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H&S News September 2003
| Title | Comments | Publication |
| Being active over passive smoking. | What duty do employers have, given the mounting evidence of the dangers of passive smoking? (M Appleby) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):12 |
| HSE to cut back on the number of investigations. | In a pilot initiative until 2004, HSE inspectors are reducing the number and duration of investigations to enable them to spend more time on preventative activities. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):2 |
| Duty is in the eye of the beholder. | The public's negative perception of H&S and why it is seen as the villain. (T Weadick) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):6 |
| £5,000 fine for eye injury. | Hyperama Plc fined £5,000. Injured whilst using a craft knife to slice shrink wrap plastic from around a loaded pallet. No training or safe system of work. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):8 |
| Window fall death costs council £50,000. | Cambridgeshire CC fined £35,000 + £16,345 costs. 93 year old died falling from an unsecured 1st floor window at home for the elderly. No window restrictors fitted although previous advice. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):10 |
| Boss fined for lead contamination. | CEL Leadwork Contractors fined £4,000 + £10,000 costs. MD CE Leary fined £8,000. Manufacturer of lead sheet failed to comply with an Improvement Notice. Two workers had potentially dangerous blood lead levels. Broken toilet, no shower or separate changing facilities. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):10 |
| EU revamps its health and safety advisory committee. | The Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work came into being on 22/7/03 to help the EU draft, implement and evaluate H&S policies. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):17 |
| A risky business. (Pressure points Pt 3) | The prospects for the UK's occupational H&S system. (D Eves) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):26,28 |
| Alien nations. | The extent to which civil and criminal liabilities of UK employers might extend to hazards and accidents occurring to employees whilst working overseas. (K Bridges) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):30-32 |
| Contracting out doesn't mean opting out. | Many firms have a blind spot checking the safety standards of the contractors they hire, despite increasing compensation claims and indemnity insurance premiums. (J Ostler & P Dumbleton) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):35-37 |
| Get the facts before you act. | Implementing an evidence-based approach to managing H&S, so that decisions about risks and intervention are based on reliable information. (Dr L Vassie & Dr T Carter) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):38-41 |
| Must HSE be obeyed? | Ways of dealing with both disciplines at once since environmental responsibility is increasingly becoming part of a H&S practitioner's role. (A Ellis & A Rickmann) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2003 21(9):42-44 |
| HSE issues warning on safe working procedures offshore. | Following the prosecution of BP, the HSE has issued a warning to offshore duty holders to ensure they adequately implement and manage safe working procedures. | HSE Press Release E168:03 28/8/03 |
| Minister launches 2003 Construction Health and Safety Roadshow in Edinburgh. | Minister for Work, Des Browne, launched the 2003 Working Well Together Construction H&S Roadshow which will take H&S advice to construction sites. | Internet: www.wwt.uk.com HSC Press Release C043:03 1/9/03 |
| HSE publishes discussion document on first-aid at work. | The document is seeking opinions on the current First-Aid Regs, including cost effectiveness. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm HSE Press Release E162:03 2/9/03 |
| HSE and Step Change in Safety join forces for offshore Europe. | The 2 organisations share a stand at Offshore Europe Conf 2003 aiming to reinforce working together to secure the UK being the safest sector in the world oil and gas industry by 2010. | HSE Press Release E169:03 29/8/03 |
| Joint HSE and Step Change stand opens. | The head of the HSE's Offshore Div, Mr T Powell opened the stand at the Offshore Europe Conf on 2/9/03. | HSE Press Release E170:03 2/9/03 |
| Offshore safety performance grounds for optimism, says HSE. | HSE's Provisional Offshore Safety Statistics Bulletin 2002/03 show there were no deaths offshore compared to 3 in 2001/02. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/hid/osd/osdstats/stat0203.htm HSE Press Release E171:03 3/9/03 |
| Agriculture volunteers wanted to test new software. | The HSE wants volunteers from the farming industry to test pilot software designed to help farmers carry out H&S assessments. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/pilot/index.htm HSE Press Release E154:03 5/9/03 |
| Morgan & Co (Strood) Ltd | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Injured falling 4.5m through fragile roof light. Unsuitable precautions. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000400 (23/6/03) |
| Hanson Quarry Products Europe Ltd | Fined £75,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Killed falling into the pod of a mortar delivery vehicle whilst paddle inside was revolving under power. Inadequate guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000410 (23/6/03) |
| McLean Homes (NW & Cheshire) | Fined £150,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Construction site worker killed by reversing telehandler. H&S plan did not include hi-viz clothing or traffic management. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000402 (23/6/03) |
| Marley Floors Ltd | Fined £12,500 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst cleaning belt on MTC conveyor. Fixed guard removed and checklist did not cover MTC area. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000383 (25/6/03) |
| R O'Rourke Civil & Structural Engineering Ltd | Fined £1,500 under HASAWA 1974 s7. Injured whilst dismantling a billboard, when the bucket of an excavator in which he was standing, fell 5m. Quick hitch inadvertently opened by the driver. | HSE Prosecution Case F060000385 (25/6/03) |
| Nicholl & Wood Ltd | Fined £10,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / PUWER 1998. Agency worker injured whilst using a 10 tonne power press. Poor guarding, training and inspection. Other presses seen operating without guards. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000526 (25/6/03) |
| Stop N Steer Ltd | Fined £5,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / PUWER 1998. Unsupervised van driver injured, crushed against his own vehicle's lift post during repairs at defendant's premises. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000512 (26/6/03) |
| Remetal Total Reclamation Plant Ltd | Fined £5,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst cleaning a heat exchanger with an HP water jet. No risk or COSHH assessments. Unsuitable PPE. Ambulance service refused to enter because of ammonium level and RPE required. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000778 (26/6/03) |
| Frank Galliers Ltd | Fined £9,600 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / CHSWR 1996. Sub-contractor's worker injured falling 5m through unprotected opening in pitched roof. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000477 (26/6/03) |
| J Fletcher (Engineers) Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Breaches under these regulations. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000416 (26/6/03) |
| Ramco Tubular Services Ltd | Fined £5,000 under LOLER 1998. Injured by falling tubulars during a lifting operation which was not properly planned, supervised, or carried out in a safe manner. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000605 (26/6/03) |
| Robin Butler | Fined £500 under HASAWA 1974 s3 & s33. 4 year old child seen on a telehandler on defendant's farm property. Non compliance with an Improvement Notice requiring resolution of child safety issues. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000402 (27/6/03) |
| Steve Primmett | Guilty under PACAG 1998. 4 year old child seen on a telehandler driven by Mr Primmett. The risk of injury high and persons likely to be injured were vulnerable. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000403 (27/6/03) |
| Lasertronics Ltd | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Inadequate procedures and policies for dealing with a hazardous operation. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000588 (27/6/03) |
| Start at the top and work together to reduce accidents and ill-health, urges watchdog. | The HSC's business plan for 2003-04 has 8 priority programmes covering falls from height, transport, musculoskeletal disorders, stress, health services, agriculture, construction and slips and trips. | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(9):10 |
| Supporting NHS staff overseas. | The Dept of Health toolkit raises awareness of issues surrounding voluntary work overseas by NHS staff and includes workers' health, safety and welfare. | Internet: www.doh.gov.uk Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(9):4 |
| Expecting the unexpected. | Emergency planning for health protection in the UK and Sweden should there be a need to respond to a terrorist attack. (E Gates) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(9):15-16,18 |
| Enabling acts. | How to distinguish between health, safety and disability issues. (D Abbott) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(9):20,22 |
| The work-life equation. | Juggling work and personal commitments can affect employees' health and well being. (R Bunn) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(9):23-24 |
| Routes to competence. | Assessments and accreditation and the differences between the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) and Qualifications & Curriculum Authority (QCA). (P Hughes) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(9):31-33 |
| A story of substance. | Safe handling of dangerous substances. (D Waight) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(9):34 |
| A-Z of personal protection: Overheated? | Working in hot environments including bakeries. (Dr J Forrest) | Health and Safety at Work 2003 25(9):45-46 |
| Bridge deaths: men unlawfully killed. | An inquest into the deaths of 4 workers who fell from a cradle under Avonmouth Bridge in 1999, has ruled they were unlawfully killed. The CPS will review its decision not to prosecute anyone for manslaughter. | RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Sept/Oct):4 |
| Asbestos risks ignored. | Middleton Maint Serv Ltd and Couch Consulting Engrs (Mids) Ltd each fined £12,500 + £6,000 costs. Workers carried on after damaging boiler room pipe lagging containing asbestos. Told to leave and structural engineers informed. Later workers again entered the room without PPE. | RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Sept/Oct):5 |
| Fire prevention guidance. | Fire RA video to help employers understand the basic principles of detecting and coping with fire hazards. | 'Fire RA at work' FPA £79.50 + VAT RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Sept/Oct):8 |
| Workplace monitoring – Do's and Don'ts. | Part 3 of 'Employment practices data protection code – monitoring at work' gives employers guidance about employee monitoring in the workplace. | Internet: www.dataprotection.gov.uk/dpr/dpdoc.nsf RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Sept/Oct):9 |
| Road crash investigation. | A road accident and the internal investigation. Account by Joan Dylan, a Johnson & Johnson rep. (N Cook) | RoSPA Safety Express 2003 (Sept/Oct):10-11 |
| HSE looking at safe work at height. | A new campaign focusing on working safely at height. | HSC Press Release C044:03 8/9/03 |
| CIP (Business Services) Ltd | Fined £3,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Whilst walking on the pavement, a member of the public injured during felling operations. Poor RA and inadequate precautions. | HSE Prosecution Case F060000368 (30/6/03) |
| WRR Pedley & Co Ltd | Fined £2,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst using an 80 ton press. Poor maintenance. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000577 (30/6/03) |
| Universal Coatings Co Ltd t/a Cookgate Ltd | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Inexperienced worker injured falling through rooflight. No precautions. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000198 (30/6/03) |
| Johnsons Apparelmaster Ltd | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Contractor's inexperienced worker injured falling through rooflight. No precautions. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000199 (30/6/03) |
| Mr Lance Fawcett | Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974 s37. Two electrical company workers told by Director to repair gutter of his privately owned industrial unit. No precautions, protection, or training. Unsafe access. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000520 (1/7/03) |
| Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999 / COSHH 1999. Overcome by MEK fumes caused by a spillage, whilst repairing pipework in an enclosed duct. No RA, safe system of work, training, information or instruction. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000411 (2/7/03) |
| Coldseal Ltd | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Whilst fitting 1st floor replacement window, fell after being struck by a section of guttering. Balanced on a ladder and sloping roof. | HSE Prosecution Case F160000418 (2/7/03) |
| Wrapid Packaging Systems Ltd | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured releasing a jam on a bag machine. The interlock override facility overridden by setter. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000521 (3/7/03) |
| Inflight Catering Services Ltd | Fined £7,500 under PUWER 1998 / WHSWR 1992 / MHSWR 1999. Injured falling from the platform of a catering truck. Failure to secure and correctly use bridge plate. No training. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000660 (4/7/03) |
| Strathearn (Aberdeen) Ltd | Fined £3,000 under CHSWR 1996. Two injured falling from a 4m tower scaffold. No guard rails fitted. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000117 (4/7/03) |
| HSE publishes latest statistics on occupational ill health. | 'Occup Health Statistics Bulletin 2002/03' reports that, in GB, 2.3m people self-reported work-related ill health in 2001/2, with 33m working days lost. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/ohsb0203.pdf HSE Press Release E174:03 11/9/03 |
| BSI working towards road risk standards. | In the UK, 33% of all road traffic accidents involve people driving for work. The BSI aims to set new national and European standards for transport H&S. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):4 |
| Dangerous electrical work crackdown. | Each year, 30 people die in accidents with defective fixed electrical installations in the home. This type of work has now been brought within the scope of the Building Regs. | 'Building Regs 2000: Schedule 1 amendments' RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):6 |
| Teachers' risk education course. | RoSPA, HSE and the Univ of Central England are producing a pilot scheme to incorporate risk management into Initial Teacher Training programs. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):7 |
| WorkCare rehab centres opened. | The Government scheme to help get those on long-term sick leave back to work has launched two dedicated rehabilitation centres in Orpington and B'ham. | Internet: www.workcare.co.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):10 |
| But names can hurt us. (Pt 2) | Workplace violence and name-calling. (R Mackmurdo) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):12-14 |
| Health and the high life. | Investing in the health of aircraft flight crew and passengers. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):20-22,24-26 |
| The competitive edge. | The 2003 GlaxoSmithKline Environmental H&S Challenge. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):28-31 |
| Cinemas. | Conducting an RA in a cinema. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):34-36,38 |
| The breach and the observance. | Most existing community policing seems to be directed at everything except involving the community in road policing efforts. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2003 33(9):51-52 |
| NAO reveals risks for servicemen. | A National Audit Office report claims that many accidents in the armed forces could be avoided. | Internet: www.nao.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2003 32(9):1-2 |
| HSE stops work on construction sites. | During June's 'Don't fall for it' inspection blitz on falls from height, work was stopped at 25% of the construction sites visited. | HSC Newsletter 2003 (150)August:3 |
| 'High 5' ways to make construction safe. | A leaflet explaining 5 ways to safer construction, for those running and working on small sites. Part of the Working Well Together campaign. | Internet: www.wwt.uk.com HSC Newsletter 2003 (150)August:23 |
| Dealing with offshore emergencies. | Aimed at managers and supervisors, this updated guidance deals with the responsibilities of the DoT, HSE, police and DTI. | Isbn 0-7176-2684-9 £10.50 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSC Newsletter 2003 (150)August:23 |
| Access to telephone data vital for health and safety investigations. | The Home Office has laid an Order renewing HSE's power to obtain limited information on telephone subscribers as part of their investigations. | HSC Press Release C046:03 12/9/03 |
| Manufacturer jailed after forging valve safety certificates for oil and gas platforms. | Mr P Timson t/a Nixon Industrial Valves and VSL Valve Products Ltd jailed after admitting charges of forging safety certificates for ball valves. | HSE Press Release E176:03 12/9/03 |
| Pilot success for workers safety advisors. | A report on the Worker Safety Advisors pilot scheme to deploy advisors into small firms. | HSC Press Release C045:03 15/9/03 |
| Working at height – HSE and Virgin Atlantic Airways solve problems together. | HSE and industry co-operation in designing an aircraft hanger to solve the problems of working at height in the aircraft maintenance industry. | HSE Press Release E175:03 15/9/03 |
| Nuclear safety advisor wanted. | The HSC is looking to appoint a new chairperson for the Nuclear Safety Advisory Committee. | Application details from Mr C Potter Tel:020-7717-6864 HSC Press Release C048:03 17/9/03 |
| HSE warns of potential problems with 'temporary tattoo' equipment. | Hand-held machines used for semi-permanent tattoos may produce a serious risk to health and guidance will soon be available for those thinking of having micropigmentation. | HSE Press Release E177:03 17/9/03 |
| HSE publishes guidance on work-related road safety. | Aimed at employers, with staff who drive or ride a motorcycle or bicycle at work. Managing work-related road safety effectively and integrating it into H&S arrangements. | INDG382 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg382.pdf HSE Press Release E178:03 17/9/03 |
| New guidance on safe handling of cytotoxic drugs. | Potential health hazards and surveillance for those who handle antineoplastic, anticancer or chemotherapy (cytotoxic) drugs. | MISC615 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc615.pdf HSE Press Release E179:03 19/9/03 |
| Hills Minerals & Waste Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst unhitching a tow rope when towing vehicle reversed. No safe system of work although identified in RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000664 (7/7/03) |
| Rieter Automotive Carpets Ltd | Fined £14,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured by rotating table of UHF welder whilst repairing an hydraulic leak. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000528 (7/7/03) |
| Rieter Automotive Carpets Ltd | Fined £18,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Failed to ensure safety of employee repairing vectra line UHF welder. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000529 (7/7/03) |
| DJ Broady Ltd | Fined £400,000 under CHSWR 1996. During demolition, gable end of house collapsed onto garden of neighbouring occupied property. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000167 (7/7/03) |
| Peterborough Roofing Co Ltd | Fined £2,000 under CHSWR 1996. Two men, including a director, worked on a fragile roof with only 2 scaffold boards, short access ladder and no protection for members of the public. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000204 (7/7/03) |
| TVR Engineering Ltd | Fined £2,000 under NCTECR 1992. Failure to notify the local authority of the installation of a wet cooling tower in 1997. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000351 (9/7/03) |
| Mr J Mackie | Fined £2,500 under CHSWR 1996. Worker seen working on part completed roof, uncovered fragile roof light, no edge protection. Previous Prohibition Notice and advice. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000227 (9/7/03) |
| AES Drax Power Ltd | Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Two injured whilst removing hot dust in boiler economiser ducting. Similar incident earlier when 2 others also suffered burns. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000514 (10/7/03) |
| Interserve Industrial Services Ltd | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Two injured whilst removing hot dust in boiler economiser ducting. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000519 (10/7/03) |
| University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. A patient died whilst under general anaesthetic, partially due to a valve failure on an inadequately maintained machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000464 (11/7/03) |
| University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust | Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3, following a fatality of a vulnerable person. Well known risk and significant previous advice. Linked to another current prosecution. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000493 (11/7/03) |
| ADS Recycling Ltd | Fined £13,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 & s3 / MHSWR 1999. Accident to a prisoner whilst on work experience. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000362 (11/7/03) |
| Fulcrum Connections Ltd | Fined £36,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 & s3. Following the Briestfield explosion. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000183 (11/7/03) |
| Work deaths have fallen by 10% but HSC Chief says critics misrepresent the HSE over stress, temporary work at heights and prosecution of police. | After criticism of the HSC and HSE following the failed prosecution of Metropolitan Police Commissioners and enforcement action involving an NHS Trust, Bill Callaghan has accused his critics of misrepresentation. | Safety Management 2003 (Sept):2-3 |
| HSE serves Improvement Notice on NHS Trust over stress at work. | In the first case of its kind, West Dorset Gen Hospitals Trust has been issued with an Improvement Notice regarding failure to carry out an RA and the lack of a policy on prevention of work related stress. | Safety Management 2003 (Sept):4 |
| Corporate pollution report. | Average fines for environmental offences have risen but this is failing to prevent some large companies from causing pollution. | 'Spotlight on business envir perf 2002' Internet: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business Safety Management 2003 (Sept):14-16 |
| Rail report shows no improvement in worker safety. | In 2002/3 the risk of injury on the railways fell by10% but there has been no progress in improving workforce safety. | RSSB 'Annual safety performance 2002/03' Internet: www.rssb.co.uk Safety Management 2003 (Sept):18 |
| Training days. | Training young people about the importance of H&S. (M Westphalen) | Safety Management 2003 (Sept):21 |
| Royal Ordnance fined £100,000 after three workers suffer burns in oil tank explosion. | Royal Ordnance fined £100,000 + £16,609 costs. Whilst decommissioning two oil tanks, subcontractor's workers injured when vapour from a tank ignited. No adequate procedures for controlling the activities of contractors. | Safety Management 2003 (Sept):23 |
| Electrical failings at lab equipment firm. | LEEC Ltd fined £49,500 + £4,416 and LEEC (Dev) Ltd fined £36,000 + £2,547 costs. 16 potential risks to workers' H&S including poor machinery and electrical maintenance, and asbestos. | Safety Management 2003 (Sept):24-25 |
| Steel fabricator fined for fatality. | NEF Ltd fined £10,000 + £3,804 costs. Killed when a stack of fabricated steel toppled over, after it was struck by an overhead crane. No safe system of work. | Safety Management 2003 (Sept):30 |
| Slips, trips and falls. | Common causes of slips, trips and falls at work and some ways to prevent them. | Safety Management 2003 (Sept):32-34,36,38,40,42 |
| A swift turnaround. | Staff training and accident investigation have led to improvements in the safety performance of an automotive components firm. (M Westphalen) | Safety Management 2003 (Sept):44-45 |
| Dangerous goods laws. | The HSC is considering its response to the recent Con Doc on proposals to simplify the law on the carriage of dangerous goods in the UK. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/index.htm Safety Management 2003 (Sept):50 |
| Asbestos work and RPE. | The correct selection of respiratory protective equipment for work with asbestos materials. | INDG288 HSE Tel:01787-881165 Safety Management 2003 (Sept):51 |
| UK fire statistics show mixed picture. | In 2002, UK fire brigades attended 529,400 fires, up 3% on 2001 but the number of building fires fell by 4% to 107,000. | 'Fire Statistics Monitor' ODPM Internet: www.odpm.gov.uk/fire Fire Prevention 2003 372 (Sept):3 |
| Vegas visions. | The fire safety measures installed in the 135 storey Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas, USA. (A Mirkhah) | Fire Prevention 2003 372 (Sept):23-25 |
| Life assurance. | The role of fire safety specialists during the lifetime of a building. (DS Miller) | Fire Prevention 2003 372 (Sept):31-33 |
| Kitchen expertise. | Managing fire risks in kitchen extractor systems. (D Miles) | Fire Prevention 2003 372 (Sept):41-43 |
| Changing temperature. | Many insurers refuse to insure premises containing combustible cored composite panels such as those used in temperature controlled food storage. (A Hayes) | Fire Prevention 2003 372 (Sept):48-50 |
| Cold considerations. | The demands of large cold stores challenge many of the traditional fire fighting approaches. (I Gough) | Fire Prevention 2003 372 (Sept):59-61 |
| HSE invites duty holders to help with duty to manage asbestos review. | A website questionnaire for duty holders to inform the HSE of progress with the duty to manage asbestos which becomes law on 21/5/04. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/asbestos HSE Press Release E181:03 23/9/03 |
| Teacher pleads guilty following Glenridding drowning. | Mr P Ellis has pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the death of a 10 yr old on a school trip. Swept away whilst involved in jumping into a rock pool. | HSE Press Release E183:03 23/9/03 |
| One in ten London workplaces failing to prevent falls from height. | In a London inspection blitz of 494 workplaces, 47 enforcement notices were issued. | HSE Press Release E187:03 24/9/03 |
| Horticulture blitz targets growers in Yorkshire. | In October, inspectors will visit horticultural sites examining workplace transport, falls from height, manual handling, welfare facilities and information, instruction and training for seasonal workers. | HSE Press Release E186:03 24/9/03 |
| Statement on HSE investigation of Brent Bravo incident, 11 Sept 2003. | Two workers suffocated whilst working in the utility leg of the Brent Bravo platform. The investigation is ongoing. | HSE Press Release E184:03 25/9/03 |
| 25,000th visitor to Construction Safety Roadshow. | The Working Well Together Construction H&S Roadshow has received its 25,000th visitor during a stopover in Manchester. | HSC Press Release C050:03 25/9/03 |
| Rolls Royce nuclear safety reviewed. | The NII has completed the assessment of RR Marine Power Operations Ltd safety review and the site will be able to continue operation until the end of 2012 subject to ongoing works. | HSE Press Release E185:03 25/9/03 |
| Health and Safety Commissioners see practical benefit of Inside UK Enterprise scheme. | The IUKE scheme is a unique programme which offers small businesses the opportunity to tackle H&S problems. | Internet: www.iuke.co.uk/ HSC Press Release C047:03 25/9/03 |
| SR Rich Industrial Roofing Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Work on fragile roof with no precautions. Work subject to a Prohibition Notice. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000430 (14/7/03) |
| Andrew Brook Lawson | Fined £1,500 under PPEWR 1992 / PUWER 1998. Injured whilst removing tree branches with a chainsaw. No PPE or formal training. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000415 (14/7/03) |
| Mr Jack Adams | Guilty under HASAWA 1974 s33. Obstruction by director who was company secretary. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000340 (14/7/03) |
| Longslow Food Group Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Visiting driver injured by FLT. Previous advice and enforcement on workplace transport. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000786 (15/7/03) |
| South Staffordshire Freight Services Ltd | Fined £7,000 under FA 1961 / MHSWR 1999. Injured whilst brazing diesel tank of lorry. Drained tank but no further precautions. Normal practice. No RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000480 (15/7/03) |
| Stephen Edward Hartfil | Fined £2,000 under PUWER 1998. Operating a Johnson semi-mounted digger behind his tractor. The PTO shaft and rear belt and pulley unguarded. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000417 (15/7/03) |
| Tamaris Healthcare (England) Ltd | Fined £13,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Whilst asleep, a frail resident slipped between mattress and cotside and died. Poor installation and adjustment of cotside. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000396 (15/7/03) |
| Belliston Quarry Co | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured by the tail drum of crushing plant. Poor guarding, no RA, information, instruction or supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000585 (15/7/03) |
| Circle Britannia Ltd | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling through fragile roof. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000192 (15/7/03) |
| Foulds Ltd | Fined £4,500 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst operating reel-up. No guarding or RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000522 (16/7/03) |
| Sphinx Commercials Ltd | Fined £5,000 under CHSWR 1996 / PUWER 1998. During demolition, unsafe work at height and unsafe excavator. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000185 (16/7/03) |
| Solid Swivel Co Ltd | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998. Clothing entangled in drill. Repeated breach after previous accident and advice. Poor standard of H&S management. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000586 (17/7/03) |
| Dent & Partners | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. On construction site, roofer injured falling 5m through opening. No fall protection. Inadequate method statement, instruction and supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000476 (17/7/03) |
| James William Alston | Fined £2,700 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Whilst driving a JCB with bucket raised, obscuring view ahead, a director knocked down a delivery driver to the farm. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000423 (18/7/03) |
| John Malcolm Saunders | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s36. Workers carrying out roof work at 5m. No scaffold, edge protection, or lanyards. Inadequate ladder access. Prohibition Notice issued. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000581 (18/7/03) |
| C Smith & Sons (Rochdale) Ltd | Fined £13,400 under CAWR 1987. Demolition of asbestos cement clad building at old brick works. Inadequate precautions. Prohibition Notice issued. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000229 (18/7/03) |
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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