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H&S
News September 2006
| Title | Comments | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Health and Safety Minister Lord Hunt goes caving. | Following the launch of the HSC’s principles of RA, Lord Hunt visited Trewern Adventure Activity Centre and went caving. | HSE Press Release E088:06 30/8/06 |
| Quarterly statement on nuclear incidents at nuclear installations. | There were no incidents in the period 1/4/06-30/6/06. | NSDI Tel:0151-951-3484 HSE Press Release E086:06 30/8/06 |
| ‘Industry must do more to meet offshore safety targets’, says HSE. | The offshore industry safety statistics 2005/06 show 2 workers were killed and 50 suffered major injuries. This is an increase from no fatalities and 48 major injures in 2004/05. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/offshore/statistics/stat0506.htm HSE Press Release E089:06 1/9/06 |
| HSE to take over electricity supply safety regulation. | In Oct, the HSE will become the sole regulator for all safety issues associated with electricity transmission and distribution. | HSE Press Release E090:06 1/9/06 |
| Implications of Lords’ decision on workplace bullying. | An increase in workplace bullying claims is expected after the House of Lords decision that employers can be held vicariously liable for employee harassment at work under the Protection Against Harassment Act 1997. | Bullying inf Internet: www.banbullyingatwork.com Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):7 |
| Single control limit for asbestos moves closer. | The changes to the Control of Asbestos Regs are likely to come into force by the end of 2006 along with ACoPs. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):8 |
| Irish businesses back health and safety. | New DETE report shows a change in perception, with >80% of employers in the Republic of Ireland believing H&S has a positive impact on their business. | Dept Enterprise, Trade & Employment Internet: www.entemp.ie Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):10 |
| Builders removed brown asbestos with a crowbar. | Steven Balfe fined £7,500. Crowbar used to remove facia board containing asbestos from the outside of library. No proper RA or safe system of work. Reported by member of the public. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):13 |
| Uninsured builder put employees doubly at risk. | John M Rogers t/a Rogers Roofing fined £3,750. After a call from a member of the public. Two working on roof over 2m high with no edge protection and ladder not tied. Used cutter without eye protection. No first-aid equipment or employers’ liability insurance. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):14 |
| Truck came in contact with overhead power lines. | Cuddy Demolition & Dismantling fined £10,000. Driver injured when tipper bed touched 33kv overhead power line whilst discharging tarmac. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):14 |
| Vapour cloud could have caused serious harm. | Abbott Labs Ltd fined £12,000. Whilst attempting to clear blockage, chemical overflowed and formed a flammable vapour cloud inside building. Failure to protect employees and to report incident. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):14 |
| Firm owner’s friend died in roof fall. | DA Carter Ltd fined £7,500. Foreman killed falling through a fragile roof whilst replacing lights. No RA, scaffold, edge protection or crawling boards. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):16 |
| Company is out of fashion with court. | East So-Sho Ltd t/a Loud fined £1,000. Member of the public injured falling through open trapdoor into basement. Trapdoor open because delivery expected. No barrier or warning signs. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):16 |
| Heavy fine for Michelin Tyres. | Michelin Tyres fined £100,000. Injured whilst clearing blocked hopper. Original unit BS EN294 compliant but modified. Failure to prevent access to dangerous machinery. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):16 |
| Employee was not aware of wet cement hazard. | Galliard Homes fined £15,000. Plasterer injured kneeling in wet cement whilst laying floors. No suitable protective clothing or kneeling board. No RA or method statement. No awareness of the dangers of working with wet cement. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):18 |
| Load fell from crane because it wasn’t lifted properly. | Gleeson Constr Services Ltd fined £35,000. Self-employed worker injured when struck by mortar tub which fell during crane manoeuvre. Non standard method used to move tubs. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):18 |
| Company’s ‘eyes were opened’ by fall case. | ICON Constr Services fined £10,000. 19 yr old builder injured falling through a fragile roof whilst replacing roof lights. Had removed his harness to reach a distant part of the roof. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):18 |
| Mind yourselves, middle managers. | The outcome of the Barrow Council Legionnaires’ case and its meaning for organisations and their management. (M Appleby) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):21 |
| Sentence structure. | How the judiciary make decisions in H&S cases, using the R v Howe case as example. (K McLoughlin) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):39-40 |
| Games on. | 2012 – interview with L Waterman, head of H&S for the Olympic Delivery Authority. (R Ellison) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):43-46 |
| The choice is yours. | The HSE’s new guidelines on assessing basic H&S credentials. (P Reeve) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):49-51 |
| Twenty years a-growing. | H&S – the evolution from job to profession. (M Burton) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):53-56 |
| Make the grade. | The routes to progressing a career in H&S. (T Aggiss) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):58-60 |
| In the spotlight. | H&S job interviews and the art of presentations. (P Roebuck) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(9):62-64 |
| Health and Safety Commission promotes safe systems of work to reduce fatalities in waste and recycling collection work. | Since Dec 2005 there have been 6 fatalities involving reversing waste collection vehicles. New guidance aimed at reducing fatalities involving collection staff and members of the public during street collections. | ‘Waste and recycling vehicles in street collection’ Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/web14.pdf HSC Press Release C022:06 4/9/06 |
| BUPA Care Homes fined £90,000 after the tragic death of a 95-year-old woman in their care. | BUPA Care Homes Ltd fined £90,000. Resident injured slipping from hoist used to get her out of bath and died 4 days later. Care assistant recent employee with no training in use of specific hoist. RA and manual handling procedures not drawn to attention of staff. Inadequate supervision. | HSE Press Release E093:06 7/9/06 |
| Maintenance workers warned – don’t take the gamble with asbestos. | HSE’s new ‘Don’t take the gamble’ campaign is to raise awareness of dangers of working with asbestos. Aimed at plumbers, carpenters and builders. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos HSE Press Release E091:06 7/9/06 |
| Final chance to sway ministers on smoking ban details. | Consultation on the regs which will enforce the ban on smoking at work due for introduction in 2007. | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):4 |
| Union warning as HSE axes jobs. | The Prospect Trade Union has warned HSE will need to cut 250-350 job by 2008 if it is to stay within budget. | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):5 |
| Architect acquitted of manslaughter. | G Beckingham, Head of Design Services, Barrow BC, acquitted of manslaughter of 7 who died after an outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease but fined £15,000 for breaches of HASAWA. | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):6 |
| First latex-related prosecution taken by HSE. | Swindon & Marlborough NHS Trust fined £1,000. Nurse had Type-1 latex sensitivity. Failure to control exposure to gloves containing latex. No proper RA or adequate training and information. | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):10 |
| Double prosecution blow for waste management company. | Viridor Waste Man Ltd fined £100,000. After inspection, served with Improvement Notice to ensure vehicle / pedestrian segregation. Notice not complied with and 4m later, 2 injured by reversing loading shovel. No segregation. Mirror missing and camera poorly positioned on shovel. | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):14 |
| Teenager scalded in kitchen accident. | Restaurant Grp Plc (Frankie & Benny’s) fined £18,000 + £5,000 compensation. 17-yr old Portuguese speaking worker injured after knocking faulty spout on pasta boiler. Engineer previously warned boiler needed repair. Boiler still in use after accident. Poor RA, training, failure to translate H&S literature. No proper investigation and RIDDOR report late. | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):18 |
| Hotel prosecuted after guest drank bleach. | Scarborough Grand Hotel fined £10,000 + £500 compensation. Guest drank water containing dangerous levels of bleach during Legionella disinfection. Guests not warned procedure in progress. No RA or written procedures. Maintenance staff guessed at the quantities required. | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):20 |
| Health & safety – driving down insurance costs. | Employers’ liability cover – even when a business’s H&S standards are high it cannot automatically rely on the insurance industry to recognise best practice. | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):26-27 |
| Watch your step – don’t let slips and trips get you down. | Tackling slips and trips in the workplace. (P Beaumont) | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):29-30,33,35-36,38 |
| The new order for fire protection. | The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order and what is involved, who is affected and what is needed to meet the requirements. (D Scott) | Safety Management 2006 (Sept):41-42,44,47 |
| Companies fined after worker’s leg crushed: Site owners warned of the dangers of reversing vehicles. | Site owners and managers are warned of the dangers of moving vehicles after two fined. Aggregate Ind UK Ltd (Bardon Contr Div) and Tripod Crest Planing Ltd fined £25,000 ea. Bardon worker injured by reversing Tripod lorry. No site induction for visiting driver. | HSE Press Release E092:06 12/9/06 |
| HSE’s new chief scientist takes up post. | Mr Patrick McDonald has taken over as the HSE’s Chief Scientist, replacing Dr P Davies who has retired. | HSE Press Release E094:06 12/9/06 |
| TUC calls for new max temperature. | After the hot summer, some employers are confused over their duty to protect workers from the effects of extreme heat. The TUC want a max working temp of 30°C or 27°C for strenuous work. | RoSPA Safety Express 2006 (Sept/Oct):18 |
| £4 million penalty for radioactive leaks. | The Nuclear Decomm Authority has fined British Nuclear Gp and UKAEA £2m each for separate incidents resulting in releases of radioactive material. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(9):3 |
| Road workers campaign. | Highways Agency’s new campaign to promote the safety of road workers. In 2005, 5 were killed and 12 seriously injured in England. | ‘2006-7 Road Worker Safety Action Plan’ RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(9):4 |
| RSI left off disease list. | Workers suffering RSI are still unable to claim compensation under the Industrial Injuries scheme, after a decision by the IIAC not to include RSI in the list of proscribed diseases. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(9):12 |
| Reproductive hazards. | Each year ½ million working women become pregnant and employers have specific responsibilities to ensure their H&S. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(9):14-16,17-19 |
| Behavioural safety. | How to introduce, successfully, a behavioural based safety programme. (V Murphy) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(9):24-26 |
| Behind closed doors. | Domestic violence and working life. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(9):30-34 |
| Word search. | OSH – how relevant is the word ‘occupational’. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(9):46-47 |
| Fire away. | Questions and answers about the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order which comes into force on 1/10/06. | RoSPA Safety Express 2006 (Sept/Oct):5 |
| Counter attack – violence at work. | The vulnerable position of shop workers in local stores. (N Cook) | RoSPA Safety Express 2006 (Sept/Oct):10-11 |
| Cash support for ‘Better Backs’. | Following last years ‘Better Backs’ campaign, HSE is offering funding for special events aimed at avoiding workplace back injuries. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/msd/campaigns RoSPA Safety Express 2006 (Sept/Oct):18 |
| Compensation cases. | Mesothelioma victims should now benefit from the Compensation Act 2006, amended to reverse a recent House of Lords ruling that reduced compensation payments to mesothelioma sufferers and their families. | Internet: www.dca.gov.uk/legist/compensation.htm RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2006 35(9):4 |
| Kinder to the skin. | HSE hope to achieve a 10% reduction in work related contact dermatitis by 2008 when compared to 2004 figures. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Bulletin 2006 35(9):5 |
| HSE welcomes ECA and HVCA’s health and safety competency initiative. | Initiative by the Electrical Contractors’ Assoc and the Heating and Ventilation Contractors’ Assoc which helps members meet H&S competences with the introduction of core criteria. | RR422 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrpdf/rr422.pdf HSE Press Release E095:06 26/9/06 |
| Scottish Power fined £400,000 for line worker’s death. | One line worker injured and one killed by 5500v shock after touching damaged insulation. Inadequate safe system of work, instruction, information and supervision. | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):3 |
| Benford pays £60,000 for second faulty risk assessment. | Maintenance fitter injured whilst cleaning shot-blast chamber with the machine running. No adequate RA or safe system of work. Previously prosecuted for inadequate RA. | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):4 |
| Ladder fall fine. | Monton Fencing fined £1,900. Injured falling from ladder whilst climbing 2.75m to a platform to fill a diesel tank. Inadequate RA. | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):6 |
| Ladders translated. | HSE’s leaflet ‘Top tips for ladder and stepladder safety’ is now available in 19 languages. | Free Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/languages/index.htm Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):8 |
| Network Rail bars Carillion from new track work. | Network Rail has suspended its contractor Carillion Rail from bidding for new track work until it can show its safety record and culture has improved. | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):8 |
| Health and safety pay survey 2006. | Results of a major salary survey amongst 550 H&S specialists. (L Wustemann) | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):12-13 |
| Workplace transport: A place of safety – Pt 1. | Reducing vehicle accidents on company premises – site management. (L Wustemann) | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):14-16 |
| Under surveillance. | Health surveillance – checking staff for signs of ill health. (L Ponting) | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):18-19 |
| A force for good. | How the Lancashire Constabulary has reduced its accident and absence rates over 3 years. (L Wustemann) | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):20-23 |
| Site specifics: fire. | Websites offering guidance on the new fire safety legislation. (B Leathley) | Health and Safety at Work 2006 28(9):24,26 |
| Fire deaths lowest since 1959. | UK fire statistics to 30/9/05 show the total number of fire-related deaths is the lowest since 1959 with 489, of which 300 were accidental dwelling fires. | Dept for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) Internet: www.communities.gov.uk Fire Prevention 2006 408 (Sept):4 |
| Business matters. | The mutual benefits of partnership work between the EA and the fire and rescue services. (B McGlashan) | Fire Prevention 2006 408 (Sept):14 |
| Decision time. | Managing emergencies – proactive decision-making within the fire service. (C Lewis) | Fire Prevention 2006 408 (Sept):22-25 |
| Bouncing back. | Developing and practising business continuity plans, to ensure recovery from disasters. (J Burtles) | Fire Prevention 2006 408 (Sept):27-29 |
| Support strategy. | The terrorist threat and possible changes to the fire and rescue infrastructure in Scotland. | Fire Prevention 2006 408 (Sept):40-41 |
| Open debate. | One of the proposed changes to the Approved Document B to the Building Regs could place lives at risk. (R Jeynes) | Fire Prevention 2006 408 (Sept):46-47 |
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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