WORKING TIME - INFORMATIVE Q&A
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An informative memo, Questions and Answers about working time MEMO/04/285; 06/12/2004, has been published by Europa concerning the revision of the working time directive.
It is in Q&A form, answering questions like:
Why is the existing directive being revised now?
What are the main problems with the opt-out?
What were the implications of the Court of Justice rulings on on-call time?
When will the new directive take effect?
TYNESIDE DEGLOVING ACCIDENT COMPANY FINED
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
SCA Packagings Ltd of Killingworth, Tyne & Wear, who manufacture cardboard boxes, have been fined £10,000 with £990 costs for breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of an industrial accident in which an employee had the flesh removed from his hand, a so-called 'degloving', when it was caught between inadequately guarded rollers as he cleared material from a machine.
TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS - AT A GLANCE
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A user-friendly 2nd edition of a guidance leaflet explaining the use of radioactive materials, why their transport is essential, and information on package labelling and regulation, is now available courtesy of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB).
It describes the type of packages and containers used, illustrates the radiation doses received during routine transport operations, relates the frequency of incidents between 1990 and 2002, and is also viewable in an animated version. To obtain hard copies visit NRPB.
PROSECUTION UNDERLINES NEED TO RE-ASSESS RISKS WHEN CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Two Bedfordshire companies, James and Allbone Carpentry Ltd of Biggleswade and BMH Construction Company (Clifton) Ltd, have admitted and been fined £10,000 by Stevenage Magistrates, with costs of £1,240, and £1,160 respectively, for breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of a lifting operation that was conducted badly and resulted in a young site worker sustaining a serious back injury.
The breach and accident stemmed from a failure to amend the risk assessment for the activity of lifting roof trusses from a vehicle delivering them to the Letchworth development site, where the individual trusses arrived bound together in greater numbers than was anticipated. The alternative system of work found a teenage apprentice supporting too great a load while the trusses were separated and a number fell on him, inflicting the back injury.
SCOTTISH CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES ADMIT SAFETY FAILURES ON TIDAL SITE
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Morrison Construction Services Ltd of Edinburgh has been fined £60,000 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 over shortcomings in the way it managed part of its operations during the Tay Wastewater Project at Broughty Ferry, in March 2001. The failures led to a serious incident that nearly cost 2 men their lives when, for reasons of loss of control attributed to staffing difficulties, the physical arrangements for keeping sea water out of a culvert under construction failed. Two men were caught within the culvert when a sandbag dam gave way to the rising tide, their efforts to escape against the rushing inflow of water proved only just sufficient to save their lives.
Furthermore, Morrisons admitted that during May that year on the same project it permitted excavations to proceed that were based on inadequate supervision, risk assessment, method statement and technical specification for prevailing site conditions, as a consequence of which it failed to ensure the safety of employees of another contractor. A ground collapse occurred and a man lost his life when he fell in, but the company were deemed not to be responsible for his death. For this breach the company was fined £12,500.
In the circumstances of the second incident, sub-contractor East West Developments Ltd of Moffat was fined £10,000 for similar failings relating to its own employees, and it also was deemed not to be responsible for the death of its employee, the apparently inexplicable ground collapse being an event for which both companies were, in expert opinion, blameless.
EMPLOYEES FINED FOR BREACHING THE HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT!
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Two employees of a soft drinks manufacturing and wholesaling company have pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and been fined £300 with £500 costs, and £350 with £500 costs respectively by Huddersfield Magistrates.
The accident occurred during July last year at the Birkby premises of Ben Shaws Limited, one of the men, on the instruction of the other, interfered with the equipment's safety system for the purpose of short-cutting a lengthy safety shut-down procedure. A third employee, acting to make an adjustment to it, sustained an arm injury when he approach a danger zone and a part suddenly activated.
CONFERENCE HERALDS NEW ERA OF HEALTH AND SAFETY ENFORCEMENT
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A new partnership between central and local government was announced at this week's 8th annual conference organised by HSE, HELA (HSE/Local Authority Enforcement Liaison Committee) in London.
The high level agreement has been established by the HSC, with the HSE and the Local Government Associations representing local authority interests, and promises the collaborative delivery of health and safety enforcement in the UK in the furtherance of its strategy.
“This is a landmark occasion, an opportunity for local authorities to be recognised for the important work they do in ensuring our workforce are protected at work” - elected member from Brighton and Hove Council and a Health and Safety Commissioner.
“The Commission is clear that both local authorities and HSE are vital contributors to the success of its strategy. The high-level agreement offers a sound framework for synergies and true partnership working between local authorities and HSE and all involved parties are committed to delivering this." - Executive Director of the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services.
“There is a feeling among all I talk to that this is a very positive approach to partnership working and an enthusiasm to make it work” - Head of the Local Authority Unit for HSE.
RETAIL SECTOR AWAITS INFORMATION ON ESCALATOR ACCIDENT
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An incident investigation is attempting to establish how a boy of eight became trapped by the foot by a descending escalator in the Chester branch of Marks & Spencer earlier this month. Emergency services released him but not until around 45 minutes later, he required to be detained overnight in hospital but escaped with only bruising and a laceration to his toe. Enforcing authority for the premises, Chester City Council, are investigating, Marks & Spencer maintain the escalator was not defective.
HEALTH AND SAFETY (FIRST AID) REGULATIONS 1981 DEEMED ADEQUATE
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The consensus of opinion on the prevailing Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981(FAW) rules for first aid provision at work¹, gathered during an HSE review², is that they serve their purpose adequately, with a majority of respondents expressing support for continuing with the current framework. It was found that the Regulations are regarded as cost effective but that further work could be done to improve understanding of the system and the way it operates. The work confirmed earlier findings of Casella research on the subject. There was a decisive rejection of the option of incorporating FAW into other regulations.
500,000 FIRST-AIDERS
The main recommendations are that: the Regulations and ACoP should not be changed; the Guidance should be revised; first aid courses should be restructured, with the single 4-day course replaced by a one-day course and a 3-day course. Employers would assess which course they needed; HSE should approve the structure and content of first aid courses, and encourage the setting-up of an industry body. At present HSE approves first aid course providers but not the structure and content of courses.
There are over half a million certified first aiders in the UK who offer their services to work colleagues.
¹ The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981, a supporting Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and Guidance.
² Analysis of responses to - A review and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981: FAW
Visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid for further information.
"Significant change has taken place since the First Aid Regulations were introduced in 1981 - there are now many more small and medium sized businesses - and we are pleased to see that the framework continues to serve the needs of today's economy. The high level of constructive feedback we received from first aiders, trainers and employers gives us confidence in the review's conclusions and helps identify areas for immediate action and improvement. For example, we will now clarify areas of confusion such as first aid needs assessments, and consider ways of enhancing the approval system for training courses." - Head of HSE's Occupational Health Support unit.
COMPANY FINED OVER FAILINGS LEADING TO FATAL FORKLIFT ACCIDENT
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
E.W. Pepper Ltd of Royston, Hertfordshire, has pleaded guilty to breaching S.2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in the circumstances surrounding a July 2002 fatal accident at Bury Farm, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire. Stevenage Magistrates' Court fined the company £20,000 with costs of £11,501.50 following the death of a worker in a forklift truck accident.
The breach stemmed from the company's failure to control access to forklift trucks, and failure to use trained staff to drive them. A 20-year-old Hungarian employee died from injuries sustained when a forklift truck, on which she was riding, over-turned. Investigation established that the company had poor control over access to its forklift trucks, with particularly poor control over access to ignition keys.
"We know forklift trucks can be dangerous and recently we have seen several serious accidents with them. It is very important that firms make sure only trained and authorised staff drive them. Failure to do this can lead to tragic consequences, as with this case where a young woman sadly lost her life." - HSE inspector.
ROSPA MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL ROAD RISK AWARDS 2005
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
You are invited by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to enter a new award scheme that recognises the efforts made by businesses and organisations to reduce deaths and injuries on the road.
It is open to any organisation with a large or small fleet of vehicles (cars, trucks, vans or motorcycles), entrants need to demonstrate: robust risk management systems; a robust culture; and
an improving work-related road accident record.
Entries must be submitted before February 28th, 2005, for details contact the RoSPA Awards Helpline on 0870 777 2091, e-mail awards@rospa.com or visit http://www.rospa.co.uk/awards/index.htm .
“One of the best ways to raise health and safety standards is to encourage and reward those who head the field and lead by example.
We hope this new scheme will persuade fleet operators to build on their success each year so that they go on to achieve higher and higher awards as they play their part in making Britain’s roads safer.” - RoSPA Head of Driver and Fleet Solutions.
TWIN-TAILED LANYARDS NEED TO BE USED CORRECTLY
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE is sufficiently concerned that the circumstances of a fatal accident in Australia¹ could be replicated here that it has issued a warning on the importance of following manufacturers' instructions on the use of fall arrest equipment, in particular systems based on twin-tailed, energy-absorbing lanyards².
Energy-absorbing lanyards connect a full body harness to an anchorage point with an inbuilt in-line device that reduces the impact of a fall, twin-tailed lanyards enable users to move freely whilst remaining clipped on at all times.
HSE wishes to point out that incorrect use can result in the protection afforded by the energy absorbance being by-passed and the full force of a fall transmitted to the body, which may also cause equipment failure, with potentially fatal consequences.
Further advice on inspection and deterioration of lanyards can be found in HSE leaflet INDG367, Inspecting fall arrest equipment made from webbing or rope.
¹The background and preliminary investigation work into the incident in Australia which prompted this warning is contained in Twin-tail fall arrest lanyards (interim advice)", issued by Workplace Health and Safety Queensland.
² A twin-tailed, energy-absorbing lanyard specifically comprises two lanyards, each terminated at one end with a connector for attachment either to an anchor point or directly to a structure. The other end is attached to a single energy absorber in such a way that either lanyard can transmit a load to the energy absorber. The energy absorber is fitted with a connector for attachment to the user's harness. This type of lanyard is sometimes referred to as a "Y-shaped" energy-absorbing lanyard. Important Note: Twin-tailed or "Y shaped" lanyards must not be confused with lanyard systems which use two lanyards, each equipped with a shock absorber ("double lanyards"). Following the advice to clip both lanyards to the anchorage at the same time when using a double lanyard could double the shock load on the human body in the event of a fall.
"It is vital that everyone using fall arrest systems based on twin tailed lanyards understands and follows the manufacturer's instructions. Remember that when one of the lanyard legs is connected to the anchor point, the second leg should not be attached to the user's harness, or to their belt or clothing, as this could limit the extension of the energy absorber in the event of a fall.
If this happens, excessive arrest forces will be applied to both the user and to the system, which could lead to equipment failure with potentially fatal consequences. Unless the harness has been provided or retro fitted with lanyard "parking" points, which are specifically designed to break away in the event of a fall, the second leg should be left to hang free. Alternatively, on this and only this specific type of lanyard, the second leg can also be connected to the anchor point.
Lanyards are widely used in a variety of industries and employers must have formal procedures in place to ensure that equipment is used correctly. Workers must know how to use lanyards properly and should check them regularly before use. If in doubt, employers should contact the manufacturer or supplier. Lanyards should be treated with care, not dragged on the ground or allowed to get dirty, and must never be wrapped around sharp or angled surfaces." - Principal Specialist Inspector with HSE's Construction Division Technology Unit.
SAFETY LEAFLET AVAILABLE IN 19 LANGUAGES
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Safety literature that cannot be comprehended by migrant workers, some of whom have little skill in English, may well place them in danger if no other means is available to communicate essential information or instruction. This year, there have been a number of fatalities involving migrant workers employed in the UK.
In recognition of this, the HSE and the TUC have produced Your health, your safety: A guide for workers, translated into 19 different languages, providing information about: safety rights at work; the level of safety training that workers should expect from their employers & to whom they should complain if they believe their safety is being compromised by poor workplace practices.
The new leaflets - published in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, Greek, Gujarati, Pashto, Portuguese, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian & Welsh & English, are obtainable at http://www.hse.gov.uk/languages/index.htm.
"Workplace deaths in the UK are on the increase and there's a danger that we could soon start to see more fatalities and serious injuries at work as language barriers mean safety messages are going over workers' heads.
Thorough, but easy-to-understand training is vital if workers are to stay healthy and safe at work. Unions are doing all they can to help foreign workers grasp the basics of English and now employers can use our leaflets to make sure the safety message is being understood loudly and clearly." - TUC Deputy General Secretary.
"We are pleased to be working in partnership with the TUC in getting the message across to all workers about their basic rights and responsibilities, irrespective of language differences." - HSE Chair.
LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE CASES CHALLENGE HEALTH AUTHORITIES
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The sources of two separate but current cases of legionnaires’ disease, one of which has resulted in death, the other suspected to have done so, are being sought by the respective health authorities.
In Scotland, NHS Fife is endeavouring to get to the bottom of 7 cases occurring over the last year in the wider community there, one proving fatal, another being treated, with 5 making a recovery. All either worked or resided in West and Central Fife, and the Forth Valley. Experts say it is nevertheless possible that the cluster of cases may be a result of a statistical anomaly rather than, say, a badly maintained air conditioning system.
It is reported that in Scarborough tests are being conducted on the systems at Scarborough Hospital following the suspected case there where a patient died.
ENSURE SAFETY & HEALTH & AVOID DISCRIMINATION WHEN EMPLOYING THE DISABLED
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has produced a new factsheet, Ensuring the health and safety of workers with disabilities, examining this key area, explaining how employment without discrimination is possible and how the rights of people with disabilities to both a fair and safe workplace can be established.
The guidance shows how a practical application of anti-discrimination legislation and health and safety legislation can benefit both the worker and employer, including:
how to incorporate the principal of adapting work and workplaces to people in order to provide accessible and safe employment for the disabled; disability-sensitive risk assessment; a checklist on how to provide a safe workplace for disabled workers covering working environment, signposting, communication, work organisation and duties, working hours, training and supervision, promotion and transfer, and emergency procedures.
A workplace that is accessible and safe for people with disabilities is also safer and more accessible for all employees, clients and visitors.
'Europe needs to employ an increasingly diverse workforce, and this factsheet provides practical support towards this objective. We hope it will stimulate workplaces to take positive actions, and that this will lead to better jobs for workers with disabilities.’ - Agency Director.
USDAW ADVISES SAFETY REPS ON SLIPS AND TRIPS
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) has published a new guidance leaflet explaining to safety representatives how to use Risk Mapping to help to reduce the incidence of slips and trips suffered by workers and members of the public alike.
Risk Mapping is a tool that safety reps can use to involve members in identifying problems and hazards in the workplace, using their knowledge and experience.
USDAW's message is 'We're not falling for it! - safety reps can deliver on slips and trips.'
LIFT SHAFT FALL FATALITY DEEMED ACCIDENT
Posted Sunday, December 26, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An inquest into the death of an industrial painter, who fell 15 metres down a lift shaft at Coventry's Walsgrave hospital, has determined a verdict of accidental death.
The accident victim, it was established, had been working without the benefit of a scaffolding structure within the lift shaft or anchorage points for personal fall arrest equipment.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM SANTA ... & EVERYONE AT SIMPLY WORKWEAR!
Posted Saturday, December 25, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
On behalf of everyone at Simply Workwear thank you for your support, custom & interest during 2004. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all a Merry Christmas & a happy, healthy & prosperous New Year.
We look forward to serving you again throughout 2005 and beyond.
ADDRESSING VEHICLE MOVEMENT RISKS TO PEDESTRIANS IN SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Recent years have seen major injury, and sometimes tragic incidents, involving pedestrians within school premises arising from vehicle movements¹.
In Glastonbury, Somerset, on the14th December an HSE conference will serve to reinforce the message that Local Education Authorities and schools need to look at how to prevent these kinds of accidents occurring. Somerset and Cornwall LEAs are assisting HSE's workplace transport safety project, one aspect of which is the conference which will be attended by all the LEAs across the South West.
The conference will take place at Millfield Preparatory School in Glastonbury where representatives can hear from speakers from HSE, the Department for Education and Skills, Government Office for the South West, Somerset County Council and Cornwall County Council.
¹ Between 1996 and 2000 there were 104 transport-related accidents in the UK involving children on school premises reported to HSE, 2 of which were fatal.
"In the South West, we have investigated a number of serious accidents and complaints in recent years and these incidents have identified an increased need for LEAs and schools to manage these risks.
The best method of preventing these kinds of accidents is to physically separate pedestrians and vehicles, and by avoiding the reversing of larger vehicles such as coaches and minibuses. We are delighted to be working with Somerset and Cornwall LEAs and I hope the conference will help all councils in the region to develop strategies for improving risks in their schools. Being aware of the dangers can only benefit the safety of pupils, staff and visitors alike." - HSE South West inspector.
STRESS - MINISTER EXPLAINS THE GOVERNMENT’S APPROACH
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The full text of the speech delivered by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions at last week's Commercial Occupational Health Providers Association conference, Stress in the Workplace, has been published on the HSE website.
The Minister's speech was structured under the headings:
delivering healthy and safe workplaces;
early intervention and personal contact;
benefits of getting back to work.
MAC MAKES IMPRESSION AT PRINTING HEALTH AND SAFETY SEMINAR
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
HSC's Printing Industries Advisory Committee (PIAC), a tripartite committee composed of representatives of the CBI, TUC and HSE, last month held what the 80 or so delegates attending considered a successful health and safety seminar with a focus on manual handling for the printing and publishing industry.
The free event for the sector in Southwest England briefed on the relevant major health and safety issues, with time devoted to a demonstration of HSE’s Manual Handling Assessment Chart (MAC) tool by an HSE ergonomist.
One attendee expressed the view that the demonstration had given him ‘the wherewithal to carry out manual handling risk assessments in-house’ - later adding that he cancelled a visit from a health and safety consultant because he now felt he could ‘go it alone’.
“Manual handling was chosen as the theme of the seminar because of the increasing numbers of manual handling injuries in printing. HSE also recognise that many printers need help to get started on manual handling risk assessment. The MAC tool takes the mystique out of the process and is also easy to use. It is free to download from HSE’s web site and there are online video case studies to take people through the process.
In the last year, HSE received reports of around 500 manual handling injuries from the printing and publishing sectors – 34% of all reported injuries from those sectors. If we are to make inroads into reducing ill-health in these industries, it makes sense to start here.”- HSE official specific responsibility for printing.
RURAL DUTY HOLDERS' EYES OPENED TO BIG WORKPLACE KILLERS
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The latest in a series of HSE/Environment Agency seminars was held last week in the North Yorkshire and County Durham region as part of its strategy for getting health and safety information through to people and organisations that have responsibilities and duties in the agriculture industry, including those in the broader business community as well as occupiers and managers of rural land.
The event incorporated an eye-opening, behind the scenes 'simulated' inspection of a farm near Scotch Corner, and delegates attending the seminar at Sedbury Hall, Gilling West, Richmond, learned of the ways that persons working on the land, and sometimes members of their families, lose their lives to the major killers - working at heights and workplace transport.
In 2003-04 one person was killed and 45 were injured in the agriculture industry in North Yorkshire.
Other subjects covered were: stringent new legislation on the storage of fuel oils and farm effluent; general asbestos management; and
the Health and Safety at Work Act.
"Agriculture is unique in that vulnerable groups such as children and elderly people form part of the farming community and figure regularly in the statistics for serious injuries and deaths on farms. It is imperative that children are not exposed to workplace hazards and that older people make a reasonable assessment of their physical and technical capabilities before carrying out work on the farm.
The hope is that the lessons learned from this event will be passed on to staff working on the farms and businesses managed by the participants, improving safety for workers and reducing the number of injuries and fatalities." - Health and Safety Inspector who organised the event.
WEST MIDLANDS WORKPLACE TRANSPORT FATALITY PROSECUTION
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Metal processing business, Flexdart Limited, has admitted and been fined £75,000 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of the death in an industrial accident of an employee during May 2003.
The employee was struck and killed by a telehandler at the company's premises in Water Orton, Warwickshire. The operator of the telehandler was also prosecuted and fined.
PROSECUTION OVER QUAD BIKE DEATH
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that the HSE is instigating a prosecution of the company G and A Leisure Limited, of Newtown, Wales, who together with its Managing Director are to face charges alleging that they were in breach of health and safety legislation in the circumstances of the November 2001 accidental death in a quad bike accident of a boy aged 14.
WORKMAN ALMOST BECAME ANOTHER FATAL FALL FROM HEIGHT STATISTIC
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
On 25th May 2001 on a St James Homes construction site at Kew Riverside, Surrey, an employee of Savill Fabrications Limited, of Croydon, Surrey, was measuring the distance between steel beams installed on the top of block walls to support pre-cast concrete floor beams. While doing so he fell a distance of approximately 2.5 metres onto a concrete floor, very nearly becoming one of the 210 of those killed as a result of a fall from height in the period 1998 - 2003. He sustained serious injury in the fall.
Savill Fabrications Limited pleaded guilty to a single charge of breaching S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for which it was fined £4,000 with £10,000 costs at City of London Magistrates' Court.
Information on preventing falls from height can be found on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm
"The investigation of this incident revealed that a fairly routine construction activity - the placing of steel beams for the support of concrete floors - was being undertaken without either suitable supervision, or the workers being made aware of how to carry out such work safely. Falls from height are the biggest cause of death and injury in the construction industry. The risks are obvious and well known and inspectors from HSE's Construction Division expect companies to take adequate measures to either eliminate or control those risks." - HSE Inspector who led the investigation.
TMV WOULD HAVE SAVED CENTENARIAN'S LIFE
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An elderly resident of Ach-An-Eas residential home in Inverness died following an accident in which she sustained scalding injuries while bathing.
The fatal accident inquiry at Inverness Sheriff Court established that the 100-year-old lady's fateful accident and death in December 2002 could have been avoided, the presiding Sheriff concluded in written findings that had home proprietors, Highland Council, fitted a thermostatic mixing valve, the water temperature would have been regulated to a safe temperature.
FINES FOR ASBESTOS ERROR COMPANIES
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Two companies have been fined for breaches of health and safety legislation following the exposure of asbestos when cables were laid during the filming of the first series of Fame Academy in the basement of property on Highgate West Hill, Camden, between 12th August 2002 and 12th February 2003. None of the participants in the programme are believed to have been exposed to the asbestos.
At the City of London Magistrates' Court Endemol UK plc, a television production company based in Shepherds Bush, London W14, pleaded guilty to two charges: a breach of S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, for failing to protect the health, safety and welfare of their employees so far as was reasonably practicable (fined £8,000), and for a breach of r.8(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 for failing to prevent exposure of asbestos to employees and non-employees (fined £2,000). Endemol must also meet costs of £3,611.
Property management company, Foilhope Ltd. of Highgate, London N6, pleaded guilty to a breach of S.3(1) of Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for failing to ensure that people not in their employment were not exposed to risks to their health, safety and welfare associated with asbestos, and were fined £8,000 with costs of £2,517.
"This case highlights the importance of managing the risk from asbestos, in line with the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, particularly the need to act on information and communicate the risk between parties. At least 3,500 people in Great Britain die each year from mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer as a result of past exposure to asbestos.
Annual numbers of deaths are predicted to go on rising into the next decade. If the risk from asbestos is not managed and information is not passed on, workers will continue to be needlessly exposed. Workers involved in working on the fabric of a building, for example in refurbishment, repair or maintenance, such as plumbers, carpenters and electricians, are particularly at risk from exposure.
The case also highlights the financial cost to companies of not acting to manage asbestos. Endemol was required to spend £175,000 decontaminating the basement of the building." - investigating HM Inspector of Health & Safety.
PRODUCTION, STORAGE, TRANSPORT AND USE OF STEEL - NEW GUIDANCE
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE has published Safety in the Storage and Handling of Steel and other Metal Stock, produced by them in consultation with Wolverhampton City Council and the National Association of Steel Stockholders (NASS).
The aim of the guidance is to expose the causes of injury and fatality: slips and trips; falls from height; struck or crushed by moving stock; struck or crushed by heavy lifting attachments;
struck by moving vehicles; or cut by sharp edges.
Musculoskeletal injuries also feature prominently, storage and handling of metal stock accounted for 284 injuries according to provisional HSE figures for the reporting year 2003/04.
The guidance explains:legal requirements; common hazards; how to assess and manage the risks from them; the provision of training and information for employees; the inspection and maintenance of storage and handling equipment.
The publication, Safety in the storage and handling of steel and other metal stock, HSG246, ISBN 0-7176-1986-9, price £14, available from HSE Books, will prove useful for anyone working, or involved in training staff in organisations such as stock producers, stockholders, stock hauliers or stock users.
"Publishing this guidance is a real achievement and shows what can be accomplished from partnership working. It has been eagerly awaited and I am in no doubt that it will help to improve health and safety standards. It will also act as an invaluable tool for enforcing authorities and assist in the consistency of enforcement, one of the original aims of the Steel Stockholding Lead Authority Partnership. Wolverhampton City Council is proud to have been involved in the project." - Chief Environmental Services Officer at Wolverhampton City Council
"Working in partnership with the HSE and Local Authority has enabled us to produce clear and achievable safety standards for our industry, which should help all the businesses within our sector, both large and small. We have worked together to make this guidance easy to understand, thereby assisting all of us to improve our health and safety standards". NASS
"This guidance promotes sensible health and safety, which is about managing risks, not eliminating them. This is a good example of HSE's commitment to being a good partner - working with Wolverhampton City Council as lead authority and NASS to improve safety in a sector of industry with an unacceptable high level of injuries and fatalities." - HSE's Manufacturing Sector.
WSA CHALLENGE FUND - LATEST
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE-operated WSA Challenge fund second round is now open and will run between April 2005 and March 2007. £3 million over three years has been made available for projects that can drive improvements in occupational health and safety in small businesses through collaboration and by engaging worker involvement through Worker Safety Advisers.
The scheme focuses on small firms and organisations that lack such arrangements, fund applicants must: demonstrate a commitment to improve health and safety; support the work of a WSA to promote worker involvement; and demonstrate the vitality of the partnerships they have established to achieve this aim.
Partnerships applying for funding can include workers, trade unions, employers trade associations, local authorities, voluntary organisations, chambers of commerce, professional bodies and other organisations committed to working together. The maximum grant available during the second round is £200,000 spread over two years.
Project North East (PNE) manages the WSA Challenge Fund on HSE’s behalf, the application form is available from it. Completed and signed application forms should be sent to: Les Johnson Business Support Services, PNE, 7-15 Pink Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 5DW, to arrive by Friday 21st January 2005.
“We want to build on the success of this year’s projects. We have already seen enterprising projects having an impact, making worker involvement in health and safety happen.
Increasing worker involvement has been shown to improve health and safety performance and is a key part of HSC’s strategy. The WSA Challenge Fund is designed to help build partnerships that drive safety and health improvements. This is a great opportunity to get resources to help those who need them most – the employers and employees of small firms. We are again looking for innovative bids that show commitment to working together with partners and using WSAs as a lever for improvement.” - Chair of the Health and Safety Commission.
HEALTH AND SAFETY - ARE YOU ON A SLIPPERY SLOPE?
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The new leaflet, Health and safety in ski-slope operations, has been published on the HSE website. Prepared in consultation with the British Ski Slope Operators Association, it advises owners or operaters of skiing facilities, providing basic information on the safe use of facilities for: skiing; snowboarding; and snowblading.
The term skiing is generally used but should be taken to include snowboarding etc. Natural snow slopes, artificial dry surfaces and artificial wet surfaces are all described as ‘facilities’.
The leaflet informs on managing health and safety; risk assessment; employee training; equipment hire; workplace and welfare; facility layout and access control; skier ability on artificial slopes; management of artificial slope use; first aid facilities; and maintenance activities, eg piste grooming equipment.
VIBRATION - HSE INFORMATION PACK
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE has updated its Vibration - the law page which allows you to obtain an information pack on the Directive comprising a covering letter; Directive 2002/44/EC; a brief history of hand arm vibration; HAV: the new exposure action and limit values; and regulatory impact assessment (revised September 2004).
It also has other information concerning implementation and the new vibration calculators.
ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY FINED OVER KEEPER'S DEATH
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The North of England Zoological Society has been prosecuted and fined after pleading guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of the death of an elephant keeper during February 2001. The keeper was attacked by a female elephant and died some days later in hospital.
The Society was fined £25,000 by Chester Crown Court with a further £50,000 costs, having been deemed to have failed to meet its duties towards an employee under S.2(1) of the Principal Act.
WORKMEN ESCAPED DEATH IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH 11KV CABLE
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A contractor from Pilning, Gloucestershire, has been prosecuted and fined £500 with £260 costs at Bath Magistrates' Court for breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of an incident in which two employees struck an 11kV underground cable while using a pneumatic hammer at traffic lights on the A38 in Bristol during November 2003.
****** ***** was contracted for the work by Siemens, the two workmen excavated without the benefit of a cable location plan and a cable locating device. The men should have been instructed to hand-dig, one of them escaped with only a minor injury, the other sustained serious head burns.
HSE says around 1000 electrical accidents at work are reported to them each year and about 30 people die of their injuries. It has prepared an informative Electrical safety webpage on the subject of staying safe near electricity.
FINES FOR ASBESTOS BLUNDER COMPANIES
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Two companies have been prosecuted and fined for errors that exposed school pupils, teaching and other school staff and contractors' employees to amosite (brown) asbestos fibres released while a building was undergoing refurbishment at Stanway School, Stanway, 3 miles west of Colchester, Essex.
At Basildon Crown Court, project Principal Contractor, EC Harris Human Resources Limited, of London, was fined £17,500 with costs of £26,420 for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; Herts contractor, Clivnars Limited, was fined a total of £15,000 with £16,500 costs for breaching the Principal Act by failing to ensure the safety of its employees and others affected by its activities during the work.
A report compiled long before the March 2001 project got underway identified the presence of asbestos elsewhere in the building but this did not prevent the contractors removing panels manufactured with asbestos-containing materials at windows, and because the normal stringent precautions for work with asbestos were not in place, fibres were released into the building's environment. Subsequent examination of the material placed in skips confirmed its hazardous nature, the entire project may have proceeded to its conclusion with no person the wiser had a school employee not expressed concerns to a head teacher while work was in progress.
POLICY BASIS FOR PTSD MANAGEMENT
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A study - Literature review of post traumatic stress disorder amongst rail workers, on the subject of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and specifically its prevalence, severity and consequences amongst rail industry personnel, has identified potential improvements in PTSD management that may well be applicable to other sectors.
The importance to the rail industry of good practice in PTSD management is apparent - it is estimated that during a train driver's working lifetime he/she can expect to experience one person under train (PUT) incident.
The study generates several good practice recommendations.
ROTATING LATHE STEM REMOVED WORKER'S FINGERS
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Score (Europe) Limited, based in Peterhead, has been fined £2,500 at Dunfermline Sheriff Court for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of an accident in September 2003 in which a female employee sustained a serious hand injury while working on a lathe at its Cowdenbeath, Fife, premises.
The accident victim was holding abrasive paper to a rotating part in a gloved hand when it drew her hand in and removed 2 fingers.
HSE investigation established that Score had failed to have suitably and sufficiently assessed risks and implemented a safe system of work for the specific activity.
PSYCHOSOCIAL WORKPLACE FACTORS MAY AFFECT YOUR DEMENTIA RISK
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A study report, Psychosocial work factors and dementia, published in Occupational and Environmental Medicine (BMJ Publishing Group Ltd), looks closely for any association between specific psychosocial work factors and dementia.
It is suggested that perhaps a work record composed of cerebrally challenging work with high control possibilities and social demands might prevent or impede the development of dementia, or alternatively, preclinical symptoms of dementia might influence the career decades before the dementia becomes manifest.
SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM WINS EURO AWARD
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The 5 winners of the Good Practice Award for improving health and safety in Europe’s construction industry, designated by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, have been presented at the European Week for Safety and Health at Work closing ceremony in Bilbao.
The winner was deemed to be a highly effective safety and health management system operated in Denmark which reduced the likelihood of accidents during a construction project for Danmarks Radio (DR). It involved a health and safety partnership between employers, workers, designers and other stakeholders. With an input of 800,000 working hours on the project, the frequency of accidents was below the average of Denmark’s construction industry - just 19 minor accidents over 2 years.
The other 4 initiatives recognised with an award were as follows:
A ready-assembled scaffolding system that is lifted into position and dismantled by crane, reducing the risks of falls when it is put up and taken down: The system, which is largely assembled at ground level, also includes integrated guard rails and other safety devices. (Doka Schalungstechnik GmbH, Austria)
A competition to encourage companies to use a simple health and safety monitoring system on construction sites: previously only 1-in-4 of the companies that participated in this scheme had a safety level in excess of 75%. Since the competition was launched, the proportion has risen to 3-in-4. (Rakennusteollisuus RT Uudenmaan piiri, Finland)
The development of a novel extraction system to reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous crystalline silica dust when removing road surfaces: the device, which is fitted to a ‘road milling’ machine, has reduced exposure rates to levels significantly below the Maximum Accepted Concentration for respirable crystalline silica. The system was co-developed by the manufacturer, customers and staff. (Nederlandse Frees Maatschappij BV (Freesmij), Netherlands)
The publication of ‘The Silent Book’, a range of health and safety promotional materials that only use pictures to convey relevant information to members of the construction industry: The book has no words and includes a specially created cartoon character. The absence of words means that the Silent Book can be used by other countries without incurring any translation costs. (NCC Construction Sverige AB, Sweden)
Commendation awards included ones earned by Felton Construction Ltd & Interbrew UK Ltd.
For further information visit http://osha.eu.int/ew2004/closingevent/index_en.htm.
“This year’s European Week campaign has focused on the immense need to improve safety and health in the construction industry. Our good practice award competition demonstrates that ‘building in safety’ is possible and that it pays off, both in human and in financial terms. I would like to congratulate the award winners and thank them, as well as all other participants of this competition, for their innovative contributions to reduce accidents and ill-health in this important sector. One of the strengths of all these schemes is that they can be relatively easily transferred to other countries, enabling the European construction industry to make greater headway in improving its health and safety record,” - Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
CARAVAN SITE PROPRIETOR'S INACTION OVER UNSAFE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LEADS TO FINE
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The repeated failure of a traveller site proprietor to heed warnings and formal notices relating to the dangerous condition of its permanent electrical installation led inevitably to prosecution and a fine last week.
The proprietor was fined £2,500, with £500 costs at a hearing before Taunton Deane Magistrates' Court after pleading guilty to failing to comply with an Improvement Notice requiring the unsafe electrical system at Slough Green Caravan Site, West Hatch, Taunton, to be brought up to a satisfactory standard. Furthermore, he must now bring the electrical system up to standard within a short time scale, failing which he faces a daily penalty.
Taunton Deane Borough Council's Principal Environmental Health Officer served the original Notice in January 2003, following which repeated attempts were made to establish whether the electrical system was safe, but the remedial work was not undertaken.
"The proprietor was given every opportunity to sort out the electrical system at this site, but clearly failed to do so. An Improvement Notice is a formal mechanism, by which a business has the opportunity to bring itself into compliance with the law. Ignoring such a notice will usually lead to prosecution and is always likely to be frowned upon by the Courts, especially when the safety of people is put at risk". - The Council's Executive Member for Environmental Services.
SCOTTISH DENTAL PRACTICES FAIR POORLY IN HYGIENE SURVEY
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A decision has been made by the Scottish Executive to fund a training programme for all health care staff involved in cleaning surgical instruments in GP and dental surgeries. The measure is in response to the alarming findings of a Sterile Services Review Group survey of the 837 independent dental practices in Scotland offering NHS services of which 179 participated.
The report, Survey of Decontamination in General Dental Practice, revealed:
50% of practices do not have a dedicated sink for decontamination;
50% of staff use no eye protection when cleaning instruments;
15% of staff clean instruments under water to prevent aerosols;
60% have no instruction manuals available for steam sterilisers;
65% don't test their steriliser daily;
65% change the steriliser water less than daily;
70% have no record of staff training in decontamination
RECOMMENDATIONS
In the light of the survey findings a Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) Working Group made the following recommendations:
SEHD urgently needs to increase NHS Trusts’ and other healthcare providers’ awareness of the importance of good decontamination practices;
no new guidance is required;
Trusts, hospitals and primary care organisations require to audit their achievement of decontamination standards;
Trust senior management should undertake an assessment of the infection and decontamination risks associated with their services, ensure that overall standards of decontamination practice are monitored and co-ordinate decision-making on decontamination, infection control, health and safety and the acquisition and disposal of surgical instruments;
Trusts should ensure that decontamination of re-usable medical devices is managed and undertaken only by suitably trained personnel. Trusts need to assess the recruitment, retention and training requirements of Central Decontamination Units and put in place measures which motivate staff to deliver an improved level of service;
SEHD should collaborate with other UK Health Departments in investigating the efficacy of washer disinfectors in removing potentially infective tissue.
Other recommendations were made on the subjects of ceasing the re-use of single use instruments; the capability of washer disinfectors in use to meet current standards; the development of a national framework for training in decontamination which determines the level of knowledge and skills required by NHS staff; and traceability mechanisms.
Scotland's Chief Medical Officer and Chief Dental Officer have written to all primary care professional staff to review their procedures.
"There is no need for public alarm and there is no evidence that patients are being harmed. What we are doing here is identifying areas of concern before a problem arises. We commissioned the survey and we are acting on its findings - working with the professions - to protect patients.
It isn't rocket science - it is more about basic housekeeping. And following basic rules: clean hands, clean instruments and clean working.
That's how we can minimise risk of transmission of all blood-borne infections and maximise protection for patients.
There are also wider lessons here for GP as well as dental practices and that is why we are writing to all health care professionals in primary care.
We have written to all dentists, GPs and Health Boards in Scotland to highlight the concerns identified in this study and to make clear that we expect action on ten priority areas as a matter of urgency.
It is the legal and professional responsibility of all dentists, doctors and nurses working with re-usable instruments in primary care to ensure that this happens." - Scotland's Chief Medical Officer.
"This isn't about the quality of service it is about quality assurance - to make sure that set procedures are being followed and practice is as safe as it can and should be for patients.
We have now set up an expert group to take this forward. It will provide a comprehensive training programme, in association with NHS Education for Scotland and Health Protection Scotland.
As well as providing training for staff in their practices, it will provide clear and consistent information and help them systematically audit their decontamination practices.
We have asked NHS Boards to provide us with action plans how they plan to address any shortcomings identified through this process." - Chief Dental Officer.
STRESS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL PROBLEMS LOOM LARGER - REPORT
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The latest information derived from Focus on union safety reps, the 2004 TUC union safety reps survey, indicates that stress, repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and back strain are the leading UK workplace-related health conditions. Over 4,500 safety reps responded.
The findings are that in the 2 years since the last survey the incidence of: stress is up 2% (58%); RSI up 3% (40%); and back strain up 4% (35%).
Other facts emerging through the survey are:
problems caused by slips and trips moved into the workplace hazards top 5 (up from a previous 7th place in 2002); only 53% of employers are deemed by the survey to be carrying out adequate risk assessments, the greatest deficiency in this respect being exhibited by local government and education; and only 44% of safety reps report being involved in the process of risk assessment; where employers provide occupational health services, these are 'less concerned with health promotion and accident prevention, than sickness monitoring and disciplinary assessments'; stress is worst for workers in banking and finance (83% reported that stress was a big problem); the most stressed out regions are Scotland and the South West; and 39% of union safety reps said that their workplace had never been inspected by HSE/LA officials.
'The top 5 workplace hazards are all easily preventable, yet too few employers seem to be getting to grips with preventing accidents and ill health at work. Meanwhile stress, RSI, back strain, slips and trips and problems caused by display screen equipment continue to cause pain and distress to thousands of workers and cost the UK economy millions.
A simple risk assessment involving the expert guidance of trade union safety reps. could dramatically reduce the risk of hazards in most workplaces. Yet, despite being required by law to carry them out, large numbers of employers still fail to do so. The HSE must get tougher with negligent bosses who continue to be reckless with the safety and well-being of their workforce.' - TUC General Secretary.
TRANSPORT-RELATED ACCIDENTS REMAIN THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF FATALITIES ON UK FARMS
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
In the North & West Devon and Torridge area an ATV inspection blitz of almost 90 farms earlier this year led to the issue of 25 Improvement Notices and one Prohibition Notice where there was an immediate risk of serious injury.
HSE believes, with some justification, that these spot-inspections, which found that many of those farms visited were using quad bikes without proper safety equipment or training, can prove effective in reducing injury.
Another farm transport blitz campaign is on the horizon, this time in North Devon and West Somerset, with a week of unannounced inspections starting on December 6th, but this forthcoming blitz has widened to incorporate all farm vehicles. The focus on ATV safety will remain on training and the provision and use of protective headgear, whilst the focus with other vehicles will be on driver competence and vehicle maintenance.
During the period 2003/2004 there were 3 fatal agricultural accidents in the South West region: employee, 31, ejected from cab when his tractor overturned on slope in South Devon; self-employed farmer, 35, ejected from cab when tractor overturned on slope in Taunton Deane;
self-employed farmer, 39, crushed when tractor rolled on gentle incline, handbrake not fully engaged, in Dorset.
"Fatalities on farms remain at a high level and around one third of those fatal accidents involve transport. There are many ways in which farmers and their employees can address these issues and take some simple and inexpensive steps to help prevent these tragic accidents occurring." - HSE inspector leading the blitz.
ROSPA TO ESTABLISH ACCREDITATION SCHEME FOR CHILD SAFETY PROJECTS IN ENGLAND
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has been appointed by the Government to establish an accreditation scheme for children’s safety centres across England.
The centres will host projects where children can learn about safety and preventing accidents, which currently cause 370 deaths and many thousands of injuries principally in the home and on the roads. The children can meet firefighters, road safety officers, coastguards and trained guides who will be on hand to help them to experience risky situations in a controlled and supervised environment, all the time delivering accident-prevention messages.
“RoSPA is delighted to have been commissioned to set up this accreditation scheme. Education is a vital part of preventing accidents, and lessons learned by children can benefit them and their families for the rest of their lives.
Accreditation will mean a continuing high standard of safety education and that consistent messages are delivered at all stages of a child’s development.” - RoSPA Safety Education Adviser.
LEADING CONSTRUCTION BODIES COMMIT TO IMPROVING INDUSTRY HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Dutch Presidency of the European Union and 6 of the top representative bodies in Europe’s construction industry have signed the Bilbao Declaration, a document committing them to specific measures to improve the sector’s safety and health standards. It is hoped that this and similar initiatives can begin to make inroads into the annual 1,200 fatal and over 800,000 '3-day' accidents (pre-enlargement EU figures) out of 12,000,000 construction workers. Apart from the pain and suffering, these losses amount to an estimated €75 billion a year (€200 per person).
The Declaration was signed this week at the European Construction Safety Summit, organised jointly by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the Dutch Presidency of the EU.
The signatories are:
European Construction Industry Federation;
European Federation of Building and Wood Workers;
European Builders’ Confederation;
European Federation of Engineering Consultancy Associations;
Architects’ Council of Europe; and
European Council of Civil Engineers.
The Declaration sets out 5 key actions:
Integrate health and safety standards into procurement policies, supported by guidelines for purchasing goods and services;
Ensure safety and health is taken into account at the design and planning stages of construction projects;
Use site inspections and other techniques to encourage more businesses to comply with safety and health legislation;
Develop guidelines to help businesses comply with this legislation, especially small- to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs);
Stimulate higher standards of safety and health via social dialogue and agreements on training, accident reduction targets and other issues.
“The European Construction Safety Summit clarified the strategy and actions needed to improve safety and health standards within the construction industry; the Bilbao Declaration provides the commitment required to make this strategy a reality. As a result of this Declaration, we expect to see significant improvements in safety and health standards throughout Europe’s construction industry and commensurately lower costs, both human and financial. This will be in everyone’s interests – businesses, workers and clients.” - Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.
SHEFFIELD COMPANY FAILED TO RESPOND TO ENFORCEMENT NOTICE
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Sheffield company, Pasuda Group Holdings Limited, has landed a £14,000 fine with costs of £3,410 as a consequence of failing to respond adequately to the requirements of one of three enforcement notices served on it in the wake of an industrial accident 12 months ago.
The improvement notice was related to an incident in which ignition of a flammable vapour occurred when solvents were being used for cleaning equipment, causing an employee to be badly burned.
EVEN MORE REASON TO SWITCH OFF THE MOBILE
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The likely introduction of penalty points for those caught using hand-held phones while driving is yet one more good reason to switch off and not turn them on again until stopped in a safe place.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) suggests businesses should be acting in anticipation of the arrival of the new road safety legislation, its Head of Driver and Fleet Solutions explains.
“Points on licences for talking on the phone take drivers one step closer to a ban. A banned driver could be sacked and the company might lose business and face the expense of having to find a replacement.
Fleet managers and human resources departments need to be sure they have the policies in place to deal with this issue now. This makes regular licence checks even more important, and shows how essential it is for bosses to examine the licences of new employees who will have to be on the road as part of their job.
It should be a disciplinary offence for drivers to make or receive calls while on the move, and employers need to ensure their staff have suitable technology to pick up messages and return calls when they are parked safely.
Office-based staff should to be trained so that they do not call people who are driving. Good journey planning can help them to know when fellow employees are likely to be off the road. This can prevent drivers from picking up the phone needlessly if they have forgotten to switch it off.
Talking on the phone – whether hand-held or hands-free - while driving makes motorists four times more likely to crash, people taking a business call will understandably need to give it 100% concentration and that means their driving is bound to suffer.
Employers who think that their calls are more important than someone’s life will be sending out the wrong message to their staff and their customers. They are also likely to be breaking health and safety laws if they allow their employees to make calls while at the wheel.” - RoSPA Head of Driver and Fleet Solutions.
'.... ABOUT CHANGE... DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY, GETTING OTHERS INVOLVED OR EVEN SAYING NO'
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A Health and Safety Commissioner has taken the opportunity provided by the presence of a Wakefield audience of chief executives, elected members and chief officers of the 22 local authorities in the Yorkshire/Humber region, to explain the need to revolutionise their approach if they are to bring down the toll of workplace death, ill-health and injury.
Yesterday's Working Together for a Healthy Partnership event at the National Coal Mining Museum marked the national unveiling of the Health and Safety Commission's Strategy for Workplace Health and Safety in Great Britain to 2010 and Beyond.
The HSC has asked its enforcing authorities to establish a programme to develop and deliver the detailed arrangements for working together in an effective partnership.
"The strategy is designed to promote our vision to see health and safety as a cornerstone of a civilized society and, with that, to achieve a record of workplace health and safety that leads the world. We will debate with others how the system might be strengthened and - where there are gaps and limitations - how they might be filled.
The HSC/E and local authorities cannot do this alone; we need to understand and value more the contribution of others to improving health and safety - not just employers but everyone including workers, their representative organisations and professional bodies.
It goes without saying that we would welcome more resources and this would help bring improvements in health and safety, but more of the same - even with increased resources and efficiency - will not deal with emerging health issues or the changing world of work and the demands of our stakeholders.
This means that HSE and local authorities must concentrate on the things they are best placed to do, including inspection and enforcement, and to do them where they have the greatest impact. This is a strategy about change, about doing things differently, getting others involved or even saying no in some cases." - a Health and Safety Commissioner.
"The principal aim of the programme is a more effective use of HSE and local authority resources collectively, to reduce accidents and ill-health at work. This in turn will contribute to initiatives for regeneration, health and wellbeing in local communities and ultimately enhance the employment and business viability of the region." - HSE's partnership manager in Yorkshire and the North East.
RETAILER FAILED TO PROTECT STAFF FROM RISK OF FALLS FROM HEIGHT
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The inability of prominent floor coverings retailer, Carpetright, to adequately protect its staff from the danger of falling from height while they accessed stock at one of its branches led to a court appearance and fine for the company at Taunton Deane Magistrates' Court last week. The company admitted a breach of health and safety legislation by failing to ensure the safety of its staff at the Priory Fields Retail Park premises, Taunton, which resulted in a fine of £3,000 with £429 costs.
The local authority-instigated prosecution arose from information that employees at the store were placing and retrieving stock from on and behind high level racking, by climbing on to the racking through the airport-type steps provided and were thus at considerable risk of falling and sustaining major injury or worse.
A Taunton Deane Borough Council Environmental Health Officer discovered the practice after visiting the newly opened store in June 2004, a warning delivered to the company the previous year about unsafe storage practices at its old store going unheeded.
Carpetright plc describes itself as 'Europe’s leading specialist carpet and floor covering retailer with 402 stores and concessions in the UK and Republic of Ireland.'
"Falls from height are one of the main causes of workplace fatalities in the UK and it is imperative that businesses take these risks seriously. Climbing onto high level racking is widely known in the wholesale and retail trades to be unsafe practice. Carpetright had been warned previously about unsafe practices at its old store, so for the inspector to find this in a brand new store was clearly unacceptable." - The Council's Executive Member for Environmental Services.
CONSULTATION ON CORPORATE HOMICIDE LAW FOR SCOTLAND
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
With the announcement at Westminster of plans for a Bill on Corporate Manslaughter in England and Wales, the Scottish Executive yesterday declared its intention to consult on proposals to create a new offence of corporate homicide in Scotland.
"I know there is public concern that there is a possible gap in the law that makes it difficult for companies to be prosecuted for deaths that are attributable to management failures.
The First Minister and I have already made clear that if legislation was required to reform this area of law then we will not hesitate to bring forward proposals for legislation.
I can today announce that we will consult on options for change to the law in this area and how best to deliver such change. This is a very complex area of law and it is crucial to get the issues of accountability right. Consultation on specific proposals will be a very helpful step in addressing those issues." - Scottish Justice Minister.
PETERBOROUGH WORKPLACES WARRANTED TOO MANY ENFORCEMENT NOTICES
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The recent visits made by HSE and Peterborough City Council officials to workplace premises in Peterborough, part of a series being conducted across East and South East England to discover what standards of health and safety are being achieved, left them disappointed with what they found.
The inspectors encountered, in many instances, conditions so poor that enforcement action was necessary - 8 Improvement Notices and 4 Prohibition Notices being issued, mainly relating to failure to control risk in two areas of primary concern - workplace transport and work at height.
Additionally, inspectors also gave advice and guidance during the visits and offered employers an opportunity to address any areas that needed attention.
"Our visits concentrated on the two areas that cause the most serious accidents at work - workplace transport and working at height. We also looked at the control of occupational asthma, slips, trips and manual handling risks. Most of the companies targeted in the blitz had received a letter from HSE advising that Inspectors would be in the area in November, and the letter pointed out the areas of risk that would be targeted. The Inspectors were therefore disappointed that several serious matters were found which resulted in enforcement notices being served.
As a result of the poor standards found, Inspectors will be carrying out further inspections in the Peterborough area over the coming weeks.
I advise all businesses to assess their health and safety standards, not just for the risks we are targeting, but for all their activities. Poor health and safety standards at work not only put workers at risk of serious injury, but can also seriously damage profits." - HM Principal Inspector for the area.
UK ZOONOSES REPORT PUBLISHED
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Zoonoses Report 2003 has been published (shortly available on the Defra web site). Much of the information is derived from an abattoir-based study of Foodborne Pathogens in Cattle, Sheep and Pigs in Great Britain, undertaken at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, Weybridge, Surrey.
The report is aimed at professionals who must deal with zoonotic diseases but it also gives the non-specialist an insight into Zoonoses, their prevalence and importance.
Zoonoses are diseases and infections which are transmitted naturally between vertebrate animals and man, the report covers: the major food and water-borne zoonoses - Campylobacter, Salmonella, vero-cytotoxin producing E. coli O157 (VTEC O157) and Cryptosporidium; the main notifiable zoonotic diseases of animals - bovine tuberculosis, brucellosis, anthrax, rabies and BSE; Avian Influenza as a zoonotic agent; and West Nile virus.
"This is a unique report highlighting trends at a national level but also variations and trends within the UK as zoonotic infections are not uniformly distributed throughout the UK. Rates of campylobacter food poisoning continue to decrease. The number of salmonella reports last year was approximately half that noted in the mid- 90s. However there has been a rise in certain strains of Salmonella enteritidis and these have been associated with a number of outbreaks linked to the consumption of imported eggs. Rates of E. coli O157 infection in Scotland continue to decline from previously high levels. The report also describes the control measures in Northern Ireland in response to the outbreak of brucellosis. " - Working Group Chair.
THE INTERACTION OF OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS AND THEIR POTENTIAL TO HARM
Posted Tuesday, December 7, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
In the absence of specific previous research work, and apparently even literature review, that looked at the effects and outcomes of the interactions of the 2 types of occupational health hazards, termed ‘white-collar’ stressors and ‘blue-collar’ stressors by academics at Cardiff University's Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology, an HSE funded report Combined effects of occupational health hazards produced by the Centre sought to investigate the nature and effects of such stressors when combined and their potential to harm.
The researchers opine:
' ... the most urgent need is to examine combinations of some of the factors not covered in the present project (role, relationships and change). The impact of not achieving satisfactory performance also needs to be considered for other indicators than just stress. Indeed, many factors known to influence stress also have effects on performance efficiency and this approach is often much easier to sell to organisations than one based solely on improving the quality of working life,' and that it emerges from the present research '... consideration of these stressors in isolation is a mistake'.