H&S News December 2006

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The HSC’s performance report for the year details the activities, initiatives and campaigns overseen to reduce work-related fatalities, injuries and illness.

Revised Construction (Design & Management) Regs will come into force in Spring 2007 along with a supporting ACoP.

New HSE circular on moving walks or passenger conveyers which for legal purposes are considered as machinery.

Draft revisions to the recent Waste Management Licensing Regs to take account of more exemptions for agricultural rubbish.

Under vapour recovery controls, petrol stations selling >3.5m litres per year have until 1/1/10 to fit equipment for capturing the petrol fumes.

Healthcare Commission’s most comprehensive assessment of the NHS in England.  Scores trusts on quality of patient services, contact with the public and resource management.

Statistics for 2005 show an overall reduction in number of fires, fire-related deaths, false alarms and malicious false alarms.  Total number of fire related deaths being the lowest since 1959.

DCLG website including information for employers and building owners on compliance with the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The Fire Safety Order – success or failure may depend on how well it is enforced.  (G Evans)

New LRRF report on improvements by the London response agencies since the bombings in July 2005.

The design and use of warehouses can be conducive to fire - it is vital that risks are controlled.  (P Davey)

Some of the hazards that data and electric cables bring to offices.  (J Hodge)

Under the Fire Safety Order – need to assess the fire performance of building products and materials.  (M Harris)

Revision to EN 469, the European standard for firefighter protective clothing.  (I Rich)

The need for firefighters to be provided with suitable protective footwear.  (D Taylor)

Progress of a campaign to promote the wider use of sprinklers in schools.  (J Heeney)

The case for installing sprinklers in schools.  (J Milne)

HSC believes that merger with HSE would modernise corporate governance and provide a stronger voice for H&S.  Con doc.

Future Environ Services Ltd and Bethell Constr Ltd each fined £150,000.  Sub-contractor’s employee killed falling 5m over unprotected edge in sewerage overflow during maintenance work 12m underground.  No barriers.

Beechwood Dev Co Ltd fined £22,000 (principal contractor) and Deborah Serv Ltd fined £110,000.  Sub-contractor injured falling 5m into debris when scaffold loading bay tower collapsed under load.  Tower not designed or load tested.

Hillcrest EM Ltd fined £4,000.  Killed unblocking a slurry tanker using a pump powered by a tractor PTO.  No guarding.  Company finance in poor condition.

Hanson Building Products Ltd fined £95,000.  Heavy plant driver injured falling whilst repairing a drive and conveyor system.  Cross-strut to the tower from which he was working gave way.  Inadequate RA, unsuitable access and unsafe system of work.

Nightfreight (GB) Ltd fined £150,000.  Visiting driver killed by reversing lorry.  Company did not follow own safety regulations.

Cementation Foundations (Skanska) Ltd fined £100,000.  Killed when pile-driver collapsed after retaining pin fell out of one of the stabilising arms.  No exclusion zone.  The pin was company made.  Co had not noted a similar incident when, although arm became detached, pile-driver remained standing.

A Court of Appeal ruling states work equipment maintained by a third party can also be an employer’s responsibility.  (K Bridges)

Driver risk assessment may have a significant impact on managing road fleets but are they effective in identifying high-risk drivers.  (Dr L Dorn)

Some results from an investigation into slips and trips in prisons.  (M Guinness)

The Control of Asbestos Regs 2006 and their affect on employers/employees, as well as the analytical and licensed removal sectors.  (N Williams)

The risk of explosion in the workplace and how companies can manage their activities.  (I Ratcliff)

Overview of the various infectious diseases that can affect workers, primarily in agriculture/outdoors, health care and laboratory work.  (Dr C Ide)

BS 8848 covering school trips abroad is due in 2007.  It is being developed for adventurous educational activities abroad with the aim of reducing the risk of injury, illness or death.

Injuries to firefighters fell by 16% in 2004/05 and the number of RIDDOR major injuries also fell.

The Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 provides new measures to protect emergency workers from the threat of assault.

Following the death in Iraq of a Territorial Army soldier from a heart attack brought on by heat stroke, an Oxfordshire Coroners Court found that the Army failed to follow proper procedure.

HSE inspectors targeted Northamptonshire firms to raise awareness of the possibility of high levels of radon gas in the workplace.

TUC report correcting 14 false and exaggerated myths undermining the role H&S regulation plays in protecting people.

TUC research found stress is still a major problem in UK workplaces, with excessive workloads, job cuts and rapid change the most common triggers.

Government has committed £10m to improve OH services to NHS staff and increase NHS Plus, the OH Depts providing OH services to SMEs.

Voice care RA - the voice is a tool of communication and of normal function but can also be affected by work demands.  (E Gates)

Once electrical equipment, appliances and tools enter the workplace, the responsibility for safe operation lies entirely with the employer.  (I Watson)

The battle against MRSA and other health care associated infections.  (N Cook)

The benefits of regular driver/vehicle document checks for both employers and employees.  Driving is a dangerous work activity with approx 20 killed and 250 injured every week.  (R Bibbings)

HSE has reminded home-owners and landlords of the dangers of CO and the steps to protect themselves and others from harm.

A year after the explosion and fire at Buncefield fuel depot the HSE has issued information on activities it has carried out and its on-going programme of work.

Statement regarding the difficult relationship between HSE and Mr Burr, Roves Farm Visitor Centre which is visited by a large number of children.  History of enforcement notices.

Corus UK Ltd fined £1,333,000 + £1,744,474 costs.  Three killed when a blast furnace exploded after water in the furnace came into contact with hot material.  Systematic corporate management failure.

European Parliament’s environmental committee has voted to strengthen the substitution and authorisation elements of REACH.

Kent Blaxhill & Co Ltd fined £80,000.  Contractor working for ‘payment in kind’ escaped punishment, two juries failed to reach a verdict.  Contractor’s friend killed falling 9’ through an open loading gate during dismantling of a mezzanine floor.  Poor process for selecting contractors, no suitable and sufficient RA.

The Better Regulation Comm has asked the HSC/E to examine ways of offering ‘autonomy’ to organisations that can show good H&S practice.

Lidl UK GmbH fined £75,000.  Visiting deputy manager injured helping 3 others move a 1.5 tonne safe during refurbishment.  A specialist lifting contractor had visited and informed Lidl that he would return at a later date with heavy lifting equipment.

HSE / NHS SMS research recommends Government should consider regulating violence management training in the NHS.  Includes case studies and a tool-pack.

HSE research into the possible structure of best practice in OSH governance. 

Board level involvement in OS&H exemplifying leadership and direction.  Further HSE case studies.

HSE has added the full text of all H&S legislation which it enforces to its legislative website.

HSC’s optimism that it may reach ill health and absence targets by 2009/10.  (H Fidderman)

Following much debate, the chemical industry prepares for REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals Regs).  (B Allen)

Research examining attempts to involve workers at small business sites in the construction industry.  (L Ponting)

A year after Buncefield fuel depot fire, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue issue a review of the multi-agency response.  (R Gilbey)

New 4 year study reinforces commitment to preventing children and young people being harmed by fire or committing fire crime. 

Fire protection systems to safeguard industrial freezers.  (M Workman & C Gill)

The Fire Safety Order and the required process for reducing risk to an acceptable level.  (C Martin)

The introduction of improved controls for acetylene gas cylinders.  (Sir Ken Knight)

Portable fire extinguishers fight more fires than the fire service but rarely get the credit.  (S Donovan)

The various stages of the fire investigation process.  (J Horswell)

Societe Reverchon Ind fined £120,000.  (In liquidation - French manufacturer.)  Lightwater Valley Attract’s Ltd fined £35,000 and maintenance electrician Mr E Butters fined £2,500.  Visitor killed and 3 injured on a roller coaster ride after two cars collided.

Rosekey Ltd (t/a Atwal Builders) fined £90,000 and Mr KS Atwal, director, fined £90,000.  Compensation of £3,000 each to the 3 displaced residents.  Bookshop and two flats partially collapsed in night.  Rosekey had been contracted to build next door and dug a trench at a depth that undermined the bookshop foundations.  No suitable support provided.

20% increase in HSE prosecutions after internal audit revealed that in 10% of investigations legal action justified but not brought.

According to H&S statistics 05/06 it is unlikely that the HSE and Government will meet their target of 10% cut in the rate of fatal and major injuries by 2010.

HSC has decided to stop the Worker Safety Adviser initiative after current funding ends in 2007.

Mr Richard Taylor awarded £3.75m compensation.  Bin lorry he was riding in overturned when the driver braked hard to move rubbish up the truck.

The debate over whether GB be allowed to keep its opt-out from the 48hr max working week has again reached deadlock.  Compromise plan blocked by France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus.

Attacks on NHS staff in England have fallen from 60,385 in 04/05 to 58,695 05/06.  This follows a rise in prosecutions and increased training for workers.

The long awaited Corporate Manslaughter Bill.  Main provisions and potential sticking points.  (O Handy)

Lyons Landfill Ltd and Frank Lyons, Director, each fined £80,000.  Self-employed lorry driver killed when his vehicle crane touched a 33,000v overhead power line.  Poorly laid out site with sand stockpiles near OHLs.  Inadequate signs.

London Borough of Hackney fined £10,000.  Two injured  one a qualified electrician, by electric shock whilst replacing a street lamp bulb.  Disconnected light sensor and believed whole electrically isolated.  Poor training and RA.  Lamp’s live and neutral wire had previously been accidentally reversed.

Interview with Shaun Davis, Health & Envir director, Rok Group which has grown rapidly since 2000.

Factors to take into account when selecting and using gloves for the workplace.  (C Packham)

What employers can do to promote wellness at work.  (C Jones)

Working days lost through sickness and what occupational therapy can to do help.  (D Cocke)

HSE advice to help call centre managers comply with H&S law.  Includes training, musculoskeletal disorders, violence and alternative ways of working.

Riggsed fined £75,000.  Members of the public injured when a theme park all-terrain truck ride rolled over into river.  No suitable and sufficient RA.  Poorly padded rollover, poor enforcement of 3yr age limit, unsuitable lap belts.  17 year old driver only trained the previous day.

HSE’s new on-line toolkit giving guidance for line managers.  Absence management strategies and how to recognise problems.

RoSPA guidance to help employers assess the risks and benefits of driving aids.  Increasing use of new driving technologies in company vehicles could jeopardise driver safety.

Halifax (HBOS) agree £300,000 compensation to employee injured by a counter security shutter during a routine test.

Kubota UK fined £175,000.  HSE investigated accident in 1999 when a worker was injured on exposed rotor of a motor mower.  Kubota promised to retrofit guards.  After a further 2 similar accidents, HSE found the firm failed to make agreed modifications.

Ruttle Contracting fined £100,000, George Ruttle, Director, fined £75,000 and related company Chargot (t/a Contract Services) fined £75,000.  Killed when his articulated truck overturned whilst moving soil during in-house landscaping.  Not wearing seat belt.  No training or supervision.

Network Rail fined £130,000 and Scotweld Employ Serv fined £33,000.  Scotweld worker killed by train whilst acting as lookout.  Failure to ensure track inspections planned and carried out safely.  No safety information.  Failure to request safety pack.

A recent EAT judgement in Royal Bank of Scotland v McAdie overturned earlier decision.  The fact that an employer has caused a worker’s stress-related condition does not mean they cannot dismiss them fairly if they are incapable of work.

Factory Reconstruction Co (Manchester) fined £12,500 incl costs.  Czech employee injured using a circular saw to cut wood.  No adequate guarding, RA, training or instruction.

Review of the Government’s new arrangements for responding to civil crises.  (J Norton-Doyle)

Combining people and vehicles – site transport on construction sites.

Some classic legal cases - for students of the NEBOSH Natl Dipl.  (L Bamber)

Letting angry people talk is critical to successfully defusing aggression.  (P Hammond & J Goodwin)

Is fashionably styled PPE and work clothing likely to be more or less effective at protecting employees.  (C Rochester)