Welcome to the archive section of Health & Safety News.
H&S
News October 2006
| Title | Comments | Publication |
|---|---|---|
| Lord Hunt calls for renewed action on gas safety. | At a gas safety stakeholder forum, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath makes it clear that complacency on gas related CO poisoning is not an option. Research from University College London includes the findings that 23% of homes have one or more defective gas appliance. | HSE Press Release E096:06 2/10/06 |
| Reasonable practicability case continues in Europe. | Fears that the UK’s entire range of H&S legislation may have to be rewritten have been temporarily put on hold following European Court hearing. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):6 |
| Government is guilty of “gold-plating” EU directives. | EU legislation is being implemented in the UK far more stringently than necessary, according to research carried out by Blairite think-tank. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):7 |
| Working time victory for unions - but do the workers really want it? | The Government will have to amend its guidelines on rest breaks under the Working Time Regs, following a decision by the European Court of Justice. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):7 |
| CPS in the dock. | The CPS is to be brought to court after a family was given leave to seek a judicial review of a CPS decision not to bring manslaughter charges against an employer. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):7 |
| The health benefits of a good day’s work. | Being in the right work is good for your physical and mental health, while the effects of being out of work include higher rates of mental health problems, and an increased likelihood of suicide and obesity. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):8 |
| Rail companies fined. | Network Rail and Amey Rail were fined £500,000 between them having pleaded guilty to causing a major train derailment. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):8 |
| The 9/11 nightmare goes on for ‘Ground Zero’ emergency workers. | A study has revealed that thousands of workers who helped clean up in the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Centre are now suffering from respiratory problems. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):10 |
| Professionals the victims of rising violence. | Lawyers, consultants and accountants are experiencing a rising tide of violence at work. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):10 |
| Worker fell through unprotected gap in high-rise platform. | Multinational construction group Bovis has been fined after a man shattered his ankle in a fall from an unprotected platform. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):14 |
| NHS Trust fined after patient drowned at one of its hospitals. | An elderly patient drowned in a raised brick-built pond in the garden of a Staffordshire hospital. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):14 |
| Dumper-truck disaster caused driver to lose his leg. | An employer and contractor have been fined £9,334 after a man had to have part of his leg amputated following a dumper truck overturning onto him. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):16 |
| Airline caterer fined over “very serious” incident. | A driver loader was seriously injured when he fell five metres from a platform between a high-loader airline catering vehicle and a Boeing 767 aircraft. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):16 |
| Lorry drove through live overhead cables. | Global minerals and mining group, Imerys, has been prosecuted after the raised trailer of an articulated lorry brought down live overhead power cables. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):16 |
| Window-cleaning firm in the dock. | A window-cleaning implement falling onto the head of a passer-by led to the prosecution of a Manchester firm after its platforms caused potential danger on a busy street. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):18 |
| Get the insurer to work for you. | You can use your normal solicitors instead of those suggested by your insurers following an investigation and/or proceedings arising out of an H&S, or environmental incident. | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):21 |
| Freedom of information - for your eyes only? | If you think you don’t need to know about the Freedom of Information Act - think again. The article explains what H&S practitioners need to know. (C Waters) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):38-40 |
| Mind over matter. | Any serious illness or injury can leave its mark on the mind of the victim but it is the disorders of mood and behaviour that lead to mental health problems. (Dr C Ide) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):43-46 |
| Count to 10. | The HSE definition of violence includes threats and abuse as well as physical assaults. Outlines a range of measures to manage workplace violence. (N Bell) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):48-50 |
| When you’re young. | The risk of young people having a non-fatal accident at work is 50% more likely if you are 18-24 in Europe, compared to other groups. (P Rimmer) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):53-54 |
| Flaming regulations. | The assumption is that if a building satisfies the Building Regulations, it must meet fire legislation. Sadly, this may not be the case. (P Jackman) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):56-58 |
| Contributor, not competitor. | In most safety-critical industries, safety and productivity are seen as opposite ends of a perpetual tug-of-war. But it is possible to have your cake and eat it by making good use of ergonomics. (Dr M Young) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):60-62 |
| Old-age tension. | With new Regulations on age discrimination coming into force this month, a look at how H&S professionals can apply ergonomics to ensure fair and legitimate treatment of older workers. (Kieran Duignan) | Safety & Health Practitioner 2006 24(10):65-66 |
| Regulation simplified as HSE becomes sole electricity safety watchdog. | The HSE is to become the sole Regulator for all safety issues associated with electricity transmission and distribution. | HSE Press Release E097:06 2/10/06 |
| HSC and HSE consults on disability and gender equality schemes. | HSC and HSE seek comments on its draft Disability and Gender Equality Schemes. | HSC Press Release C023:06 3/10/06 |
| Company fined £100,000 - employees suffered from painful allergic dermatitis over four year period. | Photo-Me International plc fined a total of £100,000 and £30,000 costs. HSE inspector said: “This is an important case. Allergic dermatitis is a painful skin disease that employers need to manage as effectively as the general safety of their workers.” | HSE Press Release E098:06 6/10/06 |
| Keeping it simple. | New HSE/HSC simplification plan to reduce paperwork costs to business associated with H&S law compliance. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/simplification/index.htm HSC Press Release C024:06 11/10/06 |
| One in ten injured at work. | Research for AXA Insurance found that 1 in 10 people have been injured at work during the last 5 years. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):2 |
| Company fined for fall. | LSG Sky Chefs UK Ltd fined £12,000. Airline catering worker injured falling 5m to ground whilst moving trolley over bridge plate between catering vehicle and aeroplane. Bridge moved. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):6 |
| Smoking ban success. | In a survey 92% of Scottish bar staff stated their workplaces were healthier since the introduction of the smoking ban in March 06. | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):8 |
| Risk training for doctors. | Junior doctors will be taught principles of RA as part of a patient safety education programme launched by the Natl Patient Safety Agency. | Internet: www.saferhealthcare.org.uk RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):9 |
| Course accreditation service launched. | RoSPA has launched a new course accreditation service for those running their own in-house workplace H&S training courses. | Internet: www.rospa.com/courseaccreditation RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):12 |
| Safe start. | European Week for Safety and Health at Work 23-27 Oct highlights the need to protect young workers and for the young to be more aware of workplace H&S issues. (N Cook) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):14-20 |
| Driver training. | The partnership which ensures the smooth and safe operation of vans and drivers in the Tesco fleet. (J Stagg) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):24-26 |
| Changing times. | The impact of change on the NHS and ensuring staff remain fully involved to reduce anxiety and stress. (E Gates) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):30-34 |
| Fighting talk. | Is it time for those working in H&S to stop apologising and create a new sense of pride in their achievements. (R Bibbings) | RoSPA Occup Safety & Health Journal 2006 36(10):46-47 |
| CPS appeals suspended manslaughter gaol term. | M Shaw, MD of Change of Style given 2 yr suspended sentence for manslaughter following the death of an employee. Safety devices on machinery bypassed. The CPS is appealing against the leniency. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):1 |
| HSE offences report lost in November bonfire of ‘non-essential’ information. | From November the HSE is reducing the number of annual reports, replacing them with a ‘Performance Rept’ and an expanded ‘Statistical Highlights’. | HSC/06/39 and HSC/06/69 Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/hsc/meetings/index.htm Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):3 |
| Lorry driver gaoled for mobile phone death. | John Payne gaoled for 4 yrs after killing another driver whilst trying to use a mobile phone. His 7.5 tonne lorry travelling at 47mph crashed into queuing traffic which had been visible for 900m. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):4 |
| Third mental breakdown costs NHS Trust £140,000 and loss of ‘dedicated’ worker. | Ms M Garrod awarded £140,000 following 3 mental breakdowns whilst in the employ of N Devon NHS Primary Care Trust. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):5 |
| Buncefield violence puzzles investigators. | Earlier reports from the Major Incident Investigation Board confirmed vapour cloud ignition from an overflowing fuel tank probably caused the explosion but there is still uncertainty regarding why it was so violent. | Internet: www.buncefieldinvestigation.gov.uk/reports/initialreport.pdf Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):6 |
| Offshore limits. | The Government has confirmed that it will clarify the Working Time Regs 1998 so that it is explicit that they apply to offshore work in the UK sector of the continental shelf and not just UK territorial waters. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):7 |
| Shell should have avoided Brent Bravo shortcomings. | A fatal accident inquiry into the deaths of 2 workers who suffocated in the utility leg of the Brent Bravo platform concluded the deaths might ‘reasonably have been prevented’ if Shell had properly repaired a hole in pipe work. | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):8 |
| Political dogma might undermine Pathways to success. | Government has published its Welfare Reform Bill and will roll out the ‘Pathways to Work’ programme - both aimed at returning to work 1m incapacity benefit recipients. | Internet: www.dwp.gov.uk/aboutus/welfarereform/ Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):8 |
| The Corporate Manslaughter Bill – barely worth the wait. | The Government’s latest on the Corporate Manslaughter Bill. (H Fidderman) | Bill 220 20/7/06 + Notes Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):11-14 |
| Young workers in Cumbria – a ‘safe start’ to work. | An attempt to improve workplace standards for young people in Cumbria. (L Ponting) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):15-18 |
| ‘A gun in both holsters’ – the use of flexible warrants. | The division of H&S enforcement responsibilities between HSE and LAs - and Hampshire’s attempts to break them down. (L Ponting) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):19-23 |
| REACHing a bitter end? | The draft European chemical safety regulation is moving to its 2nd reading in the European Parliament. (B Allen) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):27-29 |
| The perils of ignoring bullies. | Two important court rulings on bullying at work. Green v Deutsche Bank Grp Serv (UK) Ltd and Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust. (K Humby) | Health & Safety Bulletin 2006 (352):30-32 |
| Migrant worker research published. | New HSE research reveals the risks faced by migrant workers in England and Wales. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr502.htm HSE Press Release E099:06 9/10/06 |
| HSE publishes report following investigation of construction worker death. | The report raises issues for those undertaking routine examination and inspection of lifting tackle, in respect of components that are not visible unless dismantled. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/construction/fatalinjreport.pdf HSE Press Release E100:06 9/10/06 |
| HSE launches REACH helpdesk. | New helpdesk for business during the introduction of the Registration, Evaluation & Authorisation of Chemicals Regs probably due into force in 2007. | Helpdesk Tel:0845-408-9575 e-mail: ukreachca@hse.gsi.gov.uk HSE Press Release E101:06 10/10/06 |
| Buncefield Joint Task group calls for immediate action. | Joint industry and COMAH Competent Authority Task Group has called for industry to take immediate measures to implement 8 action points at major petroleum storage facilities. | Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/comah/alert.htm HSE Press Release E102:06 12/10/06 |
| Fines still too low, warns safety chief. | As part of the response to the Macrory Review, HSC chairman Bill Callaghan has told Ministers safety fines must be raised before new penalties are introduced. | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):4 |
| Met Police slam tube shooting prosecution. | The Met Police Service has criticised the decision to prosecute it under HASAWA 3(1) following the death of Jean Charles de Menezes and pleaded not guilty at the first hearing. | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):5 |
| Carpenter wins £400,000. | Mr AS Dahele awarded £400,000 damages for mesothelioma. Exposed to asbestos whilst working as a carpenter for T Bates & Sons between 1974-77. | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):7 |
| Fall death costs oil giant £290,000. | Ensco Offshore (UK) Ltd fined £290,000. Platform worker killed falling 100’ into sea from a ladder whilst removing water hose. 2 previous warnings that 4 ladders were unsafe. Non compliance with BS, no guards nor RA. Permit to work not enforced. Not wearing a safety harness. | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):8 |
| Barrow Legionnaires’ case: an insider’s view. | The solicitor for Gillian Beckingham explains the trial. (K Gibertson) | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):10-11 |
| Co-op prosecuted for ‘fundamental errors’ at store. | Co-operative Wholesale Soc Ltd fined £40,000. Night-shift worker injured tripping over dock leveller whilst leaving by rear exit. Blocked aisles. No formal induction training, hazard monitoring or H&S internal inspection for 2½yr plus electrical hazards. | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):18 |
| £40,000 payout after communication failure leads to hand injury. | Honeytop Speciality Foods Ltd fined £40,000. Iraqi immigrant injured in food processing machine whilst cleaning blade. A part had been removed for repair and worker told not to work on machine but misunderstood. Company not following own safety policy. No electrical isolation. Poor instruction. | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):20 |
| Personal injury claims – standing up for what you believe in. | What does it take to fight a personal injury claim against a company – the Safety Manager outlines requirements. (D Elton) | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):29-30 |
| Manual handling: getting back to basics. | Training staff in safe lifting techniques – mechanising lifting processes and redesigning tasks. (A Vale) | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):33-34,37 |
| When push comes to shove. | Assessing the risks from pushing and pulling tasks and the selection of suitable wheeled handling aids. (J Ferreira) | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):39-40,42 |
| The global village needs local knowledge. | Local anthropometrics and Europe-wide legislation on office workers’ ergonomic requirements. (J Greenhough) | Safety Management 2006 (Oct):45-47 |
| HSE stresses importance of nuclear industry safety standards following Sellafield sentencing. | British Nuclear Group Sellafield Ltd fined £500,000. Large leak of highly radioactive liquid within THORP which was contained, with no evidence of harm to workers or the public. | HSE Press Release E103:06 16/10/06 |
| New fire legislation in force. | Fire Minister, Angela Smith, has welcomed the new fire safety legislation. | Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):3 |
| Order of the day. | The new Fire Safety Order - a benefit rather than a burden to business? (R Gilby) | Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):2 |
| Business matters. | The new Fire Safety Order – views of stakeholders on the Business & Community Safety Forum. (R Robson) | Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):18-19 |
| Controlling minds. | Organisations should have a system of responsibility to ensure they meet the requirements of the Fire Safety Order. (T Paterson) | Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):21-25 |
| Lifting the burden. | Fire RA should not be seen as a burden but a process which can help streamline a business. (P Lackey) | Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):26-27 |
| Guide lines. | Guidance documents to help organisations comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order. (Dr E Marchant) | Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):28-29 |
| Come what may. | The Buncefield incident transformed the Maylands business estate from a thriving area to one with an uncertain future. (R Gilbey) | Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):35-38 |
| Continuous benefits. | Benefits of organisations involving their insurer in business continuity planning. (M Redding) | Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):39,41 |
| Standard time. | New British Standard due end of 2007 to help ensure businesses are prepared for disruption caused by any event. (N Dennis) | BS 25999 Business continuity arrangements. Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):42-43 |
| Short sighted. | A new survey shows that many organisations are falling short when it comes to business continuity management. | CMI Internet: www.managers.org.uk/doc_docs/bcm_report_2006.pdf Fire Prevention 2006 409 (Oct):47-49 |
| Meet the gang. | On call with an HSE duty officer, dealing with emergencies outside hours. | Health & Safety Newsletter 2006 (3)Oct:11 |
| Up and coming legislation. | Forthcoming changes to legislation due on 1/10/06 and 6/4/07. | Health & Safety Newsletter 2006 (3)Oct:12 |
| First-aid at work. | ‘Basic advice on first-aid at work’ is a new leaflet aimed at first-aiders and intended for use in first-aid boxes. | INDG347(rev1) Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg347.pdf Health & Safety Newsletter 2006 (3)Oct:13 |
| Workplace health, safety and welfare. | Revised leaflet outlining the requirements of the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regs 1992. | INDG244(rev1) Internet: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg244.pdf Health & Safety Newsletter 2006 (3)Oct:13 |
| Happy campus. | Book aimed at explaining the need to provide OH services in further education establishments. | HSG257 Isbn 0-7176-6194-6 HSE Books £9-50 Health & Safety Newsletter 2006 (3)Oct:14 |
| Guidance for chemical and major hazard industries. | New guide aimed at senior managers and safety professionals that wish to develop performance indicators. | HSG254 Isbn 0-7176-6180-6 HSE Books £11-95 Health & Safety Newsletter 2006 (3)Oct:15 |
| A guide to safety for firework display organisers and operators. | New edition of a book for competent operators and organisers. | HSG123 Isbn 0-7176-6196-2 HSE Books £9-50 Health & Safety Newsletter 2006 (3)Oct:15 |
| Health & Safety Commission approves CDM Regulations. | The HSC has approved the proposed revised Construction (Design and Management) Regs and ACoP for formal submission to the Minister. | HSC Press Release C025:06 20/10/06 |
| Revised asbestos regulations to come into force on 13 November 2006. | The Control of Asbestos Regs 2006 will reduce exposure limits and introduce mandatory training for asbestos work. | Internet: www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si200627.htm HSE Press Release E105:06 20/10/06 |
| Carbon monoxide - the silent killer. | The HSE has issued a warning about the dangers of CO poisoning. Approximately 20 people die each year. Homeowners and landlords should check their appliances. | HSE Press Release E104:06 24/10/06 |
| HSE withdraws paper industry guidance INDG 396. | The HSE has announced the withdrawal of paper industry guidance INDG 396 after discussions with DfT. Reference should be made to DfT CoP. | HSE Press Release E106:06 25/10/06 |
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.