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News April 2003
| Title | Comments | Publication |
| NHS and local government workers top stress list. | A CIPD survey indicates that public sector workers are increasingly stressed and dissatisfied with their work. | 'Pressure at Work and the Psychological Contract' CIPD Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(4):10 |
| Staying mobile. | The users of FLTs, dumpers and tractors are reminded to pay particular attention to Pt III of PUWER 1998. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(3):5 |
| Weather forecast. | New CIRIA research aimed at raising awareness of the risks involved with climate change and how this effects construction projects. | CIRIA Tel:020-7222-8891 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(3):9 |
| Workplace manslaughter result of 'callous indifference'. | Director J Horner received a 15 month prison sentence suspended for 2 years and Teglgaard Hardwood UK Ltd fined £25,000 for corporate manslaughter, after a pile of timber fell, killing a worker. | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(4):4 |
| New manslaughter law needed to safeguard workers, says watchdog report. | An HSE report on proposed legislation for corporate killing and the liability of corporate bodies for manslaughter. | 'Role of managerial leadership in determining workplace safety outcomes' Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(4):5 |
| £20,000 fine after 2 electric shock accidents. | Jarvis Hotels Plc fined £20,000. One incident involving a broken plug casing and another involving a missing back case from a plug. | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(4):8 |
| Preventing obstruction of the railway guidance. | Criteria for apportioning responsibility and costs of improvement made at locations where roads meet, cross, or run close to railways. | 'Managing the accidental obstruction of the railway by road vehicles' Internet: www.roads.dft.gov.uk Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(4):10 |
| Ground breaking law? | The use of ground probing radar to locate underground services before excavations start. (C Simmonds) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(4):12 |
| Good move. | How to prevent workplace transport accidents. (P Ellis) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(4):14-16 |
| Dangerous explosions. | What is involved in the new Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations. (P Hughes) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(4):26,28-29 |
| Revitalising construction discussion document. | The HSE is analysing the 300 responses it received to the 'Revitalising H&S in construction' discussion doc. | Responses Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/2002.htm HSE Press Release E050:03 28/3/03 |
| Occupational health support pilot scheme gets go ahead. | Construction industry representatives are establishing a consortium to run an Occupational Health Support Pilot Scheme. | HSC Press Release C008:03 28/3/03 |
| New guidance on solvent degreasing plants. | Two revised guides on solvent degreasing plant. 'Safe use' and 'Maintenance and cleaning'. | EIS40 EIS20 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E049:03 1/4/03 |
| Safety regulator welcomes new rail industry safety body (RSSB). | The Rail Safety and Standards Board has been established by the Rail Regulator. | HSC Press Release C009:03 1/4/03 |
| New forestry and arboriculture safety leaflets. | The 34 leaflets provide advice for employers, supervisors and the self-employed. | Internet: www.hsebooks.co.uk HSE Press Release E051:03 3/4/03 |
| AJ Rennie | Fined £5,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / CHSWR 1996. Failure to provide sanitary facilities, suitable security and safeguards on a construction site. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000556 (10/2/03) |
| Holland & Pickering Ltd | Fined £9,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using a printing press. Side access interlock and 3 others defeated. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000393 (11/2/03) |
| Pochin (Contractors) Ltd | Fined £6,000 under CDMR 1994 / CHSWR 1996. Subcontractor injured falling 4.5m. Inadequate fall prevention and failure to implement own H&S rules. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000442 (12/2/03) |
| DJC Waiting | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / PUWER 1998. Killed when equipment overturned after a winch struck resistance. Unsuitable tractor and winch, no safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000360 (12/2/03) |
| Kimberly-Clark Ltd | Fined £500 under NCTECR 1992. Failure to notify the presence of a cooling tower. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000377 (12/2/03) |
| KYE Ltd | Fined £3,000 under EWR 1989. Electrician injured following operation of a switch fuse. No local isolation or maintenance. Poor test instrument. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000385 (13/2/03) |
| H & S Fellows Ltd | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998. During routine inspection, machinery guarding deficient even after written advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000476 (14/2/03) |
| Metalair-Feldbinder UK Ltd | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst doing repair work from a ladder inside a bulk road tanker. No permit to work, tanker atmosphere untested, inadequate RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000385 (14/2/03) |
| Can health and safety risk justify dismissal? | Does an employer have a duty to dismiss an employee when there is a risk to their H&S? Can the employee choose to run the risk. (K Bridges) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):12 |
| Failure to explain prosecution decision prompts challenge to HSE. | A widow is challenging the HSE over possible failure to provide proper reasons for its decision not to prosecute a company director. If successful, the HSE may have to change restrictions on information it provides to bereaved families. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):2 |
| Unprecedented £4.37m compensation for asbestos death. | Due to the earning potential of her late husband, Mr A Farmer, the widow of a former power station worker/businessman who died of mesothelioma, awarded a record amount. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):4 |
| Menopause being ignored at work. | A TUC survey of safety reps found 2% said company H&S policy covered menopause related issues and 45% stated managers did not recognise menopause problems. | 'Working through the change' TUC Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):4 |
| Teenagers allowed to work on unsafe roof. | Philip Dalton Roofing fined £2,000 + £1,000 costs. Two 16yr old apprentices allowed to work on a roof. No scaffold or protection. Prohibition Notice served but the following day other workers were on the roof. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):11 |
| £20,000 fine for failing to give asbestos warning. | Bailey Maintenance Services fined £20,000 + £2,006 costs. Whilst replacing a hot water cylinder, asbestos fibres released into office area. No asbestos survey. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):11 |
| Poor training and investigation lead to 50% burns. | Opic Ltd fined £9,500 + £4,500 costs. Fire broke out whilst a new worker was using a paint spray gun. A 2nd fire broke out soon afterwards injuring the worker. Poor training and level of investigation by company. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):12 |
| Healthcare workers get new web page. | The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has launched an on-line guide to advise workers in the healthcare sector. | Internet: www.europe.osha.eu.int/good_practice/sector/healthcare/ Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):18 |
| Reps in need of repair. | A radical overhaul required if access to worker representation on H&S is to be increased. (D Walters) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):26-28 |
| Talking shopped. | Driving and making work-related telephone calls. (R Tozer) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):34-35 |
| Let's talk business. | Changes required in the way we deal with workplace ill health. (Dr S Khan) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):37-38 |
| Arresting time. | Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and cardiac arrest. (Dr J Apps) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(4):40-42 |
| Four in 10 employers fail to take basic drink measures. | The TUC is concerned that 43% of organisations still do not have an alcohol and drug policy despite misuse being a growing problem. | 'Alcohol and work: a potent cocktail' Internet: www.tuc.org.uk/ Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (317):3 |
| TUC urges bosses to allow workers free toilet breaks. | The TUC is calling on employers to ensure that workers can use a toilet whenever necessary on paid time without loss of wages. | Internet: www.hazards.org/toiletbreaks Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (317):3 |
| Waking up to sleep loss. | Ignoring the effects of sleep deprivation affects business profitability and the welfare of workers and the public. (Dr J Lisle) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (317):9-13 |
| The influence of managers. | How different levels of management can affect H&S. (H Fidderman) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (317):14-18 |
| Involving insurers in health and safety: a risk-free path? | Insurers' incentives may benefit the insurer, not the insured. (L Ponting) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2003 (317):19-23 |
| HSC appoints new head of UK delegation to Channel Tunnel Safety Authority. | Mr Richard Clifton will take up his new post in November 2003. | HSC Press Release C010:03 3/4/03 |
| A clean bill of health – HSE to launch new video on dry-cleaning. | A new training video aimed at anyone involved in the dry-cleaning industry. | Isbn 0-7176-2166-9 £25+VAT HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E034:03 8/4/03 |
| New COSHH Regulations laid before parliament. | Amendments to COSHH 2002 will come into force on 29/4/03. Users of Cat 1 or 2 mutagens will have to apply the same measures as for carcinogens. | SI 2003/978 SO Internet: www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2003/20030978.htm HSC Press Release C012:03 9/4/03 |
| Preventing slip and trip incidents in education. | In 2002 there were 4,000 injuries to members of the public and employees in schools, colleges and universities. | Educ Inf Sheet 2 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E054:03 10/4/03 |
| Swift Roofing Contracts Ltd | Fined £20,000 under CHSWR 1996. Roofer killed falling 2.25m from the first lift of a scaffold. Working platform incomplete, no edge protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000366 (17/2/03) |
| Alan Swift | Fined £10,000 under CHSWR 1996. Roofer killed falling 2.25m from the first lift of a scaffold. Working platform incomplete, no edge protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000367 (17/2/03) |
| Grampian Country Chickens Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst clearing blockage in food processing machine. Inadequate RA. No safe system of work, instruction, training or supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000563 (18/2/03) |
| Barratt Homes Ltd | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Roofer injured falling 12m from scaffold. Missing inner ledger. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000381 (18/2/03) |
| Yoplait Dairy Crest Ltd | Guilty under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling 3m off an unprotected edge in the night whilst working alone. Inadequate RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F050000165 (19/2/03) |
| Total Rock Ltd | Fined £100 under ELCIR 1998 on each of three counts. No employers liability insurance on 20/6/02, 19/8/02 and 12/11/02. | HSE Prosecution Cases F060000370,4,5 (19/2/03) |
| Modern Construction Builders Ltd | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Member of the public injured falling into shallow pit of boiling water from leaking heating system. Fence vandalised but pits not covered. | HSE Prosecution Case F060000372 (19/2/03) |
| Mr John J Farley | Guilty under HASAWA 1974 s3. Haulier injured when box he was in fell from the tines of a telescopic materials handler on farm. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000642 (20/2/03) |
| Arden Windows Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using a moulding machine. Unsafe system of work. Inadequate training and instruction. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000478 (20/2/03) |
| Hazlewood Frozen Products Ltd | Fined £10,000 under MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998. Injured operating unguarded machine. Interlock regularly defeated. Previous guarding advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000776 (20/2/03) |
| Amarjit Singh | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / GSIUR 1998. Landlord failed to maintain gas appliance putting tenants at risk of CO poisoning. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000289 (20/2/03) |
| Naylor Drainage | Fined £14,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / PUWER 1998. Injured in a clay pipe making machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000331 (20/2/03) |
| Robert Farnworth | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Tractor with cab door missing being operated by 13yr old when it overturned injuring him. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000374 (20/2/03) |
| Frank Rodgers Building Contractors Ltd | Fined £3,500 under CHSWR 1996. Injured when boarded out floor joists were overloaded and collapsed. No supports. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000161 (20/2/03) |
| Simon Bromley | Fined £500 under ELCIR 1998. No employers liability insurance at time of a fatal accident. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000403 (21/2/03) |
| L&S Motors Ltd | Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. 15 yr old work placement student injured whilst assisting with burning waste at rear of petrol station. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000391 (21/2/03) |
| RJ & I Wells Ltd | Guilty under CHSWR 1996. Injured falling through fragile roof. No precautions. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000391 (21/2/03) |
| Rouco Ltd | Fined £2,500 under CHSWR 1996. Roof work at heights >2m without adequate edge protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000099 (21/2/03) |
| Nurturing good practice. | Proliferating 'good practice schemes'. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(4):46-47 |
| Prepare for January 2004. | Safety professionals should help Government, business and public services support EU efforts on consumer safety. (R Mackmurdo) | 'Gen Prod Safety Dir 2001/95/EC' Rev RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(4):12-16 |
| The fleet manager. | How Johnson & Johnson investigate work related road traffic accidents, although there is currently no legal requirement to do so. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(4):18-21 |
| Banged to rights. | Occupational health care provision in prisons. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(4):24-26,28-29 |
| Deputy PM moves to end fire dispute. | A Fire Services Bill has been introduced which will give the DPM powers to impose terms and conditions within the fire services. | Fire Prevention 2003 367 (April):3 |
| Whatever the Wether. | Fire protection at a Grade II listed building which has been converted into a pub. (R Gilbey) | Fire Prevention 2003 367 (April):17-19 |
| Sporting behaviour. | The ambiguities that exist when calculating evacuation provisions in new sports facilities. (S Buckley) | Fire Prevention 2003 367 (April):23-25 |
| Facing the music. | The multi-agency approach to managing fire safety at the Glastonbury festival. | Fire Prevention 2003 367 (April):29-31 |
| Smoking department. | A smoke management system in a department store. (Dr E Marchant) | Fire Prevention 2003 367 (April):35-37 |
| Positive progress. | Possible problems for UK brigades in implementing the use of positive pressure ventilation by fire fighters. (M Yates) | Fire Prevention 2003 367 (April):45-48 |
| Court emphasises importance of preventing railway crime. | Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd fined £15,000. Failure to maintain lineside fencing at a vandalism hotspot. Previous advice. The court emphasised the dangers of railway crime. | HSE Press Release E055:03 11/4/03 |
| Scottish Trades Unions playing their part in revitalising health and safety. | Bill Callaghan, HSC Chair thanked delegates at the Scottish TUC Conf for their work in helping promote better workplace H&S. | HSC Press Release C013:03 14/4/03 |
| Report highlights HSE's trusted role as risk regulator. | Research concludes that the HSE has high public trust, although the general public have little understanding of the core functions. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/index.htm HSE Press Release E057:03 15/4/03 |
| HSC talks to small businesses about how to cut risks. | Bill Callaghan, HSC Chair, and the H&S Commissioner for Small Businesses will be speaking at the Sunday Times Small Business Week, Earls Court on 28-30 April. | HSC Press Release C011:03 15/4/03 |
| New HSE research on principles of good manual handling. | Research examines the advice in the HSE's current guidance, with a view to revision and improvement. | RR097 Isbn 0-7176-2179-0 HSE £20 Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E056:03 15/4/03 |
| Harnesses and ladders under scrutiny in City of London. | Inspectors will be visiting construction sites in the City of London to check on the use of ladders and safety harnesses during April. | HSE Press Release E058:03 16/4/03 |
| HSE welcomes appointment of RAIB Chief Inspector. | Carolyn Griffiths has been appointed Chief Inspector of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch. | HSE Press Release E059:03 16/4/03 |
| HSE road safety webpage. | A new HSE site on work related road safety, including employers' duties and case studies. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/roadsafety/index.htm Safety Management 2003 (April):3 |
| HSE warns that it must reduce its planned expenditure significantly. | Treasury constraints mean that the HSE is going to be limited in the amount of funding available to spend. | Safety Management 2003 (April):3 |
| CBI calls for reform of employers' liability insurance system. | The CBI would like ELCI reform, by allowing insurance premiums to be more clearly linked to H&S performance. | Safety Management 2003 (April):4 |
| Accident book. | In accordance with the Data Protection Act, companies will require a new style accident book by 31/12/03. | From 19/5/03 Isbn 0-7176-2603-2 HSE £5.58 Tel:01787-881165 Safety Management 2003 (April):5 |
| VDUs – 'No excuse for RSI.' | Preventive action against workplace RSI can be taken easily and need not be costly. | Safety Management 2003 (April):6-8 |
| HSC proposes changes to police health and safety legislation. | It is proposed to transfer responsibility for the H&S of police officers from chief police officers to police authorities. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm Safety Management 2003 (April):16 |
| Invest in Britannic. | Tackling hazards in the office to ensure a safe environment. (F Stones) | Safety Management 2003 (April):18-20 |
| Leeds Council fined after children drown. | Leeds City Council fined £30,000 + £50,000 costs. Two schoolgirls slipped and drowned in rising waters during a school trip. Inadequate RA and training. | Safety Management 2003 (April):24-25 |
| Boy injured on school trip. | Jewish Senior Boys School fined £3,500 + £400 costs. During a school walking activity the teacher fell and broke a leg. A 14 yr old became separated and was injured falling 100m down a slope. Inadequate RA. | Safety Management 2003 (April):25 |
| Chemical company fined £12,000. | Tennants Distribution Ltd fined £12,000 + £5,472 costs. Contractor's tanker driver pumped sodium hypochlorite into HCl storage tank forming chlorine gas which affected 26 people. Poor training and supervision. | Safety Management 2003 (April):27 |
| Protective equipment. | PPE can be an essential tool in protecting workers from hazards when all other controls are exhausted. | Safety Management 2003 (April):32-34,36,38,40,42 |
| As safe as houses. | H&S and the Defence Housing Executive, which is responsible for building and repairing UK armed forces properties. (M Westphalen) | Safety Management 2003 (April):44-45 |
| Reducing exposure to solvents. | Guide to the safe use of industrial solvents which are used by over 2.5m people. | HSG188 Isbn 0-7176-166409 HSE £5.75 Safety Management 2003 (April):49 |
| RPE fit-testing advice. | An HSE guide on ensuring correct fitting of RPE. For both employers of staff who use RPE and companies that provide fit-test services. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/asbindex.htm Safety Management 2003 (April):51 |
| Asbestos lists. | Two HSE lists providing details of licensed asbestos removal contractors and training organisations. | Revised 3/3/03 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos Safety Management 2003 (April):51 |
| Safety systems. | An introduction to formal occupational safety and health management systems. | 'Systems in focus' IOSH Tel:0116-257-3116 Safety Management 2003 (April):51 |
| HSE warning over safety advice on upgrading personal computers. | The HSE has concerns about advice given in some computer magazines to home computer owners, on how to install electrostatic sensitive components in computers. | HSE Press Release E053:03 14/4/03 |
| Occupational exposure limits updated. | An updated list of Occupational Exposure Standards (OESs) and Maximum Exposure Limits (MELs) will be published in May 2003. | HSC Press Release C014:03 17/4/03 |
| HSE publishes revised guidance on the COSHH Regulations. | Revised following the introduction of COSHH 2002 and the requirements of the Substances Hazardous to Health (Amend) Regs 2003 which come into force on 29/4/03. | INDG136 rev2 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E060:03 22/4/03 |
| Addressing major causes of fatalities remains HSE Construction Division's priority in 2003/04. | The HSE Construction Division will continue to target the major causes of accidents and ill health in the construction industry. It has identified further priority areas in its Annual Work Plan. | HSE Press Release E061:03 24/4/03 |
| Share your innovative ways of handling dangerous substances and put British companies on top to win European award! | Nominations for Good Practice Awards to recognise outstanding and innovative ways of handling dangerous substances by British companies, are being sought by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. | HSE Press Release E062:03 24/4/03 |
| HSE receives award for facilitating exchange of information between international offshore regulators. | Head of the HSE's Offshore Division to receive International Leadership Award from the US Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service. | HSE Press Release E067:03 25/4/03 |
HSE Prosecutions Database (4 Feb 2007)
After a gap of around a year, HSE is now posting prosecutions again. We have started inputting cases with hearing dates after 1-Nov-2006 and will update new cases weekly as they are reported. In view of the volume of prosecutions now posted, we are not inputting previous cases. There will therefore be a gap in our database from a hearing date of 24 January 2006 until November 1st. Anyone not finding a case which may have been heard between January and November 2006, should therefore try searching the HSE Prosecutions database.
When the HSE relaunched the Prosecution database in January 2007, after a break of around a year, they appear to have changed the format of the case numbers. Therefore, for all entries with a hearing date before the 24 January 2006 you should search the HSE database using the defendants name instead of the case number we have quoted if you wish to check details for yourself.
Disclaimer
Whilst every effort is taken to ensure that H & S News entries are an accurate summary of the source data, at the time of publication on the HASTAM website, HASTAM cannot accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in transcription. Further, HASTAM cannot accept any responsibility for the content of the information to be found in the source materials.
HASTAM cannot accept any liability for any events arising from the use of this information. We strongly recommend that, if any information from any H & S News entry is to be used for any specific purpose, the original source is checked to confirm accuracy and to enable the user to take account of the full information. This is particularly important in the case of HSE Prosecutions where the HSE may have withdrawn a specific entry subsequent to its publication in H & S News. Entries can be checked using the search facility on www.hse-databases.co.uk/prosecutions
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