CABLESAFE PROJECT REDUCES DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURY
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Significant results are accruing from electricity distributor Central Networks CableSafe project which has dramatically reduced incidents¹ where its network apparatus is breached by mainly contractors during excavations.
The project features direct meetings with project clients and their contractors, who they view as partners in progress, at which training and information is conveyed to make cable strikes much less likely.
Central Networks has 133,000km of underground and overhead cables from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
¹ Actual damages reduced by 44% for first quarter against 2004 figures.
COMMENT:
“We’re delighted with the results. We’ve worked hard to establish partnerships with all the major utilities and local authorities and that’s really paid off. Our latest figures are even better than we thought they were going to be.
Central Networks has also developed a successful and popular training programme in cable location and utility avoidance, available to anyone who may come into contact with our network through their work. Our training, free advice and guidance ensures that contractors get the information they need to do their job safely and that means we can avoid causing disruption to our customers and causing serious harm to themselves.
Developers and builders are clearly an important group for us to target and, in the next 12 months, we’re establishing a special forum and training programme especially for that group, and it’s not just big businesses which can use CableSafe, local builders and anyone planning to dig below ground who could potentially come into contact with our cables should get our help and advice before starting work.” - CableSafe manager
FORKLIFT FATALITY - £100,000 FINE
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Hauliers Pall-Ex (UK) Limited of Ellistown, Leicestershire, have been prosecuted and fined at Nottingham Crown Court for admitted breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of a January 2003 accident at their premises in Gotham, Nottinghamshire.
The accident victim was crushed by his overturning forklift truck as a vehicle he was loading moved off unexpectedly. Investigation revealed that safe systems of work were not adopted for the loading activity and there was inadequate separation of people and vehicles.
Pall-Ex was fined £100,000, with costs of £8,620, for its failure that led to the tragic accident, described by the presiding judge as 'waiting to happen'.
COMMENT
"Time was of the essence on this site. Drivers would be fined if they weren't on time. They were expected to keep up in the queue. Time was money - the queue was to be kept moving." - Specialist HSE inspector.
"This was an accident waiting to happen and the system of work imposed this pressure on the drivers. Sooner or later what did happen was going to happen. This company operated an unsafe system of work which had the unintended effect of putting pressure on drivers to work faster than it was safe to." - Presiding Judge.
"No fine will compensate for the tragic loss of a life, but the high penalty reflects the seriousness of the offence. Vehicles and pedestrians don't mix. About 70 people die in vehicle incidents at factories every year and it's vital that companies make sure that drivers and pedestrians are kept apart as much as possible. Load and unloading are particularly dangerous and need to be planned and controlled so that site, vehicle and driver are all safe." - HSE inspector.
'SMOKING HAS WREAKED A CATASTROPHIC TOLL ON SCOTLAND'S PEOPLE' - SCOTTISH HEALTH MINISTER
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
From March 26th 2006 almost all enclosed public places in Scotland will be smoke-free. This is the consequence of the passing, by the Scottish Parliament, of the Smoking, Health and Social Care (Scotland) Bill this week.
COMMENT:
"By doing this we will save thousands of lives and help keep families together for longer. Smoking has wreaked a catastrophic toll on Scotland's people. Each year 13,000 Scots still die before their time as a result. This is our 35 a day habit and today's vote means we really will start to kick it.
We know that that 70% of Scots don't smoke and of those who do 70% want to give up. Stubbing out smoking is the right decision for the smoker, their friends and their families. I know, however, that it can also be a hard one - with taking the first step often the most difficult part. Having services out in the community - in places where people live and work will make that step easier. That is why we announced an additional £11 million earlier this year to support people who want to kick the habit." - Scottish Health Minister.
SAFETY REPRESENTATIVES ARE GOOD NEWS FOR WORKPLACES
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSE-funded research appears to confirm the benefits that the presence of active health and safety representatives can bring to the workplace in terms of health and safety awareness and performance.
The study examined two companies in the chemicals and construction environments, the case studies found the context in which consultation takes place to be important.
The role and effectiveness of safety representatives in influencing workplace health and safety can be accessed on the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr363.htm?hseid=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5oc
2UuZ292LnVrL3Jlc2VhcmNoL3JyaHRtLzMwMS00MDAuaHRt
COMMENT:
"HSE's Worker Involvement Programme represents a step change in our approach to encouraging worker involvement in health and safety. This report provides valuable support to the case for the effectiveness of employee participation and its recommendation for further analysis is in line with our strategy." - HSE's worker involvement programme manager.
"The TUC is pleased to see further evidence of the effect that unions and consultation with the workforce have in improving the safety culture within an organisation. We now need further research to ensure that we know what factors lead to this effect." - TUC's senior policy advisor on health and safety.
ROAD FATALITIES DOWN SHARPLY BUT MORE CYCLISTS DIE
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The just published Department of Transport statistics on road casualties in Great Britain for 2004 record an 8% fall to 3,221 in the number of people killed¹ in road accidents despite an approximate 2% rise in road traffic levels. There was the same 8% drop in people killed or seriously injured (down to 34,351).
The number of pedal cyclists killed rose by 18% (to 134) although total cyclist casualties fell by 2% (to 16,648).
Two-wheeled motor vehicle users fared better with a 16% drop (to 585), the number seriously injured fell by 13% (to 6,063).
Child casualties fell by 3%, the number of children killed or seriously injured in 2004 was 3,905 (down 5% on 2003), of those, 2,339 were pedestrians, 2% down on 2003. 166 children died, 3% down on 2003.
¹ Persons killed immediately or who died within 30 days of the accident, a standard adopted by the Vienna Convention in 1968.
CALDER HALL DECOMMISSIONING CONSENT
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSE has published a report recording its deliberations and certain factual matters concerning its decision to grant consent for a decommissioning project at Calder Hall nuclear power station in West Cumbria, to the licensee, British Nuclear Group Sellafield Ltd (BNGSL).
The report, The decision on the application to carry out a decommissioning
project at Calder Hall Power Station under the Nuclear Reactors (Environmental Impact Assessment for Decommissioning) Regulations 1999: A report prepared by HM Nuclear Installations Inspectorate on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/nuc23.pdf .
COMMENT:
"The process of considering potential environmental impacts has involved extensive public consultation and there has been a great deal of interest shown by national bodies and local groups alike. I believe that process has been open and inclusive and I wish to thank everyone who has been involved, especially those who took the time to send comments on the documentation provided by the licensee.
Regulators, licensee, staff and particularly the local population all have a vested interest in the effective control of environmental impacts during Calder Hall's decommissioning. BNGSL must provide HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate with a copy of its environmental management plan, and any subsequent revisions. We also require BNGSL keep the public regularly informed on progress, by making these plans available for inspection. We have striven to make our decision-making process open and transparent and will continue to do so throughout the coming decades of this project." - HSE's Director of Nuclear Safety and HM Chief Inspector of Nuclear Installations.
MOST DANGEROUS CHEMICAL INCIDENT FOR 30 YEARS
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Grimsby Crown Court has fined ConocoPhillips Limited over £1,000,000, including costs, for safety failures that resulted in two incidents, one of which HSE's Head of Chemical Industries Division described as 'possibly the most serious chemical incident in Britain since the Flixborough disaster in 1974.'
On 16th April 2001 at the company's Saturate Gas Plant in the Humber Refinery, South Killingholme, North Lincolnshire, a release of 170 tonnes of highly flammable LPG occurred which subsequently ignited, causing a devastating explosion and fire which breached pipework, precipitating a further explosion. Fortunately there were no serious injuries, HSE investigation established that the immediate cause was the failure of a corroded and eroded 15cm diameter pipe at an elbow, the escaping gas being ignited by a gas-fired heater in a nearby processing unit.
While this investigation was still being conducted another major incident occurred at the company's Immingham Pipeline Centre, Immingham Dock, on 27th September 2001. This involved the leakage of 16 tonnes of LPG from a road tanker while employees were sampling the LPG fuel, but through good fortune the liquid pool and gas cloud dispersed without ignition.
In court
Last December at Grimsby Crown Court ConocoPhillips Limited pleaded guilty to 7 breaches as follows:
In relation to the Humber refinery incident-
s.2(1) and s.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, between 1st January 1996 and 17th April 2001;
r.9(1)(a) of the Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989 between 15th October 1998 and the 12th May 1999, the company did not ensure that the pressure system PSV183 protecting D154 GOHDS Feed Surge Drum, which was included in the scheme of examination, was examined by a competent person within intervals specified in the scheme;
r.9(1)(a) of the Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989 in that between 4th July 1998 and 18th August 1999, the company did not ensure that the Rupture Disc RD5783 protecting X5781 Quench Condensers (A-H) on the Closed Blowdown System, which was included in the scheme of examination, was examined by a competent person within the intervals specified;
r.9(1)(a) of the Pressure Systems and Transportable Gas Containers Regulations 1989 in that between 11th January 1999 and 24th September 1999, the company did not ensure that the Hydrogen Feed Preheater X4152, which was included in the scheme of examination, was examined by a competent person within the intervals specified;
r.9(1)(a) of the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 in that between 26th June 2000 and 24th August 2000, the company did not ensure that the Propylene Bullet T8847 was examined by a competent person within the intervals set out in the scheme;
in relation to the Immingham Pipeline Centre incident-
s.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974; between 26th and 29th September 2001 the company did not ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all of its employees;
for which ConocoPhillips Limited was fined a total of £895,000 with £218,854 costs.
COMMENT:
"The incident at the Humber refinery was possibly the most serious chemical incident in Britain since the Flixborough disaster in 1974 and it is fortunate that there were no deaths or very serious injuries. This was mainly because the incident occurred on a Bank Holiday and during a shift change when the limited staff on site were away from the plant. The potential for loss of life was great.
However, the extent of the damage to the site and to properties in the nearby village of South Killingholme indicates the violent nature of the explosion. The severity of the events at the Humber Refinery have been reflected in the penalties imposed by the court today.
HSE will be publishing a detailed report into the investigation of this incident and we will be encouraging the chemical and downstream oil industry to learn the lessons from the ConocoPhillips event.
Our investigation revealed a systematic failure by the company to inspect the pipework in certain parts of the refinery. It is vital that companies who operate high-hazard sites - such as oil refineries and chemical plants - put rigid and robust systems in place for inspecting pipework to detect corrosion or other defects." - Head of HSE's Chemical Industries Division.
OPTIMISM IN SW ENGLAND OVER CONSTRUCTION SAFETY
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A healthy uptake from small construction companies for free health and safety training and evidence of improvement emerging from the results of a recent HSE inspection blitz has led to expressions of optimism over the general direction of health and safety in the SW England building industry.
Co-operative effort by the HSE, the local Working Well Together (WWT) group and Plymouth City Council has focussed on health and safety training provision for small building contractors in Plymouth. Sole traders, and owner/ managers of construction companies with fewer than 15 employees can now access free training (tel 0117 973 6891 for further details).
A WWT mobile unit is used to deliver the training, Plymouth City Building Control Officers have been publicising the training which is supported by representatives from The Federation of Master Builders; CITB Construction Skills; Somerset, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire County Councils; Plymouth City Council; Pearce Construction and Faber Maunsell. Combisafe Safety Systems and Genset have provided valuable sponsorship for the initiative.
COMMENT:
"It is good to see so many small construction companies taking ownership of their health and safety by taking advantage of the free training being offered during this pilot. Small firms often miss out on training opportunities, as many events require them to miss out on paid work. The training being offered here takes place in the early morning, allowing delegates to go on to complete a day's work.
I am also pleased to see a partnership initiative working so well. Plymouth Building Control Officers are working with HSE's Working Well Together Campaign to directly improve the health and safety of the industry." - HSE's Chief Inspector of Construction.
"I encourage all local contractors to take this training. Sensible health and safety is about managing risks, not eliminating them. Ask yourself, how would my business cope if I lost a skilled worker for a few days?" - Plymouth City Councillor and cabinet member for transport and human resources.
"Managing health and safety can be a headache. Now I know about the hidden costs that come when one of my workers is injured or suffers from ill-health. More importantly I now understand that doing a risk assessment and keeping records is not a complicated, time-consuming process. I'm going to take the CHAS registration (Contractor Health and Safety Assessment Scheme) - as my company will be able to tender for much more work." - Local builder who recently completed the training.
BLITZ FOUND POOR CONTROL OF WORKING AT HEIGHT RISKS
HSE's construction inspectors conducted a blitz last month and it appears health and safety in the South West region is improving. Inspectors visited 77 duty holders at small projects in Plymouth, the officials' visits resulted in 3 voluntary cessations of work relating to work at height issues. Inspectors were disappointed to find that small sites vary considerably in standard, some posing risks to workers and others.
COMMENT:
"Many builders visited during the blitz were unaware of their legal duties. Those who were aware clearly decided to ignore the law, putting themselves, their workers and others at risk.
Sensible health and safety was promoted during the blitz. The majority of builders were keen to attend the training to gain the knowledge and skills they needed to manage risks sensibly.
I expect demand for training to increase. HSE and Plymouth City Council are providing training for those who genuinely want to meet their legal and moral obligations. Those who continue to flaunt the law will find inspectors will use the full extent of their powers on future visits" - Construction inspector.
IN THE SHADE!
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
86 infant and junior schools in Norfolk are to benefit from the acquisition of free parasols for their playgrounds, the work of a joint South Norfolk Council and Southern Norfolk Primary Care Trust campaign to reduce the likelihood of possible serious illness for pupils later in life from excessive exposure to strong midday summer sunshine during their childhood.
The initiative's success follows support from local schools, school nurses, parents and head teachers. The campaign is being extended by means of advice to homeless families being housed by the Council
CCOMMENT
"This is an exciting project which deserves the full support of all. We are looking at changing the culture of fast tanning and over exposure to sun light which has been proved to be the root of later disfigurement and serious illness through skin cancer.
Children, who are very vulnerable because of their sensitive skin, need as much protection as we can give them and this scheme, which has raised public awareness of the need for care, is to be commended in every way." Councillor participating in the council's Better Health and Safer Communities.
CDM DUTYHOLDERS RAISING THEIR GAME
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSE's robust response to evidence 2-3 years ago of a lack of understanding of, and will to meet, duties placed on designers under the CDM regulations appears to have met with some success.
The 2005 designer initiative conducted in Scotland and Northern England, during which HSE inspectors met with those holding designer duties on over 120 construction projects, laid emphasis on finding out what was being done to reduce risks associated with work at height, both during construction and the future maintenance of a building.
It appears designers are becoming increasingly aware of their responsibilities to design out health and safety risks¹.
The initiative revealed:
clients, planning supervisors and principal contractors proactively engaging designers;
increased number of designers had identified sources of training to gain practical knowledge on health and safety;
health and safety being seen by many as part and parcel of design and not an add-on;
an increase in team approaches to design; and
greater success in reducing risk through the design process.
Poor practices continue in places in the form of:
the production of vast quantities of paperwork with no useful purpose;
ineffective communication of information about residual risks - one designer was so confused as to what the residual risks were, he put down everything he could think of in the hope it would be useful to somebody;
lack of understanding of the needs of the contractor during construction and maintenance - one particularly complicated roof design required the principal contractor to erect, dismantle and re-erect the scaffold in order to complete the roof; and
the use of running lines as the main control for work at height - one designer specified a roof-mounted running line to protect those maintaining the roof, when the roof was supposed to be maintenance free. The running line required more maintenance and inspection than the roof!
¹ Designer Initiative 2005, HSE (Construction Division) Scotland, North West and Newcastle upon Tyne Offices' .
COMMENT:
"I am very pleased to see improvements being made year on year. This is indicative of all CDM dutyholders raising their game and reflects the benefit of HSE's more proactive approach with designers, the positive influence from other CDM duty holders and the efforts of the professional bodies." - Acting Chief Inspector of Construction.
WORKPLACE TRANSPORT - SAFETY TOOL
Posted Tuesday, July 12, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSE has developed a Workplace transport - SafeSite interactive tool to help site managers consider health and safety issues on sites they have responsibility for. HSE says it will be useful to: site operators; site or depot managers responsible for health and safety; and drivers and workers who have concerns about the safety of their work site or sites they visit.
APATHY TOWARDS WORKPLACE-RELATED BACK INJURY WIDESPREAD
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
An HSE-funded survey of 500 employees and 505 employers, conducted on its behalf by The Survey Shop, sought to investigate awareness and opinion relating to workplace-related back injury amongst employees and employers. It discloses that 51% don't take the risk of back injury seriously in the HSE's Yorkshire and Humber region, a proportion probably typical of employers and employees elsewhere in the UK.
This apathetic position is confirmed by the finding that 60% of employees admitted to continuing with an activity despite being aware of the potential risk because it is easier, quicker and 'unlikely' to happen to them.
The major national Better Backs campaign is currently underway, involving numerous events aimed at raising awareness levels of the issue which is responsible for around 1 in 6 work-related sickness absences.
Guidance on preventing back pain or injury in the workplace can be found at http://www.betterbacks.hse.gov.uk/ .
COMMENT
"As the cause of one in six work-related sickness absences, it is worrying that such a high percentage of employees are ignoring the risks at work, particularly when the affect it can have on their wider quality of life is taken into consideration.
There needs to be a shift in attitude on the severity of the problem from 'it won't happen to me' to 'I won't let it happen to me'. This needs to be everyone's responsibility so that the risks are taken seriously and measures can be put in place to prevent back injury before it's too late." - Head of Better Working Environment at the HSE.
CONSISTENT FAILURE BY RETAILER TO HEED COUNCIL WARNING EARNS COURT APPEARANCE
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Co-operative in Cheshunt has been fined £10,350, with costs of £1,400, by Stevenage Magistrates for 3 admitted breaches of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for failing to rectify workplace defects that led to employee injury at its Cheshunt store.
The breaches related to two counts of failure to maintain the floor space in the walk-in freezer by keeping it free from ice and one count of failure to provide sufficient lighting in the walk-in freezer.
Officials of Broxbourne Council served a prohibition notice following injuries to employees in 2001 and 2003, the dangerous conditions resulted from defects in the freezer made known to it by its contractor, but the Co-op failed to act upon them.
UK-WIDE NHS MANUAL HANDLING SCHEME CLOSER TO IMPLEMENTATION
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A Cardiff meeting yesterday brought closer a UK-wide standard aimed at reducing manual handling injuries. The NHS Manual Handling Training Passport and Information Scheme was developed in Wales by manual handling advisors and addresses inconsistencies in the quality of manual handling training delivery in the NHS.
The scheme, already adopted and implemented as a standard across the NHS in Wales, features: a modular training course; trainer specifications; and standardised documentation, including patient risk assessments.
One Welsh Trust, Bro Morgannwg, found implementation of the Scheme together with an extensive programme to introduce profiling beds, produced an 86% reduction in manual handling incidents.
Visit http://www.hse.gov.uk/betterbacks/index.htm for more information
COMMENT
"The Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust quickly recognised the many benefits of fully implementing the Passport Scheme.
Significant investments of around £1.2 million have been made in the last 12 months to provide trainers, training facilities and a range of standardised manual handling equipment.
These investments have already resulted in a 75% reduction in reported manual handling incidents and a perceived improvement in staff morale and an improved patient experience coupled with a closer working relationship with the HSE." - Health & Safety Advisor for Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust.
"Manual handling injuries continue to be the single greatest cause of accidents in the NHS, accounting for one third of all accidents resulting in three or more days off work and 40% of sickness absence." - Principal Inspector for Services in Wales.
HUMAN FACTORS RESOURCE FOR ALL IN RAILWAY WORK
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE website now carries a Railway Human Factors area, the product of work by HSC's Rail Industry Advisory Committee (RIAC). The material features case studies to illustrate how safety issues were resolved, including those related to violence perpetrated against staff, design and ergonomics.
HSE says the material is aimed 'at all those who work in the rail industry to provide help and empower staff, particularly those on the front line, to become better able to manage human factors in their work.'
The resource complements that of The Rail Safety and Standards Board which has a programme of research, including human factors research for the railway industry.
COMMENT
"We are hoping that the web pages will provide authoritative guidance for all railway staff, not only to help management address some of the major issues facing the workforce, but also in equipping the workforce themselves with the information and competences they may need to address their circumstances.
A human factor usually features prominently in every accident report, so by highlighting these issues we hope that the webpages can have a positive impact in driving down the number of incidents on railways caused by human factors." - Rail Safety and Standards Board and Chair of RIAC's human factors working group.
"The Commission relies on the expertise of the people who are members of the Advisory Committee's Working Groups, and the launch of the human factors web pages is an excellent example of collaborative working from all industry parties. As Chair of RIAC I am grateful to the members of the human factors working group for all of the positive work that has gone into making these pages so effective". - Chair of RIAC.
"I am pleased to see the launch of the human factors web pages. One of the key outcomes of the RIAC Human Factors Working Group strategy is to identify and promote the consistent use of human factors good practice across the railway industry." - HSC Chair.
ROSPA REPORTS SUCCESS OF E-VIDEO SERVICE
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents says its venture into online occupational health and safety training videos is proving popular with clients. The system allows staff to be trained at their own desks and, with an interactive element, managers can check how well the messages have been understood. Viewing safety videos in this manner saves purchasing a tape and makes life easier for multi-site organisations where co-ordinating training proves difficult.
Customers purchase a licence and buy a number of credits that they can use to watch any of the on-line videos available.
Programmes cover a range of topics, including: the office; the construction industry; driver safety; COSHH; personal protective equipment; and manual handling.
For more information visit www.rospa.com/e-videos.
COMMENT
“We have been delighted with the response to our new service. Organisations are realising how convenient and cost effective it is, because any member of staff can watch a video on their own PC at work or home, at the time that is most suitable for them. The wide range of programmes allows organisations to select titles that meet the varying needs of their employees. The management tool lets supervisors check that the employee has watched the selected programme and see what score has been achieved.” - RoSPA Product Manager.
SMOKE-FREE ENCLOSED PUBLIC PLACES AND WORKPLACES IN ENGLAND - HAVE YOUR SAY
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Detailed proposals on the practicalities of introducing smoke-free enclosed public places and workplaces have been published in a consultation document.
Stakeholders views are sought and must be submitted before 5th September 2005, with the associated Bill expected before the end of the year, it is intended that over 99% of workplaces will be smoke-free by the end of 2008.
The consultation document considers a variety of matters relating to the proposed legislation, for example: the definitions of 'enclosed' public place/workplace and 'prepare and serve food'; exemptions in general; placing of signage; offences, penalties and defences; and
enforcement.
COMMENT
"The measures set out in 'Choosing Health' will save thousands of lives in England, reducing deaths from cancer, heart disease and diseases that smoking causes.
The vast majority of workplaces will be smoke-free, reducing the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.
Government wants to hear from groups, particularly businesses, on the practicalities of the proposals, so we end up with workable, consensus measures which become law." - Public Health Minister.
RESIDENT DIED FOLLOWING SCALDING INCIDENT
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
An inquest into the death of an 81-year-old man at the Brooklands Nursing Home north of Tenby, Pembrokeshire, has determined a verdict of natural causes aggravated by lack of care.
The deceased resident, who suffered from dementia and other disabilities, sustained 2nd degree burns to his lower body after being placed in the excessively hot bathwater for several minutes, the temperature of the water had not been checked by those in attendance and a device regulating the water delivered to the bath was not functioning properly, as a consequence of which it was capable of delivering water in excess of 43°C.
When he was returned to his room he suffered a fit from which he subsequently died, and it was possible this was induced by the scalding.
TREE LOOSENED AND STRUCK FATAL BLOW
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A Welshpool inquest into the death of a 22-year old worker who died in October 2004, when a tree-felling operation just outside the town went tragically wrong, has determined an accidental death.
He sustained a head injury when a tree being used to winch other felled trees loosened and struck him.
FRAGILE ROOF WARNING FROM ENFORCEMENT BODY
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) warns all concerned of the need for strict controls to be put in place by contractors when workmen are deployed on industrial roofs following the recent fatal fall of a construction worker on a Belfast Industrial Estate on 30th May 2005.
COMMENT
“The circumstances surrounding the accident are currently under investigation and HSENI cannot comment on this particular case. I can confirm however, that there have been several falls through fragile roofs in recent years.
Contractors must carry out a risk assessment and assume that roofs are fragile unless they can confirm otherwise. Working directly on a roof should always be avoided. Suitable platforms must be used such as elevated working platforms. Workers should never walk along the line of the purling bolts; it is like walking a tightrope. Warning signs should be fitted to buildings which have fragile roofs and rooflights. Harnesses are the last choice to protect the worker." - HSENI.
IOSH 'BROADLY SUPPORTIVE' OF DRAFT CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER BILL
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) says it is 'broadly supportive' of the government’s proposed corporate manslaughter legislation which it sees as a means to promoting corporate accountability, offering a sense of justice for bereaved families and raising health and safety standards. It welcomes in particular new court powers to require time-specified remedial action to address failures leading to a death.
However, IOSH has reservations about the extent of crown immunity afforded to non-incorporated bodies and the removal of profit from the definition of gross breach.
COMMENT
“At present, many larger organisations get away with causing fatalities in their workplaces because you cannot prove ‘a directing mind’. The new Bill will remove this obstacle and hit home that serious corporate failures are unacceptable in the modern working world.
The Corporate Manslaughter Bill has to be given more teeth – it will not be effective if half-baked. It’s bad enough that people die in the workplace, but allowing those organisations responsible to then escape manslaughter charges, is often seen as yet a further blow to the victim’s family and friends.”- President-elect of IOSH.
SUMMER SIZZLERS - Simply Too Good To Miss!
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Our new SUMMER SIZZLERS promotion is now well & truly underway & is ... SIMPLY TOO GOOD TO MISS!
It’s simple - we’ve selected some of our ‘best sellers’, negotiated lower prices & past the savings on to you! So you can be sure that our range of ‘SUMMER SIZZLERS’ offers exceptional value for money without compromising quality ... take a look for yourself at: http://www.simplyworkwear.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Store_Summer_Sizzlers_94.html and scroll down the page for loads of SIZZLING hot deals.
3 STAFF CONTAMINATED IN SELLAFIELD INCIDENT
Posted Friday, July 1, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The latest quarterly statement on incidents at nuclear licensed installations in Britain, published by HSE, discloses that during the period 1st January 2005 to 31st March 2005 an incident occurred at British Nuclear Group Sellafield Limited's (BNGSL) Sellafield operation that met reporting criteria.
The HSE publishes reports by the HSC's powers under s.11 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The statement is reproduced below:
'On 13th February 2005 three staff were contaminated whilst changing a thermocouple on Thorp Head End Dissolver vessel C. The risk assessment for the work did not anticipate a breach of containment, as the design intent was for the thermocouple to be separated from the dissolved nuclear fuel by being located inside a sealed tube called a 'thermowell'. This intent was not achieved. After the initial incident, whilst seeking reassurance monitoring, the workers spread contamination to various plant areas and were then taken to site surgery for decontamination. The workers were contaminated on the face and hands and decontamination of the hands continued over several days.
BNGSL has advised HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) that no statutory dose limits were exceeded, although one worker received an extremity dose greater than 10% of the annual statutory limit.
On the day of the event, the Thorp Incident Control Centre was set up and plant access restricted until decontamination was complete. Subsequently, investigations indicated that there was a slight leak in the Dissolver C thermowell, which appears to have allowed contamination in-seepage. Following completion of the BNGSL investigation, a second barrier was engineered around the thermowell pocket and the dissolver was returned to normal operations.
BNGSL's analysis of the amount of contamination on the thermocouple and the smaller amount contaminating the people and spread on plant, indicated a spillage which exceeded Ministerial reporting criteria by virtue of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 1999, Schedule 8, column 4. BNGSL advised NII that they were reporting this event under these criteria.
In response to the event BNGSL set up a Board of Inquiry, which reported promptly. NII is satisfied with the Board's conclusions. The licensee's response to the recommendations will be monitored by NII over the coming months.'