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H&S News July 2005
| Title | Comments | Publication |
| Blair vows to defend UK working time opt-out after vote by Euro MPs. | Angry response from UK business leaders following the European Parliament's vote to remove the UK's opt-out from the 48 hour working week. | Safety Management 2005 (June):2 |
| Agricultural deaths have 'almost doubled'. | Between 1/4 - 31/12/04 there were 38 fatal accidents in agriculture, almost double that for the same period in 2003. Being struck by a moving or falling object or workplace transport being the most common. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/fatal9month.htm Safety Management 2005 (June):2 |
| Corporate killing pledge included in Government's plans for 2005/06. | Contrary to speculation, plans to introduce a law on corporate killing were included in the Queen's Speech setting out the Government's legislative agenda for 2005/06. | Safety Management 2005 (June):3 |
| Public sector absence damaging UK economy, claims CBI survey. | Following a survey of >500 organisations, the CBI claim high levels of workplace absence in the public sector are undermining services and competitiveness. | Safety Management 2005 (June):6-7 |
| Marine contractor hit with £100,000 fine after two employees suffocate inside tank. | Small & Co Marine Eng'g Ltd fined £100,000 / Edmund Nuttall Ltd fined £25,000. Two contractor's workers killed inspecting disused submersible ballast tank. For an unknown reason one entered the tank and lost consciousness, the second attempted rescue. Failure to properly assess the risks. Poor training. | Safety Management 2005 (June):21 |
| Firm fined after man dies in lift truck fall. | Borderman Trucks Ltd fined £13,000. Electrical contractor killed falling from a stillage balanced on forks of an FLT whilst replacing lighting tubes. Stillage unsecured and not meant to hold passengers although regularly used for this. Poor training of FLT drivers. | Safety Management 2005 (June):26 |
| Woman paralysed in climbing accident. | John McDermott fined £1,500. Injured falling 30' whilst on a climbing course. After reaching the top told to let go the ropes. Those holding the ropes believed the instruction applied to them and also let go. Instructor only recently qualified. Failure to adequately brief the party. | Safety Management 2005 (June):26 |
| Workplace equipment - 1. | Team Leader at HSE's Falls from Height Programme explains the steps duty holders should take to comply with requirements of the Work at Height Regs. (I Greenwood) | Safety Management 2005 (June):28-30,32,34,36 |
| Workplace equipment - 2. | In addition to selecting suitable equipment for work at height, employers must ensure that all machinery is properly selected, used and maintained. | Safety Management 2005 (June):38,40 |
| Collecting and delivering tyres. | New guidance on the risk of musculoskeletal disorders posed by manual handling during the collection and delivery of vehicle tyres. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/information.htm Safety Management 2005 (June):43 |
| Exposure limits. | New HSE list of Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs) which replace the old system of OESs and MELs. | EH40/2005 Isbn 0-7176-2977-5 £11.50 HSE Books Tel:01787-881165 Safety Management 2005 (June):43 |
| Global support for workers at risk. | Recent ILO studies show that 1.7m people die from occupational illness every year and the ILO and WHO are working to promote policy improvements at international and national levels. | Internet: www.ilo.org/safework RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(6):1-2 |
| SPADs update. | Provisional HSE figures show that 34 trains went through warning/stop signs during March which is 8 more than in the same period last year. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(6):6 |
| Railway industry to benefit from new 'human factors' web pages. | HSC's new Railway Human Factors web pages are for all those who work in the rail industry, providing information from design and ergonomics, to risks associated with violence. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/railways/liveissues/humanfactors/ HSC Press Release C015:05 21/6/05 |
| Tower crane accident at Canada Square in May 2000 – publication of a report by HSE. | Report into the collapse of a Wolff 320BF tower crane in which 3 workers were killed. Despite a very technical and complex investigation there is no conclusive explanation for the incident. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/crane HSE Press Release E087:05 27/6/05 |
| Designers continue to improve their performance. | The 2005 designer initiative in Scotland and N England has revealed that designers in the construction industry are becoming increasingly aware of responsibilities to design out H&S risks. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/designers/report05.pdf HSE Press Release E086:05 27/6/05 |
| Construction partnership provides free health and safety training for small builders. | The HSE, local Working Well Together Group and Plymouth City Council have teamed up to improve the H&S performance of small building contractors in Plymouth. Sole traders, construction companies employing <15 can apply. | Tel:0117-973-6891 HSC Press Release C016:05 28/6/05 |
| Sedgley Pressings Ltd | Fined £12,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst operating a partially unguarded power press. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000709 (18/4/05) |
| Homer Burgess Engineering Services Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Worker killed after entering an inert gas atmosphere caused by TIG argon welding. No safe system of work, training, information, instruction or supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000446 (18/4/05) |
| Fastbulk | Fined £40,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Visiting HGV driver killed whilst sheeting his load. Struck by a front end loader. | HSE Prosecution Case F170000417 (19/4/05) |
| Strathmore Foods Ltd | Fined £5,000 under MHSWR 1999 / PUWER 1998. Injured slipping from a step during cleaning. Reached out to break fall but hand slid into unguarded hopper of horizontal screw conveyor. Inadequate RA. Communication problems with foreign nationals. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000667 (19/4/05) |
| Stafford House Tutorial College | Fined £4,000 under MHSWR 1999 / CHSWR 1996. Maintenance worker injured falling 2.7m through hole in floor created as part of refurbishment work. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000470 (20/4/05) |
| Mark Stock | Fined £4,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3 / GSIUR 1998. After written HSE warnings continued to undertake gas fitting whilst not CORGI registered leaving appliances in dangerous condition. Falsely claimed to be CORGI registered. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000478 (20/4/05) |
| Structural Manufacturing Services Ltd | Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Load fell from FLT during fitting of bogies for overhead travelling crane. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000435 (20/4/05) |
| David Richard Williams | Fined £5,000 under CDMR 1994. Unsupported excavated vertical face. Prior to work, inadequate ground investigation and lack of supporting material. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000433 (20/4/05) |
| Dales Engineering Services Ltd | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / MHSWR 1999. Whilst moving spools from workshop to storage yard, injured stumbling near lift truck when walking alongside supporting spool slung from jib. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000682 (21/4/05) |
| Alex Beedie | Fined £1,400 under HASAWA 1974 s36. Knowingly breached a Prohibition Notice served on his employer. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000604 (21/4/05) |
| Imprint Extended Text Labels Ltd | Fined £7,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Visiting delivery driver injured by FLT being driven with load obstructing driver's view. No vehicle pedestrian segregation or warning signals. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000468 (22/4/05) |
| Mr David Chapman | Fined £200 under HASAWA 1974 s7. Visiting delivery driver injured by FLT. No vehicle pedestrian segregation or warning signals. Failure to ensure the safety of others. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000468 (22/4/05) |
| C Roper Electrical Ltd | Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Two injured whilst erecting a tower scaffold when it collapsed. No RA or training in use of tower scaffolds. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000412 (22/4/05) |
| HSE research shows importance of safety representatives in the workplace. | New HSE report confirms evidence of a positive link between the appointment of safety reps and levels of H&S awareness and performance. | RR363 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr363.htm HSE Press Release E088:05 30/6/05 |
| Work at Height Regs Standard published. | To support the new Work at Height Regs, a new BSI Standard on selection, use and maintenance of personal fall protection systems and equipment. | BS8437/2005 Further info: e-mail: aaron.morby@construct.emap.com RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(7):2 |
| Beware cheap materials handling equipment. | The head of a major manufacturer and supplier of loading bay and materials handling equipment has criticised the lack of quality standards on some cheap imports into the UK. | Thorworld Industries Ltd Tel:01246-260981 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(7):6 |
| New Euro research body founded. | Following the merger of 3 organisations, the European Trade Union Institute for Research, Education and H&S was announced in April. Intended to help raise H&S standards. | Further information e-mail: dgregoire@etuc.org RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(7):8 |
| Seafarers' fatigue campaign. | Shipping workers' union, NUMAST, has launched a campaign against fatigue and cuts in crewing levels. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(7):11 |
| Managing MRSA. | Meeting the challenges of MRSA – Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital Trust. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(7):12-17 |
| Keeping the young at heart. | Those with a role to play in the safe transition from education to employment for the young. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(7):24-27 |
| Selecting hand protection. | The H&S issues of providing adequate hand protection for those whose hands are exposed to different hazards. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(7):30-33 |
| Strengthening workforce involvement. | The 2 themes in the HSC's strategy for improving H&S performance – enhancing director leadership of H&S and strengthening workforce involvement. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 35(7):46-47 |
| Electrician injured in explosion. | British Sugar fined £250,000. Contractor injured when a door was blown off. Two other workers were fitting new frames on elevator casing and disturbed a cloud of sugar dust which exploded. | RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (July/Aug):3 |
| No risk assessment. | Stafford Tutorial College fined £4,000. Maintenance worker injured falling through a hole which had been cut in the floor during repair work at the college. NO RA, barriers or warning signs. | RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (July/Aug):5 |
| RoSPA's award-winning Driver Profiler. | An on-line RA tool which uses a psychometric test to assess individual driver's character traits. | Internet: www.rospa.com/drivertraining RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (July/Aug):8 |
| Security risks. | Guide for those working in the security industry, covering the threat of violence, lone working and work-related stress. | GMB Tel:020-8947-3131 Internet: www.gmb.org.uk RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (July/Aug):9 |
| Slips, trips and falls. | In the healthcare sector, slips, trips and falls account for 50% of all reported injuries - one fall left a nurse unable to work for 10 months. (N Cook) | RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (July/Aug):10-11 |
| Smoke- free workplaces consultation. | Government proposals on how legislation on smoke free enclosed public places and workplaces would work in practice. | Internet: www.dh.gov.uk/consultations/liveconsultations RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (July/Aug):13 |
| Testing times. | The importance of ensuring the safety of electrical equipment used in the workplace. (R Taylor) | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/electricity RoSPA Safety Express 2005 (July/Aug):17 |
| Director is fined for severed fingers. | Mr H Khezri, former director of Bamboo Ltd fined £8,000. Injured whilst operating an electric wood saw which was not fitted with correct attachments. Inadequate RA, training, and instruction. Company has ceased trading. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (340):3 |
| Health and safety: the state of play. | Table reviewing all HSC/E activity between 2/2/05 – 1/6/05. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (340):5-16 |
| The public sector: what difference can it make. | A look at the government's attempts to show the private sector how to manage health. (L Ponting) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (340):17-20 |
| Light bulbs, tower blocks and tunnels: height laws affect all. | Review of the Work at Height Regulations 2005. (L Ponting) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (340):21-24 |
| New vibration at work regulations help prevent up to two million employees from occupational ill health. | Provisions of the European Physical Agents (Vibration) Dir 2002/44 came into force on 6/7/05 with a transition period for the exposure limit values up to 2010. | Leaflets INDG175 INDG242 INDG296 INDG404 from HSE Books Tel:01787-881165 HSE Press Release E085:05 29/6/05 |
| ConocoPhillips Ltd fined £895,000 after explosion at refinery. | ConocoPhillips Ltd fined £895,000. Release of 170 tonnes of LPG at its Humberside oil refinery, the gas cloud ignited causing a massive explosion and fire. During HSE's investigation a 2nd incident occurred at the Immingham Pipeline Centre when 16 tonnes of LPG leaked from a road tanker. Systematic failure to inspect parts of the pipe work. | HSE Press Release E089:05 29/6/05 |
| HSE grants decommissioning consent for Calder Hall. | Report on decision to grant BNGSL decommissioning consent for Calder Hall nuclear power station in West Cumbria. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/nuc23.pdf HSE Press Release E090:05 30/6/05 |
| HJ Heinz Co Ltd | Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst retrieving a piece of plastic film from the end of a Swiss Vac machine chain drive. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000405 (25/4/05) |
| Guilford Europe Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Apprentice electrician injured when a dyeing machine vented hot liquid. Unsafe system of work. Poor training, information, instruction and supervision. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000477 (25/4/05) |
| Servaccomm Redhall Ltd | Fined £2,500 under WHSWR 1992. Injured falling 2.5m from roof of a unit whilst fitting a Marley blanket. No edge protection or fall arrest system. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000392 (25/4/05) |
| Frank Smythson Ltd | Fined £3,000 under PUWER 1998, following serious injury. The defendant's own RA had previously identified the issue. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000750 (27/4/05) |
| Milton Pipes Ltd | Fined £3,300 under HASAWA 1974 s33. Injured at bending head of MEP rod bending machine. | HSE Prosecution Case F030000472 (27/4/05) |
| Colchester Borough Council | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured falling through a skylight. No RA. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000536 (27/4/05) |
| Peterman Europe Ltd | Fined £2,000 under COSHH 1999. Hygiene operative injured by caustic turbo cleaning foam. Supplied with safety specs but material safety data sheet and the company's RA identified goggles/face visor as appropriate PPE. | HSE Prosecution Case F140000391 (27/4/05) |
| Mr Shann | Fined £1,500 under MHOR 1992. Injured falling from racking system after trying to move a 37kg boxed lawnmower which was the top of a stack of 4. Failed to avoid manual handling operation. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000598 (27/4/05) |
| Bryan Swann Builders | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Injured falling through an unguarded stairwell | HSE Prosecution Case F230000630 (27/4/05) |
| Hawk Facilities Ltd | Fined £5,000 under CHSWR 1996. Bricklayer injured falling down existing access hole at barn conversion. Hole previously covered but uncovered at time of accident. New site agent unaware of holes on 1st floor. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000632 (27/4/05) |
| Silver Knight Exhibitions Ltd | Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured whilst acting as banksman to an FLT which was moving staging between 2 buildings during exhibition set-up. Struck on head by load. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000397 (28/4/05) |
| Craftpride Ltd | Fined £5,000 under CAWR 2002. During conversion to a restaurant, a licensed asbestos contractor made Mr Akhtar, a director, aware of the presence of asbestos tiles but within 1 month a non licensed individual removed tiles. Prohibition Notice issued. Asbestos contamination both inside and outside the building. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000592 (28/4/05) |
| Ryearch Ltd | Fined £2,000 under CHSWR 1996. Construction worker on a building site injured by falling manhole cover whilst inside the manhole. Dumper truck reversed over the manhole. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000613 (28/4/05) |
| Simon Sutton | Fined £800 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured by unguarded belt and pulley drive on Belle Mini-mix MkIII cement mixer. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000575 (29/4/05) |
| HSC Annual Report shows commitment to its strategy. | HSC Annual Report 2004/05 shows progress against plans in the HSC's 'Strategy for workplace H&S in GB to 2010 and beyond'. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/reports/0405/index.htm HSC Press Release C017:05 7/7/05 |
| Government warns against conflict over corporate manslaughter Bill. | Government has warned stakeholders in the debate not to take too much time arguing over director's duties and prosecuting individuals if the bill is to reach the statute books. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):6 |
| Irish work deaths down last year. | The Irish 2004 Annual Report shows 30% reduction in workplace fatalities from 70 to 50, with 11,382 inspections. Accompanied by ten year review. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):8 |
| New TUC guide to protect pregnant women at work. | On-line guidance on the legally required RA to be undertaken by employers to protect new or expectant mothers at work. | Available on TUC website. Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):8 |
| Hazardous waste regulations come into force. | The Hazardous Waste Regs 2005 came into force on 16/7/05 superseding the Special Waste Regs 1996. They simplify the procedure for tracking the movement of hazardous waste by removing the need to pre-notify the EA about individual consignments. | DEFRA guidance. Internet: www.defra.gov.uk Recycling and waste link Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):10 |
| Failure to observe site safety plans criticised in child death case. | PJ Carey Contractors fined 40,000 under Irish safety law. In area of substantial road redevelopment work, 4 year old killed by reversing pick-up truck whose driver was unable to see the road ahead. No flag man. Poor monitoring of safety plan. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):12 |
| Tree-felling fatality costs council £200,000. | Essex County Council fined £200,000. Park ranger killed when a tree he was helping to cut down fell in the wrong direction. In possession of a chainsaw certificate but skill infrequently used. Poor RA and method statement. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):13 |
| Young worker paralysed in pallet spill. | St Merryn Meat fined £10,000. 19 yr old injured by 300kg load falling from top of stacked pallet whilst helping to steady load and manoeuvre it in storage area. No assessment of manual handling risks. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):13 |
| Demolition firm fined following supervisor prosecution. | Syd Bishop Demolition fined £7,000. Allowed work to continue after a Prohibition Notice served. Site supervisor A Beedie knowingly breached Notice. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):13 |
| Scaffold boards were not properly supported. | Kieran Mullin Developments fined £7,000. Injured falling >4m from scaffolding boards which gave way. Workers not trained scaffolders. Boards not correctly supported, guard rail and toe boards missing. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):16 |
| 'Systematic failures' lead to fine for waste company. | Greater Manchester Waste fined £3,250. Site agent employed by TJ Brent injured by shovel loader whilst walking along service road. Not ensuring the safety of non-employees and failing to inform TJ Brent of potential risks. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):16 |
| Swimming against the tide. | Following the Hampstead Ponds swimming case – is HASAWA enforcement contributing to the growing tendency towards risk aversion? (M Appleby) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):19 |
| Take your partners. | Partnership is central to HSC's strategy to improve H&S but the HSC/E need to be more open and provide potential partners with the key features and benefits of the proposed partnerships. (P Rimmer) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):36-38 |
| Life after death. | The procedures which are followed after a work related death. Each year 230 people in the UK die in work related incidents. (K Bridges) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):41-44 |
| Trusting the tools. | Exploring aspects of how audits can be a powerful tool in developing a safety culture. (N Budworth & S Cox) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):46-48 |
| Because we want to. | Developing a sound safety culture involves changing workers' behaviour and getting them involved. Shell has made its 'Hearts and Minds' programme available to others. (R Bryden & P Hudson) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):51-54 |
| Breathing space. | Respiratory health at a site involved in the production and packing of speciality metallic inks, pigments, flakes and powders. (J Partridge) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):56-58 |
| Mind your back. | The Backcare Charity's new 'Guide to handling people' is aimed at preventing back injuries amongst nurses and other carers. | 5th ed Backcare Tel:020-8977-5474 Safety & Health Practitioner 2005 23(7):63 |
| HSE warns farmers: 'take care using transport over the summer'. | The HSE has warned that transport activities account for the largest number of fatal accidents on farms, with 66% occurring between May and Oct. | HSE Press Release E091:05 7/7/05 |
| James Walker & Co Ltd | Fined £3,300 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst operating a horizontal rubber extruder when die plate failed and was ejected under pressure. The over-pressure detection and trip mechanism disconnected. | HSE Prosecution Case F180000437 (3/5/05) |
| Greenvale Foods Ltd | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Fire on premises resulting from welding activities on the potato flake line whilst line still in operation. Failure to identify risk or take reasonable control measures. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000380 (4/5/05) |
| Lang & Potter (Marine) Ltd | Fined £4,000 under MHSWR 1999. Injured falling from the side of a boat. No edge protection. No RA for employees working on Princess Yacht Int's site. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000760 (5/5/05) |
| Princess Yachts International Plc | Fined £5,000 under WHSWR 1992. Lang & Potter employee injured falling from the side of a boat. No edge protection. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000761 (5/5/05) |
| G Crook & Son Plant Hire | Fined £12,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2 / PUWER 1998. Quarry charge-hand injured in moving conveyor whilst attempting to clear a jam. Removed side guard to adjust belt with conveyor running. RA and method statements included a requirement to stop and isolate conveyors, and that 3 persons be present. | HSE Prosecution Case F010000769 (5/5/05) |
| Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation | Fined £3,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Following a fatality. Failure to manage risk to vulnerable inpatients of being burned on unguarded radiators. | HSE Prosecution Case F080000401 (5/5/05) |
| Engineering Systems & Services Ltd | Fined £1,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured in yard by FLT. No RA, safe system or pedestrian vehicle segregation. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000677 (5/5/05) |
| Christopher Glyn Jones | Fined £1,500 under CAWR 2002. Mr Jones, as director of LEMEC Ltd or as self-employed person, was in control and carried out work on breaking up a domestic cold water tank causing the spread of asbestos through the house. Others in the property were employees of LEMEC or self-employed. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000455 (5/5/05) |
| One 17 PM Ltd | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. Injured when grabs slipped whilst helping unload reinforced mesh using a HIAB-type lorry mounted crane. No lifting plan. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000540 (6/5/05) |
| We need a common sense approach to risk management – Hunt. | Lord Hunt has called for a common sense approach to risk management at the launch of a debate on the causes of risk aversion in H&S. | Web forum and DD. Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/riskdebate HSE Press Release E094:05 13/7/05 |
| Prime Minister speaks out against Britain's 'compensation culture'. | The PM has called for a debate on how the UK's perceived compensation culture can be replaced with a 'common sense' culture that adopts a more realistic attitude to risk. | Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):3 |
| BSC Awards offers opportunity to upgrade safety qualifications. | Following the launch of a Diploma and Certificate in OSH, BSC Awards now offers holders of other certificates the chance to upgrade to new BSC Awards Level 3 Cert in OSH. | Internet: www.britishsafetycouncil.org Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):5 |
| Action packs for European safety week 2005. | The European Week for H&S runs from 24-28/10/05 and its theme this year is 'noise.' | Info pack. Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/euroweek/index.htm Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):5 |
| Minister hails corporate killing Bill. | At a conference on the draft Corporate Manslaughter Bill, Home Office Minister Fiona MacTaggart told delegates that the proposals were a major step forward after years of delay. | Further inf on the TUC/CCA Conf. Internet: www.corporateaccountability.org Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):6-7 |
| Government consults on plans for workplace smoking ban. | Dept of Health consultation paper on the Government's proposed ban on smoking in workplaces and public spaces. | Internet: www.dh.gov.uk/Consultations/LiveConsultations/fs/en Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):10 |
| Flying start pays dividends. | The Air Cadet Organisation's formal Safety Management System for the varied activities of its 60,000 volunteers and cadets. | Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):16-18 |
| Man escapes death after ramp collapse. | Boroughbury Garage Ltd t/a Cooks Van Centre fined £14,000. Injured by collapse of hydraulic ramp whilst working under a vehicle. Specialist company contracted to inspect lifting equipment but oversight meant ramp untested for >2 years. | Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):22 |
| Office safety. | Steps to be taken to ensure the safety of those who work in an office. (P Southworth) | Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):28-30,32 |
| Office safety. | Advice on tackling stress at work after the introduction of management standards to help employers measure success at reducing work-related stress amongst staff. (C Spiers) | Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):34-36,38 |
| Planning for electrical safety in the office. | How employers can ensure the safety of portable electrical equipment used in the workplace. (R Taylor) | Safety Management 2005 (July/Aug):39-42 |
| Houserules. | As the Housing Act comes into force, landlords have increased responsibility for the safety of their tenants. Improving fire safety in buildings. (E Brogan) | Fire Prevention 2005 394 (July):20-22 |
| Enforcement advice. | Policies, procedures and guidance to support brigades in enforcing the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. (P Anderson) | Draft doc. Internet: www.hantsfire.gov.uk/prevent/safetyregs/cfoapolicy/ Fire Prevention 2005 394 (July):26-27 |
| Steel under scrutiny. | The fire performance of structural steel is being increasingly called into question. (A Scothern) | Fire Prevention 2005 394 (July):36-37 |
| Setting the seal. | New European requirements for fire sealants that the building industry will face in the near future. (R Sellman) | Fire Prevention 2005 394 (July):38-39 |
| Equal opportunities. | Should both full-time and part-time firefighters be trained to the same standard of competence? (J Snowdon) | Fire Prevention 2005 394 (July):48-50 |
| Qualified for the job. | Report on the CFPA Europe Diploma in fire prevention and National Occupational Standards. (F Argyros-Farrell) | Fire Prevention 2005 394 (July):51-52 |
| HSE warns divers against dangerous and illegal fishing methods. | The HSE has warned divers of the risks of using unsafe electrical equipment under water during commercial fishing operations. | HSE Press Release E096:05 14/7/05 |
| HSE publishes research on farming and stress. | Results of an HSE study on stress and its effects on farmers, farm workers and their families. | RR362 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr362.htm HSE Press Release E092:05 18/7/05 |
| Fruit farm prosecution highlights important safety issues. | Following the prosecution of a fruit farming company, the HSE is emphasising important safety issues to employers in the agriculture sector. These include: RA, proper training, machinery suitable for purpose. | HSE Press Release E095:05 19/7/05 |
| HSE publishes railway safety annual report 2004. | The report covers 1/4/04-31/12/04 and is the last to be published by the HSE. There were 5 passenger fatalities in train incidents and 11 people were killed in level crossing incidents. | 'Railway Safety 2004' Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/railways/statistics.htm HSE Press Release E098:05 19/7/05 |
| How does your business measure up? | CHaSPI has unveiled a 3rd round of case studies on the vital role directors play in H&S. The Corporate Health & Safety Performance Index is a web-based tool to assist organisations with >250 employees to measure the effectiveness of their internal controls and to benchmark performance. | CHaSPI Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/ HSE Press Release E097:05 20/7/05 |
| W Carter (Haulage) Ltd | Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2. HGV driver killed when unit ran away after trailer coupled to tractor unit. Driver forgot to apply parking brake, previous driver had not applied trailer parking brake. No RA, information or monitoring. | HSE Prosecution Case F070000497 (9/5/05) |
| Roberts Mart & Co Ltd | Fined £6,000 under PUWER 1998. Failure to prevent access to underside and conveyor roller of AMPLAS 4 bag conversion machine. Failure to maintain machines. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000596 (9/5/05) |
| Specialist Properties Ltd | Fined £4,000 under CHSWR 1996. Failure to ensure that a roofing contractor worked safely on a mobile tower. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000577 (9/5/05) |
| Bottle Recovery (Scotland) Ltd | Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2. One injured and unnecessary risks to 3 other workers. | HSE Prosecution Case F210000470 (11/5/05) |
| Squire A Radcliffe & Sons Ltd | Fined £9,000 under PUWER 1998 / MHSWR 1999. Injured whilst clearing fibre from a roller on the start of a line hopper. | HSE Prosecution Case F150000599 (13/5/05) |
| N & M L D Ltd | Fined £4,000 under CHSWR 1996 / CDMR 1994. Workers under their control working at heights >2m. Inadequate precautions, no guardrails. No H&S plan. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000444 (13/5/05) |
| HSC/E published statistics of fatal injuries for 2004/2005. | HSE statistics for 2004/05 show that 220 people were killed, which is a decrease from 236 in 2003/04. The fatal injury rate is currently the lowest on record. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/fatl0405.pdf HSC Press Release C018:05 28/7/05 |
| 220 work deaths last year. | HSC Chairman has called for all sections of industry to continue to improve their control of risk after 2004/05 statistics showed 220 people were killed. | HSC Press Release C019:05 28/7/05 |
| NDA begins work in earnest. | The Natl Decommissioning Authority has now taken over decommissioning and clean-up programmes at all UK civil nuclear sites. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(7):1-2 |
| Hygiene code. | Hospitals and care homes in England may have to comply with a new statutory code of practice on hygiene. The Healthcare Comm will monitor performance and issue 'improvement notices' to those not complying. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(7):5 |
| Reporting sick. | Recent results from the Labour Force Survey 2003/04 show the pattern of self-reported illness is similar to previous years. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdrs/swi0304.pdf RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(7):7 |
| Down the tube. | Passengers on London Underground breathe in dusty and polluted air but levels of hazardous ultrafine particles are much lower than those on the city's roads. | 'London Underground: dusts and hazards to health' Occup & Env Med 2005 62:355-62 RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2005 34(7):9 |
| Brown takes scalpel to red-tape herring. | Following the 24/5/05 action plan, employers will see higher and more proportionate fines and new administrative penalties for H&S offences from 2006. | 'Better regulation action plan' Internet: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (341):2 |
| Shifting the rhythm of life. | Possible effects of shift work on the H&S of the 20% of the UK labour force who work shifts. (B Allen) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (341):5-9 |
| Last orders for smokers? | Finalising government plans to ban smoking in most enclosed public spaces and workplaces. (H Fidderman) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (341):10-12 |
| Picking up bad vibrations. | Responsible employers and the new Control of Vibration at Work Regs 2005. (L Ponting) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (341):13-16 |
| Substance abuse at work: policy, practice and tests. | How employers might approach substance abuse at work. (K Humby) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2005 (341):17-26 |
| Organisations sign first agreement to ensure consistent health and safety enforcement on National Trust premises. | The National Trust, HSE and Swindon BC have signed an agreement to promote consistency in enforcement amongst those LAs and HSE regions with responsibility for premises owned or occupied by the NT. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/23-15.htm HSE Press Release E099:05 25/7/05 |
| Work is essential for good health. | HSE guide for safety and other TU Reps offering practical advice on long-term sickness absence and return to work. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/web02.pdf HSE Press Release E100:05 27/7/05 |
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
For copyright reasons we cannot make the articles themselves available.
HSE Prosecutions Database
The HSE did not post prosecutions for about a year from January until November 2006. There is therefore be a gap in our database from a hearing date of 24 January 2006 until 1 November 2006. 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.
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