OPERATOR KILLED
Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that the operator of a lift truck was fatally injured yesterday on the public highway near Balmullo, northeast Fife. It is unclear exactly how the accident happened, one account given was that the vehicle may have overturned while turning off the road.
FATAL FALL
Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Terence Maunder, 35, died last week, succumbing to head injuries sustained in a fall from a scaffold platform while working on a farm building in Adlington, Cheshire.
According to one account, Mr Maunder's fall was precipitated by the movement of an unstable wall.
LONG HOURS WORKING - CONSULTATION BEGINS
Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Consultation looking into long hours working, and the way the individual opt-out from the 48-hour working time limit operates, is underway. The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI's) consultation offers no firm proposals, but outlines options to give views on, considering the 3 main issues of making sure: workers have a real choice about long hours; people are protected while they are doing long hours & people know about their rights.
The closing date for the consultation is 22nd September 2004. Information from the consultation will help inform the Government's policy on long hours working and its position on proposals expected soon from the European Commission on amending the Working Time Directive.
"I have made our position on the retention of the opt out to the 48-hour weekly limit very clear. It is important that we protect workers from having to work more than 48 hours a week, but equally important that we enable those who freely choose to work longer hours to do so.
The DTI gets many letters from workers asking us to keep the opt-out, but some parties have raised concerns that some people are pressured into signing the opt-out. Such action is illegal, as the opt-out must be signed voluntarily under current employment legislation.
However, we are open to ideas on how the operation of the opt-out can be improved - that is why we are seeking views now, so that they can be taken into consideration as we move forward with the European Commission's review of the Working Time Directive." - Gerry Sutcliffe, Employment Relations Minister.
SHEETING AND UNSHEETING OF TIPPER LORRIES - ADVICE
Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE has just published a very helpful resource page on what can and should be done to prevent falls from vehicles during sheeting and un-sheeting. It says 44% of falls from tipper lorries occur during this activity.
Safe driving - sheeting & un-sheeting of tipper lorries explains:
what the law requires; the solutions available & general points to consider.
HSE says it is useful to consider a hierarchy of approaches - Leave the load un-sheeted (if road traffic and environmental law allows it); Automated or mechanical sheeting systems, which don't require people to go up on the vehicle; Manual sheeting systems which don't require people to go up on the vehicle; Access platforms giving access to the top of the vehicle; Gantry/harness systems to prevent or arrest a fall.
NARROW GAUGE RAILWAY OPERATOR FINED
Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
HSE is advising operators of narrow gauge & heritage railways to ensure they maintain their track & trains properly or face potential prosecution. The warning follows the prosecution of Wicksteed Park Ltd of Wicksteed Park, Kettering, following a derailment there in September 2003 when a train carrying about 70 people derailed on the one & a quarter mile 24" gauge railway at the park injuring several members of the public.
HSE INVESTIGATION FOUND:
poor maintenance to be the main cause of the accident with a shortage of ballast allowing the track to move; inadequate train maintenance & poor management of the way it was operated & people doing the work were not properly competent.
Wicksteed Park Ltd pleaded guilty at Kettering Magistrates Court to failing to comply with S.3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for which it was fined £15,000 with £2,354 costs.
"This was a nasty accident for those injured & particularly upsetting for the children involved. Two people were taken to hospital & it was just good luck that no-one was more seriously injured when the seats shattered or when thrown off the train before it stopped.
Most disappointing is that this accident was easily preventable & the various failures that led to it should not have gone unnoticed or uncorrected. Unusually, there has been a history of derailments at the Wicksteed Park railway over the past decade & a raft of advice from HSE & others about the need to improve track maintenance, but still this part of the track was in a terrible state of repair until this accident.
Action by the company since has dramatically improved safety on the railway but it was just too late." - Allan Spence, HM Principal Inspector of Railways.
Commenting on the fact that HSE served an improvement notice following an accident during 2002 relating to the competence of ride operators elsewhere on the site, Mr Spence said: "I was surprised to find that the management had not acted to apply the same principles to the railway & we found that people working on the track & trains did not know enough to understand the consequences for safe operation.
Many people enjoy operating & riding on minor railways throughout the country. Most are well run with a good safety record. It is extremely unusual for HSE to have to resort to prosecuting operators but when advice is ignored & the extent of failure is significant, we are left with little option."
STEP CHANGE 'IMPERATIVE' FOR CIVIL AIR TRANSPORT INDUSTRY SAFETY PERFORMANCE
Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSC is encouraging the civil air transport industry to work with the HSE and trade unions to reverse its adverse upward trend of accidents and ill health.
Taking the opportunity to convey his views to industry delegates at the Airport Operators' Association Operations and Safety Conference, HSC Chairman, Bill Callaghan, explained a 'step change' was imperative, saying: "I won't pretend to you that there is not considerable scope for improvement. The trend in incidents reported by the industry to HSE is adverse. It does not matter what you compare the figures against - aircraft movements, passenger numbers or cargo tonnage - the direction is up."
Speaking of the industry's response to its challenging situation Mr Callaghan observed nevertheless that it was pleasing to see movement on key issues, in particular the Industry Strategy Group (ISG) initiatives - tough provisional targets in the areas of musculoskeletal disorders, workplace transport and falls from height with strategies to achieve them. He also commended The Airport Operators' Association's (AOA) work on benchmarking and mapping health and safety competencies, recognising their importance.
The AOA is the trade association representing the interests of British airports, its membership comprises 71 international airports, major regional airports, and many serving community, business and leisure aviation.
ISG formed with the HSE in Spring 2003 to take forward Revitalising Health and Safety in Air Transport, and has agreed provisional targets for accident and ill health reduction as follows: a 50% reduction in reportable musculoskeletal incidents by 2010/ 2011 (with a 20% reduction by 2005/2006) & a 20% reduction in reportable workplace transport and falls from height accidents by 2010/11.
"We want you to sign up to the targets and strategies developed by your colleagues on the ISG & to deliver those targets & strategies with our help. We also want you to bring the same diligence to health & safety that you bring to aircraft safety." - Bill Callaghan.
FORKLIFT CRUSHED WORKER'S LEG
Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Laybond Products Ltd of Saltney, Flintshire, has been fined a total of £10,000 with £4,300 costs by Flintshire Magistrates' Court for breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances surrounding a November 2002 accident in which an employee David Smith, 61, was struck by a forklift truck operated by an unqualified employee. Mr Smith sustained a fractured leg when he was struck by the forklift, the operator is believed to have depressed the wrong pedal on the truck and shot backwards coming to rest against a wall.
The company has acted to prevent recurrence by establishing a pool of qualified drivers and reorganising training operations.
RADIO WAVE TRANSMITTER SURVEY PUBLISHED
Posted Wednesday, June 30, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Recent survey work shows that radio and TV transmitters can produce radio wave exposures that are comparable with those from mobile phone base stations. The National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) has published the results of radio wave surveys in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations and other transmitters including measurements near homes, workplaces, schools and public utilities. The surveys are displayed according to region and by the above location categories, the results expressed as percentages of the guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) which have been adopted in the UK. Exposures to radio waves near mobile phone base stations and other transmitters where the public has access are usually small fractions of the ICNIRP guidelines.
NRPB Chairman, Sir William Stewart, commented:"Some people worry about the radio waves from mobile phone masts and we want to provide as much clear information as we can on this topic. Many of the concerns can relate to planning matters rather than scientific and health issues. This is a matter we expect to return to when NRPB issues a statement on mobile phones and health later this year."
3-YEAR-OLD FELL DOWN OPEN LIFT ACCESS WAY
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Staveley Industries Ltd has been fined £2,000 after admitting breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of a shopping mall accident in which a 3-year-old fell 5 metres down an inadequately guarded lift access way. The child escaped with minor injuries, largely because his fall was broken by a ladder.
At the time Staveley had a maintenance role at the McArthur Glen Shopping Centre in Livingston, West Lothian.
LADDER FALL DEEMED ACCIDENTAL DEATH
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Arthur John Cox, 54, an employee of Mowlem, fell from a ladder he was using to access a roof at Bath spa during May last year. He succumbed to severe head injuries 2 weeks after the accident.
Exactly how Mr Cox came to fall will never be known. An inquest jury has determined a verdict of accidental death, the Bristol Coroner expressing the view that Mowlem may wish to consider certain aspects of its accident investigation and reporting and perhaps risk assessment relative to lone working at height in view of this tragic accident.
ROSPA CONVINCED ITS RECOMMENDATION WOULD REDUCE ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has reiterated its advice to the government on reducing road traffic accidents. Statistics show deaths up from 3,431 in 2002 to 3,508 last year with deaths among motorcyclists up an unacceptable 14%.
Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety, commented: “The figures are very disappointing and of considerable concern. It is the first time deaths have risen above 3,500 since 1997. The good news is that child and pedestrian casualties are down, but there is clearly a serious problem with motorcyclists. And it is worrying that deaths in cars have gone up, despite improvements in design.”
ROSPA'S RECOMMENDATIONS:
measures to ensure motorcyclists get enough training and that they build up experience on smaller machines before progressing to the bigger bikes; drink drive limit to be lowered to 50mg – a move that could save 50 lives and 250 serious injuries a year – and random breath testing; motorists to be encouraged to take regular refresher training, which would improve driving standards; employers and the HSE to do more to manage the risks faced and created by employees on the road – between 800 and 1,000 road deaths a year are work-related;
a switch in the system of changing clocks in spring and autumn to give lighter evenings all year round and potentially save 450 lives and serious injuries each year; higher profile police presence to act as a deterrent to bad drivers because the number of traffic police has reduced in recent years.
MISSING GUARD ALMOST COST OPERATOR HIS FINGERS
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Daniel Briscoe, an employee of Frame Wise Ltd, Presteigne, Powys, now has the full complement of fingers thanks to the skill of a surgeon. Last September Mr Briscoe accessed a dangerous zone of a circular saw he was using because a guard was not in place, permitting an opening through which he put his hand. Frame Wise admitted a breach of r.11 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 for which Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court fined it £1,500 with £1,040 costs.
REVISED ACAS CODE OF PRACTICE ON DISCIPLINARY AND GRIEVANCE AVAILABLE
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The revised draft Acas Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures will, subject to Parliamentary approval, come into effect on 1 October 2004. The revision accommodates the new statutory discipline and grievance procedures which come into operation on that date and gives practical guidance on the statutory procedures and this includes: what is reasonable behaviour when dealing with disciplinary and grievance issues; producing and using disciplinary and grievance procedures for your own workplace & a worker's right to bring a companion to grievance and disciplinary hearings.
ROAD HAULAGE COMPANY FAILED ITS EMPLOYEE IN FATAL ACCIDENT
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Thomas Reardon, 46, was fatally injured when his lorry load of more than 20 tonnes of steel pipe moved forward as he braked the vehicle on the A8 at Coatbridge during February 2002.
Investigation revealed he was inadequately protected by the vehicle's headboard and the webbing in place to restrain the 15-metre lengths of pipe was incapable of doing so and failed.
Peter D. Stirling Ltd of Bellshill, Lanarkshire pleaded guilty to failing to meet its duty under S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 towards its employees for which it was fined £50,000 at Airdrie Sheriff Court.
FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO FLY-TIP ENSURES PRACTICE WILL FLOURISH
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Environment Agency has prosecuted two local haulage companies, who deposited controlled waste that included asbestos containing material, in a case which illustrates the considerable financial incentive there is to defeat the purpose of the Environmental Protection Act. Had they succeeded, their work would have netted them £5,000 for just a few hours work.
Agency undercover surveillance personnel, during a Saturday in February this year, uncovered the offences which took place at the Old Quarry, Pound Lane, Bridford, in Dartmoor National Park, witnessing 4 lorries tipping 8 loads of waste that included soil, metal, tyres and bonded asbestos sheeting, amounting to around 97 tonnes.
The vehicles were traced, one was operated by RAG Transport Ltd of Cheriton Bishop and contained approximately 4 tonnes of mixed waste, including wood and tyres from their yard, the other 3 were operated by G H Newbery and Son Ltd, of Marsh Barton, Exeter, who were clearing a site at Marsh Barton where Agency officers found a fully loaded lorry about to depart for the quarry.
Cullompton Magistrates heard G H Newbery and Son Ltd of Alphinbrook Road, Marsh Barton, plead guilty to 3 offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 including depositing controlled waste on unlicensed land plus two duty of care offences for which it was fined £12,000 for the first offence with no separate penalty for the other two. It was also ordered to pay £1,730 costs.
RAG Transport Ltd pleaded guilty to 3 offences under the same Act, including depositing waste on unlicensed land and two duty of care offences for which it was fined £400 for the first offence with no separate penalty for the other two. It was ordered to pay £654 costs.
"We estimate that between them the hauliers could have saved an estimated £5,000 by illegally tipping on just that single day (February 28). The waste should have gone to a properly licensed and engineered landfill site.
All this tipping was pre-planned and entirely foreseeable. Both offenders are very experienced operators and should be aware of how the waste material should be disposed of legally. We suspect that several other local hauliers have been tipping at the site and we are continuing our investigations.
This was a major case for the Environment Agency involving undercover work. We hope that these prosecutions will act as a warning to anyone contemplating similar activities". - Adrian Evans from the Environment Agency.
SCOTTISH FARM DEATHS REDUCE IN 2003/4
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
HSE is calling for renewed effort by all in Scotland's agriculture sector to further reduce farming accidents. It says it is committed to working in partnership with Scottish agriculture, with Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) and National Farmers Union Scotland (NFUS), evidenced by a range of ongoing initiatives. It is hoped that risk management will feature prominently in the objectives of sustainable farm businesses and be integrated into initiatives such as farm business plans and land management contracts.
The agricultural industry in Scotland lost 7 lives in 2003/04, 4 fewer than last year. Two accidents involved transport:
one involved a 7-year-old child who was hit by a reversing tractor and trailer as she cycled in the farmyard and the other when a farmer lost control of his ATV, which overturned trapping him underneath; in others 2 people died when they were struck by falling, flying or moving objects - both involved falling branches / trees during arborial work; a farmer’s wife was asphyxiated by the inhalation of grain and lack of oxygen in a grain bin while attempting to clear debris; a member of the public was attacked by a highland cow as he was walking with his family on a private road & someone fell from a baler drawbar attached to a tractor driven by farmer.
“Last year I appealed to Scottish farming families to work with us to stem the rising number of deaths in agriculture. This year has seen a return to single figures. And for the first time in over a decade no agricultural employee was killed in Scotland while at work. The overall reduction in the number of deaths is welcome but we must not be complacent. The trend for agriculture as a whole of a rising fatal accident incidence rate amongst the self-employed and family farms is still a concern. We need to sustain and build on the improvements in Scotland over the past year. A sustainable farming business needs farmers who are alive and well. Remember, stop and think safety, make sure you come home in one piece.” - Dr Roger Nourish, Head of HSE’s Agriculture & Food Sector.
“Sensible health and safety is about managing risks not eliminating them. The people best placed to make farms safer are farmers themselves - so stop and think safety. Health and safety is a fundamental requirement of a sustainable farming business. Two workers died felling trees. This is a high-risk activity requiring a high level of knowledge and skill. Even highly competent workers can get into difficulty during work on trees. So I call on all those commercial organisations and the public, who engage tree surgeons, to help by engaging reputable and competent contractors.” - Stuart North, HSE’s Head of Operations in Scotland.
LACK OF SAFE SYSTEM KILLED ONE AND SEVERELY INJURED ANOTHER
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
On 26th January 2002 at the Slough premises of Montana Bakery Limited a maintenance fitter, Ravindra Warnakulasuriya, was killed and the works engineer, Leroy Moore, sustained severe head injuries in an accident described by the investigating HSE official as "entirely avoidable.".
The men were using a fork-lift truck to raise a 2-tonne dough mixing machine to access its drive belt underneath which had failed. As they worked under the machine, the fork-lift overbalanced and caused the machine to fall on both men. The load being lifted exceeded the maximum load recommended for the fork-lift truck and the machine had not been secured by any other means.
At Reading Crown Court Montana Bakery Limited was fined £25,000 with £30,000 costs after pleading guilty to breaching S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, having failed to ensure safe systems of work for employees. Risks had not been assessed, nor was the work adequately planned and supervised.
The company’s Managing Director, Piero Joseph Scacco, was fined £12,000 and General Manager, Anthony Hook, £2,500 after pleading guilty to breaching S.37 of the Principal Act* and ordered to pay costs of £ 6000 and £1000 respectively.
"This was a tragic incident, which not only took the life of a 41 year old married man with children, and severely injured another, but which was also entirely avoidable if basic safety steps had been taken at an earlier stage.
There was failure by those involved to adequately assess the task and identify hazards. The weight and size of the machine were far too big for the fork lift being used to lift it.
The HSE will not tolerate employers exposing their employees to unacceptable risks at work. The HSE has always been available to give advice in relation to health and safety at work. There is simply no excuse for employers to plead ignorance of good health and safety practice.” - Dennis MacWilliam, HM Inspector of Safety and Health.
*Section 37 of the HSW Act states that, “(1) Where an offence under any of the relevant statutory provisions committed by a body corporate is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been attributable to any neglect on the part of, any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate or a person who was purporting to act in any such capacity, he as well as the body corporate shall be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. (2) Where the affairs of a body corporate are managed by its members, the preceding subsection shall apply in relation to the acts and defaults of a member in connection with his functions of management as if he were a director of the body corporate.”
FALL FROM HEIGHT SERIOUSLY INJURED EMPLOYEE
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Siva Plastics Ltd of Spitfire Quay, Hazel Road, Southampton, has been prosecuted and fined for failing to meet duties owed to its employees under health and safety legislation.
Prosecution followed investigation of a February 2003 incident by HSE officials in which Muhammad Arshad fell 7 metres from a work platform above an extrusion machine. Mr Arshad was crossing a plank that had been put across a gap in the platform when he fell, sustaining serious head and leg injuries.
At Lyndhurst Magistrates’ Court Siva Plastics Ltd was fined:
£4,000 after pleading guilty to breaching r.3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and
£4,000 for breaching r.13(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
The company was also ordered to pay £2258 costs.
"Falls from height are the most common cause of fatal injuries, and the second most common cause of major injuries, to employees and the self employed. This case highlights the need to undertake a thorough assessment of the risks arising from any work at height and ensure that adequate control measures are in place." - Paul Williams, HSE Inspector.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH PROVIDERS COLLABORATE
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Commercial Occupational Health Providers Association (COHPA) was launched earlier this month offering commercial providers a chance to participate in the development of the OH industry.
It is comprised of a number of OH providers as a means of creating an industry focus and to promote Occupational Health as good business. COHPA's aim is to confront and resolve industry's problems and to work towards best occupational health practice.
As few as 3% of all companies have OH, COHPA points out that under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and ‘Duty of care’ an increasing number of landmark cases have placed OH higher up the corporate agenda.
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARENESS DAY IN CHELTENHAM
Posted Tuesday, June 29, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The latest in the series of free day-long Construction Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs) for smaller construction firms will take place at the Gold Cup & Fox Hunter Suite, Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, on 20 July 2004. These events are part of the Working Well Together programme whereby the construction industry itself advises others in the business on good practice and safety procedures when on site.
Aimed at small contractors who employ fewer than 15 people, sole traders and the self-employed, it is a chance to learn of the latest developments in improving health and safety. This group and those associated with them are vulnerable, 75% of all people killed or hurt on building sites across the country work for them.
Areas of greatest risk on construction sites will be highlighted in a practical way, including demonstrations and the latest information on a variety of topics featuring the ‘High 5’ risks on site: tidy sites and decent welfare; falls from height; manual handling; transport; and asbestos.
The seminar has been organised locally by a partnership including The Federation of Master Builders, CITB, Pearce Construction, Barnwood Construction, Crest Nicholson, Gloucestershire County Council, Britannia Construction, Keir Western, Bovis Western, Moss Construction, EG Carter & Co and Bideem Rail.
Visit http://www.wwt.com for more information on this & other events.
SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS WOULD HAVE SAVED WORKER'S LIFE
Posted Wednesday, June 23, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Roger Arscott, 61, an employee of Graham Turner, a roofing contractor of Chard, Somerset, sustained severe head injuries in a fall of 7 metres from a factory roof upon which he had been repairing glazing. He succumbed shortly after, the accident occurred at the premises of Air Control Industries building in Chard. A verdict of 'unlawful killing' was brought in at a Coroner’s Inquest.
Graham Turner pleaded guilty at Yeovil Magistrates Court to failing to ensure the safety of Mr Arscott and at Taunton Crown Court he was fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £15,000 in costs.
“Falls from height are the biggest cause of death or injury in the construction industry. Mr Arscott’s death could have easily been avoided if his employer had ensured that simple precautions were
taken to manage the risk. The sentencing took place during a week in which the HSE was carrying out one of its biggest crackdowns ever on health and safety in the construction sector. Inspectors from across the UK have been carrying out visits to building sites in a bid to spread the message about health and safety and reduce the number of accidents and deaths, including falls from heights." - Steve Frain, HSE construction inspector.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR RESERVOIR SAFETY IN ENGLAND & WALES TO CHANGE
Posted Wednesday, June 23, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
On 1st October 2004 the Environment Agency assumes responsibility for reservoir safety in England and Wales. The role of Enforcement Authority under the Reservoirs Act 1975 is being transferred from 140 Local Authorities as a result of the Water Act 2003 which also requires Flood Plans to be produced for specified reservoirs, this requirement commencing later in April 2005.
There are in excess of 2,000 reservoirs under the Act in England & Wales that hold over 25,000m³, representing the volume of water above which the Act applies, 69% of them posing a potential risk to life. Since 1852, 352 people have lost their lives following failure of dam structures.
DEVELOPER COMPOUNDED BREACHES BY FAILING TO RESPOND TO IMPROVEMENT NOTICES
Posted Wednesday, June 23, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
During the period between early November 2002 and 6 August 2003 HSE officials carried out various inspections of a housing development at Ingress Park, Greenhithe, Kent, under the control of developers Crest Nicholson (South East) Limited of Surrey. Inspectors observed activities that clearly were being conducted in a manner that did not amount to safe systems of work. In particular persons not in the company's employment were insufficiently protected and unauthorised access to areas where construction work was being carried out was permitted.
Compounding these failures, the company failed to comply with Improvement Notices and Regulations that require safe movement of traffic and segregation of pedestrian and vehicle routes.
At Dartford Magistrates’ Court Crest Nicholson (South East) Limited was fined after pleading guilty to the following breaches:
£15,000 - S.3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974;
£4,000 - r.15(1) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996;
£15,000 - failing to comply with an Improvement Notice, served under S.21 of the HSW Act;
£15,000 - failing to comply with a further Improvement Notice, served under S.21 of the HSW Act.
It was also ordered to pay costs of £9,132.18.
“It is vitally important for companies to ensure that the management of health and safety is given an equal importance to that of other business objectives; it is not an add on or an extra. Many of the problems identified on this construction site are illustrative of a common failure of companies to plan for health and safety and to then set clear standards and targets for managers to work to.
Another problem area related to a failure to secure the construction site; construction sites can be attractive to children who may view them as an adventure playground and yet they can be dangerous places. Construction sites should be fenced to prevent access by unauthorised people, especially children; in problem areas additional precautions may need to be taken such as having a permanent security presence on site." - Peter Collingwood, HM Inspector of Safety and Health.
BUTCHERS AND SLAUGHTERHOUSE WORKERS FACE APPARENT OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH THREAT
Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Research undertaken by Dr Dave McLean of New Zealand's Massey University's Centre for Public Health Research has confirmed the findings of international epidemiological studies that there is a mysterious threat to the health of groups of workers employed in the meat processing industry.
Dr McLean's study of 6,647 people who work or have worked in that industry indicates there is an increased risk of cancers of the lung and larynx, and of leukaemia and lymphoma, even taking into account smoking and the ethnicity of the workforce. He aimed particularly to discover if there was a strong dose-response relationship based on how long people had worked in certain jobs to come closer to determining causative factors.
Possible sources of hazard include exposures to bacterial and viral infectious agents, non-infectious bioaerosols, chemicals either used in the process or in the maintenance of plant and equipment, or substances found in residues of animal remedies or pesticides.
“Evidence would appear to suggest that the risk is associated somehow with the handling of live animals and the slaughter process itself, and the high exposures to that process, and that it disappears completely in those jobs that involve the further handling of meat, such as the meat cutters or retail butchers. But further research is required before we could positively identify the causes.” - Dr McLean.
OSHA, HSENI AND HSA PROJECT
Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The US Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) are to work together on the development of an EU model of the OSHA Voluntary Protection Programme (VPP).
The VPP is a means of recognising work sites which manage health and safety at work to an exemplary standard. VPP worksites achieve collectively an illness and injury rate which is 50% below industry average, sites obtaining either Star or Merit recognition are exempt from routine OSHA inspections. There are over 1,000 sites currently VPP recognised in the US.
Eight companies are to participate in a pilot scheme, GE, Dublin; Dell, Limerick; Schering-Plough, Cork; ConocoPhilips, Cork; Janssen, Cork; Pfizer, Cork; Tyco Healthcare (NI); 3M Industrial Tapes (NI).
“I am delighted that HSENI and two companies from Northern Ireland are participating in this groundbreaking initiative and I welcome the tremendous support offered to us by OSHA in assisting us introduce VPP to Ireland over the next two to three years. The recognition of excellence in health and safety management within the business community and the potential for good practice to cascade to others in the local supply chain are crucial steps in raising the standards of health and safety in Ireland.” - Liam McBrinn, Chairman of the HSE, Northern Ireland.
NATIONAL RAILWAY CRIME WEEK
Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
'Keep off the track and stay alive' is the message of this week's National Railway Crime Week featuring a range of activities and events across the country, leaflet drops will take place near railway crime 'hotspots' and school visits are being conducted to raise awareness. Every one of the 4,700 or so UK secondary schools will receive a copy of a video film, 'Tyler 4 Ever', named after and featuring the friends and family of Tyler Deacon, 15, the Leicester schoolboy who died 18 months ago while trespassing on the permanent way near his home.
The Track Off campaign seeks to educate and warn about the dangers and consequences of railway crime and is backed by The Partners Against Railway Crime comprising the companies and organisations within the rail industry who work co-operatively for the purpose of reducing the high levels of crime on the UK rail network.
The partners include the Railway Safety and Standards Board, Network Rail, train operating companies, freight operating companies, British Transport Police, the HSE and the rail unions.
During 2002/3 256 persons died on the railways, 5 of them children under 16.
FOOD COMPANY FINED OVER INADEQUATELY GUARDED CONVEYING EQUIPMENT
Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Lincs Cuisine Ltd of Spalding, part of the giant Geest group, has been fined for breaches of health and safety legislation in the circumstances surrounding an accident in which agency employee Diana Fernandez, 19, lost 3 fingertips to inadequately guarded conveying equipment as she attempted to clean it.
The accident occurred during July 2003, Ms Fernandez's fingers were drawn into the moving parts by her gloves and a cleaning cloth.
Legal representation for the company explained to Spalding Magistrates' Court that it was intended that cleaning should only be done with the lines switched off, but the unsafe practice of cleaning the moving equipment had developed because it made the job easier.
The company admitted breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 for which it was fined £6,000 and £1,500 respectively and must pay £2,600 costs.
CONSULTATION ON OFFSHORE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSC has opened a period of consultation over proposals to:
entirely replace the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 1992 with the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 2004; and effect a small amendment to the Offshore Installations
(Prevention of Fire & Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995 (PFEER) to clarify that rescue and recovery arrangements should always include external parties, such as coastguard and helicopter support.
Operators and owners of offshore installations must submit safety cases to HSE for acceptance as a condition of operating in UK waters, HSC says the changes will strengthen the safety case regime while meeting the circumstances of a mature regime and industry. The consultation document contains a Regulatory Impact Assessment for the proposed changes.
Copies of Proposals to replace the Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations 1992 CD198 are available free from HSE Books, PO Book 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 2WA, tel: 01781-881165 or fax 01787-313995. Comments can be sent to Tricia Lee, Offshore Policy, HSE, 5SW Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London, SE1 9HS or by email to tricia.lee@hse.gsi.gov.uk to arrive by 10 September 2004.
PROPOSALS
Replacing 3-yearly safety case resubmissions with 5-yearly thorough reviews; new duties for licensees to take safety into account when appointing an operator; replacing some safety cases with notifications, removing some existing safety case particulars and making some others better focused; replacing the requirement to demonstrate major accident risks are ‘as low as is reasonably practicable’ with a demonstration that such risks are identified and relevant statutory provisions are complied with; introducing a new fallback power directing the duty holder to revise a safety case;
introducing a statutory right of appeal against regulatory decisions to the Secretary of State & general updating throughout and consequential amendments to related regulations.
LATEST ON MANAGING OCCUPATIONAL ROAD RISK
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Managers and safety professionals with an interest or direct responsibility for people who drive in their job can learn of the latest developments on managing occupational road risk (MORR) at RoSPA’s Practical Risk Management seminar, sponsored by Toyota GB, to be held at the Renaissance Hotel, Solihull, on July 14.
Delegates can acquire the knowledge to set up a MORR policy and tackle issues such as the so called 'cash for a car' option, driver fatigue, drink and drugs, inappropriate speed, corporate manslaughter and insurance.
“The vast majority of people have to drive to some extent as part of their job and most use their own vehicles, but employers still have an obligation to manage the risks they face on the road.
This can be a minefield for managers faced with a variety of forms of vehicle provision, including cash allowances to pay for a car and mileage allowances. Monitoring insurance, crash history and service records is much harder if someone uses their own car. There is also the problem of ensuring they have a vehicle suitable for their work rather than the one they might want for private purposes.
Whether it is top financial companies with thirty-something executives in performance cars or local authority part-time staff driving fourth-hand Maestros, there are real difficulties in ensuring that employees are driving the correct vehicle, that it is being serviced and that the employer is getting feedback on accidents or incidents.” - Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser.
IAN WHITTINGHAM WORKING HARD TO SAVE CONSTRUCTION LIVES
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Anyone who has experienced a devastating workplace accident and can relate their experiences to others always commands respect and attention. Ian Whittingham, 36, who depends on a wheelchair for mobility following a fall from height, is such a person who continues to encourage the construction industry to improve its performance.
Last week he reiterated his message while visiting the City Square development in Liverpool in support of the current HSE FaTaL Risks Campaign. Mr Whittingham, who is believed to have addressed more than 0.25 million people over an 8-year period, is now taking a Health and Safety Diploma at the Wirral's Carlett Park College.
"Everyone has the right to go to work and go home safe at the end of the day. The construction industry must realise that it pays to be safe." - Ian Whittingham.
QUARRY INDUSTRY SEEKS TO ADVANCE IN OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Through the Hard Target Initiative, the quarry industry has achieved a significant reduction in accidents, and is now working towards the management of health risks. To this end the Quarries National Joint Advisory Committee (QNJAC) has recently published the guidance, Occupational Health Management in the Quarry Industry, developed to provide a framework which can be followed by all employers, from small businesses to major national companies.
The publication considers:
managing risk to ensure fitness for work; health surveillance programmes; rehabilitation; sickness absence management; welfare requirements; first aid facilities & hazardous agents found in the quarry environment.
THREE MANAGERS FINED OVER CARNAULD METAL BOX FATALITIES
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Three employees of Carnauld Metal Box have been fined for breaching duties owed under s.7 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of the death in an industrial accident of two steeplejack contractor's employees, Paul Wakefield, 40, and Craig Whelan, 23, who fell 35 metres to their deaths while working to reduce the company's Westhoughton, Lancashire, factory chimney during May 2002.
An outbreak of fire, ignited by the workers' burning gear and fuelled by residual deposits inside the chimney, reached a sufficiently high temperature to cause the steel cable supporting the men's working platform to fail.
At Preston Crown Court all three accused admitted breaching legal duties owed, manufacturing engineering manager John Kither, 50, and technical manager Ian Billington, 40, were fined £7,500 each. Colin Stevens, 58, was fined £2,000.
On sentencing, the Judge attributed the tragedy to the managers' naivety and ignorance, charges of manslaughter by gross negligence were not proceeded.
AN END TO ALL CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING TOBACCO SMOKE - IARC
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of the World Health Organisation, publishes through its Monographs series authoritative independent assessments by international experts of the carcinogenic risks posed to humans by a variety of agents, mixtures and exposures.
Its recent monograph concerning tobacco smoke confirms that second-hand smoke causes lung cancer, this evidence drawing to a conclusion what it describes as 'all controversies surrounding tobacco smoke.'
The scientific working group of 29 experts from 12 countries says:
non-smokers are exposed to the same carcinogens as active smokers;
the typical levels of passive exposure have been shown to cause lung cancer among never smokers; second-hand tobacco smoke is carcinogenic to humans; smoking cessation, along with never starting to smoke, will remain the best ways to prevent cancer around the world in the 21st century.
DISEASE BURDEN VERY HIGH - IARC
The tobacco epidemic is big, 50% of all persistent cigarette smokers are eventually killed by a tobacco-caused disease.
50% of these deaths occur in middle age (35-69 years), when those killed by tobacco lose on average 20-25 years of nonsmoker life expectancy.
There is an emerging epidemic in females and in developing countries.
Annually tobacco accounts for millions of cancer deaths worldwide, it causes an even greater number of premature deaths from cardiovascular and lung diseases and from stroke than from cancer.
THE SAFETY OF STAFFING ARRANGEMENTS IN THE PETROLEUM, CHEMICAL AND ALLIED MAJOR HAZARD PROCESS INDUSTRIES
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Energy Institute provides an independent focal point for the energy community comprising industry, academia and government to promote the safe, environmentally responsible and efficient supply and use of energy in all its forms and applications. The Institute has just published Safe staffing arrangements – user guide for CRR348/2001 methodology: Practical application of Entec/HSE process operations staffing assessment methodology and its extension to automated plant and/or equipment which will be of interest to those with duties under the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH) 1999 concerning the adequacy of staffing levels for abnormal or emergency situations, as well as for normal operations.
FORMALDEHYDE RECLASSIFIED CARCINOGENIC
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), established by the World Health Organisation, has now reclassified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen, causing nasopharyngeal (back of mouth and nose) cancer. It is suspected that it may also give rise to some cases of leukaemia, but this is less certain. The chemical is found in a wide range of production processes eg timber, resins, plastics, coatings and is a disinfectant. The outcome follows the review of literature by a panel of 26 international scientists, especially the latest epidemiological studies
MEL
Formaldehyde is not an uncommonly encountered substance in the workplace and the UK currently has a Maximum Exposure Limit of two parts per million (2ppm), time weighted average over eight hours. The short-term limit (averaged over ten minutes) is also 2ppm.
HSE says a worker's exposure to formaldehyde should not exceed this MEL and every effort should be made to reduce the exposure so far as is reasonably practicable, and in any case below the MEL.
LATEX ALLERGY NURSE COMPENSATED
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Alison Dugmore, 37, formerly employed as a nurse until around 7 years ago, has eventually been compensated by the courts after having developed severe allergic reaction to latex she encountered in the course of her employment. Her allergy progressed until she experienced severe anaphylactic attacks.
An award of £240,000 plus £114,000 damages was made against her employer, Swansea NHS Trust, by Cardiff County Court.
An increasing number of health care workers are experiencing reactions to latex and this action will be followed by others who believe their employers failed in a duty owed to protect them, it now being established that all employers have a strict liability to ensure employees' protection from adverse reaction to latex.
HSE has a web section devoted to latex hazard.
“I am very pleased that UNISON has been able to secure this compensation for Alison. Her life has been turned upside down by this terrible allergy and the NHS has lost a dedicated nurse. UNISON is calling for a ban on all high protein powdered gloves because they put not only the wearer at risk but patients as well.
By winning this case UNISON has established an important legal precedent - that employers have a strict liability to ensure that they protect their workforce from harmful substances such as latex. This has consequences not only for the NHS but for industry as a whole, because employers will no longer be able to argue that they did not know that a substance was harmful.” - Dave Prentis, General Secretary of UNISON.
THE CAT WILL MEOW*
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The current FaTaL blitz campaign, which in the long term may well directly and indirectly save human life in the construction industry, has notched up a first success last week. When HSE inspectors Steve Jones and Jonathan Harris, on a blitz visit, thought they heard faint meowing coming from under a block and beam floor on a site in Newquay they alerted the builders who, on lifting the floor, discovered a black cat. Saved from its entombment 'Houdini' is on the road to recovery.
*Hamlet, Act V, Scene I
HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WASTE INDUSTRY
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The UK waste industry is a significant one, employing around 160,000 workers with that number likely to increase over the coming years. Health and safety performance is relatively poor with an accident rate of around 2,500 per 100,000 amounting to nearly five times the national rate.
An HSE-funded study, Mapping health and safety standards in the UK waste industry, prepared by BOMEL Ltd considered 'source to sink', setting out to: understand industry process, size and employment;
identify the health and safety performance of the industry; inform on what will enable HSE to intervene effectively and influence the waste industry; foresee trends affecting its health and safety performance; & analyse workplace transport accidents.
Influence Network workshops were held with a range of delegates for waste collection and landfill/treatment.
Recommendations were made include:
to assist risk controlling, the Standard Industry Classifications (SIC) and RIDDOR reporting systems need to be amended (waste industry separated from the water industry);
develop a strategy for intervening with local authorities to reduce the number of waste-related accidents in the public sector;
strategies are required to reduce the number of accidents resulting from being struck by vehicles, objects, trips including falls from vehicles, and manual handling;
the regulator needs to influence company culture, ownership and control, organisational structure and health and safety management via companies’ head offices, who in turn need to influence training and management / supervision in order to influence competence, team working, communications and compliance.
TWO DEAD IN CONFINED SPACE INCIDENT
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Two men have died in an industrial accident at the premises of Bodycote HIP Ltd in Hereford. According to one account the employees had been carrying out repairs to a metal fan and were apparently discovered on the bottom of a tank by a colleague, it being unclear whether they had at first fallen into the tank or had initially been overcome by an anoxic atmosphere. There has been speculation that argon gas may have been used by the men in their work, the substance is a non-toxic, colourless, odourless simple asphyxiant.
The company is part of the Bodycote International group that has over 235 plants in 21 countries specialising in the heat and chemical treatment of metals.
WASTE SERVICES COMPANY FINED OVER TRESPASSING BOY'S DEATH
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
On an October day in 2001 Gavin Reed, 11, succeeded in defeating the boundary fencing surrounding Houghton Quarry near Sunderland gaining entry while in the company of a playmate. They made their way to a cliff edge to throw stones into the quarry but whilst doing so Gavin slipped and fell to his death.
At Newcastle Crown Court proprietors of the quarry, Biffa Waste Services of High Wycombe, pleaded guilty to breaching s.3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances surrounding the incident for which it was fined £2,500 with costs of £60,000.
SPEED CAMERAS SAVE LIVES
Posted Monday, June 21, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Royal Society for the Prevention of accidents (RoSPA) has welcomed the evidence that speed cameras are effective in saving lives on our roads. Throughout 24 Safety Camera Partnership areas during the first years of the programme deaths fell 40%, equating to 105 fewer deaths.
Approximately two-thirds of all crashes in which people are killed or injured happen on roads with a speed limit of 30mph or less - at 35 mph a driver is twice as likely to kill someone as they are at 30mph.
“The latest figures show beyond all doubt that cameras reduce the number of drivers speeding, and by doing so significantly reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads. Cameras save lives - hundreds of people are alive today because of safety cameras.
Cameras are particularly effective in protecting vulnerable road users such as pedestrians. The figures show the number of pedestrians killed or seriously injured at camera sites fell by over one third. But it is important to remember that cameras are just one of the weapons in the fight against death and injury on our roads. Cameras should be used to supplement the work of traffic police not as a substitute for them.” - Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety.
DISSEMINATING HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Getting health and safety information to decision makers can break the chain of events that lead to accidents. It is sometimes referred to as information being made available at the right time and in the right place, preventing hazards being 'designed in'. One impediment is the difficulty encountered in effectively disseminating safety information to decision makers, particularly to small companies and sole traders.
The Steel Construction Institute has conducted a feasibility study investigating ways of improving this dissemination, with particular focus on the potential for utilising emerging Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve the dissemination process. To this end, Improving the ‘reach’ of health and safety information dissemination using ICT RR239 examines the potential of automated health and safety dissemination systems.
The feasibility study identified that an automated context-sensitive dissemination system has 'vast opportunities for improving the dissemination of health and safety information'.
HSE INVESTIGATES BOY'S DEATH
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that the HSE is investigating last weekend's tragic incident at Mylor Yacht Harbour, Cornwall, in which a boat trailer struck a boy of 5, fatally injuring him and slightly injuring his 8-year old brother.
ESTATE WORKER RECOVERING AFTER ACCIDENT ORDEAL
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Laura Deeley, 23, who sustained a multiple leg fracture in an accident in which a grass cutting vehicle rolled over on to her limb, continues her recovery.
The accident occurred earlier this month at Thenford Manor grounds, Thenford, Northants, which is in the ownership of former Conservative Minister, Lord Heseltine.
PREVENTING CHILD DEATHS IN NI FARMING
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has launched an innovative 3-year safety awareness campaign with the co-operation of Ulster Farmers Union and other partners to eliminate all fatal farm accidents involving children. The be aware kids campaign targets children, their parents, the wider farming community and those who work and interact with them.
Many children have lost their lives on farms, typically the tragedies involved the following scenarios: falling from a moving tractor or machine; drowning in a slurry tank or other liquid storage area; struck by a heavy falling object; run over by a vehicle at a farmyard; trampled by a cow; smoke inhalation in a fire. Over the past 10 years 18 children have tragically lost their lives. Primary school children are most at risk, the campaign features a special competition for them to design a poster based on the dangers associated with farming, winning entries forming a 2005 calendar to be widely distributed to reinforce key child safety messages in the farming community.
"Family-run farms are homes as well as potentially dangerous workplaces and, as such, they present unique risks to children. The 'be aware kids' campaign aims to mobilise everyone involved in farm life to make farms safer places for children. In tackling this issue we have established a strong and wide network of key partners including teachers and health visitors to deliver a comprehensive package of awareness raising initiatives over a three-year programme." - Derek Nixon, HSENI Board Member, Chair of the Farm Child Safety Campaign Working Group.
COMPANY IN BREACH OF MANUAL HANDLING REGULATIONS
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An incident in which an employee sustained a disabling foot injury led to prosecution for car servicing giant Kwik Fit Ltd. The incident occurred at its Harrow premises, a car battery dropped on the employee's foot from its storage place.
The company was deemed to be in breach of the Principal Act and the Manual Handling Regulations for which Harrow Magistrates' Court fined it £13,000 with £3,000 costs.
COUNCIL EMPLOYEE WAS NEARLY DRAWN INTO PTO
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
On 27 August 2002 Jack Lane, an employee of Kent County Council, had a lucky escape when his shirt became entangled with the exposed drive shaft connecting a tractor to an auger being used to drill goal post frame holes at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys in Dartford. Although the drive ripped the shirt from his back he escaped with bruising.
At Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court Kent County Council was fined £4,000 after pleading not guilty to breaching r.11(1)(a) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and incurred costs of £11,397.80.
"Unguarded power take off (PTO) shafts are very dangerous and every year people are killed or seriously injured in accidents involving them. These accidents are preventable if the PTO and PTO drive shaft are fitted with guards of good design and are properly used and maintained. Further guidance is given in HSE leaflet AS 24(rev) ‘Power take-offs and power take off drive shafts’.
The Magistrates found that there was no guard on the machine and indeed no guard available on a subsequent search of the depot. They were also satisfied that there was no PTO shaft guard available prior to the accident. They found that the outcome of the training that had been provided was confused, that employees were not clear of the relevance of the risk assessments and there was confusion at the time of the incident as to who was actually in charge, as two managers were away on annual leave.” - Russell Beckett, HM Inspector of Safety and Health.
'COUNTRY OF ORIGIN' THREAT TO DOMESTIC HEALTH AND SAFETY STANDARDS
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The content of a proposed framework directive that would put non-UK European organisations providing services in Britain on a non-permanent basis beyond UK health and safety legislation is currently under consultation. Similarily, UK organisations active on a non-permanent basis on mainland Europe will be subject to British legislation and HSE enforcement.
Director of the Centre for Corporate Accountability, David Bergman, explains why this legislative change is raising alarm here and abroad: "This must surely not only be wrong in principle, but must be unworkable in practice. If HSE inspectors go to a factory and find that a non-British European business - which is not based in Britain 'indefinitely' - is failing to comply with health and safety law in the way it provides a service to the factory, the Directive would mean that the inspector could do nothing, even if the company's working practices are in serious breach of the law. The HSE would have to inform the regulator from the business's country of origin and wait to see whether they will act. A similar British company giving the same service at the same factory, in contrast, could have an enforcement notice imposed on it and if the breach is serious enough, be subject to prosecution. The reality would surely be that any European businesses operating temporarily in another European country would be outside of the reaches of the law. The Directive is proposing quite an extraordinary proposition, which one can't really be believe it ever meant".
RAIL NOW 9 TIMES SAFER THAN CAR
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) has published its Annual Safety Performance Report for 2003, offering a comprehensive treatment of its data. The Board was established last year as an independent organisation tasked with improving safety performance across the rail network. It is owned by the railway industry, and features a Members’ council, a board and an advisory committee.
RSSB takes encouragement from certain aspects of performance, eg. the number of train accidents on or affecting the passenger line reduced by 27% (the lowest level ever recorded), but acknowledges that 3 trackworker fatalities occurred during the period and there was an increase of 18% in reported workforce assaults, the latter it attributes in part to a better level of reporting.
The report records: significant train accidents down by 27%;
SPADs increased by 5% during 2003, to 381; public accidental fatalities reduced by 2%; 201 major injuries to passengers, representing a 5% increase on last year’s figure; reportable ‘line of route’ offences reduced by 26%; trespasser fatalities increased by 8%; 15 accidental fatalities occurred at level crossings.
Concerning the issue of staff security TSSA General Secretary Gerry Doherty commented on the figures: "It is unacceptable that rail staff are bearing the brunt of the public's frustration with a failing rail service through verbal abuse and threats of violence. This is putting staff under intolerable stress and we call on the industry to take the issue seriously by introducing a zero tolerance approach to customers who behave in this way."
‘The industry has again shown that focused action delivers safety improvements. That there were no fatalities in a train accident in 2003 is great news. The challenge is clear: improve quality and the rail sector can further improve the safety of passengers and those who work in the industry’ It is clear that safety performance is improving in many areas, however the challenge facing the industry is workforce safety and, in partnership with other agencies, the road – rail interface and wider issues of public behaviour. - Aidan Nelson, director, Policy and Strategic Initiatives for RSSB.
PRINCIPLES OF MAINTENANCE SYSTEMS
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An HSE-funded in-depth guidance publication, Maintenance system assessment: Guidance document, prepared by Poseidon Maritime UK Ltd offers information of use to anyone assessing the effectiveness of their systems. The Handbook says it 'gives advice and guidance on fundamental structural and organisational elements involved in a Maintenance System and on methods to establish their existence, their degree of sophistication and their effectiveness.'
It examines: maintenance system elements and design; scheduled and unscheduled maintenance; maintained equipment condition; maintenance software programmes & maintenance assessment and evaluation.
CORRUGATED PAPER MANUFACTURER FINED
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Ribble Packaging Ltd of Oldham has been fined £6,000 with £2,000 costs for breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances surrounding an industrial accident at its premises in which employee Alan Frew sustained a fractured pelvis.
Mr Frew had been clearing a blockage on the equipment he was working at when it was activated by a colleague, inflicting the crush injury, the court deeming that the company failed to ensure employees' safety by permitting the use of the inadequately guarded machinery that already had a previous history of incidents.
WORKPLACE TRANSPORT FATALITY
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that an employee at World's End Waste depot, Battersea,
S. London, lost his life in an industrial accident last week.
According to one account driver Sam Boothman was fatally injured when a shovel vehicle at the depot struck his vehicle as he stood next to it trapping him against the wall of a building.
PIRANHA STRIKES
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An 200mm-long pacu fish, sometimes misleadingly referred to as a 'banana piranha' normally found in S. America, has apparently bitten an 18-month old visitor to Butterfly and Insect World outside Dalkeith, southeast of Edinburgh in Scotland.
The youngster, it is reported, required minor surgery at the city's Sick Children’s Hospital, officials of the health and safety enforcing authority for the business, Midlothian Council, are investigating the incident in which it is believed the child put her finger into the fish's tank pulling it out with the fish attached.
FaTaL RISK BLITZ INSPECTIONS UNDERWAY
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The urgent need for this month of HSE site inspection activity, part of the FaTaL Risks Campaign 2004 being conducted Europe-wide, is illustrated by two incidents involving construction activity that so nearly resulted in death. On Tuesday a site worker sustained injuries in a 7-metre fall at Liverpool's former Albany building currently being redeveloped for residential accommodation. At the weekend outside the Waverley Station in Edinburgh a 2-metre steel section, part of a system retaining a building facade, was dropped 15 metres during dismantling operations, narrowly missing a passer-by on the station steps.
At a blitz publicity event this week at the Ashburton Grove Stadium construction site, the future home of Arsenal FC, HSC member Hugh Robertson commented: “As part of our ‘Revitalising Health and Safety’ strategy HSC has identified the construction industry as a priority area. Because of its poor health and safety performance and its size, the industry contributes the major share of fatal and serious injuries in the GB’s workplaces."
INVESTIGATION INTO ACCIDENT CAUSATION AND RISK CONTROL IN CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A major investigative study, RR231 - Improving health and safety in construction- Phase 2 - Depth and breadth- Volume 1 - Summary report, prepared by BOMEL Ltd for the HSE and the Association of British Insurers (ABI), examines the causative factors and risk controls for a range of construction activities, drawing from statistical data and expert opinion.
Now available to safety practitioners and industry employers, the researchers understandably believed consideration needed to extend beyond the equipment used and the situation of individual cases, to capture the wider human and organisational factors affecting sites and the industry in general. The likelihood of success of intervention mechanisms was examined, consistently hard data was supplemented with expert judgements gathered in a structured way to ensure the findings were balanced and representative.
B&Q PLC PROSECUTED OVER SHOPPER'S DEATH
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Bournemouth Crown Court will next month inform B&Q Plc of the fine and costs it must meet under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances surrounding the death of Pamela Hinchliffe, 68, in an accident at its Poole store during June 2001.
Mrs Hinchliffe was struck by a reversing forklift truck and crushed against a shelving unit, she died later in hospital. The truck driver had been operating without the benefit of a banksman, he was convicted earlier for breaching of S.7 of the Principal Act for which he was fined £400.
ROSPA BOOST FOR OCCUPATIONAL ROAD SAFETY
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) with the support of the Department for Transport has published Driving for Work: Safer Journey Planner. Road safety officers and employers can access advice on issues such as: driver fatigue; raising awareness of safety issues among staff; reducing distances; controlling hours spent on the road; reviewing shift arrangements; using alternative forms of transport; video-conferencing; safer routes & promoting safer driving.
Driving is the most dangerous thing that most people do as part of their job. About 20 persons are killed and 250 seriously injured every week in crashes involving someone on the road for work purposes.
“Employers have a clear legal duty to manage the safety of their employees on the road. They should ensure that their organisation’s road journeys are properly planned and safely completed.
This applies to all at-work drivers whether they are behind the wheel of a company car, driving on a mileage allowance, riding a motorcycle or in charge of a lorry.
Every journey should be a managed journey. Employers have a moral and legal obligation to protect their employees, but it also makes good business sense to manage occupational road risk. Road accidents cost money not just for repairs, but in lost staff time, bad publicity and legal expenses.
Managers need to ensure that they prepare schedules which allow sufficient time for drivers to take account of reasonably foreseeable weather and traffic conditions and to comply with speed limits. They should seek to reduce night driving and having people on the roads at times of day when falling asleep at the wheel is more likely.” - Kevin Clinton, RoSPA Head of Road Safety.
BOHS NOT JUST FOR OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENISTS
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Every year in Britain more than two million people experience symptoms of ill-health believed to have been caused or made worse by work & around 33 million working days are lost. The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) has published its new brochure which describes its role in helping to reduce this work-related ill-health. The Society works to promote public & professional awareness, good practice & standards, & by researching & advancing education in the science of occupational health and hygiene. The publication describes its services especially its provision of an unrivalled source of information & expertise.
BOHS says it is not just for occupational hygienists, but for anyone with an interest in occupational hygiene, or a need for its services -an inclusive, multidisciplinary society which welcomes anyone with an interest in a healthier working environment, from engineers, nurses, scientists, physicians, right through the spectrum to health, safety & environmental advisors.
OCCUPATIONAL HYGIENE - WHAT IT IS AND ISN'T
Occupational hygiene isn’t about washing your hands properly at work!
it is about anticipating, recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards arising from work; occupational hygienists specialise in controlling the risks to health in practical and cost-effective ways.
Hygiene is defined as the science concerned with health but, in common usage, it has taken on a much narrower definition linking it to cleanliness, which can lead to the misunderstanding of the term occupational hygiene: workplaces have many visible and hidden hazards such as chemical (dusts, vapours), physical (heat, light, noise, radiation), ergonomic (posture, motion), biological (bacteria, viruses), or psychosocial (stress, violence, bullying).
REPORT FINDINGS CAN ENABLE SAFER ARBORICULTURE AND TREE SURGERY
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Following a serious accident at a college in August 2001, in which a climber became detached from his rope system when the karabiner opened, research was commissioned into the phenomenon of karabiners not closing properly, for example through wear or because of tree debris. HSE says some karabiners do not close reliably even when new, a matter it has raised with the manufacturers.
Researchers believe 3-way karabiners are still the best form of rope-to-harness connector for tree surgery and arboriculture but improvements are needed. The Health and Safety Laboratory produced report - Karabiner Safety in the Arboriculture Industry established:
for treework, 3-way karabiners are still the best form of connector between harness and rope equipment; karabiners need to be carefully maintained and lubricated, and replaced more often; improvements are needed in the way karabiners are used – in particular the attachment of ropes and prussik loops; manufacturers need to improve the design to ensure secure closing of the karabiner and to allow more effective maintenance.
HSE Leaflet Tree-climbing operations, AFAG 401, provides more information.
HSE advise climbers should make sure they carefully:
Check the karabiner locking action before climbing.
Check the gate has closed fully after each opening.
Follow manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance.
Use recommended techniques for attaching ropes to the karabiner - as described in HSE Guidance leaflet AFAG 401.
Avoid circumstances where rope, strops, tree, etc., may exert force on the gate mechanism.
Remove karabiners from service if they fail to close properly every time.
Make sure karabiners are thoroughly examined every six months, as required by LOLER*.
* The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 apply to tree work, and HSE’s guidance to the arboricultural industry is given in Agricultural Information Sheet 30 LOLER: How the Regulations apply to arboriculture.
HSL SOFTWARE ACHIEVEMENT
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Health and Safety Laboratory, an HSE agency and Britain's leading industrial health and safety research facility, has launched a partnership project involving the collaboration of industry, Government departments and UK regulators to develop an approach which may substantially reduce the costs of toxicology testing by minimising the time needed to generate computer models for biological systems.
The project has the potential to reduce the number of animals used in experiments, these computer models, known as physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, simulate the way chemicals act in humans and animals, and can be used to predict chemical toxicity, HSL’s software allows researchers to accomplish in a few minutes what otherwise requires days.
"This project has the potential to significantly change the way toxicologists work, by greatly reducing the mathematical burden and allowing them to focus on biology.
The ability to integrate biological parameters in a single computer-based model will also improve the quality of research as it enables researchers to investigate the importance of each variable, as well as how they interact in the disease process". - Dr George Loizou, HSL, Project leader.
PREVENTING & MANAGING BACK PAIN IN SMALL BUSINESSES
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An HSE resource page has been created and published this week entitled Back pain in the workplace: prevention and management, providing information to help employers and managers prevent and manage the effects of back pain in the workplace, particularly in small businesses.
The adoption of a partnership approach is encouraged, the key messages being: you can do things to prevent or minimise MSDs;
the prevention measures are cost effective; you cannot prevent all MSDs, so early reporting of symptoms, proper treatment and suitable rehabilitation is essential.
Back in Work: Managing back pain in the workplace (INDG333) is now updated.
NEW GAS SAFETY LEAFLETS
Posted Sunday, June 20, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
HSE has published a series of leaflets providing guidance for landlords and gas consumers in 12 different languages, available online as PDF files at Gas Appliances: Get Them Checked, Keep Them Safe, providing new information on the need to obtain urgent medical advice if you suspect you or your family have been exposed to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Landlords – A Guide to landlords’ duties: Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, also comes in a variety of languages, HSE’s Gas Safety Website has printable versions of these information leaflets as well as useful advice and information for members of the public, including a range of videos for consumers to watch. HSE’s Gas Safety Advice Line is on freephone 0800 300 363.
“Now that summer is here, it is a good time for landlords to get their tenants’ gas appliances checked. Should maintenance be necessary, it is less inconvenient for tenants compared to carrying out the same exercise in the middle of winter. Private residents would also do well to have their gas appliances checked when there is less reliance on using them. These translated leaflets have been produced to increase accessibility to gas safety information, particularly in getting gas appliances checked.” - Patrick Maple, HSE Gas Safety Policy.
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED BY ALL WHO USE LIFTING EQUIPMENT
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Alec Ferguson, an HSE inspector who investigated a lifting operation that went badly wrong and resulted in terrible injuries for a site worker, wants everyone involved in such operations to avoid similar mistakes.
Mr Ferguson investigated the incident that occurred on a site at Kew Riverside, Richmond, Surrey on 9 August 2002. Warsame Yusaf was taking part in an operation to move steel sheet piles with an excavator at the site, helping by attaching lifting slings to the sheet piles and, as he helped to guide the excavator to the point where the load was to be lowered, one of two slings broke suddenly, causing the load to fall and strike him.
At London's Central Criminal Court J Reddington Ltd, of Enfield, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to breaching r.8(1)(c) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998 for which it was fined £25,000 with £7,619.84 HSE costs.
It is a requirement of LOLER that 'Every employer shall ensure that every lifting operation involving lifting equipment is-
(a) properly planned by a competent person;
(b) appropriately supervised; and
(c) carried out in a safe manner.'
“Mr Yusaf suffered terrible injuries as a result of this incident. The law requires the lifting and lowering of loads to be carried out in a safe manner. While the load was within the lifting capability of the slings, shackle and excavator, the method used of steadying the load – pushing the excavator bucket forward against the slings – caused damage to one of the slings and led to its failure. There was neither protective packing nor protective sleeving at the point where the bucket met the sling to prevent wear to it. There are lessons to be learned from this incident for all who use lifting equipment.”- Alec Ferguson.
INADEQUATE GUARDING PERMITTED ACCIDENT TO PRODUCTION WORKER
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Axgro Foods Ltd has been fined £7,000 with £1,040 costs at North Lincolnshire Magistrates' Court for failing to ensure the safety of its employee Shaun Williams while working at beetroot packaging equipment last November at its West Butterwick premises in the Isle of Axeholme near Scunthorpe.
Mr Williams crushed his index finger because part of a guard was not in place enabling him to access a dangerous part while the equipment was in motion. Investigation established that the production manager was aware of the guarding deficiency for some days but had failed to act to withdraw it from use.
HSL SOFTWARE ACHIEVEMENT
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Health and Safety Laboratory, an HSE agency and Britain's leading industrial health and safety research facility, has launched a partnership project involving the collaboration of industry, Government departments and UK regulators to develop an approach which may substantially reduce the costs of toxicology testing by minimising the time needed to generate computer models for biological systems.
The project has the potential to reduce the number of animals used in experiments, these computer models, known as physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models, simulate the way chemicals act in humans and animals, and can be used to predict chemical toxicity, HSL’s software allows researchers to accomplish in a few minutes what otherwise requires days.
"This project has the potential to significantly change the way toxicologists work, by greatly reducing the mathematical burden and allowing them to focus on biology.
The ability to integrate biological parameters in a single computer-based model will also improve the quality of research as it enables researchers to investigate the importance of each variable, as well as how they interact in the disease process". - Dr George Loizou, HSL, Project leader.
WORKMAN PLUNGED THROUGH ROOFLIGHT
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Stonehaven Sheriff Court this week heard how during July 2003 Graeme Sutton, a Director/employee of Sutton Roof Maintenance Ltd of Montrose, Angus, was lucky to escape serious injury after he fell 5 metres through a fragile panel of shed roof he was inspecting at the premises of East Coast Viners Grain Ltd, Drumlithie.
Mr Sutton had accessed the roof for the purposes of inspection using an inadequate platform comprising of scaffolding boards and, for whatever reason, stepped backwards off these on to and through the rooflight. His company was fined £4,000 and will prevent recurrence by selecting suitable platform bearing mobile access equipment for such work.
THREE IN COURT OVER CARNAUD METALBOX DEATHS
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
In what is expected to be a lengthy trial, three employees of Carnaud Metalbox are appearing at Preston Crown Court in connection with an industrial accident during May 2002 at the company's Westhoughton premises. Two steeplejacks, Craig Whelan, 23, and fellow employee of Churchill Steeplejacks, Paul Wakefield, 40, died in an explosion and fire while they were engaged in the demolition of a 70-metre tall chimney.
The three managers deny manslaughter.
BNFL FINED OVER REACTOR INCIDENT
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
During August 2003 Peter Thompson was installing cables for an electrical system in a control room annex to BNFL's Calder Hall Reactor One when he took up a position standing on a gap in the floor previously filled with fire-retarding material. The material failed to bear his weight and he fell 7 metres to a ledge on the next level.
Mr Thompson was very fortunate to escape serious injury, BNFL appeared at Whitehaven Magistrates' Court last week charged with breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances surrounding the incident to which it pleaded guilty. Investigation established that information on the locations where fire-stopping had been used was not available at the time and risk assessment failed to identify the hazard.
BNFL was fined £3,000 with costs of £1,260.
SAFETY ALERT OVER FALL ARREST EQUIPMENT
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
As a consequence of interim findings of HSE-funded research and information relating to a series of incidents in Europe, HSE would like to draw attention to important warnings issued concerning fall arrest equipment usually found attached to or integrated in fixed ladders on permanent structures.
The research information was placed before the British Standards Institution (BSI) technical committee, PH/5 (Industrial Safety Belts and Harnesses), which is responsible for the UK’s input to the European Standards for Personal Protective Equipment against Falls from Height. PH5 reacted by issuing two alerts in relation to the safety in performance of BS EN 353-1 2002 Part 1 fall arrest equipment.
Incidents of reported malfunction include - 3 cases (one fatal) that involved the arrester running off the end of the rigid rail anchor lines, even though there had been an end stop fitted; 2 cases where falls occurred with little injury although the devices failed to operate properly; and 2 cases where the devices failed to operate properly resulting in serious/fatal injuries. In one case the fall arrester stopped the fall but the connector failed resulting in serious injuries.
The two warnings are available on annexes to HSE Press Release: E074:04 - 1 June 2004 and are entitled:
Safety warning - vertical rigid rail fall-arrest systems.
Vertical guided type fall arresters - testing.
A guided type fall arrester is part of a fall-arrest system that includes a vertical rigid anchor line, usually attached to or integrated in fixed ladders. The research referred to is due to be completed by the 30th June 2004 and will be available on the HSE website.
“All those manufacturing, installing, using or having responsibility for any of these types of fixed rail or guided wire fall arrest equipment need to be aware of these important alerts. HSE advises that all relevant parties heed the warnings they contain and follow the recommendations in them. If end users are unable to follow the recommendations then we advise that alternative means of fall protection be used until such time that the equipment can be modified or replaced.
HSE inspectors will further publicise these warnings to trade associations and other relevant industry bodies.” - Martin Holden, Principal Specialist Inspector in HSE’s Construction Corporate Topic Group.
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
BIOLOGICAL AGENTS - APPROVED LIST PUBLISHED
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) latest
Approved List of Biological Agents, referred to as 'The Approved List', for use by duty holders in conjunction with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and associated guidance publications, is now available.
The role of the Approved List is to categorise occupational exposure biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi and prions into one of 4 hazard groups (HGs) according to: their ability to cause infection in otherwise healthy individuals; the severity of the disease that may result; the risk that infection will spread to the community & the availability of effective vaccines and treatment.
The Regulations impose requirements by reference to these HGs. Only those agents classified into Groups 2-4 are listed, however, simply because an agent is not listed this does not mean it is automatically an HG1 agent.
This version of the Approved List has seen the inclusion of the SARS virus as an HG3 agent.
FALL FROM HEIGHT LANDS KENT EMPLOYER IN COURT
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An accident in September 2003 at the Aylesford, Kent, premises of Cellecta Ltd landed employee Daniel Kinlan in hospital and the company in court. Mr Kinlan fell more than 4 metres from a product cage balanced on the forks of a forklift truck resulting in fracture of the wrist, elbow and both scaphoids.
HSE investigation of the event instigated a prosecution of the company and at Mid Kent Magistrates’ Court it was fined £5,000 after pleading guilty to breaching S.2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. It was ordered to meet costs of £823.
"Last year 68 people died & nearly 4,000 suffered a serious injury as a result of a fall from height in the workplace. The HSE takes this & all work place accidents very seriously. We are therefore very pleased with the result today.” - Jan Combs, HM Inspector of Safety and Health.
OFFSHORE INDUSTRY PROSECUTION
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Rowan Drilling (UK) Limited of Aberdeen has been fined £8,000 at Aberdeen Sheriff Court for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances surrounding an accident last year in which employee Edward Halliwell was struck in the face by a projectile ejected from a high pressure system forming part of a deepwater well on an installation.
Mr Halliwell, who sustained a fractured cheekbone and nose, was working without the benefit of a safe system of work for the task of connecting the well to the installation. He had been loosening a flange on the system without depressurising it when the accident occurred, a decidedly unsafe practice, one which he had seen a colleague adopt previously without mishap.
The company has acted to prevent recurrence.
PUBLIC INJURED AT B&Q STORE
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Three shoppers and an ambulance service employee sustained injury on Saturday afternoon when struck by falling items of stock, believed to be kitchen doors, at B&Q's outlet at the Lyons Farm Retail Park in Worthing. According to one account the doors fell on to them from a height of between 4 and 5 metres inflicting serious but not life-threatening injury.
In an apparently similar March 2002 incident, Duncan Tavendale, 63, was shopping at B&Q's Darnley store in the west of Scotland when a door fell from a high display inflicting a head injury that rendered him unconscious.
Investigation by officials of enforcing authority, Glasgow City Council, revealed the door had been disturbed by an employee using a lift platform.
The company admitted a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was fined £10,000 earlier this year.
YORKSHIRE WOODWORKING MACHINERY TIC
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A team of HSE inspectors will soon begin to conduct a Targeted Inspection Campaign (TIC) of 80 employers who operate woodworking machinery in York and the surrounding area. The employers have been advised that they may get a visit, the campaign focus is on: machinery braking; use of limited chip protection tooling; control of wood dust to prevent occupational asthma; manual handling & the training of wood machinists.
Other areas will be targeted in months to come.
“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.
We want to send out a strong message to those in control of woodworking machinery activities that failure to adequately assess the risks & control hazards can result in serious injuries & ill health. We will deal strongly with poor standards & take enforcement action if necessary but we are also looking to identify & promote good practice where & when we find it.” - Jeanette Roberts, HM Inspector of Health and Safety.
MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES ARISE FROM WORKPLACE DEATH
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A garage manager is to appear at Lewes Magistrates' Court this week on manslaughter charges in connection with the death of Lewis Murphy, 18, who died following a fire in February at his garage workplace in Peacehaven, East Sussex.
ELECTRICIAN'S FATAL ERROR
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A North Durham jury sitting at the inquest into the May 2003 death of electrician, Mark Walker, has arrived at a verdict of accidental death. Mr Walker, an employee of Daubney Services, Lincoln, arrived to work at the Department of Works & Pensions Durham offices in Milburngate House where he started to move a thermostat from an internal wall which was being removed to an external one. Tragically the power supply to the device had not been isolated and he received a fatal shock from the live equipment. Investigation established that it was very unlikely that Mr Walker had used a detection device to check if the part was live.
SUNBED WARNINGS NOT GIVEN
Posted Friday, June 11, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Consumers Association is concerned that sunbed tanning outlets are failing to follow The Sunbed Association (TSA) guidelines to advise customers who have ‘skin type 1’ that sunbed use is unwise for them because of their propensity to a higher risk of skin cancer. Which, who sent researchers to salons, leisure centres and health clubs around the country, say 40 out of the 42 outlets visited were rated as inadequate and would allow people with ‘skin type 1’ to use their sunbeds.
BMA Head of Science and Ethics, Dr Vivienne Nathanson, says: "A suntan is not a sign of good health; a tan, even when there is no burning, always means that the skin has been damaged, a suntan is not nature's own sunscreen – it does not protect you from ultra-violet radiation.
It's ironic, people use sunbeds because they think they'll look better and yet they will probably end up looking old prematurely and possibly getting skin cancer."
PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NEVER USE SUNBEDS:
UNDER 16S.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE VERY FAIR SKIN.
PEOPLE WHO BURN EASILY OR TAN POORLY.
PEOPLE WITH A LOT OF FRECKLES OR MOLES
PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SKIN CANCER OR HAVE A FAMILY HISTORY OF THE DISEASE.
PEOPLE USING MEDICATION THAT COULD MAKE THEIR SKIN MORE SENSITIVE TO ULTRA-VIOLET LIGHT.
PEOPLE WHO ALREADY HAVE EXTENSIVE ULTRA-VIOLET RADIATION DAMAGE.
BELFAST WORKMAN BADLY BURNED BY IGNITING VAPOUR
Posted Thursday, June 3, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An employee of Shorts Bombardier has sustained serious burns in an industrial accident at its Belfast premises. According to one account he appears to have ignited solvent vapours when he generated sparks as he used a grinder.
BLAZE FOUND FIRM'S FIRE PRECAUTIONS WANTING
Posted Thursday, June 3, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A Tyne & Wear Fire Authority investigation into events and conditions surrounding the serious outbreak of fire last July at the North Shields premises of Midas Home Furnishers Ltd of North Shields revealed a wholly inadequate preparedness for fire and standard of fire precautions in place.
In all, the company was fined in excess of £20,000 for breaching legislative requirements. Neither risk assessment nor fire planning had been conducted, compartmentation was ineffective because fire doors and door closures were not in place compromising escape routes, and no fire detection/alarm system was operative. Combustible material was also found stored within escape routes.
"The penalties imposed in this case by the court signify the serious nature of the breaches in fire safety legislation." - Richard Bull, Chief Fire Officer, Tyne & Wear.
COURTS & HSE WILL NOT TOLERATE UNSAFE WORK ON FRAGILE ROOFS
Posted Thursday, June 3, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Last week's prosecution of Tuckett Farm Services Ltd over an incident in which an employee sustained major injury in a fall while working on a fragile roof in Great Missenden, Bucks, serves to reinforce that 'neither the courts nor the HSE, will tolerate any unsafe work on fragile roofs.'
The prosecution followed an HSE investigation into how employee, Andrew Geal, fell 5 metres through the roof of an animal shed at Ballinger Grove farm, Ballinger, as a result of which he fractured a leg and 3 ribs.
It was established that Mr Geal and another employee were repairing some fragile sheets on the roof without any safety protection such as guard rails, harness or netting.
At Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court Tuckett Farm Services Ltd was fined a total of £3,000 with costs of £854.50 after pleading guilty to breaching r.7(1) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996. The judge also awarded a compensation order of £4,500 to Mr Geal.
"Mr Geal is set to make a full recovery, however others in the agricultural industry have not been so lucky. Falls from height account for approximately 18% of all the deaths in agriculture over the last 10 years. Taking this case as an example the HSE hopes to re-enforce that, at the very least, any working platform used on a fragile roof must have suitable guardrails attached. The message to the agricultural industry is clear, neither the courts nor the HSE will tolerate any unsafe work on fragile roofs. Greater awareness and use of safer working methods within the agricultural industry will hopefully make accidents such as this a thing of the past.” - Andrew Moore, HM Inspector of Safety and Health.
YOUNG WORKER FELL THROUGH ROOF
Posted Thursday, June 3, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Rawcrafter Developments Ltd of Hodnet, Shropshire, has admitted breaching health & safety legislation following an accident in January last year in which Adam Waddington, 20, fell 5 metres to the ground through the roof of a Whitchurch building being dismantled.
The relatively inexperienced Mr Waddington was working without benefit of risk assessment derived controls such as adequate fall prevention measures. The company was fined £7,000 by Market Drayton Magistrates' Court & must meet £2,500 costs.
CLEANER HOSITALISED WITH BURNS
Posted Thursday, June 3, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
David Hebson, 48, sustained burns to his legs on Monday when he fell into a 2-metre deep vegetable cooking vessel containing a hot caustic soda solution at the Carlisle premises of Cavaghan & Gray Ltd.
Mr Hebson was cleaning the vessel at the time, he is receiving treatment at a specialist burns unit in Newcastle Infirmary.
THEME PARK WORKER CRITICALLY INJURED
Posted Thursday, June 3, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A seasonal employee in his thirties has sustained serious injuries at the Flamingo Land leisure park near Malton, Yorkshire, as, according to one account, he moved onto the track and into the path of the Magnum Force roller coaster. The accident occurred in the maintenance area at around midday yesterday, it is at the moment unclear why he was in that area.