribution to safety at sea in a number of ways.
The risk of vessel accidents from health problems in watch-keepers is reduced. Crews have the physical capacity to deal with maritime emergencies; the scope for spread of infections is reduced and the likelihood of sudden illness at sea, with its dangers for the individual and the hazards and costs of evacuation, diversion or repatriation, is minimised. The chances of premature termination of a career at sea by ill-health are thereby lessened.
The updated medical standards are now more clearly risk-based and provide greater flexibility so as to take account of the great variety of working conditions at sea. One of the commonest reasons for restriction in older mariners is heart disease. But, thanks to advances in medical treatments, and the introduction of more flexible standards, allowing the assessment of risk on an individual basis, some seafarers who were previously ruled out can now continue to work at sea. At the same time the need to ensure that safety at sea is not compromised and of course remains paramount."
We are grateful for the support of both sides of industry, and in with this co- operation the new medical standards bring the UK fully into line with international requirements. More importantly they provide the basis for a safe seafaring workforce fit for the 21st century."
PAINT PROBLEMS AT 'UNI'
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Some Manchester Metropolitan University employees are reported to have been adversely affected by what, it is speculated, are paint-solvent vapours circulating in their office accommodation. Fire-resistant paint has been spray-applied on an adjoining new building, and employees have reported respiratory problems, headaches, nausea to the extent that they are unable to remain in the building. This week five were sent home from one office after complaining about the fumes.
The University's Tony Williams, Services Director, said: "Technically, these fumes are not harmful. But if staff are having these problems, they should not be working there and alternative offices are being found. No-one will be asked to work in these conditions. We have had air tests done in all areas where there have been complaints and were all within safe limits."
MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL ROAD RISK
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents' latest seminar on Managing Occupational Road Risk, sponsored by BT, takes place at Kents Hill Park Conference Centre, Milton Keynes, on December 2, 2002.
Of the event which is almost a sell-out, Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser, said: "RoSPA has led the way in ensuring MORR is addressed as a mainstream health and safety issue. We are delighted to see how seriously the fleet industry is now treating this subject. Occupational road risk needs to be managed as a key business performance issue. These seminars can provide the impetus needed to put organisations on the right track."
Such has been the demand, RoSPA is also staging an MORR seminar at the Beardmore Conference Hotel, Clydebank, on January 22, 2003.
Those attending will hear Ron Munro of Zurich Insurance on the insurer's perspective of reducing risk; Sue Viney, a chartered insurer of BHI Solutions, on measuring performance to manage risk and cost; David Faithful of Amery Parkes Solicitors on criminal and civil liabilities; and David Matthews of Tracker Network (UK).
For further details visit www.rospa.com/morr .
CONDITION OF EDINBURGH SCHOOL BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF HSE
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Parental concern over the condition of the fabric of an Edinburgh school has been communicated to the HSE. Preston Lodge High School, Prestonpans, is soon to be upgraded by a £7 million PPP refurbishment scheme. Complaint centred on the condition of the glazing and doors which have been vandalised, and the lack of locks on toilet cubicles.
An HSE spokesman commented: "Representations have been made to us and we are looking into them. I can confirm it’s in regard to glazing in doors and windows at Preston Lodge High School."
Councillor Ford, a Preston Lodge’s school board member said: "The school is in very poor condition, but I’m confident nobody is at risk."
BATH-LIFT FATALITY
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that the details of the Sheffield incident which led to the death of John Clarke, 70, who was electrocuted by a bath-lift for disabled people, is to go before the Crown Prosecution Service.
Mr Clarke died using the chair at home in Hackenthorpe, Sheffield in March. The inquest into his death was adjourned.
EUROPEAN AGENCY PUBLISHES REPORT
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The European agency for Safety and Health at Work has just published:
OSH SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMMES: Learning about occupational safety and health (Working Paper) which is available on its website in PDF format.
RADICAL FAILINGS IN THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The death of a Thorpe St Andrew builder aged 42, who fell through a skylight at a pub in Warmington, Warwickshire, reflected HSE's message 3 months ago that the construction industry must address its poor performance in falls & transport which account for most fatal & serious accidents.
One of a team of 5 builders, the man fell 7 metres on to a concrete surface & succumbed to head injuries.
Alluding to that August message to the industry ahead of a crackdown, HSE principal inspector Roger Bolland said: "Our priorities are to help the industry reduce the toll of serious accidents caused by poor transport management and falls from height. The health and safety performance of the construction industry needs radical improvement."
Earlier this week a Cardiff inquest heard of the death of a 45 year old building worker who was fatally struck by falling masonry as he stood in the 'drop zone' when 2 houses were being demolished in Roath, Cardiff. The worker had been deployed as a site lookout to alert those in the near vicinity of this very danger.
ROLL CONTAINERS!
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
HSE-funded research has examined the safety implications of using roll containers, known also as rollcages or roll pallets, which are widely used in warehouses and supermarkets to transport goods. They are recognisable as half pallet-sized platforms with a wire cage and four running castors.
As the containers are manually handled in most situations and can carry up to 500kg of goods when fully loaded, they have increasingly become a significant source of accidents.
This report identifies the causes of accidents, suggests design changes to improve stability during handling, advises on loading limits, including load distribution & provides recommendations on the use of tail lifts.
A video has also been produced as a training aid for both enforcement officers and industry illustrating the factors involved in roll container accidents and how these can be avoided.
Copies of Safety of roll containers (Research Report 009), ISBN 0-7176-2535-4, price £15, and the video Rolling safely along, ISBN 0-7176-2555-9, price £25 plus VAT, are available from HSE Books, PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01787 881165 or fax: 01787 313995.
The report is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/
research/crr_htm/index.htm
HALF A MILLION UK PROPERTIES STILL CONTAIN ASBESTOS!
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
It is believed that at least a quarter of those people dying from asbestos have worked in construction and building operations (based on the last full time job recorded on mesothelioma death certificates).
Marking the coming into force this week of the new Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations placing the onus on commercial property managers to monitor asbestos products in their buildings and ensure that hazardous asbestos is removed and replaced by safe alternatives, Construction Minister Brian Wilson comments: "Until now, contractors may have been unaware of the dangers they might face when carrying out refurbishment work in commercial properties. These new regulations will ensure that any old, dangerous asbestos in properties is brought to their attention. Above all, this legislation gives construction workers the right to know.
Asbestos was outlawed from new buildings twenty years ago but the legacy still lives on. In older properties, it is still safer to leave asbestos in place, rather than remove it, when it is still in good condition. It is essential that fibrous or crumbling insulation is highlighted early before it becomes a risk to contractors."
The fact that around half a million premises are believed to still contain asbestos, puts a wide range of workers potentially at risk including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, joiners and builders.
More than 3,000 people currently die each year in the UK from asbestos- related disease with a 30-40 year average latency period between exposure and onset of disease.
FIRM FINED OVER CRUSH INJURIES
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Anglesey Aluminium Metal Ltd of Holyhead, north Wales, pleaded guilty & were fined a total of £15,500 for a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in respect of the severe crush injuries sustained by their employee David Jones, whose serious pelvic injuries occurred after he was crushed between a moving crane & a fixed stanchion at the company's Penrhos Works in March.
LIVE HANDRAIL IN SWIMMING POOL
Posted Monday, November 25, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
HSE is to investigate the circumstances in which two primary school girls found their hands stuck to a swimming pool hand rail which had become electrically live.
The girls were part of a 13-strong swimming party from Lawhead Primary school in Fife which was using the pool at local authority run Madras College High School in St Andrews as part of an extracurricular activity.
The girls had to have their fingers prised off one by one by adults in attendance & later it was confirmed by Fife Council Education's Alex McKay that work had been undertaken earlier in the day on the building's permanent installation.
CROSS CHANNEL FERRY DETAINED
Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
A Newhaven to Dieppe ferry, named 'Dieppe' & registered in the Bahamas, has been detained yesterday at Newhaven with 'numerous defects' many of them relating to the state of its engine room.
Bryan Hopkins, Surveyor in Charge at Orpington Marine Office said: "Machinery space cleaning started last night & continues this morning. If this is found to be satisfactory, the vessel will be allowed to sail to France today in order to make further repairs.
There is a good deal of work to be carried out on the ISM system & we are keen that this is rectified immediately."
The registered passenger-carrying vessel had defects which included the following: emergency fire pump auto changeover valve failed to operate from remote, main engine room & shaft tunnels' cleanliness poor, oil in stabiliser framing Deckhead Fire Protection missing behind auxiliary engine lubricating oil tank, auxiliary engine lubricating oil tank - gauge glass leak, hydraulic leak steering gear pump & oil buckets in shaft spaces.
The number of defects and condition of the spaces indicates a failure of the onboard ISM system.
'DERBY DAY'
Posted Sunday, November 17, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Officers from HSE and Derby City Council visited around 100 companies on Derby city industrial estates last week, including factories, offices and warehouses. The outcome - an alarming 14 improvement notices and 10 prohibition notices to stop unsafe working were necessary, painting a picture of poor standards in the area.
HSE inspector Nicola Wade said: "Problems found included no training for fork lift truck drivers and failing to identify the dangers of using vehicles in the workplace. Damaged ladders were being used and little thought given to other measures to prevent people falling from heights above 2 metres. All employers have a duty to make sure their workers are safe and this certainly doesn't have to be expensive compared to the cost of an accident." Officers concentrated on transport, falls from height and lifting and carrying as these are areas which give rise to a lot of preventable accidents at work.
'GROSS FAILURE OF THE MANAGEMENT' AT DISTILLEX - JUDGE
Posted Sunday, November 17, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Judge Peter Bullock at Newcastle Crown Court has described events leading up to the fire last April at the Distillex plant in North Shields as an example of a "gross failure of the management."
He fined the company, who had previously pleaded guilty, £39,000 in total with £7,975 costs, for a failure to discharge its duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 towards its employees and the public.
The fire was caused by a workman using an angle grinder on a chemical container close to 400,000 litres of solvents.
Alex Keddie for the HSE commented: "This case should be a reminder to all employers and operators of similar sites of the need for a very high standard of fire prevention and the serious consequences of getting it wrong."
The company's premises were completely destroyed by the blaze.
NO COMPENSATION FOR TEACHER AS STRESS BID FAILS!
Posted Sunday, November 17, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The failure of a former headteacher, Ernest Longstaffe, 55, to successfully sue his former employers over alleged negligence which contributed to his early retirement through stress has been greeted with disappointment by the National Association of Head Teachers.
"It's a great shame because I felt this was likely to be something of a benchmark case, if it had been successful it would have had repercussions across the land," said regional officer John Heslop.
"Since I started this job 4 years ago I have seen dozens of headteachers and deputy headteachers who have found themselves overwhelmed by work-related stress."
Negligence
At Newcastle County Court Mr Longstaffe had cited long hours, understaffing, budgetary constraints and an element of aggressive parents as factors which led to intolerable stress levels and a breaking down of his health at Hill View Junior School in Sunderland. He claimed his employers were in breach of their duty to care by their failure to alleviate the situation and consequently sued the school's governing body and the City of Sunderland Council for alleged negligence.
"Hack it or go"
However, Judge Walton ruled he was "not satisfied that the defendants were responsible for the illness or making it worse."
In response to Mr Longstaffe's claims that upon pressing his case to the governors' chairman he was advised he'd "have to hack it or go," the judge concluded that his interpretation was that such pressures were part of the job and " if they were more than he could sustain, he should consider his position. I don't think this unreasonable for an employer of someone in a position of responsibility. It seems to me reasonable that an employer would attempt to clarify the position in such a way."
LATEST WOODWORKING SAFETY EVENTS
Posted Sunday, November 17, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The latest of 7 woodworking events planned for this year (2002/3) nationally & targeted at small companies who may have had little or no previous contact with HSE, is to take place covering Yorkshire's West Riding on Tuesday, 17th December 2002.
The Safety Awareness Day in Calderdale College, Halifax hopes to reach out to around 1,000 small businesses & reduce the high rates of injury in wood working industrial premises.
Attendance at the event will be seen as a positive sign that individual businesses are committed to managing health & safety risks in the workplace. Companies declining this opportunity for free advice will be making themselves conspicuous to HSE by their absence.
HM Principal Inspector Keith King says: "Rates of injury at woodworking machinery continue to be 3 times higher than the average rates in manufacturing as a whole. The rates of amputation, normally affecting the hands, are 4 times higher. This situation is unacceptable & reflects a decline in the standard of training of woodworking machinists."
Mr King added: "Any woodworking business receiving an invitation to this free event should make every effort to attend."
MALAYSIAN CIVIL SERVICE TO GET HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
Posted Sunday, November 17, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Chairman of Niosh (National Institute of safety and health) in Malaysia, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, described it as a proud moment that occupational safety and health was being considered such a crucial aspect in the development of the nation's new State civil service.
Lee was co-signatory along with State Secretary Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain to a new venture announced by the Malaysian government in Sarawak that civil servants would be given systematic training in occupational health and safety as part of the development of a 'new civil service'. "The willingness of the State Government to provide allocation for such training for its civil servants through CMM (Centre for Modern Management) is worthy of praise," said Lee.
Insurance companies
It will be a joint venture by Niosh, CMM and PPKS (Sarawak Skill Development Centre), the latter two bodies under the chairmanship of Aziz who commented that presently safety intervention tended to occur " in response to a specific, often major, accident or injury. We all have many reasons to be safety conscious and we all know the consequences of poor safety and some benefits of good safety.
Accidents in the workplace can cause all kinds of disruption to our normal work schedule."
He stressed that training was crucial and vital in the economic climate where insurance companies are demanding that employers manage health and safety competently in their workplace and if a worker was unaware of risks and dangers inherent in his job, it was unreasonable of employers to expect him to operate safely.
LOCAL AUTHORITY CHECKS GRAVESTONES
Posted Sunday, November 17, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
A local authority is acting to reduce risks posed by unsafe gravestones which were tragically manifested in the death of 6 year old 2 years ago. Leicester City Council is embarking on a safety check of more than 100,000 stones & monuments in 4-month campaign described as "essential safety work."
The council has awarded a £30,000 contract to specialists Welters Worldwide who will inspect every monument in the Welford Road, Saffron Hill, Gilroes & Belgrave cemeteries & any stones which pose a risk to visitors will be laid down or otherwise made safe.
H & S ENFORCEMENT IN CARE HOMES
Posted Sunday, November 17, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE, Local Government Association on behalf of English local Authorities, and the National Care Standards Commission, have issued a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) clarifying how they will regulate & enforce health & safety in England's care homes & independent healthcare establishments. Roles, functions & regulatory responsibilities are explained in respect of health & safety issues.
It will also help those who either provide these services, or those who use the services, understand how the 3 organisations will interact with each other.
The need for the MoU arose from the establishment of the new Care Standards Commission in April 2002, as they too have regulatory responsibilities, alongside HSE & Local Authorities, in respect of care homes & independent healthcare establishments.
Timothy Walker, HSE Director General said, "I very much welcome the Memorandum of Understanding which sets out the roles & functions of the 3 organisations as well as their enforcement responsibilities. The MoU provides a clear demarcation of the various roles. This will allow those with responsibility for running these homes & establishments to focus on what they need to do to ensure high standards of health & safety."
Sir Brian Briscoe, Chief Executive of the Local Government
Association (LGA) said "The LGA welcomes this agreement, which clarifies the roles of our respective officials & I hope will lead to a more effective inspection & enforcement regime."
Copies of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Health and Safety Executive, the Local Government Association and the National Care Standards Commission are available from www.hse.gov.uk/action/content/f-mou_aa.pdf .
CAUSE OF FATAL MUSEUM LADDER FALL UNKNOWN
Posted Wednesday, November 13, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
An inquest into the death in an accident of a 74 year old man, who died in September at the Muckleburgh Collection at Weybourne, Norfolk, has returned a verdict of misadventure.
Norwich Magistrates' Court heard how the man was using a loft ladder he had acquired to access storage space. The accident was observed by a colleague who saw him sliding down the ladder, falling backwards & striking his head on a concrete floor.
He died 2 days later, the cause of death was a severe head injury sustained in the fall. No conclusion was arrived at as to causation.
GLASS INDUSTRY GUIDANCE
Posted Wednesday, November 13, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Guidance for the glass industry has been published that identifies the major causes of accidents and ill health in the industry (flat glass, containers, glass converters). It contains information:
to assist managers undertake risk assessment;
identify priorities for action;
compare performance with the rest of the industry; and
understand the action in the context of supporting the 'Revitalising' initiative.
A brief outline of accident and ill health causation and remedial measures is given and a list of sources of more detailed guidance is provided.
Priorities for health and safety in the glass industries, HSE, 2002. (Glass information sheet no.1), free from HSE Books.
ASSESSING & CONTROLLING EXPOSURE TO MWF’S
Posted Wednesday, November 13, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The Working safely with metalworking fluids pack is now available and is aimed at people in industry with a supervisory role who manage the health risks from exposure to metalworking fluids. It outlines the steps that need to be considered in assessing and controlling exposure.
The main sections explain:
what is meant by metalworking fluids
how to manage health risks
monitoring
health surveillance
training
Wallchart
Each pack (the contents of the pack are available as separate items) consists of:
Working safely with metalworking fluids: good practice manual HSG231 ISBN 0717625443
Working safely with metalworking fluids: task sheets ISBN 0717625583 (eight encapsulated sheets)
Working safely with metalworking fluids: a guide for employees (INDG365) (ten copies)
Working safely with metalworking fluids: dos and don'ts (wallchart)
Working safely with metalworking fluids pack, HSE Books, 2002, ISBN 0717625613, costs £17.50.
The following are superseded: Health risks from metalworking fluids: aspects of good machine design rev. ed., HSE, 1998 (INDG167); Health surveillance programmes for employees exposed to metalworking fluids: guidance for the responsible person HSE, 2001. (INDG165); Management of metalworking fluids: a guide to good practice for minimising risks to health HSE, 1994. (IND (G) 168 (L)); Metalworking fluids, HSE, 1994. (IND(G)166), Poster, is superseded by Working safely with metalworking fluids: dos and don'ts HSE, 2002. (MISC468) Wallchart. Metalworking fluids and you, rev. ed., HSE, 2001. (INDG169), is superseded by Working safely with metalworking fluids: a guide for employees, HSE, 2002. (INDG365)
ASH & BMA DEMAND GOVERNMENT CLEARS THE AIR ON SMOKE AT WORK
Posted Wednesday, November 13, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Plans by anti-smoking group ASH to lobby MP's regarding action on passive smoking at work and support for a private members bill seem promising with over 100 MP's being signatory to Early Day Motion 162 requiring the government to fulfil its pledge in Tessa Jowell's 1998 white paper which proposed use of the Health and Safety at Work Act to tackle smoking at work.
These moves run concurrent with a major BMA report on passive smoking which demands legislation to ban smoking in public places.
The Bill's general prohibition of smoking at work has only limited exemptions, such as residential care homes, with local authorities replacing magistrates as the licensing authority for licensed premises under the proposed Licensing Reform Act.
"It’s just not acceptable"
Lord Faulkner of Worcester, a Labour peer who has persistently pressed the government over its policy on passive smoking at work said: "There is widespread support for protection of non-smokers in both houses and it’s time we had legislation that deals properly with the problem – I’ll be looking at how we can take it forward."
Kevin Barron MP, Chair of the All-party Group on Smoking and Health, said: "It’s just not acceptable to have workers, often in poor and underpaid jobs, routinely exposed to passive smoking at work when it is known to cause cancer. The proposed Bill is a sensible approach to dealing with this problem and I think many MPs would be interested in sponsoring it."
Procrastination
Clive Bates, Director of the anti-tobacco campaigning group ASH, said: "They just can’t go on ignoring a source of cancer and heart disease in the workplace as if it is some trivial annoyance. If something as toxic as cigarette smoke was leaking out of a machine or a pipe, then the authorities would have banned it years ago.
The government could fix this overnight by agreeing the ACoP or implementing the proposed Bill as regulations under the Health and Safety at Work Act. But four years on, they seem determined to set a record for procrastination. The proposed Bill could be tightened over time as smoking becomes less and less acceptable."
HEADING LED TO BRAIN DISEASE!
Posted Wednesday, November 13, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The death of former England soccer international Jeff Astle has been attributed to degenerative brain disease brought on by repeated heading of heavy leather footballs during his playing days.
Delivering his verdict at the inquest in Burton-on-Trent into 59-year old Astle's untimely death in January this year, South Staffs Coroner Andrew Haigh said he died of "industrial disease" attributed to "repeated small traumas to the brain" related to heading the ball.
More heading
Powerful heading was a significant feature of Astle's game, played in an era when the leather casings of footballs used in matches and training were considerably heavier, especially in wet conditions, than lighter modern varieties, and also in a different tactical era when more heading of long and high balls was demanded of a centre forward such as Astle, who played almost 300 club matches for West Brom and won 5 caps for England.
GETTING WORKERS TO WEAR HEARING PROTECTION
Posted Monday, November 11, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Research conducted by the Institute of Occupational Medicine has found many simple and practical measures that companies can take to improve the use of hearing protection and worker attitudes.
What can prove effective is simply what an enthusiastic safety professional/manager would recommend in the course of his or her work, adhering to the principles of good training practice and participative, active learning models.
The research recommends over 30 actions in areas such as: selection of hearing protection, information instruction & training, management of the hearing protection programme & behavioural safety programmes.
New action level on horizon
The research is timely because, under new European legislation which will have to be transposed into UK law by the end of 2005, employers will have to make every effort to ensure that hearing protection is worn when exposure reaches 85 dB(A). Under existing law, hearing protection has to be worn only where exposure reaches 90 dB(A). As part of implementing the Physical Agents (Noise) Directive, HSE will revise its guidance to employers, incorporating the findings of the research.
The Noise at Work Regulations 1989 set out measures to reduce and control noise levels at work to cut the risk of damage to employees' hearing. The regulations have two action levels related to daily personal exposure averaged over an eight-hour day, 85dB(A) is the first action level and 90dB(A) is the second. There is also a peak action level of 200 pascals.
Where employees are exposed between the first and second action level, employers have to provide protectors to employees who ask for them. Above the second or peak action levels employers have to provide hearing protectors, and workers are required to wear them.
Agreement was recently reached on a new EU Noise Directive that lowers the action levels to 80 and 85dB(A) and introduces an exposure limit value of 87dB(A), above which exposure (taking hearing protection into account) will be prohibited. Corresponding peak values are 112, 140 and 200 Pascals.
The Directive is expected to come into force by the end of this year and all member states, including the UK, will then have three years to implement it in their own legislation (i.e. by late 2005).
Under the new Directive, employers will have to make hearing protection available when noise exposure exceeds 80 dB(A), and will have to make every effort to ensure that it is worn when exposure reaches 85 dB(A).
Saving time and money in the longer term
Andie Michael, HSE's noise policy adviser, said: "It is important that all workers exposed to hazardous noise levels wear appropriate hearing protection. Employers are required to provide it, and employees to wear it. This research gives us some recommendations on encouraging the use of hearing protection that have been shown to work and that we can incorporate into the new guidance. Most of the recommendations are based on common sense and should not be too onerous. They will help employers get it right first time, not only saving their employees' hearing, but saving time and money in the longer term."
Behavioural studies of people's attitudes to wearing hearing protection and how these might be changed Research Report 028 ISBN 0; 7176 2155 3 is available from HSE Books and are available on HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/index.htm .
HOME SAFETY MOVEMENT GROWS
Posted Monday, November 11, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
RoSPA says a record number of home safety professionals (140) will meet today at its National Home Safety Congress in York in an attempt to beat the UK's biggest accident problem. Namely, more than one million people a year are injured in falls
Every year about 4,000 people are killed as a result of an accident in the home and more than 2.8 million seek medical assistance. Every possibility of creating and sustaining partnership working will be explored at the York Viking Moat House.
Sarah Colles, RoSPA Home Safety Adviser, said: "Home safety has been a Cinderella subject for too long. But now the Government is ploughing funding into new home safety projects that we are sure will have a major impact. We want to build on that investment by learning from one another and finding new ways to work together to reduce accidents.
DO AS THEY DO IN SINGAPORE - SAYS DOCTOR
Posted Monday, November 11, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
A prominent Dundee doctor attending NHS Tayside's health improvement committee has called for a complete ban on smoking in public places.
Dr Charles Carney has expressed his cynicism about central government's commitment to reducing smoking and improving public health. Dr Carney, a local GP and Chair of Dundee Local Health Care Co-operative comments: "If they were serious about all the noises they make about smoking and promoting health, they would go the Singapore route and just ban smoking in all public places. One gets the impression lobbying from the tobacco companies has more to do with decisions than concern for the health of the population."
Meanwhile, controversially, Tayside Primary Care is itself providing smoking areas for staff in some hospitals and health premises, a fact revealed at a debate on the topic of reducing smoking in pubs, shopping malls and other public places in Tayside.
New York's Mayor Bloomberg, speaking at the smoke-free Union Square Cafe exactly one month ago about his proposed tough new smoking bans, classed second hand smoke with murder.
"You're talking of well over 1000 people dying of second hand smoke in this city as opposed to the 428 people who have been murdered. A death is a death. The essence of the Bill is either you have clean air for people who are working there (in premises) or you don't. There aren't many things you could compromise on. It's a binary thing. We're trying to save people's lives."
EMF'S NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR CERTAIN NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS
Posted Monday, November 11, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Latest research indicates there is no clear scientific evidence that exposure to the electromagnetic fields (EMFs) associated with electric power supplies can lead to the development of certain neurological conditions such as Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. There is evidence that those employed in electrical industries do have an increased risk of developing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), however this increased risk is not necessarily related to exposure to EMFs but could be due to significant electric shocks.
The Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation (AGNIR) has published its report on ELF Electromagnetic Fields and Neurodegenerative Disease. Hitherto, most of the research done on possible health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields and radiation has concentrated on cancer risk, but now research on other possible health effects, together with epidemiological studies, have looked for an association between occupational exposure to EMF and neurodegenerative disease. The AGNIR conclusion - there is no good ground for thinking that extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields can cause Parkinson's and only very weak evidence to suggest that they could cause Alzheimer's disease.
The evidence that people employed in electrical occupations have an increased risk of developing ALS is substantially stronger, but this could be because they run an increased risk of having an electric shock.
Copies of the report are available from the NRPB Information Office or National Radiological Protection Board .
SAFER SWITCHGEAR
Posted Thursday, November 7, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
New HSE guidance promoting the safe use of high & low-voltage electrical switchgear has been published, following collaboration with EA Technology limited & switchgear manufacturers.
Keeping electrical switchgear safe is aimed primarily at owners & operators of this equipment in industrial or commercial organisations, although electricity distribution companies or equipment suppliers may also find the advice useful.
The guidance is intended to assist managers, engineers & other relevant personnel in the: selection, operation, care, &
maintenance of three-phase electrical switchgear with voltage ratings from 400V alternating current (ac) up to & including 33 kV ac.
Catastrophic consequences
Components such as circuit-breakers, switches, switch fuses, isolators & high-voltage (HV) contactors are dealt with, as are failures which, although rare, may have catastrophic consequences. Tanks may rupture, & in the case of oil-filled switchgear, can result in the ejection of burning oil & gas clouds, causing death or serious injury to persons & major damage to plant & buildings nearby.
Modern insulating media such as vacuum or sulphur hexafluoride have removed the hazard of burning oil, but inevitably have introduced other risks that need to be managed. These matters are dealt with in this new guidance.
HSE has previously issued a free Information Document ID 483/27 available at www.hse.gov.uk/fod/483_27.pdf giving guidance on managing older and dependent manual operation oil-filled switchgear.
This latest guidance extends that information to incorporate more modern types of switchgear.
Copies of Keeping electrical switchgear safe (HSG230), ISBN 0-7176-2359-9, price £9.50, are available from HSE Books.
WORK RELATED STRESS HITS NORTHERN IRELAND'S ECONOMY!
Posted Thursday, November 7, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
According to figures for Northern Ireland more than 1,000 people are absent from work every day through problems caused or made worse by work.
The details are revealed in a consultation paper on a proposed Workplace Health Strategy for Northern Ireland prepared by the Occupational Health Forum for Northern Ireland, which sets out proposals for tackling the problem of work-related ill health in a concerted and coordinated way.
The draft strategy proposes the establishment of a Strategy Implementation Group with five Programme Action Teams, which will focus on the five key elements of Support, Awareness, Compliance, Rehabilitation and Intelligence.
Workplace stress to increase significantly
Chief Executive of the NI Health and Safety Executive (HESNI) Jim Keyes commented: "Workplace health is the dominant problem in terms of health and safety. Most illnesses are due to musculoskeletal disorder (largely backpain) and stress. Health experts expect the instances of stress will increase significantly as the nature of work increases and stigmas associated with illness diminish.
Work-related illness is a problem which has been identified globally. One of the things we are trying to do is create a road map for the future."
Consultation
Liam McBrinn, Chairperson of HSENI and the Forum, explained the significance of the consultation exercise: "Close to 365,000 working days are lost each year in Northern Ireland as a result of work-related ill health. This is equivalent to 1,000 workers being absent from work each and every day of the year and obviously represents a huge cost to our economy and to society in general.
The consultation paper sets out the Forum's proposals for addressing this unacceptable situation. It represents the final stage in a lengthy consultation process. We feel that this paper captures the key elements raised during the earlier consultation.
However, we are keen to ensure that the final strategy, when it is published in March 2003, reflects the expectations of all those involved in, or affected by, health issues in the workplace. We therefore want as many people as possible to read the draft Workplace Health Strategy and to let us have their views and comments, including any successful or innovative initiatives that their organisations have introduced to improve health in the workplace."
Copies of the consultation paper are available at the website on www.hseni.gov.uk
ANOTHER DEATH AT CORUS STEEL
Posted Thursday, November 7, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Almost a year from the day in which 3 workers died in a blast at the Port Talbot Corus Steel Plant, a man was killed in an accident at the Corus Steel Plant in Scunthorpe around breakfast time on Tuesday.
HSE & Corus investigators are studying what happened, emergency services describing attending an incident in which a man appeared to have been struck by a metal bar in the continuous casting plant.
HSE INSPECTS SUFFOLK WOOD WHERE TREE KILLED BOY
Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
An HSE investigation is now underway at Suffolk Coastal Council's 15-acre woodland, The Grove, Felixstowe, the location of the accidental death of 3-year old Benjamin Davey who was struck by a falling tree while walking with his mother on a public footpath.
District councillor Dot Paddick opined that Suffolk Coastal Council should have acted as Anglian neighbours Ipswich did by closing all parks and open recreational areas during recent inclement weather. "The Council has a duty to protect its residents and I cannot understand why the Grove and other parks were not closed during the storm. These places could have been closed as a precaution, just for one day."
The Grove is presently closed on account of the number of fallen trees and HSE' s investigation will focus on the condition of the tree in question, and if there were significant signs of rot should the Council not have had the foresight to have felled it and others which posed a hazard to the public who have made allegations concerning the condition of other trees and a lack of guard rails at bridges, at ditches and streams.
INVESTIGATION FINDS ENGINEER LOST ARM AFTER DEPARTING FROM PROCEDURES
Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) investigative report into an accident which caused an engineer officer on board P&O's Royal Princess during August last year to sustain an injury which cost him his arm, arose out of the adoption of a non-approved system for closing power-operated doors. A degree of fatigue may have been a contributory factor in the accident which occurred while the vessel was in the Dover Straits.
The engineer officer, carrying out the first machinery space rounds of his watch, was seriously injured when the power-operated watertight door closed, trapping his arm. The precise circumstances of the accident are not known, but he had not waited for the door to open fully, and had set the door to close before starting to pass through.
His boilersuit became snagged, or something else caused him to hesitate and momentarily delay or abort his progress through the door, which was enough to cause the accident.
Operating instructions
The engineer did not comply with operating instructions with which he was familiar, and possibly his judgment was influenced by fatigue caused by a change in watchkeeping routine.
Additionally, the written instructions on board for the operation of the doors existed in three different versions, all of which were safe if applied, but all of which in the MAIB's opinion were unnecessarily onerous for day-to-day operation. The unwritten accepted practice was different again. The number of doors that needed to be negotiated during routine machinery space rounds, and the time it took to operate each in strict accordance with instructions or accepted practice, led to the probability that short-cuts would be taken for expediency.
Recommendations
The following recommendations were made:
P&O Princess Cruises to: Ensure that the operating rules for watertight doors on Royal Princess are practical and common throughout the management system. Review its safety management procedures to ensure that safety messages are learned from records of disciplinary procedures where appropriate. Review and, if necessary, change its policy of when, where and how changes to watchkeeping routines are undertaken, so as to avoid the possibility of watchkeepers being fatigued. Carry out a risk assessment of the operation of engine room escape doors on Royal Princess, with a view to considering whether a change of interlock design would be beneficial.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency to: Review the rules and guidance concerning where, and when, power-operated watertight doors should be kept closed at sea - the objective of the review should be to encourage compliance, without jeopardising the safety of the vessel or the operators. In doing this, consideration might be given to the application of a more risk-based approach appropriate to the individual vessel. Review the current guidance on operating procedures contained in Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 35, with the objective of encouraging compliance. In doing this, consideration might be given to the application of a more specific risk-based approach, bearing in mind the particular control ergonomics and the human factors outlined in this report.
HAMPSHIRE SCHOOL'S HSWA BREACHES
Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Boundary Oak School of Fareham in Hampshire was last week fined a total of £25,000 for its failure to ensure an adequate standard of safety for its employees and pupils in the circumstances of an ill-fated boating trip to Portsmouth Harbour in September 1999.
Elizabeth Bee, 9, a pupil on the trip drowned when the motorboat capsized, her twin-sister Victoria survived.
Judge Tom MacKean commented: "If there is to be any benefit to be derived from these tragic events it would be that it might encourage other schools or groups to keep the highest possible standards to reduce the risk of further accidents."
Paul Dove, 66, the supervising teacher, was fined £2,000 for his part in the failures. Royal Yachting Association guidance stated that only 6, and not 9 children, should have been under his sole supervision. He also had no radio.
Mr Dove's legal representative, Iain Mack said: "He has been broken by the consequences of this event."
MAJOR HEALTH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT
Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
New regulations protecting workers from the risks of hazardous substances are before Parliament:
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002 (replacing COSHH Regulations 1999);
The Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW) 2002 (replacing CLAW Regulations 1998); and
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAW) 2002 (replacing the CAW Regulations 1987,
and come into force on 21 November 2002.
The new sets of Regulations will implement those health requirements of the European Union's Chemical Agents Directive (CAD) not already set out in British legislation.
The requirements of CAD dealing with safety risks, e.g. from fire and explosion, will be implemented by new Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002, to be considered soon by Nick Brown, Minister for health and safety
New requirement
Most of the changes to the Regulations simply make explicit what is currently implicit in the current Regulations and Approved Codes of Practice. However there is the introduction of a new requirement for employers, in certain circumstances, to draw up detailed procedures for dealing with accidents, incidents and emergencies that involve hazardous substances.
Although the changes made to the Regulations are numerous, employers who are already fully complying with the current Regulations and their supporting Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP) should to a large extent already be carrying out the duties the new Regulations will impose. Many smaller firms who prefer legislation in a form that sets
out more precisely what they must do to comply with the law are expected to welcome the increased prescription in the Regulations.
CAW
The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations (CAW) as well as being amended to implement CAD will also include a new requirement to manage asbestos in workplace buildings. This new duty will have a lead-in period of 18 months and come into force on 21 May 2004. There is also a 24-month lead period for the new requirement to be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service to analyse materials to identify asbestos, which comes into force on 21 November 2004.
A significant further development
Head of the COSHH and CLAW Policy Unit, HSE's Bill Macdonald comments:
"Every year thousands of employees are made ill by the effects of hazardous substances to which they are exposed at work, and most of this misery and the accompanying business losses could be avoided with better risk assessment and control. The new Regulations and ACoPs are a significant further development of a well-established system, and will again highlight the risks of exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace. I urge employers to use them as an incentive to take a fresh look at their workplace procedures and systems to ensure that they are doing everything practicable to protect the health of their workers".
Biological Agents
As well as extending COSHH to implement CAD, a number of changes have been made to make clear that the Regulations apply to biological agents as well as to chemicals. The changes introduce some additional measures to control the risk of exposure when intentionally working with biological agents.
Dr James Neilson, Head of the Biological Agents Policy Unit in HSE, says: "Many of the changes to COSHH are designed to make it clear that the Regulations apply to both chemical and biological agents, whether or not exposure to such biological agents is deliberate, such as for laboratory workers, or incidental, for sewage workers, cleaners, farmers. The changes will help ensure that employers adequately assess the risks to their employees' health from exposure to biological agents at work and, where appropriate, take the necessary steps to prevent or adequately control the risks from that exposure."
COSHH
Schedule 3 of the existing COSHH Regulations applies to biological agents. In the current amendments, the opportunity has been taken to simplify and clarify these biological agents provisions. The main change has been to move those sections of Schedule 3 which relate to general COSHH duties into the main COSHH Regulations to make it clear that the main Regulations apply to all exposures to biological agents (i.e. deliberate working and incidental exposure). Schedule 3 has also been amended to reflect practical experience of the Regulations in the years they have been in force.
Revised ACoPs
Extensively revised ACoPs (available towards the ends of November) will support the new COSHH and CLAW Regulations. The new COSHH ACoP will include an appendix providing guidance on the "Control of substances that cause occupational asthma" which HSC approved last year as part of its current asthma initiative. The ACoPs will be available towards the ends of November.
Copies of the Statutory Instruments: The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, S.I. 2002/2677 and The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002, S.I. 2002/2676 will be available shortly from The Stationery Office. Copies of the Approved Codes of Practice: The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002, L5, ISBN 0 7176 2534 6; price £10.50, wil be available shortly from HSE Books.
ILLITERACY - IS IT A DANGER IN YOUR WORKPLACE?
Posted Monday, November 4, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
When considering whether the duty to instruct & inform employees is being met it should borne in mind that 1 in 10 adults in the UK may have difficulty reading.
The matter has been raised this week that instructions on sparklers, rockets & roman candles on 5 November may not be understood, potentially putting people at risk says the Department of Education and Skills' Get On campaign.
The campaign found that over 3 million adults within the UK could have problems fully understanding simple written instructions, such as those on medicine bottles or plant seed packets. An estimated 7 million people have difficulties with reading, writing & maths.
A remedy
Ivan Lewis, Adult Learning and Skills Minister advises: "With 1,362 people injured in fireworks accidents during the 2001 Bonfire Night period, it's clear that adults are still putting themselves & others, at risk by not following the instructions on fireworks. In some cases, this could be negligence or forgetfulness, but others may well be the result of problems with reading. For those 7 million people who do have difficulties with literacy & numeracy, there are thousands of free courses available across the country to help them improve and conquer their "gremlins".
People wanting to make sure that this is the last time that they struggle with reading instructions should call 0800 100 900 for free help and advice. The Get On promotional campaign is a key part of the Skills for Life strategy launched in March 2001. The Government's aim is to raise the skills levels of 750,000 adults by 2004 and of 1.5 million adults in total by 2007.
INCIDENT LANDS SEVEN IN HOSPITAL
Posted Monday, November 4, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Seven workers at food processors Key Country Foods of Scunthorpe required hospital treatment for the effects of exposure to a chemical during an incident. All were able to leave later.
According to one account the chemical involved was chlorodifluoromethane, said to be a refrigerant.
LESS HOURS FOR SOME YOUNG WORKERS!
Posted Monday, November 4, 2002 by Ahmed Khan
Around 34,000 people (out of 575,000) in the UK aged between 16 & 17 are working more than 40 hours per week. Consultation is to take place on proposals under the Young Workers Directive to introduce greater protection for young people in the workplace.
The proposals relate to the working hours for those between minimum school leaving age & their 18th birthday. Their working time would be further limited to: 40 hours a week, 8 hours in any one day & night working prohibited between 10pm - 6am or 11pm - 7am.
Employment Relations Minister Alan Johnson said of the proposals: "Young workers are a vulnerable section of the British workforce, who need & deserve additional protection. At the same time it is important to recognise that there are small, specific areas of industry that need a certain degree of flexibility in order to train young people properly & operate effectively.
These proposals strike the right balance between ensuring that young people are not working excessive hours or through the night, but not excluding them from suitable job opportunities & training. Provision has also been made to maintain the operational effectiveness of those sectors most affected."
Newspapers
Sectors exempted from the night working restrictions include hospitals or similar establishments, agriculture, retail trading, hotels or catering businesses (not including restaurants or bars), bakeries, fisheries & postal or newspaper deliveries.
Copies of the Consultation Document can be downloaded from the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/
The current position for young workers under the Working Time Directive is a: limit of an average of 48 hours a week which a worker can be required to work (though workers can choose to work more if they want to), limit of an average of 8 hours work in 24 which nightworkers can be required to work, right for night workers to receive free health assessments, right to 12 hours rest a day,
right to 2 days rest in each week, right to a 30 minute in-work rest break if the working day is longer than four & a half hours & the
right to 4 weeks paid leave per year.