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H&S News April 2004
| Title | Comments | Publication |
| Providing access. | The Disability Discrimination Act (Pt III) comes into force in Oct 2004. Businesses that provide goods, services or facilities to the public must ensure that everyone has equal access. | Disability Rights Comm Internet: www.open4all.org RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2004 33(3):4-5 |
| Doubts over nuclear clean-up. | The Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Comm considers the remit of the proposed new Nuclear Decommissioning Authority is too vague. | 'RWMAC response to the Nuclear Sites & Radioactive Substances Bill' Internet: www.defra.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2004 33(3):1-2 |
| Customer care. | Under the EC's revised Gen Product Safety Directive, manufacturers have a legal duty to inform authorities of dangerous items. Products complying with specific EU standards will be regarded as meeting safety requirements in all states. | Internet: http://europa.eu.int/comm/consumers/cons_safe/prod_safe/ gpsd/guidance_gpsd_en.pdf RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2004 33(3):3-4 |
| Small construction sites welcome White Van Health and Safety Roadshow. | The Working Well Together Campaign's White Van Roadshow has proved very successful, visiting >60 small construction sites during March 2004. | HSC Press Release C012:04 30/3/04 |
| HSC urges bids for grants as WSA Challenge Fund opens for business. | Bill Callaghan has urged business organisations to bid for government grants of >£100,000 to get more workers in small firms involved and working with employers on H&S. | Workers' Safety Advisors information. Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/workers/involvement/wsachallenge.htm HSC Press Release C013:04 31/3/04 |
| HSE publishes improved guidance on preventing handling injuries. | Two new revised manual handling guidance documents, to help employers and workers take sensible steps to reduce injuries. | L23 Isbn 0-7176-2823-X £8.95 INDG143 Isbn 0-7176-2828-0 HSE Tel: 01787-881165 HSE Press Release E040:04 31/3/04 |
| Two companies fined for workers' injuries. | Zurich Man Services Ltd and Railcare Ltd each fined £17,000 + £8,265 costs. Two injured when an overloaded mobile elevated work platform overturned. Failure to properly plan a lifting operation. | HSE Press Release E043:04 31/3/04 |
| Mr Trevor Michael Wood | Fined £1,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst using a circular saw. Inadequate training. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000503 (20/1/04) |
| Mitsubishi Elect Air Condition Systems Europe Ltd | Fined £2,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst operating a computer controlled pipe bending machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000624 (20/1/04) |
| Joto Ltd | Fined £350 under HASAWA 1974 s6. A spiral binding closing press supplied to user. CE marked but access to tools and interlock in a negative fail to danger mode. Instruction manual did not mention adjustable front guard. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000319 (21/1/04) |
| Nottinghamshire County Council | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 & s3 / MHSWR 1999. NCC and Ollerton TC workers injured falling 3m during installation of tree lights adjacent to a road. Working platform struck by an HGV. Poor planning, instruction and supervision. Unsafe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000436 (21/1/04) |
| Ollerton & Boughton Town Council | Fined £1,000 under MHSWR 1999. Ollerton TC and NCC workers injured during installation of tree lights when working platform struck by an HGV. Failure to co-ordinate and co-operate effectively with NCC during planning and installation. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000437 (21/1/04) |
| John N Jack (Kinross) Ltd | Fined £1,000 under CHSWR 1996. Worker injured. No fall arrest system and inadequate support on a roof known to incorporate fragile roof sheets. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000152 (21/1/04) |
| Covrad Heat Transfer Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured using a radial arm drill when glove became caught. Defective safety device, guards not maintained and no supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000604 (22/1/04) |
| Bilal Halal Meat Ltd | Fined £18,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / EWR 1989. Injured due to poorly maintained electrical systems. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000618 (23/1/04) |
| Russell Roof Tiles Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst clearing blockage inside racking plant enclosure fence when plant was operational. Failure to ensure safety of workers. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000509 (23/1/04) |
| Consultation on new Noise at Work Regulations. | Con doc on the proposed regulations and guidance implementing the European Physical Agents (Noise) Dir. Main change being 5dB reduction of exposure action levels. | CD196 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult/live.htm HSC Press Release C014:04 5/4/04 |
| Major injuries soar offshore. | Offshore oil and gas industry provisional figures 2002/03 show a 36% increase in major injuries and a combined fatal and major injury rate of 287.5 per 100,000 workers. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/statistics/hsr1003/index.htm Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):4 |
| Mobile ban sparks added road risk. | Since the ban on using hand held mobile phones when driving, fleet drivers have reported near misses, with cars parked in dangerous places whilst drivers answer calls. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):6 |
| One fifth of sites fail healthy handling test. | During the construction site blitz in London, E and SE England concentrating on handling and using tools, 66 Enforcement Notices were issued between 8-15/3/04. | Healthy Handling Helpline Tel:01582-444248 Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):6 |
| Red tape is red rag to the business bull. | A recent IoD survey found that, after employment law, H&S is the biggest irritation for UK business in terms of distraction of management time and compliance costs. | Inst of Directors Internet: www.iod.com Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):6 |
| Aluminium worker escaped injury by chance. | Zeus Aluminium Products fined £18,000 + £3,496 costs. During a transfer of molten metal between furnaces a hoist failed and a 490kg ladle fell spreading molten metal near a worker. Poor maintenance. Lifting equipment not made available for inspection. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):8 |
| Legionnaires' disease fatality brings NHS Trust's deficiencies to light. | Basildon & Thurrock Univ Hospitals NHS Trust fined £25,000 + £ 12,225 costs. Following admission to the cardiac unit a patient contracted Legionnaires' Disease and later died. Inadequate monitoring of the hot water system. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):10 |
| Filthy workplace facilities cost food firm £40,000. | Giro Food fined £40,000 + £1,500 costs. During inspection, staff facilities were filthy. Unprotected stock stored 4 pallets high. Failure to provide suitable facilities. No H&S training. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):14 |
| Health and safety overrides employment law. | The Court of Appeal and Employment Appeal Tribunal have confirmed that, if workplace adjustments and alternatives are exhausted, the overriding obligation is on employers to comply with H&S law which may necessitate dismissal to protect a worker from H&S risks. (K Bridges) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):14 |
| SMEs worst for health and safety, EC report says. | An EC report found SMEs have the worst record for implementing European H&S legislation. The public sector and industries using a lot of temporary labour have most difficulty. | Internet: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2004/com2004_0062en01.pdf Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):18 |
| Could it be you? | Personal liability and the worries of professionals that they could be fined or imprisoned for doing their job. (D Collins) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):26-28 |
| Proficiency unravelled. | The proficiency minefield and judging competency in H&S. (L Waterman) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):30-32 |
| Size matters. | Nuneaton & Bedworth BC's award winning 'Health & Safety Matters' initiative to assist local SMEs comply with H&S law. (S Moore) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):34-36 |
| Zero tolerance. | Eye protection and the apparent acceptance of the lack of progress. (R Deter) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):39-40 |
| Easy on the eye. | The DSE Regulations and who pays for the provision of glasses for VDU work. (D Abbott) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2004 22(4):42-44 |
| HSE meets adventure activities sector to discuss working at height. | Representative from HSE and the Adventure Activities Sector met to discuss the draft Working at Height Regs. Key topics included ropes, fragile surfaces, danger areas and National Governing Bodies Guidance. | HSE Press Release E044:04 2/4/04 |
| Ladbroke Grove rail collision: sentencing of Thames Trains – Statement by the HSE. | Thames Trains fined £2million + £75,000 costs. Ass Chief Insp of Railways stated that there had been serious omissions in the company's driver training programme. | Background info. Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/railways/information.htm HSE Press Release E045:04 5/4/04 |
| Minimising risks to farm visitors from animal bacteria. | HSE are reminding farmers and others responsible for farmland used for recreation about the risks to visitors from organisms living in the guts of animals. | Agric Inf Sheet 23 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ais23.pdf HSE Press Release E046:04 7/4/04 |
| Jaffabox Ltd | Fined £3,500 under PUWER 1998. Injured at in-running nip of a casemaker. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000616 (26/1/04) |
| Platts Forge Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst operating a double headed drilling machine. No guards or emergency stop button and inaccessible on/off switch. RA carried out but no remedial action. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000621 (26/1/04) |
| William Mitchell Ltd | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst using a power press. Inadequate guarding and setting regimes. Previous breaches within the group. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000634 (26/1/04) |
| Higgins Agriculture Ltd | Fined £750 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling from unsecured ladders during potato harvesting. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000608 (26/1/04) |
| Stokes Forgings Dudley Ltd | Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling through skylight whilst undertaking roof work. No edge protection, RA or safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000611 (27/1/04) |
| Leon Motor Services Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Driver injured by reversing coach in yard. Poor separation of pedestrians and vehicles. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000360 (27/1/04) |
| TeamSpeed | Guilty under HASAWA 1974 s33. Non compliance with an Improvement Notice requiring provision of a safe system of work to prevent falls. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000436 (28/1/04) |
| Mr Jason William Prosser | Fined £500 under HASAWA 1974 s7. Lifeguard responsible for area of an outdoor swimming pool in which a person drowned. Failure to take reasonable care. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000530 (28/1/04) |
| Scarborough Borough Council | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Person drowned in outdoor swimming pool. Lifeguard inadequately trained. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000531 (28/1/04) |
| Tayside Primary Care NHS Trust | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Following a fatality. Failure to take all reasonable steps to reduce the risk of patients hanging themselves. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000571 (28/1/04) |
| HG Blake (Costessey) Ltd | Fined £2,000 under PUWER 1998. Maintenance engineer injured whilst using electricity generator. Poorly guarded cooling fan. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000454 (29/1/04) |
| Mr David Rickson | Fined £250 under ELCIR 1998. No certificate of Employers' Liability Compulsory Insurance. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000453 (29/1/04) |
| WE Rawson Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst clearing blockage between conveyor belts near guillotine blade. No guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000552 (30/1/04) |
| Decopac Ltd | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Agency worker injured falling whilst emptying rubbish into skip. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000554 (30/1/04) |
| Finley Structures Ltd | Fined £10,000 under WHSWR 1992. Killed after falling 3m from a trailer loaded with steel and being struck by falling metal. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000431 (30/1/04) |
| Mr Frederick James Simpson | Fined £800 under CHSWR 1996. Roof work being carried out without suitable fall prevention. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000630 (30/1/04) |
| Mr Ashraff Jaddoo | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Non compliance with an Improvement Notice requiring control of risks from hot surfaces. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000434 (2/2/04) |
| Mr Andrew Paul Newman | Fined £300 under HASAWA 1974 s7. FLT driver injured when struck by another FLT, the driver of which was looking in another direction. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000623 (2/2/04) |
| Ms Jane Anne Swinburne | Fined £750 under HASAWA 1974 s33. Falsifying a landlord's gas safety record. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000414 (2/2/04) |
| Bedmax Ltd | Fined £1,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Contractor injured falling 5m through a plastic roof light whilst walking across a fibre cement roof to gain access to external plant. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000425 (2/2/04) |
| Mr T Smalley | Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s37. Director failed to take reasonable measures to ensure contractor safety. Injured falling 5m through a plastic roof light whilst walking across a fibre cement roof to gain access to external plant. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000426 (2/2/04) |
| Landmark ruling on workplace bullying. | The Court of Appeal has overturned a 30 year old reading of employment law. Employers found to have allowed bullying to take place could be liable for compensation claims in addition to economic loss of income – eg for stress. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):7 |
| UK chemicals strategy consultation. | A Con Doc on improving the effectiveness of measures to protect the environment and human health from some synthetic chemicals, especially those not covered by positive approvals regimes. | Internet: www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/ synthetic-chemicals/index.htm RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):4 |
| Vet attack: farmer gaoled. | Farmer Mr R Baker gaoled for 2 years following an attack on a vet and an animal health inspector who were filming a dead lamb and emaciated cattle on his land. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):6 |
| Elderly woman asphyxiated by bed rails. | Moorcare Ltd fined £20,000. Resident with a history of falling out of bed, died trapped between bed and non standard side rails. No RA. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):7 |
| National transport workers survey. | A TGWU initiative involving employers in the road haulage and distribution industry in a national survey of standards of H&S to improve working conditions for transport workers. | Internet: www.tgwu.org.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):8 |
| Managing road risk: the insurance benefit. | RoSPA has introduced new insurance services for members, with reduced premiums for those showing a commitment to better standards of driving. | RoSPA Tel:0870-777-2227 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):12-14 |
| Lottery results. | Recent court cases confirm that employers who risk people's lives face a lottery in criminal sentencing and civil compensation. (R Mackmurdo) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):16-17 |
| Taking the flak. | Addressing mental ill-health in the armed forces. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):20-24 |
| Retail therapy. | A supermarket manager on the job pressures and the ever present threat of violence. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):26-28,30-31 |
| Do it yourself. | Undertaking an RA for DIY, some of the main hazards and measures to control the risks to H&S. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):38-40,42 |
| Competent directors? | How competent are directors to be the appointed person at board level to champion H&S and exercise strategic leadership. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2004 34(4):54-55 |
| The Department for Transport's rail review – the Health and Safety Commission publishes its response. | The response discusses H&S law on the railways, current industry problems and sets out solutions being taken forward. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/railways/liveissues.htm HSC Press Release C015:04 13/4/04 |
| John Bunce t/a JB Fabrications | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. A failure to install crane almost led to the deaths of 2 men. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000607 (3/2/04) |
| Stevenage Borough Council | Fined £16,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling 2.7m whilst working on the edge of a waste container. No guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000361 (4/2/04) |
| Deeparch Ltd | Fined £5,000 under RIDDOR 1995 / COSHH 1999 / WHSWR 1992. Director injured working at a vapour degreasing tank and died 2 weeks later. Not reported. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000504 (5/2/04) |
| Mr A Robson | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Injured falling 10-15' from scaffold boards being lifted by a tele-handler during re-roofing work. No safe system of work. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000296 (5/2/04) |
| Hick Lane Bedding Plc | Fined £4,000 under PUWER 1998. During inspection, 3 machines in mattress making dept seen working with guards not in place and interlocks defeated. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000555 (6/2/04) |
| Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd | Fined £17,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Failed to ensure track maintenance contractor was carrying out points maintenance on 500 sets, in accordance with the relevant RT Group Standard. | HSE Prosecution Case F220000039 (6/2/04) |
| First Engineering Ltd | Fined £17,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Failed to carry out points maintenance work on 500 sets in accordance with the relevant RT Group Standard. | HSE Prosecution Case F220000041 (6/2/04) |
| Balfour Beatty Rail Infrastructure Services Ltd | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Worker hammered a metal lighting spike through a 25,000v cable which had become buried by ballast. | HSE Prosecution Case F220000064 (6/2/04) |
| Torrent Trackside Ltd | Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Worker hammered a metal lighting spike through a 25,000v cable which had become buried by ballast. | HSE Prosecution Case F220000065 (6/2/04) |
| Companies warned to bin mailshot from fake 'Health & Safety' agencies. | HSE has urged companies to ignore information from 3 firms purporting to regulate H&S legislation. These are: H&S Enforcement Agency, H&S Compliance Agency and H&S Registration Enforcement Div. | HSE's legitimate 'H&S Starter Pack' Isbn 0-7176-2738 £30 HSE Internet: www.hsebooks.com HSE Press Release E053:04 20/4/04 |
| Corporate killing proposals 'will not improve safety'. | A survey of 105 high risk sector companies, including construction and rail, shows 66% feel the latest corporate killing bill would have a negative impact and 59% were unconvinced it would improve H&S. | Health and Safety at Work 2004 26(4):5 |
| European health and safety laws boost productivity and employment. | An EC report on the H&S Framework Dir and 5 daughter Directives claims statistical evidence and member states' reports show an overall reduction in work related accidents. | Internet: www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/cnc/2004/ com2004_0062en01.pdf Health and Safety at Work 2004 26(4):5 |
| Women in senior jobs turning to drink. | Part of an on-going study set up in 1985, has found 13% of women in senior jobs drink >21 units of alcohol per week which links with coronary heart disease and high mortality. | Health and Safety at Work 2004 26(4):8 |
| Government's big conversation on choosing health. | The 'Choosing Health' Con Doc asks UK stakeholders how to tackle smoking, obesity, health inequalities and how to manage long term sickness absence. | Internet: www.dh.gov.uk/consultations/liveconsultations Health and Safety at Work 2004 26(4):8 |
| Be warned. | The ergonomics of planning, designing and placing warning signs to reduce work related injuries. (D Abbott) | Health and Safety at Work 2004 26(4):11-13 |
| Rooting out hazardous trees. | Controlling the risks of a proactive approach to tree maintenance. (R Barker) | Health and Safety at Work 2004 26(4):14,16-17 |
| Back to basics - Well equipped? | Preventing deaths and injuries caused by contact with moving machinery. (L Waterman) | Health and Safety at Work 2004 26(4):22-23 |
| Water safety. | Hazard identification and RA of working or playing near water. A strategy for the prevention of drowning. (P Hughes) | Health and Safety at Work 2004 26(4):24-26 |
| ODPM issues response to Select Committee concerns. | Response to the Parl Select Comm report scrutinising plans to reform the fire and rescue services in England and Wales. | Internet: www.odpm.gov.uk Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):3 |
| New EU fire safety group launched. | The EU Parl Fire Safety and Security Industry Liaison Group aims to improve the dialogue between industry, emergency services and decision makers in Europe. | Liaison Gp inf: Mr B Gately Tel:020-8549-5855 Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):4 |
| Smooth transition. | Changes to management processes that may help fire services in England and Wales to modernise successfully. (P Raymond) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):11-13 |
| Come together. | A report on arson reduction partnerships between fire and police services in England and Wales. (K McKeown) | 'Arresting arson…' Internet: www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_fire/ documents/page/odpm_fire_026243.pdf Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):15-17 |
| Food for thought. | Causes of disproportionate fire damage in food industry buildings. (P Jackman) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):18-20 |
| Loss adjustments. | Changes in working practice and good risk management can be effective in mitigating potential losses caused by fire. (M Bond) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):22 |
| Taking stock. | The importance of effective fire safety management in storage and distribution premises. (R Clark) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):24-25 |
| Policy decisions. | Should insurers be taking a tougher line on fire protection. (B Gloyn) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):26-27 |
| Design concerns. | An insurer's perspective of fire safety engineering designs for buildings. (Dr J Glockling & D Barnett) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):33-34 |
| Protecting the community. | How passive fire protection can contribute to fire safety in the community. (M Wood) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):35-36 |
| Welfare service. | Managing H&S in the UK's fire service. (A Strawson) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):37-38 |
| Tactical moves. | Development of the tactical mode method of dynamic RA within the UK fire service incident command system. (K Arbuthnot) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):39-41 |
| Command decisions. | The need for effective command and decision making training for fire service personnel. (Dr P Tissington) | Fire Prevention 2004 379 (April):42-44 |
| Is your control system safe? – asks HSE publication. | New guide for managers, engineers and technicians responsible for safety-related control systems. Includes analysis of 34 incidents. | HSG238 Isbn 0-7176-2192-8 £11.95 HSE Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E047:04 15/4/04 |
| NHS Trust fined £45,000. | Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust fined £45,000 + £45,619 costs. Loss of a radioactive source which has never been found. Serious deficiencies in handling, storage, training, supervision and tracking procedures. Risk of radiation exposure. | HSE Press Release E050:04 16/4/04 |
| HSE focuses on hearing at Interbuild 2004. (25-29/4/04, NEC) | The HSE stand at the exhibition will feature an interactive hearing-loss demonstration. | HSE Stand No 20F25 HSE Press Release E048:04 19/4/04 |
| Let's get shipyards ship shape. | The 5 most common causes of accidents and ill health in shipbuilding and repairing will be discussed at the 50th meeting of the consultative committee. | 'Case studies of the 5 causes' from Denise Lewisohn HSE Tel:08701-545500 HSE Press Release E049:04 19/4/04 |
| Designers still have a long way to go. | The HSE has concluded that building designers are still not doing enough to design out risk in the construction industry. | 'Designer initiative case studies' from Denise Lewisohn HSE Tel:08701-545500 HSE Press Release E052:04 20/4/04 |
| Carriage Regulations laid in Parliament. | The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regs 2004 will come into force on 10/5/04 consolidating over 12 sets of regulations. | SI 2004 No 568 shortly available. Internet: www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2004/20040568.htm HSC Press Release C016:04 21/4/04 |
| New food manufacturing Health and Safety Forum. | The first meeting of the H&S Forum for the food and drink manufacturing industries was attended by representatives from 8 major trade bodies and the 4 main trade unions. | Forum secretary Mr R Morgan. Tel:0141-275-3045 HSE Press Release E054:04 21/4/04 |
| Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust | Fined £10,000 under CSR 1997. Accident within a confined space. Lack of safe system of work and emergency arrangements. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000613 (9/2/04) |
| Rateoval Ltd | Fined £500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst operating an FLT. Untrained, no system to prevent use by unauthorised workers. Inadequate maintenance. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000627 (9/2/04) |
| Roderick David Davies | Fined £5,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. 13 yr old injured whilst working at egg conveyor. Unguarded guide wheel and chain. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000497 (9/2/04) |
| Gordon L Tinsley Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / CHSWR 1996. Self-employed builder's assistant injured falling 9m through fragile roof light whilst replacing roofing. No fall prevention. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000414 (9/2/04) |
| Grangemouth Ship Repairs Ltd | Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Seaman killed falling into dry dock whilst pulling ladders out using a rope. Unknown whether barrier was removed or gave way. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000622 (9/2/04) |
| Composite Panels Ltd | Fined £15,000 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst using automatic wrap machine. Poor guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000427 (10/2/04) |
| George Leslie Ltd | Fined £25,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Killed falling 2.6m whilst erecting scaffolding. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000211 (10/2/04) |
| T Friar & Sons | Fined £1,000 under CHSWR 1996. Member of the public injured by scaffold tube being swung from part constructed scaffold in city street. No pedestrian segregation. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000331 (11/2/04) |
| Andrew & Suter Ltd | Fined £1,000 under SMSR 1992. Failings in supplying machinery, including no guarding at time of supply to meet CE requirements. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000697 (12/2/04) |
| John Ronald Beale | Fined £1,000 under PUWER 1998. Tractor with loader and 4 wheel balanced trailer loaded with bales over turned on a steep track throwing a bale onto a road which caused an accident. Trailer built on farm without suitable braking system. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000631 (12/2/04) |
| Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling from roof. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000409 (12/2/04) |
| Survey reveals public vote of confidence in health and safety. | A recent MORI survey found that employers rate H&S in their top two most important workplace issues and >80% regard HSE favourably. | 'Attitudes towards H&S:…' HSE Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/misc/attitudes.pdf HSE Press Release E060:04 28/4/04 |
| TUC launches RSI guidance sheet. | Information for DSE users on reducing the risk of upper limb disorders and the safe set-up of a workstation. | 'RSI: the basics' Internet: www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-7697-f0.cfm Safety Management 2004 (April):3 |
| Scottish business advice line. | The Scottish Executive has launched a new service designed to provide SMEs in Scotland with H&S advice. | 'S&H Working Advice Line' Tel:0800-0192211 Safety Management 2004 (April):4 |
| P&O Ferries fined £300,000 after reversing truck kills employee. | P&O European Ferries (Irish Sea) Ltd fined £300,000 + £18,468 costs. During night work, tractor vehicle driver killed by reversing reach stacker truck whilst walking across container yard. No pedestrian vehicle segregation, poor visibility and illumination. | Safety Management 2004 (April):4 |
| Revitalising plan 'set to fail'. | An IER report states the Government's Revitalising H&S strategy will fail to improve safety standards in the UK. | Inst Employ Rights 'H&S Revisited or Revitalised?' £20 Tel:020-7498-6919 Safety Management 2004 (April):5 |
| New HSE website index. | The HSE has launched a new webpage which enables its Internet site to be more easily navigated. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/about/site_map/?index.htm Safety Management 2004 (April):5 |
| 'Managing, not eliminating risks' | The Minister for Work and the HSC are jointly focusing on poorly performing companies. | Safety Management 2004 (April):6-8 |
| One in six NHS staff attacked at work last year, says survey. | A recent survey of NHS staff has revealed the extent of the violence in the UK's health system. (D Axbey) | Safety Management 2004 (April):14-16 |
| Sticking to best practice. | Management of potentially hazardous solvents and chemicals in the production of composite film used for making signs for harsh environments. (M Whitby) | Safety Management 2004 (April):18-20 |
| Firm in court over young worker injury. | Jack Moody Ltd fined £10,000 + £6,495 costs. 17 year old injured whilst removing blockage from near in-running nip of conveyor belt. Inadequate RA, guarding, safe system of work for young workers. | Safety Management 2004 (April):24-25 |
| Fine for lack of guarding. | Seabay Ltd fined £17,500 + £3,995 costs. 16 year old injured in conveyor belt. 19 year old injured clearing a blocked hopper on a fish de-boning machine. Poor guarding and RA. Interlock on second hand de-boning machine deactivated prior to purchase. No RA. | Safety Management 2004 (April):25 |
| Council fined over vehicle accident. | Somerset CC fined £20,000 + £2,938 costs. Mechanic injured during maintenance work on a fire engine. After removing jack and ramps forgot to re-engage handbrake. No safe system of work. A week previously another fire engine rolled off ramps at the site. | Safety Management 2004 (April):28 |
| Firm fined after HSE scaffolding warning. | Clarkfield Enterprises Ltd fined £2,500 + £619 costs. During inspection, warned to provide adequate fall protection on scaffolding. On second visit failure to fit mid-guard rails. | Safety Management 2004 (April):30 |
| Worker dies in oil blaze on supply ship. | Enviroco Ltd fined £100,000, Farstad Shipping Services fined £40,000 and ASCO (UK) Ltd fined £28,000. Tank cleaner killed whilst dismantling a hose used to pump oil out of the ship's tanks. Oil spilled and ignited on hot engine room surfaces. Inadequate RA and permit to work system. | Safety Management 2004 (April):31 |
| The last line of defence. | PPE will only provide suitable protection if it is selected, used and maintained property. | Safety Management 2004 (April):32-34,36,38,40 |
| Providing PPE. | Main legal requirements on the use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE) and the various types available. (J Partridge) | Safety Management 2004 (April):42-43,45 |
| John Laing Services fined £175,000 for double fatality. | Two killed falling from 45' whilst dismantling a mast climbing work platform which overturned. | HSE Press Release E058:04 23/4/04 |
| Transporting paper safely. | A new leaflet on improving H&S when transporting paper and paper products. | INDG396 HSE HSE Press Release E055:04 28/4/04 |
| Bervin Tool & Die Co Ltd | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst operating a CNC milling machine with guard open. Interlocks also defeated on all similar machines. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000624 (16/2/04) |
| Anglo Dutch Meats (UK) Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Injured between the rear of his stationary lorry and a reversing HGV. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000432 (18/2/04) |
| S Carroll | Fined £250 under HASAWA 1974 s7. Trained FLT driver raised a colleague in a box balanced on the forks. The colleague fell and was injured. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000383 (18/2/04) |
| Reekie Manufacturing Ltd | Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling from >2m whilst dismantling storage racking system. No safe system of work, information, instruction, training or supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000645 (19/2/04) |
| Mowlem Plc | Fined £2,500 under LOLER 1998. Two injured when a load fell during lifting operations. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000285 (19/2/04) |
| CP Engineering Services | Fined £1,200 under ELCIR 1998. No employers' liability insurance. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000456 (20/2/04) |
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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