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H&S
News April 2006
| Title | Comments | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Noise regulations come into force. | The Control of Noise at Work Regs 2005 came into force on 6/4/06 applying to all GB industries except music and entertainment which have until Apr 2008 to comply. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/noise HSE Press Release E044:06 6/4/06 |
| Gangmaster licensing scheme to come into force this month. | From 6/4/06 anyone supplying labourers to work in agriculture, horticulture, food processing / packaging will have to hold a licence under the Gangmasters’ Licensing Scheme. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):7 |
| Respite for new CDM. | For those affected by the revised Construction (Design and Management) Regs, a mandatory system of cards to demonstrate competence may come into force in 2007. | RR422 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr422.pdf Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):7 |
| Tebay two gaoled for 11 years for manslaughter. | Mr M Connolly (MAC Mach Services) gaoled for 9 yrs and employee Mr R Kennet for 2 yrs after the deaths of 4 track workers killed by a runaway trailer on the West Coast Main Line. Faulty brakes disconnected to save on repairs. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):8 |
| Working time woes. | An initial Opinion from the European Court of Justice has ruled UK guidelines on the Working Time Directive infringe EU law. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):10 |
| KFC has no secret recipe for escaping prosecution. | Kentucky Fried Chicken fined £60,000. Injured after pulling over 35 litres of hot frying oil on to self and colleague. Slipped on a mixture of cooking oil and water on tiled floor whilst cleaning. Poor cleaning, footwear, slip resistance. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):13 |
| Banksman in blind spot killed by reversing vehicle. | Combined Stabilisation fined £25,000 and CA Blackwell fined £15,000. Banksman killed by reversing motor grading machine during car park construction. No safe system of work. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):14 |
| Local authority fined £10,000 over lift-shaft plunge. | Borough of Telford & Wrekin fined £10,000 and WC Corfield fined £20,000. Four workers injured falling 22’ down a lift shaft during construction. Overloaded working platform collapsed. Scaffold not erected by competent persons. Late and inadequate construction phase safety plan. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):14 |
| Theatre faces the music over fall from unprotected roof edge. | English Stage Co Ltd t/a Royal Court Theatre fined £22,000. Carpenter injured falling 5m from unprotected roof edge whilst installing a light box. No generic RA. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):16 |
| Farmer fined after boy loses leg. | Mr R Beesley fined £5,000. 16 yr old injured caught in a ploughing machine and tractor driven by a 14 yr old. Slipped from tractor step. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):16 |
| Get to grips with stress. | The increase in stress cases going to court and possible upsurge in criminal enforcement. (K Bridges) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):19 |
| Uncommon safety. | The Houses of Parliament and its H&S team. (G Jolliffe) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):38-40 |
| Listen up. | The new Control of Noise at Work Regs 2005 and main changes with some issues employers will need to address. (S Bull) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):43-44 |
| Ready, willing - and able? | Practical techniques to ensure worker competence is achieved, maintained and measured. (G Kelly) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):46-48 |
| All in the mind. | The psychology of decision making and how to change it. (L Shearman) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):51-53 |
| Inner space. | Partnership between BAE Systems Submarines and HSE - safety procedures for working in confined spaces and the construction of submarines. (I Worrall) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):55-58 |
| Room for manoeuvre. | How various types of RPE interact with the need to climb into, out of, or within confined spaces. (F Hallett) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(4):60-62 |
| Rail departs HSC/E. | Responsibility for railway H&S regulation transferred from HSC/E to the Office of Rail Regulation on 1/4/06. | Internet: www.rail-reg.gov.uk HSE Press Release C006:06 31/3/06 |
| Asbestos – updated information for schools. | HSE updated information on managing asbestos in schools, although potential exposure remains low. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/schools.pdf HSE Press Release E040:06 3/4/06 |
| HSE begins public consultation on revised nuclear safety assessment principles. | HSE is seeking views by the end of May 2006, on revisions to the Safety Assessment Principles for nuclear installations. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/nuclear/saps/index.htm HSE Press Release E042:06 4/4/06 |
| Amendment to the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. | The MHSW (Amendment) Regs 2006 changes the civil liability provisions. | HSE Press Release C007:06 6/4/06 |
| New offshore safety regulations become law today. | The Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regs 2005 came into force on 6/4/06 replacing the 1992 Regs. | Internet: www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20053117.htm HSE Press Release E043:06 7/4/06 |
| Fire safety. | Coming into force later in 2006, the changes to fire safety legislation and the steps needed to comply. (P Ellis) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):32-35 |
| Lift guidance updated. | The Safety Assessment Fed - the trade body for the independent engineering inspection and certification industry, has published revised guidance for lifts. | SAFed Internet: www.safed.co.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):4 |
| Dangerous products risk. | The number of dangerous products identified in the EU has risen. Through RAPEX, national authorities notify the EC of products presenting a risk to consumer H&S. | Internet: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/health_consumer /dyna/rapex/rapex_en.cfm RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):4 |
| RoSPA Congress 2006 unveiled. | ‘Protecting people, adding value’ is the theme of the RoSPA Occup S&H at Work Congress at the NEC in May. | Internet: www.rospa.com/shwcongress RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):6 |
| Nurses at breaking point, says RCN. | A new RCN survey indicates that violent attacks against nurses are increasing and their psychological wellbeing is worsening. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):8 |
| Stressed employee wins negligence claim. | HM Customs & Excise have agreed to pay Mr S Mellor £138,000 in an out-of-court settlement. Prolonged stress and work overload. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):10 |
| HIV/AIDS policies: oil and gas industry guidance. | New report by the Int Assoc of Oil & Gas Prod and Int Petrol Ind Env Con Assoc on management of HIV/AIDS in the oil and gas industry. | OGP & IPIECA Internet: www.ogp.org.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):10 |
| Influencing health and safety in Scotland. | How Scottish organisations with high standards of H&S performance are joining forces to motivate others. (K McDonnell) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):14 |
| The sound of music. | The entertainment industry and the new Control of Noise at Work Regs 2005. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):18-23 |
| Rural rescue. | The H&S of staff in the Cumbria Ambulance Service Trust. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):26-29 |
| Protecting lone workers. | Work-related violence and health and community workers. (P Dealtry) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):40-41 |
| Safety education. | Progress on the action points raised in the HSC’s ‘Revitalising Health and Safety’ strategy launched in 2000. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2005 36(4):47-48 |
| New sprinkler guide. | New guide on the use and benefits of fire sprinklers, aimed at design/developers, architects, approval authorities and end users. | BASA / Arup Fire ‘Sprinklers for safety’ E-mail: info@basa.org.uk Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):5 |
| Registering interest. | How Engineering Technician registration operates and the benefits that it brings. (J Ruane) | Instn of Fire Engineers (IFE) Internet: www.ife.org.uk Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):8-9 |
| Business matters. | The controversial issue of fire services charging for non-core activities. (S Donovan) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):14 |
| Information release – Buncefield. | Currently investigators believe flammable vapour from a fuel release was the most likely cause of the Buncefield fire. | Internet: www.buncefieldinvestigation.gov.uk Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):15-16 |
| Supply line. | Success of the Fire and Rescue Suppliers’ Assoc, formed in 2005. (D Smith) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):17-19 |
| Good housekeeping. | New ODPM report indicates that English householders take matters into their own hands in tackling domestic fires. (R Gilbey) | ODPM ‘Fires in the home’ Internet: www.odpm.gov.uk Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):20-21 |
| Keep it real. | Incident commanders and how they acquire real-life experience in challenging situations. (P Redbourn) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):28-29 |
| Advice note. | The role of the UK fire and rescue services in providing advice under the new fire safety regime. (A Marles) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):31-32 |
| Minority report. | Research shows the fire service failing to implement effective recruitment policies for women and ethnic minority groups. (H Argyros-Farrell) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):38-39 |
| Human nature. | How the complexity of modelling human behaviour has driven the development of computerised evacuation packages. (J Ockenden) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):47-49 |
| Light reading. | Guidance on the provision of emergency lighting for escape routes. (M Floyd) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):51-53 |
| See the light. | Call for better industry standards for emergency lighting. (B Williams) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):54-55 |
| Cost of living. | Wire-free fire safety devices may provide a suitable and cost-effective solution to the problems identified by a fire RA. (Dr B Docherty) | Fire Prevention 2006 403 (April):56-57 |
| Lift companies fined £400,000 after fatal lift accident. | Otis (comprising formerly Otis Plc and Express Lift Co Ltd) fined £400,000. Two killed falling 30m down a lift shaft at high rise flats. Fell against lift doors which swung open. Inadequate fixing on lower rail of opening. | HSE Press Release E045:06 7/4/06 |
| Manslaughter Bill to be amended after MPs criticise draft proposals. | The draft Corporate Manslaughter Bill will be amended after criticism by two parliamentary select committees. | Safety Management 2006 (April):2 |
| BT bans smoking in work vans. | British Telecom has banned all 100,000 workers world wide, from smoking in both its’ offices and vans. | Safety Management 2006 (April):2 |
| Case for work-related voice loss rejected. | The Industrial Injuries Advisory Council has ruled that currently, work-related voice loss should not be covered by the Industrial Injuries Benefit Scheme. | Safety Management 2006 (April):3 |
| Government regulations have cost business £50 billion, claims report. | A British Chamber of Commerce report claims that regulations introduced since Labour came to power in 1998, have cost business £50 billion. | ‘Burdens Barometer’ Internet: www.chamberonline.co.uk/policy/pdf/budens_bar2006.pdf Safety Management 2006 (April):5 |
| New safety web page launched. | ‘Direct Gov’ – the on-line directory of Government and public services, has added an H&S section which includes general advice and legal duties. | Internet: www.direct.gov.uk/Employment/Employees/fs/en Safety Management 2006 (April):6 |
| Abusive patients could face £1,000 penalty. | The Health Secretary has announced that people who threaten or verbally abuse NHS staff could face fines >£1,000. | Safety Management 2006 (April):8 |
| SM asks: Are fines high enough? | Should there be higher fines and alternative penalties for H&S offences? | Safety Management 2006 (April):10-11 |
| Working with One Accord. | The application of H&S policy at Accord Plc. (J Hobbs) | Safety Management 2006 (April):21-24 |
| Research firm in court over carbon monoxide incident. | TWI Ltd fined £20,000. Technicians overcome by CO whilst testing prototype welding equipment in water tank. RA failed to identify production of CO as hazard. | Safety Management 2006 (April):28 |
| Company prosecuted over asbestos dust. | Morrison Facilities Services Ltd fined £32,000. Tiles removed from a roof contained asbestos of a type not expected. Workers wore protective clothing but no enclosure. Not licensed to remove asbestos type found. Failure to re-assess changing circumstances. | Safety Management 2006 (April):32 |
| Personal protection - clothing. | The different classes of HV clothing and how to ensure compliance with relevant European Standard. (C Walton) | Safety Management 2006 (April):35-36,38 |
| Personal protection – prescription eyewear. | Factors to consider when providing employees with prescription safety glasses. (A Taylor) | Safety Management 2006 (April):40-42 |
| Personal protection – protection at Windscale. | The benefits of UKAEA and DuPont’s ‘donning and doffing’ procedures for staff at Windscale. (I Samson) | Safety Management 2006 (April):45-46 |
| Revised waste strategy for England. | A waste strategy review for England revealed employers want greater clarity on legal responsibilities and the Government has asked stakeholders how to make the regulatory system easier to understand. | ‘Review of the Govmt’s waste strategy for England’ Internet: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/strategy/review Safety Management 2006 (April):49 |
| HSE continues support for British Safety Council awards. | HSE continues to support the BSC’s Int Safety Awards which recognise companies successful in reducing workplace incidents. | HSE Press Release E046:06 19/4/06 |
| HSE publishes full offshore health and safety statistics 2004/05. | Further details for 1/4/04-31/3/05 on the headline figures originally published in Aug 2005. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/statistics/hsr0405.pdf HSE Press Release E047:06 19/4/06 |
| HSE wins employment tribunal appeal by Menzies Aviation. | HSE successfully defended appeal by Menzies Aviation (UK) Ltd against an Improvement Notice relating to manual handling of baggage on/off aircraft at Manchester Airport. | HSE Press Release E013:06 20/4/06 |
| Andrew Mylius | Fined £2,000 under PUWER 1998. Killed whilst driving an FLT. Handbrake and steering poorly maintained. | HSE Prosecution Case F200000681 (9/2/06) |
| HSC consultation: improving worker involvement – improving health and safety. | New Con Doc on how to encourage, improve and increase worker involvement in H&S risk management. | CD207 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/consult HSE Press Release C008:06 24/4/06 |
| Security measures. | To better protect against terrorist attacks - new EU voluntary security scheme for land transport of goods. The scheme will complement existing EU rules for air and maritime transport. | Internet: http://europa.eu.int/comm/dgs/energy_transport/ security/index_en.htm RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2006 35(4):2-3 |
| Social inclusion. | DoH guide on re-integration and rehabilitation of people with metal health problems. Covers vocational services, day centres, community resources and payments. | Internet: www.dh.gov.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2006 35(4):4 |
| Cocklers’ deaths. | Gangmaster guilty of 21 counts of manslaughter after 23 cockle pickers died in Morecambe Bay. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/estuary.htm RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2006 35(4):6 |
| European safety directives guide. | Updated HSE guide to proposed and current European H&S directives. | ‘Euronews’ HSC Newsletter 2006 (166)April:7-18 |
| Updated guidance for arboriculture. | Revised information for employers, self-employed and contractors working in arboriculture to help them understand LOLER 1998. | AIS30(rev) HSE Books HSC Newsletter 2006 (166)April:19 |
| Chainsaws at work. | Revised leaflet on the use of portable, hand-held, petrol chainsaws. For employers, the self-employed and those who control work activities. | INDG317 Isbn 0-7176-6187-3 HSE Books HSC Newsletter 2006 (166)April:19 |
| Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations (COMAH). | Revised guidance on the COMAH Regs giving advice on their scope. Aimed at operators, LAs and emergency services. | L111 Isbn 0-7176-6175-X £15.95 HSE Books HSC Newsletter 2006 (166)April:21 |
| HSE show safer ways of working from height at ‘Interbuild’. | HSE will be exhibiting at ‘Interbuild 2006’ highlighting the dangers of working at height and offering practical guidance on managing the risks. | HSE Press Release E048:06 21/4/06 |
| Noise and vibration roadshows ride again. | In June the HSE/EEF are running 4 more roadshows on noise and vibration aimed at MDs, production managers, H&S advisors and safety reps. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk HSE Press Release E050:06 25/4/06 |
| TC Morris Ltd | Fined £2,800 under PUWER 1998. Injured whilst using a dough divider. Inadequate guarding. | HSE Prosecution Case F100000745 (16/1/06) |
| Westbury Homes (Holdings) Ltd | Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Window fitter injured falling 5.7m through floor opening. Poor guarding/fall prevention. Duty holder acting as Principal Contractor. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000618 (16/1/06) |
| Flooks of Bristol (Scaffolding) Ltd | Fined £9,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Investigation following fall from scaffold. Poor standard of scaffolding. | HSE Prosecution Case F230000719 (20/1/06) |
| Jason Barton | Fined £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Gas installer worked on a gas boiler at property where two died from CO poisoning. Failed to carry out work to a suitable standard. | HSE Prosecution Case F130000464 (24/1/06) |
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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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