MAJOR NEW MSD STUDY
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
HSE is calling on managers, employees and consultancies to asist with a major new study of attitudes towards musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) at work which affect muscles, joints and tendons.
Around 1.1 million people in Great Britain suffer from MSDs caused or exacerbated by work, and on average each sufferer takes 19.4 days off in the same period.
The study is to be conducted by Loughborough and Nottingham Universities, and they want to talk to managers and employees from small- to medium-sized companies in industries most at risk from MSDs, such as manufacturing, health services, construction, and delivery and communications. Researchers will also work with consultancies, which deal with MSDs to develop and implement solutions to help prevent these kinds of injuries from occurring.
Implement changes to reduce the risk of work-related MSDs
Principal researcher Zara Whysall, of Loughborough University says: “Many companies are now making attempts to reduce health and safety risks, be it due to concerns over litigation, reduced productivity or increased absence, but often these attempts are not as effective as they might be.
This study will improve our understanding of organisational change, specifically on how to successfully implement changes to reduce the risk of work-related MSDs. The results will be used to draw up guidelines for employers, consultants, employees, trade unions, and health care practitioners.”
Companies interested in participating can contact Zara Whysall, by the end of June, by email: Z.J.Whysall@lboro.ac.uk . More details of the project are available at www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/hu/groups/
hseu/soc_project_summary.htm and www.nottingham.ac.uk/I-WHO .
3 MILLION NON-SMOKERS ARE EXPOSED TO OTHER PEOPLE'S SMOKE AT WORK
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
The British Medical Association marked last week's 'no smoking day' by renewing its call for the Government to make all indoor public places smoke free.
It says at least 1000 people die every year in the UK from passive smoking, and that more than eight out of ten Britons are non-smokers and are regularly exposed to tobacco smoke in public places.
Three million non-smokers are exposed to other people's smoke at work, and the UK is falling behind in protecting non-smokers.
Help smokers kick the habit
Dr Sinead Jones, Head of the BMA's Tobacco Control Resource Centre (TCRC) said: "The evidence is clear - passive smoking kills. Yet despite the overwhelming medical consensus, the Government is still failing to protect vulnerable workers. We demand immediate action to tackle this serious problem. Doctors want smoke-free public places to protect non-smokers from the damaging health effects of passive smoking. And smoke-free workplaces also help smokers kick the habit. The benefits are substantial. It's time to clear the air."
More than 85% of the public are in favour of smoking restrictions in workplaces, offices and other public places.
WARNING SOUNDED TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES THAT UNDERFUND FACILITIES
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
The inevitable happened when a local authority had insufficient money to properly run a facility.
A prosecution taken against Havering Council who pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of the death of Charlotte Subuhon, 6, who drowned at Chafford Sports Centre, Rainham, Essex, will act as a caution to other authorities that wish to provide and operate facilities but allocate insufficient funding to secure the health and safety of the public who use them.
Havering Council was fined £75,000 over the tragedy in which Charlotte lost her life - only two lifeguards and two adults supervised the pool holding more than 36 children on that day.
According to the HSE in the preceding years it had been managed on a 'haphazard and at worst chaotic basis'. Mr Anthony Morris QC said: "What is remarkable is that with up to four hundred children a week attending pool parties a tragic accident such as this had not occurred in the pool before."
WELSH TEACHERS TOIL AGAINST WORKPLACE STRESS
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
According to research undertaken by The Western Mail newspaper the number of teachers categorised as long-term-sick (over 2 months) through workplace stress continues to rise sharply, by as much as 50% over the last 12 months, representing 500 out of a total of 28,000 Welsh primary and secondary staff.
Gethin Lewis, Secretary of National Union of Teachers Cymru commenting on the survey said: "Not only does this problem affect teachers' own lives but those of their colleagues who face increasing workloads as a result, and it also affects pupils' learning opportunities."
Since last year Teacher Support Line Cymru has provided advice to hundreds of teachers and now plans another initiative to improve the wellbeing of teachers. Users of the service cite pupil aggression, excessive workload and conflict at work as major stressors
SCHOOL TRIPS SAFE WITH CAREFUL PLANNING AND ORGANISATION
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE, recognising that recent prosecutions of individuals and organisations responsible for school trips that ended badly may deter others from organising such outings, wishes to convey the view that it does not wish to discourage such activities. Organisers need only accept the duty to properly plan and manage such events and implement the necessary measures.
Organisers of visits or trips have a legal responsibility to manage health and safety and control risk. Adequate and sufficient pre-planning should be carried out before the event as part of the risk assessment. All reasonably practicable measures should be taken to deal with the identified risks. Organisers should plan properly and include contingency planning for anticipated problems.
Consideration should be given to subjects such as:
arrangements for the adequate supervision of pupils, with sufficient supervisors to cope with an emergency;
communication arrangements;
the nature of the local terrain;
a local weather forecast, with appreciation of the likelihood and impact of quickly changing conditions &;
use of appropriate clothing suitable to all likely weather conditions.
Advice on the planning and organisation of visits is produced by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) website at: www.teachernet.gov.uk/visits
RISK ASSESSMENT, DEPLOYMENT & MONITORING
Philip Gifford , Principal Inspector at HSE 's North West regional office says: "Organisers of educational/ recreational activities must ensure that they are properly planned, managed, and delivered by competent staff. This demands proper risk assessment, deployment, and monitoring, and the use of all reasonably practicable measures to counter the identified hazards.
These educational visits are important and there are many in education with a great deal of expertise in running such activities safely. We urge them to share this expertise with those who still have some way to go."
COUNTY COURT FINDS FOOTBALLER AND CLUB LIABLE FOR OPPONENT'S SPORTS INJURY
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
Robbie Ellison, a part-time barman and former amateur footballer with Atherstone United, must meet payment of £23,000 in compensation for a sports injury sustained by an opponent in a 50-50 tackle he made 5 years ago.
Mr Ellison collided with Dorchester Town goalkeeper Kevin Maloy in 1998, as a result of which Mr Maloy broke his wrist, which consequently affected his footballing fortunes adversely.
The referee adjudged at the time that no foul play was involved in a legitimate challenge for the ball.
Atherstone United was ordered to pay £10,000 in damages with £20,000 costs. Insurance companies will now re-examine their risks in this market in view of this landmark decision.
SAFETY IN CHARITY SHOPS
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
A European Agency for Safety and Health-backed safety programme aimed at assisting all involved in the operation of charity shops continues through 2003. The programme encourages the adoption of good practices for all aspects of charity retailing, focusing on
H&S MANAGEMENT;
RISK ASSESSMENT.
ACCIDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATION.
MANUAL HANDLING.
VULNERABLE WORKERS.
WORKSHOPS
3 workshops for those managing Health and Safety will be conducted this year & are:
3rd June - Edinburgh
1st October - Nottingham
18th November - London
If you would like more information on this initiative, or wish to attend one of the workshops, please contact Thao Nyugen on:
020 7422 8620 or visit Safety matters in charity shops
HEALTH CARE SECTOR ADVICE
Posted Monday, March 24, 2003 by Ahmed Khan
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has just launched an online guide to safer work in Europe’s health care sector.
Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Agency Director, comments: “The Agency’s web feature will enable anyone who’s involved in risk prevention in the health care sector to get access to safety and health information, which is up-to-date and practical."
The information is available at the Agency's Health Care Sector, and covers:
biological hazards: includes infections, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, needle injuries, waste disposal; chemicals & materials: including anaesthetic gases, disinfectants, drug handling, latex allergy;
general - e.g. guides or sub websites covering several topics;
management: includes legislation, training, prevention committees, accident prevention; manual handling, lifting, musculoskeletal disorders, back pain & ergonomics; occupations & workplaces;
physical agents: includes lasers, radiation; programmes, policies & statistics - e.g. national or regional campaigns, policy issues etc.;
safety, buildings & equipment; stress: includes bullying, harassment, work organisation; violence; women workers, pregnant workers;
working hours, shift work & night work.