DRAFT STRATEGY FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE OFFSHORE INDUSTRY
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
HSE welcomes comments on the contents of its draft strategy for the Offshore industry just published on its website.
Comments should be sent to dave.salmon@hse.gsi.gov.uk before Friday 27th November 2004.
MANUAL HANDLING IN THE PRINTING INDUSTRY - OPEN MEETING IN BRISTOL
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
If you run or work for a printing business and perhaps find manual handling assessments a bit of a trial, or require general guidance on reducing the risks from lifting and carrying, HSC wants you to know of an open meeting of its Printing Industry Advisory Committee (PIAC) on Thursday, 11th November 2004 at 10.30am at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club in Bristol.
Those attending the free meeting have an opportunity to: hear why ill-health from manual handling is a problem for the printing industry;
watch a video highlighting the most common types of injuries to printers and how to avoid them; see a demonstration of the new Manual Handling Assessment (MAC) Tool and have the opportunity to work through an assessment; and share best practice and be able to discuss practical solutions with HSE's manual handling experts and fellow printers.
Places are limited, those wishing to attend should contact Wendie Drammeh on 0113 283 4397 or e-mail wendie.drammeh@hse.gsi.gov.uk
Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDS) in the printing industry is the focus of a current two-year initiative.
FARMING FATALITY IN CUMBRIA
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that Edwin Studholme, 55, a farmer from Nealhouse, Cumbria, sustained fatal crush injuries at the weekend when an item of farming equipment fell on him
DEMOLITION WORK PLACED SCHOOL CHILDREN IN DANGER
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Arrangements to conduct demolition work next to a Surrey school playground outside of school hours for reasons of health and safety fell through and resulted in prosecution. R.Collard Ltd, of Eversley, Hampshire, was responsible for the dangerous incident on the 11th December 2003 which placed children attending the Wharf Nursery School in Godalming in immediate danger.
The company had been contracted to demolish several single story buildings next to the school, but this was not to begin until after 15.30 when there would be no children on the site. At 14.20 an R.Collard Ltd employee was removing the roof from a building adjacent to the school playground when he knocked part of the external wall into the nursery playground.
Prosecution followed HSE investigation and R.Collard Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching r.10(1) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996¹ for which it was fined £5,000 with costs of £999.
¹ Regulation 10(1) of the Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996 states that, "Suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken to ensure that the demolition or dismantling of any structure, or any part of any structure, being demolition or dismantling which gives rise to a risk of danger to any person, is planned and carried out in such a manner as to prevent, so far as is practicable, such danger."
"Fortunately there was no one in the playground at the time of the collapse as the children and staff were indoors. There was a risk that the falling rubble could have injured a child or staff member and it was more by luck rather than judgment that someone wasn't injured." - Amanda Huff, HM Inspector of Health & Safety.
EFFECTIVE RISK ASSESSMENT WILL SAVE LIVES
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE has warned of the need for an effective risk assessment for all persons involved in the operation of cranes after the prosecution of a Felixstowe port company for its failures that permitted an accident to occur that claimed the life of Dennis Burman, 51.
The Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company Ltd was fined £250,000 with £27,288 costs at Ipswich Crown Court last week after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to failing to ensure that Mr Burman and other workers were not exposed to risks to their safety and thereby breaching S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Mr Burman was crushed between railings as he moved between a fixed and moveable walkway on a crane's platform during a dock familiarisation course on 17th June 2003. He then fell approximately 40 metres to the ground.
"In this instance the crane driver intentionally moved the cab. However his view of the cross-over point between the moving and fixed access walkway was obscured. In any event he was not able to observe the cross-over point whilst at the same time watching where he was driving the crane.
A suitable and sufficient risk assessment would have identified the potential for a fatal or serious injury at the cross-over point. Preventing access to all personnel excluding the driver whilst the crane was in operation would have prevented this incident. Alternatively, interlocking the access gates on the walkways to the movement of the cab would have achieved the same result. I hope this prosecution will remind companies who operate this type of machinery that safety must be the foremost consideration." - David Gregory, HSE Inspector who investigated the death.
KEY NUCLEAR APPOINTMENT MADE
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
HSC has announced the appointment of Steve Vranch as Chair of the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee (NuSAC).
He replaces Professor John Head CBE, who retired at the end of 2003. Mr Vranch is the Immediate Past-President of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and has served as an independent expert on large-scale containment on HSC's Advisory Committee on Genetic Modification and was latterly the Chair of its Technical Sub-Committee. He is currently Manager of Regulatory Compliance, Europe, with Jacobs Engineering UK Limited.
"I am delighted that Steve Vranch has accepted the challenge of leading NuSAC through a period of continuing change for the nuclear industry, with more sites moving into decommissioning activities, and in particular with the formation of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
The public rightly expects to have continuing assurance about standards of nuclear safety. NuSAC performs an important role in helping HSC and its Executive to fulfil their functions as regulators of safety in the nuclear industry. I expect Steve to be a worthy successor to John Head, who guided NuSAC for the past 3 years." - HSC Chair Bill Callaghan.
"I look forward to the challenge of leading NuSAC during this period of change. NuSAC, together with its Research and Review groups, has a full programme of work in supporting the nuclear industry in improving safety. We will continue to monitor the safety strategy of the HSE's Nuclear Safety Directorate and give science-based advice to all stakeholders.
The arrival of the NDA will bring some restructuring in the management of parts of the industry and NuSAC can bring a focus in ensuring that safety is given top priority over this period and beyond. I will continue to promote openness in the way that the industry and regulators perform their responsibilities to public safety." - Steve Vranch
HOTEL FAILED TO MAINTAIN WATER SYSTEMS IN A SAFE CONDITION
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Chris Lewis, 44, succumbed to Legionnaires' disease in June 2002 following a week-long stay at the Woodville Hotel in Nottingham. Subsequent investigation by officials of Nottingham City Council established that the relatively simple steps required to manage the risk of legionnela in the hotel's water systems had not been taken. However, it was not possible to prove that Mr Lewis had contracted the disease during his stay.
Woodville Hotel Ltd. directors, Tony Smith and son Glenn, admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations during the period of Mr Lewis's stay for which Nottingham Crown Court fined them £6,000 each with costs of £15,000 in total.
INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE IN LINCOLNSHIRE
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Richard Cox, 50, an employee of Autotrail Luxury Motorhomes Ltd, has died following a workplace accident at the company's Immingham premises. According to one account Mr Cox fell from height while attending to a maintenance task.
BOHRF PUBLISHES ASTHMA GUIDELINES FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Around 4% of adults are asthma sufferers, a debilitating disease often depriving people of their health and their livelihood. For about 10% of them their workplace is implicated.
There are between 1,500 and 3,000 new cases of occupational asthma each year, but these figures are an under-estimate as cases go unreported because doctors do not identify work as the possible cause.
Health professionals are now being called on to identify the possible cause of asthma when diagnosing patients where the disease is traceable to the workplace.
The British Occupational Health Research Foundation (BOHRF), supported by the HSE, has produced guidelines to help doctors and practice nurses recognise and report asthma cases where the disease may have been caused or exacerbated at work.
Early identification of the cause is crucial when prescribing treatment and preventing long-term damage to the lungs.
Further industry-specific guidance is available from HSE at http://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/issues.htm .
THE TOP 9 CAUSES
Isocyanates - spray painters, other metal or electrical processors, makers or repairers (mainly vehicle manufacture and mechanics), plastics workers.
Flour - bakers and other food processors.
Grain - farmers or farm workers.
Glutaraldehyde - nurses, other non-metal or electrical processors (mainly darkroom technicians), other professional clerical and service occupations (mainly radiographers).
Wood Dust - wood workers.
Latex nurses and auxiliaries, laboratory technicians.
Solder/colophony - solderers or electronic assemblers, other metal or electrical processors, makers or repairers.
Laboratory animals - laboratory technicians, scientists and assistants, other professional clerical and service occupations (mainly medical/pharmacological research).
Resins and glues - metal and electrical processors, makers and repairers, construction and mining, other non-metal or electrical processors, makers or repairers, chemical processors.
“Individuals, companies and professional bodies can all play their part in reducing cases of occupational asthma and consequent days lost. These new guidelines will help identify the disease at an earlier stage, enabling treatment to be given more quickly and reducing the number of cases.” - Bill Callaghan, HSC Chair.
HIGH COURT SENTENCING FOR WELSH COMPANY WHO OPERATED VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
John Roberts (Ffestiniog) Ltd, civil engineers and plant hirers based in Blaenau Ffestiniog, must await Crown Court sentencing after Flintshire Magistrates deemed its admitted failure to meet health and safety duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in a quarry accident so serious that it warranted the superior court's greater sentencing powers.
Last June driver Elfed Williams sustained life-threatening multiple injuries when his 40-tonne dumper truck ran out of control and crashed at Aberduna Quarry at Maeshafn. Investigation established that Mr Williams was unable to bring it to a halt while negotiating an incline because its braking system was in a poor condition.
H&S ENFORCEMENT TO BENEFIT FROM STATEMENT OF INTENT ENDORSED BY HSC/E AND LACORS
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSC/E and Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) have endorsed a Statement of Intent setting out a joint commitment to improving how both bodies work together to improve health and safety at work. Other signatories are the Local Government Association, the Welsh Local Government Association, and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.
The statement comprises a number of high-level commitments from which the objectives for a Strategic Programme are derived, these include:
working in partnership; improving communications; sharing information; examining the legal framework; developing arrangements for monitoring the work of the enforcing authorities; and working with other government departments.
The Strategic Programme is said to be in a developmental stage, but already features the piloting of joint working initiatives, examination of existing examples of good practice, the establishment by HSE of 'Partnership Managers' to work with local authorities and developing communications.
Local authorities enforce H$S legislation in around half of all workplaces and for about 12 million employed people nationally mainly in offices, shops, warehouses, call centres and similar premises, with HSE responsible for the remainder of work activities.
“Sensible health and safety is a vital component of employee and public protection and an intrinsic part of community health and wellbeing. To improve health and safety in Great Britain, we need a significant change in how HSE and local authorities work together. HSC, HSE and local authority representative bodies are committed to being good partners and working with each other to improve health and safety. The Statement of Intent sets out how we will do this and I am delighted that yet another step in the implementation of the strategy has been reached.” - Bill Callaghan, HSC Chair
“This Statement of Intent marks important progress in the Strategic Programme to enable HSE and local government to work together to achieve improvements in workplace health and safety. The Statement is an important public declaration of the commitment we are all making to work in a closer partnership.
To bring partnership working into effect we in HSE recognise that we need to change the ways we work and to fully recognise the excellent work done by local authorities. The joint working that has been needed to develop this statement is an indication of a new understanding of the importance of the contribution local government can make to improve health and safety.” - Allan Davies, head of HSE’s Local Authority Unit and Strategic Programme manager.
“Today marks a milestone in the process to improve health and safety enforcement by local government and the HSE. By working together more effectively in partnership, we can make workplaces safer and prevent accidents and illnesses. We are pleased that the Statement of Intent emphasises that health and safety enforcement is a vital component of worker and public protection that successfully contributes to local community health and well-being. LACORS will work hard to make sure the Statement of Intent is backed up by actions that will result in improvements for local communities.” - Derek Allen, Executive Director of LACORS.
CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS MADE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FROM RECENT RAIL PUBLIC INQUIRIES
Posted Thursday, September 16, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has published its 3rd report recording progress on implementing the recommendations made by Professor John Uff and Lord Cullen in their reports on the Southall and Ladbroke Grove rail crashes and their Inquiry into train protection systems. This report, The Rail Public Inquiries: HSC report on overall progress as of March 2004 on the remaining recommendations from the rail Public Inquiries, collates information on the progress made on the remaining 79 recommendations.
"This latest report records considerable progress. The rail Public Inquiries have delivered results because the rail industry has risen to the challenge of delivering the recommendations; this is part of the framework for the continued improvement in railway safety. Of the total of 295 recommendations arising from the three Public Inquiries into rail safety, only 27 now remain to be completed. The end of 2003 saw the successful completion of the train protection and warning system (TPWS) programme. TPWS has already reduced the signal passed at danger risk and there have been several incidents where TPWS has effectively intervened in situations where there was potential for collisions.
In the recently published White Paper 'The Future of Rail' the Government set out its plans to merge regulatory responsibility for rail safety with the Office of Rail Regulation. That new body must ensure that the process of improving safety culture on the railways continues, and both the Rail Accident Investigation Board and the Rail Safety and Standards Board - two creations of the rail Public Inquiries - will have key roles to play. In the meantime, HSC remains committed to maintaining health and safety on the railways." - Bill Callaghan, HSC Chair.
BSI UPDATES OH&S MANAGEMENT GUIDE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
BSI has revised BS 8800:2004 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems. Guide which now features improved guidance on risk assessment and risk management which will help smaller organisations meet their legal obligations while also reflecting national and international workplace health and safety issues which have arisen since publication of BS 8800:1996.
The standard helps organisations develop a framework for managing health and safety, the update contains new annexes giving guidance on promoting the management system and hazardous event investigation.
Mike Low, Director, British Standards explains: "Following its update, BS 8800 will provide a number of key benefits to SMEs. Firstly it will help reduce risk to employees and others by developing good working practices to prevent accidents and work-related ill health. Business performance will improve through saved costs and better productivity and it will help create a positive and responsible reputation".
To order a copy of BS 8800:2004 price £126 or £63 for BSI Subscribing Members, ISBN 0 580 43987 9 contact BSI Customer Services email orders@bsi-global.com
BS 8800:2004
Review
OH&S policy
Organizing
Planning and implementing
Measuring performance
Investigation and response
Audit
Reviewing performance
Annex A – Comparison with other management system standards
Annex B – Guidance on organizing
Annex C – Promoting an effective OH&S management system
Annex D – Guidance on planning and implementing
Annex E – Guidance on risk assessment and control
Annex F – Measuring performance and audit
Annex G – Hazardous event investigation.
USDAW CONCERN AT APPARENT LACK OF EMPLOYER AWARENESS OF MATERNITY H&S ISSUES
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) believes it has evidence that some employers through ignorance of, or possibly a disregard for, the risks involved in providing work tasks for pregnant employees, may be putting the health and well-being of the employees and their unborn babies at risk.
The union is in a good position, with over 337,000 of its members working in retail, transport, distribution, food manufacturing, dairy process, call centres etc to find out if employers are implementing HSE guidance, particularly on risk assessment.
Usdaw has produced a report, Usdaw survey - Delivering for pregnant women, based on a survey conducted earlier this year of women's experiences of pregnancy at work. Around 4,000 women received a survey form, of whom 1,239 completed and returned their information.
SOME SURVEY FINDINGS BASED UPON RESPONDENTS' INFORMATION
An encouraging 38% of pregnant women felt their employer became more helpful and supportive, 62% reported a negative change in attitude;
many retail employers are unaware of what constitutes 'suitable alternative work', a common response is to assign a pregnant retail worker to checkout duties (the average checkout operator lifts 1 tonne every 4 hours); over 70% maintain they either did not get a risk assessment, or didn't know if they had; 40% of pregnant women told Usdaw their employer either did nothing or made an unhelpful suggestion when they brought to their employer's attention to the fact that they were experiencing difficulties with certain aspects of their job because of pregnancy.
The HSE website area http://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/index.htm provides very helpful information on this issue.
"Many pregnant women had a positive experience and felt supported by their employer. Usdaw is extremely concerned, however, that the examples of good practice are outweighed by the bad experiences. Many women told us they felt undervalued, ignored, humiliated, even made to feel guilty about being pregnant. Women who asked for help were told to stop complaining, repeated requests for maternity uniforms fell on deaf ears and women were excluded from decisions on the basis that they were pregnant.
Where we found good practice, Usdaw will be working with employers to help encourage its spread. But equally we're already approaching retail employers to ask them to work with Usdaw to tackle the many problems highlighted by this research." - John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary
"Pregnancy is not an illness. Pregnant women should not be signed off sick for work-related ill health problems. New and expectant mothers are entitled to a change in working conditions, should be offered suitable alternative work, or if that's not possible, suspended from work at the same rate of pay if risks to her or her child's health and safety have been identified. Employers have a legal and moral duty to protect women of childbearing age from hazards and risks in the workplace. HSE will investigate complaints made to them and take whatever action is deemed necessary under health and safety legislation.
Setting up a maternity policy is not difficult, the new guidance tells you how to do it, and gives greater benefits to employers and employees. If employers fail in their duties they could be found in breach of health and safety legislation and be prosecuted by HSE. They could also be taken to industrial tribunals where they could face substantial compensation payouts." - Head of HSE's Health Management Unit, Colleen Bowen, commenting earlier this year.
INCIDENTS EXPOSED WORKERS TO ACIDIC VAPOURS
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Two incidents last week illustrated the dangers and disruption arising from spillages of corrosive substances.
Emergency services arriving at the Torquay premises of Autoquip Ltd required to don respiratory protective equipment to deal with a spillage resulting from the fall of 50 lead-acid batteries from a delivery vehicle. The incident disrupted nearby businesses on the Woodland Estate.
At Cumbria Plating Services Ltd's premises in Carlisle 4 persons required treatment for the effects of contact with hydrochloric acid solution and its vapours after a pallet, supporting drums of the substance being moved, failed, spilling up to 500 litres. Once again neighbouring organisations experienced business disruption for several hours.
WORKER FELL FROM RAISED FORKLIFT TRUCK
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Numitor Ltd of Tyseley, West Midlands, has been prosecuted and fined following the enforcing authorities investigation of an accident in which an employee, Paul Cain, fell 6 metres from a forklift truck platform as he accessed a defective roller shutter. Mr Cain fractured his leg in the fall.
The company admitted breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances of the accident for which it was fined £13,500 with £1,530 costs.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 r.3(1) Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of -
(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and
(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking for the purpose of identifying the measures he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed upon him by or under the relevant statutory provisions and by Part II of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997.
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 r.4(1) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided. (2) In selecting work equipment, every employer shall have regard to the working conditions and to the risks to the health and safety of persons which exist in the premises or undertaking in which that work equipment is to be used and any additional risk posed by the use of that work equipment. (3) Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is used only for operations for which, and under conditions for which, it is suitable. (4) In this regulation "suitable" means suitable in any respect which it is reasonably foreseeable will affect the health or safety of any person.
The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 r.13(1) So far as is reasonably practicable, suitable and effective measures shall be taken to prevent any event specified in paragraph (3). (2) So far as is reasonably practicable, the measures required by paragraph (1) shall be measures other than the provision of personal protective equipment, information, instruction, training or supervision. (3) The events specified in this paragraph are: (a) any person falling a distance likely to cause personal injury; (b) any person being struck by a falling object likely to cause personal injury.
HSE ROPES IN LONDON TREE SURGEONS!
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
If you live in Greater London or the Northern Home Counties it may be difficult to arrange the services of a tree surgeon this coming Tuesday 14th September because around 300 of them based there have been invited to an HSE Safety Awareness Day. HSE regards attendance at these 'days' as a positive sign that an individual or company is keen to manage health and safety risks, and it is anticipated that around 50% of invitees will attend the event which seeks to reduce the number of arboricultural workers killed and injured each year.
The fatal and major incident rate for arboriculture is approximately 725 per 100,000 employed, approximately 3 times that of construction and an average of 4 die each year in the forestry and arboriculture industries, with many more sustaining serious injuries.
The event will feature a demonstration of aerial rescue techniques used for rescuing anyone in difficulty whilst working in trees, and will be held at Shuttleworth College, near Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. In the wake of the event a team of London inspectors will be visiting clients and contractors to carry out inspections of fieldwork activities.
Information and advice for those working in arboriculture can be found on HSE's website.
"Forestry and arboriculture continue to be two of the most hazardous industries. There have been 39 fatalities involving forestry workers or arborists in the past 10 years - 28 of those were to the self-employed.
The Safety Awareness Day will feature interactive demonstrations of scenarios that regularly feature in the accidents reported by tree surgery businesses. Each scenario will highlight the risks involved and give practical demonstrations on how these risks can be eliminated or reduced to acceptable levels.
The HSE is working in partnership with very experienced, well-qualified trainers and instructors in running this event. The day offers attendees the unique opportunity of being able to discuss safety issues with the people responsible for enforcing the law on neutral ground.
The Safety Awareness Day will be complementary to existing methods used by HSE Inspectors. Inspectors will continue to carry out health and safety inspections and spot checks on tree work they see in progress.
Any tree surgeon or tree surgery company receiving an invitation to this event should treat it as a welcome opportunity to improve health and safety management in their business and make every effort to attend." - Brent Bolton, the HSE inspector organising the event.
PORTACABIN CRUSHED VOLUNTEER
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A helpful deed by a friend who attempted to fix the faulty leg of a portacabin last September ended in tragedy when the supporting jack failed.
Keith Smith, 50, was based at Cornwall Garden Services' premises on the Carnyorth Industrial Estate, St Just, Cornwall, where he occupied a caravan. Thomas McFadden, proprietor of the site, explained to the inquest that Mr Smith was not an employee but occasionally volunteered for small tasks, on this occasion he told Mr Smith that the repair was too hazardous, and to leave it for him to fix. However, a delivery driver later discovered Mr Smith pinned to the ground by the portacabin, when the jack had failed a pin on the leg was not in place permitting it to fall.
The inquest jury determined a verdict of accidental death.
AN ENGLISHMAN'S HOME .... MAY BE HIS WORKPLACE!
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Most employers are probably aware that under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 they have the same obligations to protect the health, safety and welfare of homeworking employees as they do for employees on their premises.
It is less well acknowledged that employers also have responsibilities for self-employed workers. If a person working under the control and direction of a company is treated as self-employed for tax and national insurance purposes, they may be treated as an employee for health and safety purposes. Companies may need to take appropriate action to protect them.
Homeworkers are increasing in number. Between 1981 and 1998 the numbers working mainly at home doubled to 680,612 - around 2.5% of the employed workforce. The figure for 1998 is treated as conservative because some homeworkers may be reluctant to admit to homeworking.
To assist employers meet their duties HSE has published a report on homeworking providing a series of good practice case studies, which together with existing guidance offer practical assistance for employers and homeworkers. It illustrates good practice in the 4 industry sectors of: textiles; packing/assembling/finishing; electrical and electronic, and business services and computing.
The case studies offer information that will be useful to employers and homeworkers in other industries. Copies of the report can be downloaded from the HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr262.htm
"These examples of good practice show how employers and homeworkers can identify work-related hazards and take appropriate measures to reduce the risks associated with homeworking.
Work-related incidents can affect not just homeworkers, but others in their home, including children and visitors. With homeworking, there are special factors like the presence of children, that can turn relatively minor hazards into significant risks and it is really important that employers address them." - Jane Willis, Policy Director at HSE.
TWO SAFETY AWARENESS DAYS FOR HAMPSHIRE FARMERS
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Between 1996 and 2003 Hampshire farming has experienced 3 accidents that proved fatal and 254 that resulted in major injury reports. Most could have been prevented, and the latest in an HSE nationwide programme of free agricultural safety events aims to raise awareness of workplace dangers and impart information that if acted upon will save life and limb on the farm.
The events are being held at:
Isle of Wight College, Medina Way, Newport on Tuesday 26th October 2004; HSE in partnership with Lantra, the National Farmers Union and the Isle of Wight College.
Sparsholt College, Winchester, Hampshire on Thursday 28th October 2004; HSE in partnership with Lantra, the National Farmers Union and Sparsholt College.
Steve Hull, HM Principal Inspector for Agriculture in Hampshire, will highlight various issues that result in fatalities or injuries including falls from height, manual handling and child safety. Qualified Lantra trainers will present the scenarios and HSE inspectors will be available to provide further advice and guidance to those attending.
"Improving farm safety is one of the HSE's top priorities. The number of fatalities and serious accidents on farms must be reduced. This includes accidents to farmers, employees and children. I strongly encourage farmers to take up their invitation and come along as they should find the day both useful and hopefully enjoyable too." - Michelle Hickey, HM Inspector for Safety and Health in Hampshire.
LAS URGED TO ACT OVER NO1 HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD IN OUR WORKPLACE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) says local authorities should act now on a local basis to move towards making all workplaces and enclosed public places in their areas smoke free. Assisted by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the publication of the Achieving Smoke Freedom Toolkit provides the information needed to move towards this, explaining how Councils have many relevant powers and opportunities to act before, inevitably, the government acts to introduce legislation on smoking in the workplace.
CIEH says recent statistics derived from the Government's Labour Force Survey for 2003 and the National Statistics Omnibus Survey, smoking-related behaviour and attitudes module, conducted last year and verified by the Office for National Statistics show: 2,182,000 people work in places with 'no restrictions on smoking at all', equivalent to 8% of those in work in Great Britain. 10,366,000 people work in places where smoking takes place in 'designated areas', an estimated 38% of those in work.
According to an estimate made by Professor Konrad Jamrozik of Imperial College London for a conference of the Royal College of Physicians in May 2004, inhaling second-hand smoke at work may cause around 700 premature deaths a year.
Signals emanating from the Scottish Executive appear to increasingly indicate that legislation effecting a ban on smoking in public places in Scotland is also becoming inevitable, the current consultation on the issue attracted an unprecedented 27,000 responses, almost 20 times more than any previous one, with several weeks remianing for comments.
“All the statistics and evidence supports the need to bring an end to smoking in all workplaces and enclosed public places. Smoking kills not only smokers but also hundreds of people who are forced to breathe second-hand tobacco pollution simply because of where they work. This is one of the United Kingdom 's most significant public health issues and the Government must show leadership by introducing a national prohibition on workplace smoking. In the meantime, with the publication of this toolkit, we are trying to assist local authorities to take action locally.
The toolkit will help them appreciate what powers and duties exist currently to tackle this health issue and also provides examples of material from local authorities that have already taken some steps towards achieving smoke freedom.” - Graham Jukes, CIEH Chief Executive.
PERMISSIONING REGIMES AND SAFETY CASES - SEMINAR
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (HSE-supported) seminar, Permissioning Regimes and Safety Cases - Do They Enhance Safety? takes place at Oakwood Centre, Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees, on Tuesday 21st September 2004.
At the moment the last few tickets are still available, confirmed speakers include HSC Chair, Bill Callaghan, members of HSE's hazardous installations and railway sectors, with industry representatives including Frank Francis, Director of Nuclear Safety and Quality, Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd, ABB Eutech, Group Captain Mark Stevens, DG Log (Strike) RAF Wyton, and Helen Bolt, Bomel Ltd, also presenting papers.
To obtain a registration form and programme please contact: Georgina Shaw telephone 020 7973 1291 or email: georginas@imeche.org.uk . For further details see the IMechE website.
N WALES CONSTRUCTION SAFETY AWARENESS DAY IN OCTOBER
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Smaller construction firms have the chance to send delegates to a free special one-day health and safety event to be held at Eirias Park Leisure Centre, Colwyn Bay, on 12 October 2004, part of the national Working Well Together programme of Construction Safety and Health Awareness Days (SHADs).
The Colwyn Bay SHAD is aimed at small contractors who employ fewer than 15 people, sole traders and the self-employed, who together make up 83% of the industry. Areas of greatest risk on construction sites will be tackled, illustrated by demonstrations, backed up by practical advice.
Organisations wishing to attend can call 02920 577711 to book places which are restricted to 2 representatives per company.
The seminar has been locally organised by The Federation of Master Builders, Flintshire and Wrexham and Gwynedd Councils, Redrow, Watkins Jones Group and K&C Building Contractors.
"Last year five people died in the construction sector in Wales. This is a terrible waste of life which could be avoided.
On average 75% of all people killed in construction work for companies employing fewer than 15 people. That is why we want small enterprises to take action to improve their health and safety performance. The emphasis of the day is very much about giving practical advice. To show how risks on site can be eliminated, minimised and controlled in a practical, simple, no nonsense way. It is about sharing experiences, best practice and learning from each other. We are keen to provide help for the industry, by the industry." - Chantal Nicholls, HSE principal inspector, Carmarthan.
EDUCATION SECTOR HEALTH AND SAFETY - EUROPEAN AGENCY ADVISE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work have published 3 factsheets providing clear and simple advice for teachers and other staff in Europe’s education sector to help alleviate risks arising from: abusive pupils and parents; musculoskeletal disorders induced by lifting children; and other more general occupational health and safety matters related to the education workplace.
Recent analysis indicates 4% of employees in the sector have been physically assaulted and 12% subjected to some form of intimidation, with an adverse effect on staff turnover and absenteeism.
Advisory factsheets are available on the Agency website education area which features more in-depth guidance, case studies of good practice and links, and an online forum. The following factsheets will be particularly relevant:
Prevention of violence to staff in the education sector (No.47): describes the principal causes of violence against staff and the main steps needed to assess and minimise risks. It features a useful checklist of issues that should be considered when formulating a plan, such as the design of the premises, behavioural strategies and administrative controls.
Occupational health and safety in the education sector (No.46): Covers the main risks - bullying, stress and slips, and the procedures required to control them, including risk assessments; 5 of the most common hazards are identified for action, including the risks of falls, poorly maintained floor surfaces and the need to mark transparent glass to prevent injuries from breakages.
Management of occupational safety and health in the education sector (No.45): Provides a framework for evaluating and assessing risks, from identifying the most vulnerable people and situations to allocating responsibility for managing the risks and monitoring progress. It includes an overview of EC legislation governing safety and health in education, including employers’ and employees’ legal responsibilities.
The 3 factsheets can be downloaded from the Agency’s website, printed copies can be ordered from the European Publications Office.
"Based on increasing evidence of emerging problems, as also dramatic events both in Europe and in the United States have illustrated, education has been identified as a key priority in the Agency’s health and safety activities. We hope that our publications will contribute to raise awareness about the serious psychosocial and other health problems in the sector, and more important help to manage them in an efficient way.
We're also working on bringing safety and health issues to the classroom, so that young people are both aware and prepared for the risks they might encounter when they eventually get a job themselves." - Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Agency Director.
SUITCASE FELL FROM AIRCRAFT AT OVER 10,000 FEET
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Eastern Airways and Jetstream are investigating an incident on the 18th of last month in which, apparently, a 15 kg suitcase belonging to a passenger was lost from the hold somewhere between Leeds-Bradford Airport and Aberdeen Dyce Airport.
The item, which has not yet been recovered, was registered as missing only after a search at Aberdeen confirmed this, it being concluded that it had probably been lost mid-flight, released at a height of over 10,000 feet.
The pilot noted that a warning light came on during the flight indicating that the hold was not secure.
RAILWAYS AND OTHER GUIDED TRANSPORT SYSTEMS - NEW REGULATION PROPOSED
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSC is consulting on proposed new safety requirements for railways and other guided transport systems, for the purpose of modernising the existing regulation so that the requirements are more effective and better targeted to risk.
The proposals represent the biggest change to rail safety legislation since privatisation in 1994, and will see the replacement of The Railways (Safety Case) Regulations; The Railways (Safety Critical Work) Regulations; and The Railways and Other Transport Systems Regulations (Approval of Works, Plant and Equipment) Regulations.
The new framework is outlined in Proposals for new safety regulations for railways and other guided transport systems which will: implement most of the Railway Safety Directive (RSD) (2004/49/EC), which establishes common principles for safety management across the interoperable trans-European rail network; apply the same principles of regulation to other railways and guided transport systems, e.g. metros, tramways and heritage railways, in a way that is proportionate to risk and the character of the transport operation;
address outstanding recommendations from recent public inquiries on the management of railway safety; and bring together and streamline key elements of the existing safety requirements.
AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE
The document, upon which comments are invited before 29th November 2004, comprises: draft Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations; a draft Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) Managing Risks from Fatigue in Workers undertaking Safety Critical Work; a Regulatory Impact Assessment; the full text of the Railway Safety Directive; explanatory chapters; and a questionnaire for return to HSE.
The proposed ACoP gives guidance on a specific requirement of the draft regulations that: 'Every controller of safety critical work shall have in place arrangements to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that a safety critical worker under his management, supervision or control does not carry out safety critical work in circumstances where he is so fatigued or where he would be liable to become so fatigued that his health or safety or the health or safety of other persons on a transport system could be significantly affected.'
It is anticipated the regulations will come into force in October 2005.
A separate consultative exercise planned for September will set out proposals for the establishment of a Rail Accident Investigation Branch.
"This Consultative Document is an important milestone in our review of railway safety. It is an opportunity for everyone concerned to help frame a modern, cost-effective legislative framework for rail safety that will maintain the significant overall improvements that have been achieved in recent years. For the mainline network it sets out proposals to move as soon as possible to the European approach in the Rail Safety Directive in line with the recent Government White Paper 'The Future of Rail'. We will continue to work closely with all stakeholders to put in place a modernised legislative framework." - Bill Callaghan, HSC Chair
"Publication of this Consultative Document marks a key stage in an on-going dialogue with stakeholders. It builds on the Discussion Document HSC issued in October 2003, and on the views and ideas developed in well-attended open meetings in February and June 2004. We are very grateful to all those who have contributed so far. We welcome views from all interested parties on the proposals published today, in particular on the overall approach, the detailed proposals for rail and other guided transport systems, and the transitional arrangements for a managed move from the existing arrangements to the proposed new framework." - Elizabeth Gibby, Head of HSE's Cullen Legislation Division.
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND PRIMARY HEALTH CARE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
An HSE-funded report on a study to discover why occupational health has a low profile and perhaps a low priority for GPs and nurses employed in primary health care has now been published.
The report - The profile of patients’ occupational health in primary care conducted by experts at HSE's Health and Safety Laboratory, sought to discover why GPs, practice nurses and planners fail to take greater account of occupational issues and look for possible ways that occupational health could achieve higher priority given the impact of work on health, this being something that would benefit primary care patients, other workers, and their employers.
One of the findings of the report was of specific concern - the lack of professional training and knowledge in occupational health (occupational health being regarded as a specialism in itself) and access to appropriate routes for referral of patients. Additionally, the groups identified that although GPs and practice nurses take a focused approach to exploring patients’ occupations (when it was considered relevant to the presenting complaint), their lack of occupational health knowledge left them poorly equipped to deal with some of the ensuing issues. Occupational health was only one of a number of pressing issues that they were expected to deliver within the framework of primary care.
THREE ADVOCATES TO ASSIST HSE WITH COMPLEX PROSECUTIONS
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Attorney General, Lord Goldsmith, has appointed 3 advocates to the new post of Standing Counsel to the HSE.
The appointees - Mark Harris, Richard Matthews and Nigel Lawrence, are said to have the expertise and experience in procedural and substantive law required to deal with the most serious, sensitive and complex types of health and safety cases and advise and represent the enforcing authorities. They will act in enforcement or ancillary proceedings where there is a challenge to protection offered by health and safety legislation.
"In recent years there has been a significant increase in the interest shown in enforcement proceedings taken in respect of health and safety legislation. This reflects the increased level of public and industry awareness of the seriousness of such breaches. We're very pleased that the Attorney General has taken the step of appointing Standing Counsel as this will help address concerns that proper enforcement action is taken where necessary." - Alex Brett-Holt, Solicitor to the HSE.
A NOSE FOR SLIP PREVENTION ON STAIRWAYS
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
It is estimated that there are in the UK in excess of 100,000 injuries resulting from slips and falls on non-domestic stairways annually, around 100 fatalities and untold thousands of incidents going unreported.
All concerned with accident prevention in buildings, designers, accident investigators and facilities managers, inevitably seek to identify features of stairways that could be specified or modified to reduce slips on stairs.
To assist with one possible solution BRE, part of the Foundation for the Built Environment, has published the information paper, Proprietary nosing for non-domestic stairs (IP15/03), explaining how slip reduction on stairs can be achieved by the fitting of proprietary nosings to steps, which include materials with slip-resistant properties. However, nosings must be chosen carefully and fitted correctly if they are to be effective in reducing the likelihood of slipping accidents. The paper will help designers and building managers assess the quality of their stairs and choose which type of proprietary nosing they should be using.
The reader is guided through 5 simple questions that help establish the risk of large oversteps, a precursor to slipping. Suggestions are made on what to look for in a proprietary nosing for stairs, taking into account issues such as: tread materials; nosing shape; going size; step variability; secure fitting; and colour contrast.
Copies are available from the BRE Bookshop for £9.00, or £10.58 for a downloadable pdf version.
COMPANY FAILED TO DEVISE SAFE SYSTEM OF WORK
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Elementis Chromium Ltd of Eaglescliffe, near Middlesbrough, has been prosecuted and fined following an HSE investigation into the circumstances of an accident in which its employee, Paul Young, 36, sustained a disabling leg injury. During October 2003 Mr Young with his co-workers undertook to move a heavy machine which they required to negotiate by dragging it by crane onto a steel table. The machine became stuck and blows were applied using hammers, but the machine moved suddenly trapping Mr Young's leg between the table and the machine, inflicting a serious crush injury.
At Teesside Magistrates' Court Elementis Chromium admitted breaching s.2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in that it had failed to devise and have implemented a safe system of work for the task to ensure the safety of its employees for which it was fined £14,000 with £5,500 costs.
The company has since acted to prevent recurrence of such an accident and improve its health and safety performance.
TWO WEEKS IN JAIL FOR IMBIBING SAILOR
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Mykola Necheporenko, of the vessel Jackie Moon, pleaded guilty at Dunoon Sheriff court to having blood alcohol levels in excess of that prescribed in the new Railways and Transport Act 2003.
Sheriff Gilbert explained to Mr Necheporenko the gravity of his offence and fined him £500 but through having insufficient funds the sailor submitted to a two-week custodial sentence instead.
The offence came to light when the 82m Coaster grounded on the West Bay, Dunoon, Firth of Clyde, earlier this month. The vessel was registered in Antigua and Barbuda, its 6 Ukrainian crew members were uninjured.
WEB RESOURCE TO HELP WASTE AND RECYCLING SECTOR IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The health and safety performance of the waste and recycling industries is a very poor one relative to similar activities and it has become a focus of attention for the enforcing authorities. The number of fatal incidents are over 10 times the national average, accident rates are 4 times the national average.
HSE has just created a web site area for the industry to allow it to become aware of current initiatives and obtain industry specific information.
The sector comprises activities such as collection; reception at civic amenity sites; sorting; recovery of materials; biological treatment of organic materials (e.g. composting); thermal treatment (including incineration with energy recovery); and landfill operations.
The commencement recently of a major new initiative should see improvement in the industry's health and safety performance.
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) initiative, the Accident Reduction Charter, aims to reduce the incidence rate of RIDDOR reportable accidents by 10% every year until 2007 (baseline year 2002) and to eliminate fatalities by the end of that period.
The Charter, endorsed by the HSE, has been incorporated into ESA's Code of Conduct, and is supported by a Health and Safety Action Plan prepared to assist ESA's Members in reducing accident rates. ESA is the UK's sectoral trade association for waste and secondary resource management
“Of all the industries HSE monitors, the waste management and recycling industry has the highest fatal incident rate, figures that are well above both construction and agriculture. This is simply unacceptable. I welcome this new website as a place where the industry can obtain free advice. The industry itself must take steps to instil effective health and safety management and develop a sensible health and safety culture.” - James Barrett, Head of HSE’s Manufacturing Sector.
“Sadly, the waste and recycling industry compares unfavourably with most other industries in its health and safety performance. This new site is designed to help the industry improve its performance and because it is so easy to get to and to use, effort will not be wasted in this rapidly growing industry.” Trevor Hay, Chair of the Waste Industry Safety and Health forum (WISH).
JAIL FOR MOBILE PHONE DRIVER WHO KILLED
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Alan Millbanke, 32, from Wallsend, has been sentenced to 3 years imprisonment at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting causing death by dangerous driving. Mr Millbanke was employed as a delivery driver when his van struck a vehicle last April killing Derek Davies, 68 on a County Durham road. Mr Millbanke was seriously injured and could not recollect using his mobile phone at the time of the accident but phone company records established that he had been talking to a friend at the time of the collision.
Last year Kevin Moran, 46, received a 5-year custodial sentence for causing the death of a motorcyclist in road traffic accident in Atherton, Liverpool. Mr Moran denied causing death by dangerous driving but a jury found him guilty, he had permitted himself to become distracted using the phone and illegally turned right into the motorcyclist's path. His employers had indicated to him that a mobile phone should not be used while driving.
MAC GETS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Manual handling Assessment Charts (MAC), a relatively new tool designed to help HSE inspectors assess common risk factors in lifting, carrying and team handling operations, has now been assessed in terms of its reliability and usability when used by non-inspectors.
The report - Reliability and usability evaluation of the manual handling assessment charts (MAC) for use by non-regulatory professionals HSL/2003/19, by D Lee and JJ Ferreira of Human Factors Group, Health and Safety Laboratory, provides recommendations for improvement. 100 non-regulatory health and safety professionals (non-inspectors) were involved, as were 13 expert ergonomists including some of the leading ergonomics researchers, consultants and lecturers in the UK.
UNDERSTANDING MANUAL HANDLING RISKS
The study informs that 82% of participants reported that the MAC improved or greatly improved their confidence when assessing manual handling risks, furthermore, 71% reported that the MAC improved or greatly improved their understanding of manual handling risks.
However flaws were found were identified in both the reliability and usability of the MAC and the study demonstrated that substantial improvements were both possible and necessary. The version of MAC released to inspectors demonstrates reasonable reliability and usability, but again significant improvements were necessary. Many of these changes have been incorporated in the publicly available version of MAC, it is hoped that a single page MAC flowchart can eventually be developed.
PORT OPERATOR FINED OVER TRAGIC INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Felixstowe Dock and Railway Company Ltd has been fined £250,000 with £27,300 costs at Ipswich Crown Court for breaching health and safety legislation in the circumstances surrounding the death last June of trainee employee Dennis Burman, 51, who was fatally injured while working at Trinity Terminal in the port of Felixstowe.
Mr Burman was crushed on a ship-to-shore crane's walkway as the crane moved in what an HSE inspector described at the inquest as an error of judgement by its operator whose view of the crossover point was obstructed.
Mr Burman had exited the crane's cab after an induction training session and had reached the gate between a fixed and moving gangway where he was crushed and fell 50 metres to the ground. There was no device fitted that would effectively bring the crane's movement to a halt when the gate was opened. The operator could not see Mr Burman and a colleague on account off a blind spot, because both men had paused before beginning their descent he had assumed they were no longer there.
The company had failed to conduct a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the activity that led to the accident. Effectively, there was no implemented safe system of work for trainees descending from the crane.
The Felixstowe Dock & Railway Company has since made procedural and physical changes relative to cranes at the port and states it has invested heavily to ensure an improving health and safety performance.
The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 2.(1) It shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of an employer's duty under the preceding subsection, the matters referred to which that duty extends include in particular - (a) the provision and maintenance of plant and systems of work that are, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe and without risks to health.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 r.3(1) Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of -
(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and
(b) the risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct by him of his undertaking for the purpose of identifying the measures he needs to take to comply with the requirements and prohibitions imposed upon him by or under the relevant statutory provisions and by Part II of the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997.
TUC MARKS ANNIVERSARY OF HSW WITH MAJOR CONFERENCE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The TUC is to hold a conference on the 30th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act and the establishment of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC). The conference will no doubt have occasion to cast a view back to times before and since the Act but the conference is all about the main issues facing the HSC today.
The conference takes place on Monday 8th November 2004, 1000-1600 at the TUC's Congress House, Great Russell St, London WC1B 3LS and will be of interest to policy makers, trade unionists, managers, health and safety professionals, academics, and others with an interest in health and safety.
High profile speakers include The Rt Hon Jane Kennedy MP, Minister of State for Work and Pensions; Bill Callaghan, Chair of the HSC; Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary; David Eaves, former Deputy Director General of the HSC; David Walters, TUC Professor of Work Environment at Cardiff University; Dr Janet Asherson of the CBI; Rory O’Neil, Editor of Hazards Magazine; Phil James, Professor of Employment Relations at Middlesex University; representatives of the Engineering Employers Federation, and HSE staff trade unions. Registration fees are: trade unions £25.00; not for profit organisations £35.00; other organisations £50.00.
To register an interest in the conference see details on the TUC conference web page.
SLINGER FELL FROM VEHICLE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Knights Projects Group Ltd of Manchester has been prosecuted and fined for a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 over an accident in which its slinger employee, Chris Clayton, sustained a leg injury in a fall from a lorry that became unstable and overturned while he stood upon it unloading bricks.
The accident occurred in November last year at a development site in Douglas, Isle of Man, Mr Clayton was deemed to be neither adequately supervised nor trained in his work, his employer was fined £3,000.
AGRICULTURAL WORKERS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN ACCIDENT
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE is investigating a workplace transport accident in which a vehicle, described as an open truck, struck a tree on private land resulting in serious injury to 3 of its 11 foreign labour passengers, the remainder sustaining only minor injury.
The accident occurred yesterday at Snitterfield, 3 miles north of Stratford-upon -Avon, Warwickshire, the workers were going to harvest fruit.
UTILITY COMPANIES WORK TO PREVENT SERVICES' INCIDENTS
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The utility companies are finding new ways to make it easier for design engineers and contractors to access information that will help them plan for, avoid or deal safely with services' apparatus they may encounter during project work.
The companies participate in a joint forum meeting quarterly to discuss and share information relating to accidents, review damage trends and promote safe working through the Utility Damage Investigation Group.
The website at www.damageprevention.co.uk., a collaboration between Transco and PowerSystems, provides: examples of bad practice illustrated with photographs; information on locating devices, plans or other information such as indications that buried services exist e.g. lighting standards, illuminated traffic signs, tobys, covers, manholes, previous excavations etc.; a list of specialist organisations providing a range of products including locators for underground services.
MOLESEYE
Utility companies also support Moleseye (tel 0800 800333), through which information on underground services can be found, the site also has a role in the co-ordination of street works between utilities and the local authorities.
Moleseye One Call UK Online is a web-based underground asset search solution available throughout the UK. Moleseye's geographical expansion took its existing One Call service outside of Scotland and into England and Wales offering a do-it-yourself online version.
WORKER SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES IN FALL FROM HEIGHT
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Alan Wickson, 53, an employee of contractor, Clulee, of Leemington, last July fell nearly 3 metres sustaining major injuries while working on a flat roof at Lapworth Primary School, Warwickshire.
Subsequent HSE investigation established that MD Brian Clulee's company had failed to ensure that suitable and sufficient steps had been taken to prevent a fall, a matter he admitted, putting it in breach of health and safety legislation for which it was fined £2,500 with £920 costs.
The Construction (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996:
r.6.(1) Suitable and sufficient steps shall be taken to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, any person falling.
HATFIELD CHARGES DROPPED
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Applications before Old Bailey judge, Mr Justice Mackay, at the Royal Courts of Justice relating to charges arising from the October 2000 Hatfield rail crash have been allowed, effectively quashing corporate manslaughter charges faced by Railtrack, now Network Rail, as have charges against 3 of its former senior employees, it being deemed that insufficient evidence existed to proceed. Manslaughter charges against senior Railtrack employee, Charles Pollard, were quashed as was a health and safety charge against Christopher Leah. Charges faced by Gerald Corbett, former Railtrack chief executive, were also dropped.
Trial is scheduled for next month.
NARROW ESCAPE FOR CONCRETE MIX COMPANY EMPLOYEE
Posted Monday, September 13, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
During February 2004 Keith Scott, 36, suffered major injuries in an industrial accident that resulted in his employer, RMC Ready Mix Ltd of Egham, Surrey, facing prosecution at Edinburgh Sheriff Court last week. Mr Scott was working to rectify a fault on concrete mixing plant at RMC's Leith docks when a conveyor system was started, requiring him to have to jump from it, landing 5 metres below, to avoid being deposited in the mixing plant. The equipment had been started up by a supervisor unaware of his presence.
RMC admitted breaching S.2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in the circumstances surrounding the accident for which it was fined £10,000.
FATIGUE IMPLICATED IN HUMBER VESSEL INCIDENT
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigation into the near collision between vessels Hoo Finch and Front Viewer off the River Humber during February 2004 has attributed the incident to the cumulative effects of fatigue, induced by long hours of duty, on the ability of a crew member on watch to adequately respond to danger. As the two vessels approached each other Hoo Finch, as the 'give way' vessel, failed to take early and substantial action to avoid the close quarters situation, the collision was narrowly avoided by last minute action taken by both vessels.
Investigation established that the Hoo Finch mate was alone on the bridge during the 0000 to 0600 watch contrary to the requirements of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO's) Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). As the situation developed, he was unable to properly interpret what he could see and, consequently, he failed to take prompt and decisive avoiding action, and it was concluded that his performance was degraded due to an accumulated sleep debt and disruption to his circadian rhythm induced by long duty hours and disrupted sleep patterns. The work on board had not been shared equitably among the crew.
RECOMENDATIONS
Investigation additionally established that at about 0545 the mate left the bridge to call the relief master, leaving it unmanned, VHF radio calls were made from Front Viewer and Humber Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), which should have alerted Hoo Finch to the impending danger, but the mate heard none of these calls. Calls apparently made by the mate using channel 16 VHF were not heard on Front Viewer or by Humber VTS. Flashed lights towards Hoo Finch's bridge windows also failed to elicit a response.
Several recommendations have been made to the UK and International Chambers of Shipping and the International Shipping Federation on passage planning, fatigue, manning, and lookouts, and to the vessel owners regarding the proper functioning of VHF radios.
INDUSTRIAL PIPEWORK - PREVENTING FAILURE
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Failure of piping systems in the chemical process industries can have significant consequences, including the safety of personnel, with piping systems failing more frequently than the associated vessels. Pipework is too often low down the priority list for many companies.
A report describing a possible strategy to prevent failures of industrial pipework, Piping Systems Integrity: Management review, RR253, has been published. The report was commissioned by HSE and undertaken by ABB Eutech Limited who approached the subject using a familiar life-cycle approach - scope definition; design; construction; operation; maintenance (including modification and repair); decommissioning; and disposal.
The study revealed a key underlying feature of pipework incidents - the general lack of a coherent approach to risk management in industrial plants, evidenced by fragmentation of the pipework lifecycle and lack of clear understanding of specific responsibilities.
ROSPA SCOTLAND CONGRESS
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
This year's RoSPA Scotland congress, Learning, Sharing, Moving Forward, sponsored by ESS, takes place at the Hilton Hotel, Glasgow, on September 15 and 16, and delegates can hear first-hand of the latest developments on a variety workplace health and safety issues impacting on the Scottish workplace.
The congress brings together a number of perspectives held by people involved in Scotland’s business and occupational health and safety world, including company directors, senior managers, health and safety professionals, risk managers and business advisers.
Speakers will cover issues, developments and topics such as: the role of employers’ liability insurance in raising standards; managing occupational road risk: new interventions; slips trips and falls;
embedding H&S management in business education; rehabilitation versus compensation; manual handling interventions; asbestos, the duty to manage; stress management standards; and more.
More detailed information on the Congress programme and booking is obtainable at 0870 777 2120 or visit http://www.rospa.com/scotlandcongress/
“Maintaining momentum for better health and safety at work is a tough challenge. The health and safety community needs to use every lever at its disposal to keep pace with change.
It is important for employers to be open to new ways of thinking and to learn from the successes and failures of others. This conference gives them the ideal opportunity to hear from safety experts and also to take part in practical sessions.” - Roger Bibbings, RoSPA Occupational Safety Adviser.
THERMOSTATICALLY CONTROLLED WATER SUPPLY TO CARE HOME BATHROOMS SAVES LIVES
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
John Jones, 83, a resident of Brockshill Woodlands residential home in Oadby, Leicestershire, died minutes after he stepped into a bath of scalding water on 30th April last year.
Mr Jones, a dementia sufferer, had made his way fully clothed from his room to the bathroom, his death was attributed to both the effect of the water temperature, believed to be around 51ºC, and his heart condition, the inquest jury determined a verdict of accidental death contributed to by neglect.
Home owners, Prime Life Ltd, had the issue of the risk of scalding and the fitting of thermostatic control of water temperature brought to their attention by National Care Standards Commission officials only weeks before Mr Jones' demise. The home's own risk assessment deemed Mr Jones to be vulnerable to such a scalding incident, but staff were not familiar with it.
Sadly there have been other victims of the failure to ensure thermostatically controlled water supplies to care home bathrooms, simple devices that can ensure delivery of water at a maximum temperature of 44ºC:
August 1999 - Catherine Hourie, 39, died several days after she was lowered into a bath of near 70ºC water at Prudhoe Hospital;
May 2001- Lilla Morgan, 78, a dementia sufferer, died after she entered a bath containing scalding water at a residential home in Fife;
May 2002 - Margaret Dick, 66, a resident of Carlogie House, Banff, was fatally scalded while bathing.
There is an HSE / Local Authorities Enforcement Liaison Committee (HELA) Local Authority Circular entitled Scalding risks from hot water in health and social care available on the HSE website offering guidance on the subject.
MAIB ISSUES SAFETY BULLETIN FOLLOWING VCM INCIDENT AT RUNCORN
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
A serious incident 4 weeks ago, which featured the accidental release of Vinyl Chloride Monomer (VCM) from the Gas Carrier, Coral Acropora, while it was alongside at Runcorn, has prompted the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents to make immediate recommendations during the course of his investigation. The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 1999 provide for the Chief Inspector to make recommendations at any time during the course of an investigation if, in his opinion, it is necessary or desirable to do so.
The bulletin can be accessed at the Department for Transport website, the report is produced for marine safety purposes only, on the basis of information available to date.
594kg of VCM was accidentally released into the atmosphere from Coral Acropora, the gas cloud directly affected all those on the ship, several persons in the terminal and a number of members of the public.
EDINBURGH AIRPORT IMPOSES BAGGAGE WEIGHT RESTRICTION
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Passengers using Edinburgh Airport must now comply with a restriction on the weight of items of luggage presented to staff for handling. Individual items must not now exceed 32kg.
This restriction was applied at Heathrow 3 months ago, however Edinburgh is so far the only Scottish airport to attempt to reduce manual handling induced injuries in this fashion.
"Manual handling injuries account for around 40% of total airport injuries reported to HSE. The majority of these are related to baggage handling activities, particularly airport staff handling heavy bags. HSE strongly supports the actions being taken by Heathrow Airport and we continue to work in partnership with the air industry to see if a further reduction in the maximum bag weight can be achieved. HSE and industry are encouraged by the 17% reduction in reported injuries among baggage handlers by Heathrow based, British Airways who started operating this maximum single bag limit 12 months ago. This demonstrates that real improvements can be made in this area for the benefit of both airport workers and industry." - Christine Barringer, HSE, speaking at the time of the Heathrow restriction.
ADVICE FOR FARMERS ON WORKSHOPS
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
HSE agricultural inspector for NW England, Tim Beaumont, is dispensing the following advice to those working in the farming environment, however it is also applicable to others who could benefit from a tidy up their tool shops to ensure a safer working environment.
"Usually when I'm visiting farms I'll ask to see the workshop. Often the farmer will, with a bit of embarrassment, show me into a dingy cave containing scrap metal, bits of old tractor and assorted tools.
There is a lot the farmer can do to improve the working environment in the tool shop and at the same time reduce the risks to health and safety.
The first message is to tidy up! Stuff on the floor can be tripped over which can lead to some very serious injuries. Keeping your work shop tidy will also help you find things quicker. Look at the type and amount of scrap metal you are keeping. Some metal is always going to be useful, but some may just be gathering dust and cobwebs.
Ask yourself if, hand on heart, you really need that old bit of box section you're holding on to 'just in case'. If you really must keep some scrap on site, store it safely away from your work area.
PUT WHEELS UNDER THINGS
Secondly, keep things at waist height: Bending down to pick things up off the floor puts you at risk of hurting your back. The solution is obvious - don't put them there in the first place. Your capacity to lift an object increases and your risk of injury decreases the straighter you keep your back when lifting and the closer to your torso you hold the object.
And put wheels under things: Welding kits, tool boxes, oil barrels, sacks and tyres are all easier and safer to move around if you use trolleys - which don't have to be purpose bought. I've seen old prams, shopping trolleys and wheel barrows all commandeered in the work shop for moving bulky items around.
LIFTING EQUIPMENT
Other things to check include your chains and compressor: All lifting and towing chains should be kept off the floor and properly hung up. This reduces the risk of corrosion. Lifting equipment, such as chains and slings, and the air receiver on the compressor should all be periodically thoroughly examined by a competent person. Your insurer will be able to give you more details.
And check electric flexes: Make sure all the flexes are undamaged and that the plugs are properly fused and match the equipment. Portable appliances, such as pressure washers, should be used with a circuit breaker or RCD.
Most of this advice is cheap and easy to implement. The type of accidents that can occur in the workshop tend not be headline makers but they can keep you off work for significant periods of time.
Who, in this day and age, can afford that?" - Tim Beaumont.
CEILING TILE REMOVAL EXPOSED WORKERS TO ASBESTOS AT LANCASHIRE FACTORY
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
Prosecution and fine have resulted from HSE investigation into refurbishment work conducted during a 3-day period in June 2002 that involved the removal of ceiling tiles at the Asahi Glass Fluoropolymers U.K. Limited (AGFP) factory at Thornton Cleveleys, Lancashire.
Ceiling tiles containing asbestos were removed during the work contracted out by AGFP, Fylde Coast Magistrates' Court heard that Wesley Senha, employed by a ceiling contractor to carry out the work, and Christopher Hughes, employed by a contract cleaner, as well as 5 other workers were exposed to asbestos during the work.
As the work progressed AGFP managers suspected that the ceiling tiles might contain asbestos but still allowed work to continue in the contaminated area. Subsequent analysis confirmed the presence of brown and white asbestos in the ceiling tiles. The ceiling contractor did not have an asbestos licence to remove the tiles and its employees were not trained in asbestos work.
PRECAUTIONARY APPROACH NEEDED
AGFP was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £1,396 following a guilty plea for breaching S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
The case prompted HSE to warn building and maintenance workers and their employers that they must take proper precautions when working in buildings where asbestos may be present.
"This case highlights the need for companies to take a precautionary approach when carrying out maintenance work on materials suspected of containing asbestos. All such work should be carefully planned and risk assessed with prior confirmation of any asbestos content. The work itself should be supervised and executed by competent staff, with contingency measures in place in the event of asbestos being inadvertently encountered. This applies not only to the contractors carrying out the work, but also to the client who has duties to manage the work safely.
In Britain, around half a million structures built or renovated between 1950 and 1980 still contain asbestos. Asbestos-related diseases are currently responsible for about 3000 deaths a year in Great Britain. Asbestos can become particularly dangerous when disturbed. If maintenance workers are not aware, they may dislodge the deadly fibres and unwittingly put their own health and the health of others at risk." - Peter Gray, HSE Inspector.
SOLARIA DANGER TO CHILDREN APPARENT
Posted Friday, September 10, 2004 by Ahmed Khan
The potential for children to access solaria, which are not continuously supervised, and burn their skin was demonstrated last week when boys of 11 and 13 visited retail premises in Stirling. The pair sustained severe burns induced by sessions approaching 30 minutes on the sunbeds.
Stirling Council, the enforcing authority for the premises and activity, is aware of the incident.