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H&S News January 2005
| Title | Comments | Publication |
| HSE launches new Freedom of Information website. | New HSE website will provide the means for the public to access information or to request information not already published. | HSE Press Release E002:05 4/1/05 |
| Government rejects a Work and Pensions Committee urgent call for HSE inspectors to be doubled and says enforcement is still a key role. | Following the House of Commons Work and Pensions Comm report, the Government has refused increased funding for HSC/E. However the Sec of State has again stated the commitment to reform of the law on corporate killing. | Internet: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/ pa/cm/cmworpen.htm Safety Management 2004 (Dec):2-3 |
| ILO encyclopaedia free on the web. | ILO has made both the Encyclopaedia of Occup Health & Safety and the CISDOC bibliographic database available free on its website. | Internet: http://www.ilo.org/encyclopaedia/ Safety
Management 2004 (Dec):5
(NB The article in Safety Management shows an incorrect URL - the one above points to the free site.) |
| Guidance on managing absence. | The new guidance for employers on how to help ill, injured or disabled workers return to their jobs as soon as possible. (D Axbey) | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):6-8 |
| In my book a substantial contribution… | The 2nd part of the Capita Symonds H&S Lecture 2004. Lord Woolf's response to the question 'Does the judiciary make any contribution to H&S.' | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):12-15 |
| Today's bread today. | H&S in the Primebake Grp, one of the UK's largest producers of speciality breads. (L Webster) | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):18-20 |
| Two construction firms fined £40,000 after excavator driver almost drowns in lake. | Eton Aggregates Ltd fined £30,000 / AMPL Ltd fined £10,000. Driver of 45 tonne excavator trapped under water when causeway collapsed. Wrong construction materials used. Failure to follow agreed method statement. | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):23 |
| Child allowed in factory. | Wilfield Shopfitting & Exhib Ltd fined £10,000. Injured whilst using an overhead routing machine. Lost concentration because 6 yr old son of H&S director was on factory floor. Inspectors had previously warned the director to remove his son and keep him away. | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):25 |
| Worker paralysed by falling panel. | Rollalong Ltd fined £60,000 + £13,310 costs. Agency worker paralysed after being struck by a 300kg building panel which toppled from a lifting table whilst being moved. Inadequate RA. Two previous similar incidents. | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):26 |
| Technician loses leg and arm in accident. | ABB Vetco Gray UK Ltd fined £17,500. Injured whilst guiding a sub-sea control module into position on top of assembly when it fell from the crane. No safe system of work or tag lines used. | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):28 |
| Scaffolder injured in fall through roof. | Kier Regional Ltd fined £18,000 / Whybrow Scaff Ltd fined £10,000. Injured falling 7m through a corrugated iron roof during dismantling. Inadequate RA, no crash deck. Site manager for Principal Contractor, Kier, raised concerns about RA but work continued. | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):30 |
| Occupational health. | Steps employers can take to prevent their staff suffering from work related ill-health either now or in the future. | Safety Management 2004 (Dec):32-34,36,38,40 |
| Handling aid tips. | HSE guide on the selection and use of lifting and handling aids. Aimed at managers, employees and those involved in selection. | INDG398 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/manlinde.htm Safety Management 2004 (Dec):51 |
| Safer deliveries. | HSE guidance on how to prevent accidents during the delivery and collection of goods. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/ information/cooperation.htm Safety Management 2004 (Dec):51 |
| Government health warning. | Following declining fitness levels throughout England, the latest Dept of Health White Paper states that employers, local authorities and NHS trusts must help people become more fit. | 'Choosing health' Internet: www.dh.gov.uk/publications RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2004 33(12):1-2 |
| Coming clean. | Part of the Dept of Health's campaign to protect patients includes lowering rates of healthcare acquired infection, especially MRSA. | Internet: www.dh.gov.uk/publications RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2004 33(12):2 |
| Pier problems. | Brighton Marine Palace & Pier Co fined £15,000. Passengers allowed on ride whilst part of the track removed for maintenance. The operator noticed the missing track and stopped the ride. No lock off, signs or tape. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2004 33(12):4 |
| Machine dangers. | Over the next 3 years, inspectors are conducting a blitz on scrap metal, rubber, paper and wood companies which fail to protect workers from dangerous machinery. | Ms A Rayner, HSE Tel:0113-283-4354 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2004 33(12):4 |
| Acoustic shock. | Workshops and a new website are now available to warn call centre staff about acoustic shock, which is a random frequency surge via the headset, caused by a sudden spike of noise. | Internet: www.acousticshock.org RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2004 33(12):6 |
| International offshore petroleum safety research website. | New website providing information on offshore petroleum safety and environment research programmes. | Internet: www.icrard.org/ HSC Newsletter 2004 (158)Dec:6 |
| European safety directives guide. | Updated HSE guide to proposed and current European H&S directives. | 'Euronews' HSC Newsletter 2004 (158)Dec:7-22 |
| Musculoskeletal disorders. | New reports on the impact of work stress and psychosocial factors on the development of MSDs and risk perception in relation to the MSDs. | RR273 Isbn 0-7176-2903-1 £20 RR284 Isbn 0-7176-2918-X £15 HSE Books HSC Newsletter 2004 (158)Dec:23 |
| Returning to work – guidance for employers and employees. | HSE pack to help and advise in the rehabilitation of workers who have been absent from work due to illness or injury. | INDG397 HSG249 INDG399 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/sicknessabsence HSC Newsletter 2004 (158)Dec:25 |
| Working at height when using temporary access systems. | Development of a prototype decision aid for determining the risk of systems for work at height when using temporary access systems. | RR268 Isbn 0-7176-2894-9 £30 HSE Books HSC Newsletter 2004 (158)Dec:28 |
| Nanoparticles: an occupational hygiene review. | Processes for the deliberate development and manufacture of nanoparticle products. Sources, routes and levels of exposure, numbers exposed. | RR274 Isbn 0-7176-2908-2 £20 HSE Books HSC Newsletter 2004 (158)Dec:28 |
| Wessex Trains fined £10,000 following injury to fitter. | Wessex Trains fined £10,000. Fitter injured whilst fault finding on locomotive engine. Trapped when colleague turned engine over. Inadequate RA, poor supervision and unsafe system of work. | HSE Press Release E175:04 21/12/04 |
| HSE launches farm self-assessment software. | Free software to help farmers carry out an RA. Aimed at farmers and farm managers who are responsible for H&S. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/assessment HSE Press Release E001:05 4/1/05 |
| HM Williams Contractors | Guilty under HASAWA 1974 s3 / CAWR 2002. Asbestos disturbed during demolition. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000511 (6/10/04) |
| PC Cox Ltd | Fined £6,000 under MHSWR 1999 / EWR 1989. Injured by 7kv electric shock whilst working at rear of machine with panel removed and interlock overridden. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000542 (18/10/04) |
| Michael Morgan | Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Injured falling from trestle scaffold into basement. No edge protection. Inadequate management, information, instruction and supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000413 (18/10/04) |
| Wallis Ltd | Fined £18,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Injured falling 7m through a roof during dismantling. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000434 (18/10/04) |
| Paisley Welding & Fabrication Ltd | Fined £22,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Following a death. No H&S management on site although off site equipment maintained. No safe system of work for working near large steel 'I' beams. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000459 (19/10/04) |
| Siemens Plc | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Struck an 11kv cable during installation of traffic signals. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000482 (19/10/04) |
| Steven Wagstaffe | Guilty under HASAWA 1974 s6. Chef at public house received electric shock whilst connecting a wet bain marie to the electric supply. Electric circuits had been crossed inside the unit. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000363 (20/10/04) |
| Ben Soames Ltd | Fined £1,000 under RIDDOR 1995 / WHSWR 1992. No system in place to segregate pedestrians and vehicles. Accident not reported. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000691 (21/10/04) |
| Bunner Galvanising Services Ltd | Fined £5,000 under LOLER 1998. Injured after a load of steel fabrications fell from two hoists during a turning operation. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000424 (21/10/04) |
| Leeds City Council | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Tyre contractor injured falling 5m into empty waste compactor at council site. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000561 (22/10/04) |
| Percy Pickard Contractors Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Injured falling from gable, between handrail and steel cladding sheets, during roof work. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000332 (22/10/04) |
| B Warren Roofing | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling from gable, between handrail and steel cladding sheets, during roof work. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000333 (22/10/04) |
| Ground Level East Anglia Ltd | Fined £2,000 under CHSWR 1996. Injured by falling wall during demolition. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000504 (22/10/04) |
| So Swift Roofing Ltd | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Injured falling from a roof. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000523 (22/10/04) |
| J Murphy & Sons Ltd | Fined £6,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000546 (22/10/04) |
| Moreton C Cullimore (Gravels) Ltd | Fined £4,000 under QR 1999. No suitable written scheme for the systematic inspection and maintenance of fixed guards on conveyor belts. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000734 (25/10/04) |
| Moreton C Cullimore (Gravels) Ltd | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998. Failure to ensure effective measures taken to prevent access to dangerous parts of conveyor belt machinery. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000735 (25/10/04) |
| Moreton C Cullimore (Gravels) Ltd | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998. Conveyor guarding standards and inspection regime. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000737 (25/10/04) |
| Mr R Tempero | Fined £1,250 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Builder removed chimney breast which provided flue to gas fire and fitted inadequate flue liner. Appliance failed smoke test. Occupants suffered early symptoms of CO poisoning. | HSE Prosecution Case F060000408 (25/10/04) |
| VA Pedley Ltd | Fined £1,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Well known risk involving a vulnerable person. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000393 (26/10/04) |
| NP Timber Co Ltd | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998. A foreseeable situation which led to an accident. | HSE Prosecution Case F090000434 (26/10/04) |
| WT Banks & Co (Farming) Ltd | Fined £17,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Child killed, either falling from a moving FLT or being reversed over. FLT being driven by his uncle. | HSE Prosecution Case F110000805 (28/10/04) |
| Alba Proteins Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling from tower scaffold. No guarding, inspection or maintenance. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000430 (29/10/04) |
| Alba Proteins Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Two injured by falling beam during lifting operation. No RA, planning or training. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000429 (30/10/04) |
| New bill snaps at the heels of directors relieved at 'watered down' corporate killing. | The Health and Safety (Directors' Duties) Bill would impose a general duty on company directors and on large companies to appoint a board level director responsible for H&S. It will also introduce custodial sentences for directors whose serious H&S breaches, or negligence, have resulted in death. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):6 |
| Regulatory review finds bias towards inspection. | The Hampton Review into the UK's regulatory system has suggested it is skewed too far in favour of inspection, rather than advice and compliance. | 'Reducing administrative burdens…' Internet: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/hampton Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):7 |
| Environmental management standard revised. | ISO 14001 holders may need to review following publication of a revised Environment Management Systems Standard. There could also be implications for those certified under OHSAS 18001 H&S Management System. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):8 |
| Ireland formalises agreement on ILO safety guidelines. | The Irish Republic is the first EU country to formally recognise the ILO's 'Guidelines on occupational S&H management systems'. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):10 |
| Director gets seven years for fatal M-way crash. | Mr M Spree, director of Keymark Services gaoled for 7 years. Driver crashed, killing himself and 2 others, after working for 18 hours. False tachograph records, immobilised speed limiters. Corrupt and dangerous practices. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):12 |
| £310,000 price for cyanide cover-up. | Sevalco Ltd fined £240,000 + £70,000 costs. Records of cyanide discharges into estuary deliberately falsified over several years. Dishonesty and lack of management control. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):12 |
| North Sea death plunge costs BAE Systems. | BAE Systems fined £250,000. Contractor's employee killed falling 90' from scaffolding into the sea whilst assisting in the removal of a retaining pin. No RA. Unsuitable scaffolding, no edge protection, erected by unqualified riggers. Not wearing safety harness. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):13 |
| Known slip hazard went uncorrected. | BHS fined £15,000. Injured slipping in dishwasher area of store's kitchen. Four previous similar accidents in same year. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):13 |
| McDonald's isn't 'lovin' it' after £35,000 fine. | McDonald's Restaurants Ltd fined £35,000 / Jones Lang LaSalle Ltd fined £40,000. Injured falling through suspended ceiling whilst surveying ventilation system. No edge protection or notices. Lack known to both managing company and McDonalds. Previous similar accident. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):14 |
| Putting conduct into context. | Court of Appeal decision on whether gross negligence manslaughter is compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. (M Appelby) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):16 |
| Retune or relapse? | H&S and the legal systems in the UK and Europe and a course to maintain progress over the next 30 years. (D Eves) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):32-34 |
| Role of the safety practitioner - Pt 2. Brand values. | Three practical ways the practitioner can increase the H&S profile within their organisation. (H Marchant) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):37-38 |
| First-class delivery. | H&S training does not have to be uninteresting or boring. (P Hay) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):40-42 |
| Enabling activity. | Following the expanded Disability Discrimination Act, providing workplaces and equipment suitable for all is in harmony with providing an ergonomically suitable workplace. (M Hanson) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(1):44-46 |
| Bin there, done that. | Risk management for refuse collection services. (R Barker) | Health and Safety at Work 2005 27(1):9-10,12 |
| Managing safely. | Continual improvement through occupational S&H management systems. (L Bamber) | Health and Safety at Work 2005 27(1):19-21 |
| Back to basics - supply side safety. | Managing safely and suppliers and contractors. (L Waterman) | Health and Safety at Work 2005 27(1):22-23 |
| Practising safety. (Pt 1) | The development of concepts fundamental to the H&S profession from a practitioner's viewpoint. (J Gilbertson) | Health and Safety at Work 2005 27(1):24-25 |
| Choosing an ergonomics consultant. | Guide through the selection process for choosing an ergonomics consultant. (B Bridger) | Health and Safety at Work 2005 27(1):26-28 |
| Out in the cold. | The PPE Regs and Disability Discrimination Act both affect disabled workers but this should not mean they are shut out of the workplace. (D Abbott) | Health and Safety at Work 2005 27(1):34-36 |
| HSE statement on paddling pools. | HSE's Deputy DG has stated that paddling pool operators must weigh the risks and provide precautions which match the level of risk identified. | 'Managing risk in play provision'
Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/foi/internalops/sectors/ cactus/5_02_15.pdf HSE Press Release E005:05 6/1/05 |
| Company director gaoled following roofwork fatality. | Mr L Harper MD of Harper Building Contractors Ltd gaoled for 16 months. Worker killed falling 6.75m through a fragile rooflight whilst replacing warehouse roof. No previous roof work experience. No safe system of work or safety precautions. | HSE Press Release E005:05 6/1/05 |
| Comments sought on draft HSC Science Strategy. | Draft HSC Science Strategy 2005-08 describing how both in-house scientific expertise and commissioned science will be used. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/science/strategy.htm HSC Press Release C001:05 10/1/05 |
| Swarland Brick Co Ltd | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. FLT driver injured by reversing FLT and died later of a blood clot. FLT driver involved in accident was competent but other drivers were not. No vehicle pedestrian segregation or hi-vis clothing. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000444 (1/11/04) |
| Stafford Borough Council | Fined £3,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Theatre technician injured falling 5m from a tree whilst installing festoon lighting. Working off ladders and in the trees. | HSE Prosecution Case F120000523 (4/11/04) |
| Sigmatech Automation (UK) Ltd | Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s21. Non compliance with Improvement Notices. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000426 (4/11/04) |
| Thistle Windows & Conservatories Ltd | Fined £1,000 under CHSWR 1996. Workers erecting a conservatory at company's head office. No precautions to prevent workers falling from the roof. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000445 (4/11/04) |
| WR Williams Contracting Ltd | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Untrained workers using a JCB on construction site. No safe system of work, training or supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000485 (4/11/04) |
| Allen Construction Management Ltd | Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Spread of asbestos following incorrect guidance by consultant, who failed to organise sample or survey. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000524 (4/11/04) |
| C & C Marshall Ltd | Fined £5,000 under PUWER 1998 / MHSWR 1999. Injured whilst using a Mecanor 152 wrapping machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000467 (5/11/04) |
| Plumbers North West | Fined £2,000 under ELCIR 1998. No employers' liability insurance at time of accident to worker. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000427 (5/11/04) |
| David John Cox | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s37. One worker injured when struck by a nail from a pneumatic nail gun and another whilst using a cross cut saw. Poor H&S. Company director. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000452 (8/11/04) |
| Cox Landscapes Ltd | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / PPEWR 1992 / MHSWR 1999. One worker injured when struck by a nail from a pneumatic nail gun and another whilst using a cross cut saw. Poor standards of H&S. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000471 (8/11/04) |
| Matthew James Pearson | Fined £2,000 under CHSWR 1996. Roofer injured falling through a fragile rooflight during over sheeting. Inadequate precautions. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000505 (8/11/04) |
| Maxwell's Demolition Ltd | Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / CHSWR 1996. Injured by falling steel girder whilst standing in the elevated bucket of an excavator during demolition work. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000532 (8/11/04) |
| Revitalising targets four years on: still too soon to measure. | Currently there are no clear signs that employers are on course to meet the 5 and 10 year targets for reducing injury and ill health. (H Fidderman) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (335):5-8 |
| EU construction industry injury rates stats. | New statistics indicate that accident rates in Europe's construction industry have declined steadily since 1994 but remain unacceptably high. | Internet: http://agency.osha.eu.int/publications/ magazine/7/en/index.htm RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(1):3 |
| Final compensation agreed for Alison Dugmore. | Previously awarded £240,000 after being forced to give up nursing when she suffered anaphylactic attacks as a result of using latex gloves. The judge had awarded £114,000 punitive interest but a compromise of £93,000 now agreed. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(1):5 |
| Tackling sickness absence in public service workers. | First report of the Ministerial Taskforce for Health, Safety and Productivity set up to deliver targets for reducing days lost through sickness absence in the public sector. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/gse/sickness.pdf RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(1):5 |
| Nurse forced to retire after trip on loose flooring. | Mrs M Mendham awarded £115,000 damages after tripping over a worn flooring strip at a Norfolk hospital. She and other colleagues had warned management about the potential dangers as the strips became worn. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(1):7 |
| Gulf War Syndrome a reality says Lloyd report. | Lord Lloyd's inquiry has concluded that UK 1991 Gulf War veterans were made ill by their service and that it was fair to describe the illnesses collectively as Gulf War Syndrome. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(1):10 |
| RoSPA QSA: a critical friend. | RoSPA's Quality Safety Audit scheme and its use at West Burton Power Station. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(1):14-17 |
| Confined spaces. | Undertaking an RA in confined spaces. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(1):20-22,24 |
| Hitting rock bottom. | The importance of preventing all forms of accidents, especially falls. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(1):30-32,34 |
| Ailing first aid faces plasters, not surgery. | HSC approves plans for new training requirements for first-aiders and there will be improvements to the HSE's guidance on first aid at work but no changes to the H&S (First Aid) Regs 1981 and their ACoP. | 'Evaluation of the H&S (First Aid) Regs 1981 – proposals for change' Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (335):3 |
| The view from the shop floor. | The TUC's latest biennial survey of union safety reps. (H Fidderman) | Internet: www.tuc.org.uk/extras/safetysurvey2004.doc Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (335):9-12 |
| Workplace drug tests: legal, decent, honest and truthful? | Review of research into the effects of drugs and alcohol on safety and justification for testing. (C Dyer) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (335):13-16 |
| EU turns spotlight on optical radiation hazards and risks. | Introduction of legislation requiring employers to assess the risks at work arising from optical radiation. (C Dyer) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (335):17-19 |
| Chromium VI in cement: new COSHH Regulations. | From 17/1/05 the COSHH 2004 will prohibit the supply or use of cement which has a Chromium VI concentration of >2 ppm. | SI 2004/3386 Isbn 0110514076 £3 SO HSE Press Release E006:05 17/1/05 |
| Good practice recognised by Agency. | A ready assembled scaffold and an extraction system are amongst the winners of the Good Practice Awards which ran alongside 2004's European Week for Safety and Health at Work. | Further info Internet: http://osha.eu.int/ew2004/news/press_releases/ en/23_11_2004/index.htm RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (Jan/Feb):4 |
| Work-related deaths – new advice service. | Since 2001 the Centre for Corporate Accountability has run a free and independent advice service for families bereaved by work related deaths. | Internet: www.corporateaccountability.org RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (Jan/Feb):4 |
| Asbestos exposure at shop. | Poundstretcher Ltd fined £6,000. During a routine visit found asbestos debris on the floor near boarding damaged by impact from palletised goods movement. Employee exposure and Co aware since 1995 of presence of asbestos. Not followed own procedures. | RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (Jan/Feb):6 |
| CCTV captured unsafe work practices. | Unusual Rigging Ltd fined £5,000 / Mr O Green fined £3,000. CCTV footage taken during de-rigging showed employees and a self-employed rigger walking through the beams in the roof structure without wearing harnesses and using mobile phones. | RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (Jan/Feb):7 |
| Safety in parliament. | Interview with Mr S Wicks, head of the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Service responsible for H&S in the Houses of Parliament. (N Cook) | RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (Jan/Feb):10-11 |
| Protecting young workers. | Legislation which applies to young people at work and some main hazards that should be included in a typical RA conducted before a young person starts work. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (Jan/Feb):16-17 |
| Vitacress Salads Ltd | Fined £4,000 under PUWER 1998 / MHSWR 1999. Injured in in-running nip on conveyor belt. No guards and inadequate RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F020000543 (9/11/04) |
| Mr P Mulcaster | Fined £1,500 under CHSWR 1996 / HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling from roof whilst replacing apex tile. Working from cat ladder which was too short. Inadequate fall protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000525 (9/11/04) |
| Remploy Ltd | Fined £3,500 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst clearing a jam in cable cutting machine. Guard removed 2 years previously by unknown person. Vulnerable employees. | HSE Prosecution Case F060000410 (10/11/04) |
| Care First Health Care Ltd | Fined £5,000 under LOLER 1998. Patient died after falling from a sling whilst being hoisted from a bath into a chair. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000576 (11/11/04) |
| Simclar (Ayrshire) Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Injured whilst using a 400 tonne hydraulic press. Poor guarding and training. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000464 (11/11/04) |
| John Crocker | Fined £1,000 under PUWER 1998. Worker injured by load falling from an FLT. Driver and other workers who drove FLT untrained. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000484 (12/11/04) |
| Peter Young | Fined £1,000 under PUWER 1998. Worker injured by load falling from an FLT. Driver and other workers who drove FLT untrained. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000485 (12/11/04) |
| LT & R Vowles Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Contractor's worker injured falling 3.4m through fragile roof. No fall prevention. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000467 (12/11/04) |
| Charles Philip Sweet | Fined £4,000 under MHSWR 1999 / CHSWR 1996. Worker injured falling 3.4m through fragile roof. No fall prevention. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000527 (12/11/04) |
| Reads Construction Ltd | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. No summary. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000488 (15/11/04) |
| Saft Ltd | Fined £6,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Agency worker injured whilst using an anode tagger machine. Failure to maintain guarding. Possible lack of suitable training. | HSE Prosecution Case F190000451 (16/11/04) |
| Common start dates for safety laws. | Starting this year, new domestic H&S legislation will come into force on just two dates each year, 6th April and 1st October. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):3 |
| New code on workplace health and drug testing information. | New guidance to help employers comply with the Data Protection Act when handling information concerning the health of their workers. | 'Employment practices data prot code Pt 4: Inf about workers health' Internet: www.informationcommissioner.gov.uk Safety Management 2005 (Jan):4 |
| HSE focuses on first aid. | Recommendations of the first full scale review of the First Aid Regulations. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):6-8 |
| Return to work initiative receives £220 million government funding. | A further £220m will be invested in the 'Pathway to work' scheme which helps people claiming incapacity benefit return to work. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):16 |
| Metrocentre leads Europe. | Meeting the challenge of safety in Europe's largest shopping and leisure centre. (R Owens) | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):18-20 |
| Children exposed to asbestos risk. | EC Harris Human Resources Ltd fined £17,500 / Clivnars Ltd fined £15,000. Asbestos disturbed during school refurbishment. No asbestos survey prior to work commencing. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):24-25 |
| Allied Carpets fined for lift truck injury. | Allied Carpets (UK) Ltd fined £3,000. Injured during vehicle loading whilst in a pallet being lowered by FLT. Common practice although safety cages available. No RA or method statement. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):27 |
| Council fined after barrier kills driver. | Vinci Park Services UK Ltd fined £10,000 / London Borough of Bromley fined £8,000. Driver of road sweeper killed after using car park to turn his vehicle. On leaving, windscreen struck by an unsecured height restriction barrier. Failure to inspect and maintain the barrier. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):28-29 |
| Scrap firm pays out £75,000. | Flexdart Ltd fined £75,000 / Timothy Bevan fined £250. Scrap metal worker killed by reversing telehandler. Inadequate RA, poor maintenance of telehandler. Driver failed to take care. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):29 |
| Worker injured by falling roof trusses. | Janes & Albone Carpentry Ltd and BMH Construction Co (Clifton) Ltd each fined £10,000. 18 yr old injured whilst steadying roof trusses which toppled over. No suitable RA. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):30 |
| Legal advice. | How BSC members can gain legal advice, assistance and representation. (R Henderson) | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):31 |
| Controlling hazardous chemicals. | Reducing the exposure of people to hazardous substances at work - gases, fumes, dust and chemicals. | Safety Management 2005 (Jan):32-34,36,38,40 |
| Vibration law approved. | New Control of Vibration at Work Regs will implement the European Physical Agents (Vibration) Dir and be introduced by 6/7/05. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/index.htm Safety Management 2005 (Jan):45 |
| Staff protection. | Amendments to the Scottish Emergency Workers Bill offer increased protection to police, fire and ambulance workers and medical staff in hospitals, ensuring they are protected when on duty. | Internet: www.scotland.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(1):3 |
| AIDS policy. | Recent statistics indicate 53,000 people have HIV in GB and the TUC has reminded employers of the importance of implementing clear, effective policies on HIV/AIDS in the workplace. | Internet: www.hpa.org.uk www.worksmart.org.uk/health www.nat.org.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(1):3-4 |
| Gangmasters code. | Food producers, growers, retailers and trades unions have produced a code of practice for UK employers setting out minimum standards to be met by labour providers. | To register interest Internet: www.lpcode.co.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(1):5 |
| Healthy merger. | The Health Protection Agency and the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control are likely to merge by 2006. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(1):7 |
| Fire Statistics Monitor UK: first quarter 2004. | Provisional figures for fires and fire-related deaths show a 4% increase in fires and 612 fire related deaths in 2003/4. | Internet: www.odpm.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(1):12 |
| Company fined £150,000 for construction site death. | McDermott Bros Contractors Ltd fined £150,000. Carpenter killed falling 4m whilst striking out timbers and shuttering around a hole cast in the 14th floor of a development. No fall prevention measures. | HSE Press Release E007:05 19/1/05 |
| Fine following serious injury at Oxford Circus tube station. | Metronet Rail BCV Ltd fined £5,000. Contract cleaner injured between step frame and comb whilst cleaning tube station escalator. Inadequate RA and safe system of work. | HSE Press Release E008:05 20/1/05 |
| HSE announces new tool for SMEs to assess their health and safety performance. | The Health and Safety Performance Indicator is a web based tool to assist SMEs to track and assess how they are managing their own H&S performance. | Internet: www.hspi.info-exchange.com HSE Press Release E011:05 20/1/05 |
| Amey Rail fined £4,000. | Amey Rail Ltd fined £4,000. Contract worker injured whilst riding a road rail vehicle when part of load was dislodged on entering a station. Inappropriate mode of transport. | HSE Press Release E009:05 21/1/05 |
| Businesses alerted to bogus mailshots. | The HSE has again urged companies to ignore information from a firm called 'H&S Registration Enforcement Div' purporting to regulate H&S legislation. Correspondence from the bogus agency has been received in 12 counties. | HSE's legitimate 'H&S Starter Pack' Isbn 0-7176-2738-1 £30 HSE Internet: www.hsebooks.com HSE Press Release E012:05 24/1/05 |
| Blackpool & the Fylde College | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. College technician injured when an Edwards Box & Pan Folder machine toppled over during move within the department. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000424 (17/11/04) |
| John Thomas Concannon | Fined £500 under CHSWR 1996. Worker injured falling >5m from loading bay of scaffold which only had one guard rail. Partner in company. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000531 (17/11/04) |
| George Wimpey North West Ltd | Fined £6,600 under CHSWR 1996 / MHSWR 1999. Injured falling from pitched garage roof whilst repairing window. No fall prevention, only ladder provided. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000530 (18/11/04) |
| Pasuda Buildings Ltd | Fined £14,000 under HASAWA 1974 s33. No provision of information, instruction or training on precautions with respect to dangerous substances. Non compliance with Improvement Notice. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000380 (19/11/04) |
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HSE Prosecutions Database
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