H&S News May 2008

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HSE are warning anyone that may have had any work done by David Johnson, formerly trading as Merlin Building and Roofing Contractors, to have the work checked.  The warning comes following the death of a resident after Mr Johnson had worked on a house chimney.

The Chair of the newly merged HSE, Judith Hackitt, has warned that the door has been left open for legislation to bring in compulsory board duties if the voluntary approach fails.  She is said to be disappointed with the corporate response to guidance on directors' duties published last year.

On April 1, the HSC and HSE merged to become a single body under the HSE name.  Chair Judith Hackitt stressed the union would "not fundamentally change the day-to-day operations but will set the tone for closer working throughout the organisation".

Glasgow City Council and its private sector contractor 3ED (Glasgow) face a multi-million pound bill after HSE backed teachers' concerns about high temperatures and a lack of fresh air in Glasgow classrooms.  Following earlier reports from a 3ED-commissioned evaluation, HSE inspected various rooms and its report supported the teachers' complaints, stating that existing provisions did not ensure a sufficient supply of fresh air and reasonable temperatures.

A Parliamentary Bill to increase penalties for poor safety performance has taken another step closer to becoming law.  The Health and Safety (Offences) Bill has passed through the Public Bills Committee, paving its way for its third reading in the House of Commons.

Tanya Dodd has received a six figure out-of-court settlement from Scarborough Hospital after she was forced to give up her career as a trainee nurse when she developed a latex allergy.  UNISON, which backed Tanya's case said, "The dangers of developing latex allergy are well documented, and the solution is simple: provide latex free gloves. Scarborough Hospital did not."

HSE has launched a new website offering H&S advice for overseas workers and their employers.

Calendar of new and upcoming legislation.

Road maintenance firm Colas fined £90,000 and £24,000 costs under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Colas were Principal Contractor on a project where two men were killed when they were electrocuted after the mobile tower light they were moving came into contact with overhead power lines.  Failure to take reasonable steps to ensure H&S of non-employees.

Laing O'Rourke fined £60,000 and total costs of £41,000 under CHSWR 1996.  They were the contractor on the Swan Hill Homes development, along with structural engineers Waterman Partnership.  The project required excavation of footings for a new structure behind a shoe shop.  The identified need for a retaining wall to support the shop's storeroom was abandoned as it would cost £150,000. Less than a day after the work started, the storeroom collapsed.

From this month, the music and entertainment sector has to fall in with new noise regulations.  How the Royal Opera House has coped.  (Becky Allen)

Reporting and recording techniques for workplace accidents and near-misses.  (Jocelyn Dorrell)

In the second of two articles on safety data sheets, an explanation on who needs to supply what and when.  (Lawrence Bamber)

A look at what you should expect from sound stress management training.  (Paul Smith)

How to make your H&S messages stand out in the company newspaper.  (Andrea Oates)

Options for checking your safety training is getting through to people.  (David Towlson)

The likely changes to first-aid training rules next year.  (Richard Evans)

A report on the operational response of fire and rescue services in England to the floods of summer 2007 has recommended a host of improvements, but has stopped short of calling for new statutory "flood rescue" duty for the service.

A new campaign from Herts F&R underlines the potential dangers of using tea light candles.  At the launch of the campaign, a blaze in Stevenage was used to illustrate the dangers.  In the blaze, two firefighters lost their lives.  The fire had started after a tea light was left burning on a TV set without a holder.

The operation of 5 sprinkler heads stopped a fire from spreading through a large furniture manufacturing unit in the West Midlands.  The blaze is thought to have started because of a faulty electrical extension lead.

A new text messaging service in Kent for deaf and speech-impaired people enables them to gain quick and easy access to emergency services.

The Fire Protection Assoc will be delivering a number of fire risk assessment courses to enable Falkirk Council premises managers to fulfil their fire RA responsibilities.

Terence Hartley has been sentenced to prison for six months for the illegal storage of fireworks.  He was found to be storing 33 cartons and 34 loose fireworks in the living room of his house.

The FBU has called for a national strategy to tackle the problem of attacks against UK firefighters.  (FRM)

The FBU report on violence against fire crews underlines the need for fire service employers to protect their staff.  (Noel Walsh)

With prosecutions under the Fire Safety Order growing in number: a lawyer's view of court action in the area.  (Warren Spencer)

The new Tyne Tunnel Crossing will be the first tunnel in the UK to incorporate state-of-the-art fire safety measures.  (Mick Nielson)

An investigation into a tank leak at a Manchester petrol station has raised concerns over public safety and the monitoring of fuel stock levels.  (Russ James)

A specialist unit for improving responses to hazmat incidents, particularly at high-risk sites, is being set up by Merseyside F&R Service.  (Sam Grady)

Wildmoor Quarry Products Ltd fined £5,000 and costs of £3,520 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  An employee was struck on the head when a lump of sandstone fell approx 6 metres.  The employee was not wearing any head protection and suffered serious head injuries.

W&M Thompson (Quarries) Ltd fined £3,000 with costs of £1,756 under PUWER 1998.  Mr Alan Armstrong fined £1,200 with costs of £500 under HASAWA 1974 s7.  A worker suffered cracked ribs and bruised lungs after becoming trapped in a rotating, unguarded shaft between a tractor and a water bowser.  Damaged guard had earlier been removed by Mr Armstrong.

International Workers' Memorial Day was commemorated on April 28.  This year HSE is supporting the aims of the day by enhancing its multi-lingual migrant worker website to provide guidance for workers from overseas and their employers.

Weldex UK Ltd fined total of £10,500 with costs of £2,832 under PUWER 1998.  A worker was carrying out some grinding work when the disc shattered and penetrated the visor he was wearing.

Everest Ltd fined £6,000 with costs of £15,963.25 under WHR 2005.  The stark warning issued is that companies face robust enforcement action after workers at Everest Ltd were found to be repeatedly exposed to the risk of falling from height.

In order to maintain its position as one of Glasgow's leading visitor attractions, The Tall Ship Glenlee, must maintain and preserve its unique venue.  H&S is their number 1 priority when they do this, both to protect their staff and of course the visitors aboard the ship.  As such, they have now given their backing to the HSE's Shattered Lives campaign.

Carlisle Glass Ltd fined £10,000 with costs of £1,100 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  An employee severed an artery after he fell and cut himself on the broken window he was repairing.  Failure to ensure H&S of an employee.

Corus UK Ltd fined £170,000 with costs of £30,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  An employee was killed whilst working under a crane at the Brinsworth, Rotherham site.

At the recent "Leading from the top - avoiding major incidents" conference, HSE created a common platform for industry leaders to share good practice and learn from incidents such as Texas City and Buncefield.

HSE has welcomed the Members' debate in the Scottish Parliament to recognise the importance of International Workers' Memorial Day.

Warrington Council has signed up to the HSE's Sensible Risk campaign to combat the growing number of myths that are undermining important H&S legislation.

Fined £6,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Employee fell approx 3.6 metres through plasterboard when working in a roof space.  Failure to adequately identify and address risks of working over fragile material.

Fined total of £250,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and PUWER 1998.  This case did result from the investigation of a fatality.

Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Faults in boilers and associated flue system resulting in carbon monoxide being released in classroom.

Fined total of £10,000 under WHR 2005.

Fined £2,000 under PUWER 1998.  Employee injured when his hand made contact with the saw blade.

Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  IP fell from height whilst undertaking maintenance work at site of Schawk UK Ltd.

Fined £20,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  IP fell from height sustaining head injuries.

HSE is warning companies to ensure its employees working at height have proper safety equipment and the risk to them is fully assessed.  This comes after Roy Clark, the proprietor of a South Wales roofing company, was jailed for 10 months and ordered to pay nearly £18k costs after admitting a manslaughter charge.  One of his employees fell to his death through a skylight.

It's now been six months since Judith Hackitt took over as Chair of the HSC.  What she's been up to.

There is almost one death a week in agriculture, with an average of 49 people killed every year in this industry.  Accidents include falling bales, livestock, quad bikes, slurry and those to children.

Red Watch at Buxton Fire Station rescue more people from cars than fires these days.  They regularly stage mock car crashes for various organisations, including HSE, to show the consequences of careless driving.  (Ian Redfern)

British food and drink manufacturers have served up a massive 46% drop in their overall injury rate since the start of the joint HSE/food industry "Recipe for Safety" initiative in 1990/91.  (Richard Morgan)

A new Treasury report suggests that national regulators should focus more on businesses which flout the law and ease up on reputable firms.  Enforcement agencies are also criticised over inadequate sanctions, confusing record-keeping requirements, unintelligible guidance, and poor communications between policymakers and field staff.

Due to three sets of new regulations, utility companies must give councils longer notice of roadworks.  They will also have to comply with strict conditions imposed by local authorities.

Nearly 8,700 employees were monitored for lead exposure in 2006/07.  This was slightly above the previous year's total.

On April 1st the HSE and HSC were reborn as a single entity, a reinvented Health & Safety Executive.  The new HSE, which has inherited all the statutory functions of the old HSE and HSC, as well as their staff, will be "revisiting" the HSC's existing strategy for workplace H&S until 2010 before the year is up.

Following the scheduled ending of the pilot Workplace Health Connect scheme, the Welsh Assembly has ensured that free occup health advice for SMEs will not end.  They are being partnered by the HSE in a new health, safety and return to work pilot service in Wales.

The number of case studies on the HSE website has increased to 10.

The HSE issued a statement on 8 April showing how the HSE's high-level policies ensure it is already working in line with the Regulators Compliance Code.

Overseas workers in Britain can now access information on their H&S rights and responsibilities in 13 languages.

HSE has added five new model risk assessments to its website covering a village hall, road-haulage company, car-parking service, nightclub and food preparation and service.

The HSE has published research on the links between emotional demands and burnout.

Firefighters and ambulance crews need greater protection against violent attacks.  (Andrea Oates)

Table reviewing all HSC/E activity between 6 October 2007 and 7 April 2008.

HSE welcomed the Members' Debate which was due to take place on 1st May to recognise the importance of International Workers' Memorial Day.

HSE has issued a safety alert aimed at homeowners, tenants, landlords and heating professionals following five incidents in the last five years where redundant solid fuel back boilers exploded after fires were lit in front.

Dr Paul Stollard has now taken up the post as the new Director for the HSE in Scotland.  He is an architect and fire engineer and has worked in the safety industry for the last 25 years.

Everyone working in the offshore oil industry has a part to play in driving up safety standards in the sector further.  Nearly 200 participants attended the "Play Your Part" Offshore Workforce Involvement Day.

Trak Build Ltd (Principal Contractor) fined £10,000 and costs of £8,278.92, plus a victim surcharge of £15.  Midland Steel Structures Ltd (subcontracted firm) fined £10,000 and costs of £8,278.92, plus a victim surcharge of £15.  In 2006, a worker suffered massive head injuries following a fall down a concrete staircase being installed.  He remains in hospital requiring 24 hour care for the rest of his life.

Echo 2 fined total of £10,500 and costs of £16,549 under HASAWA 1974 s20.  Following visits to the site and meetings with the company, notice was given for the company to produce documents that would allow HSE to identify people who might be carrying fireworks by road.  These documents were not produced as required and an investigation was carried out.

Murray Construction and Development Ltd fined £10,000, costs of £1,414, compensatory award of £5,000 to the injured worker and a victim surcharge of £15.  Three workers were working on a new house construct and moving a rafter.  The IP was standing on a joiner's stool to do this and fell through a gap onto the concrete floor 2.8 metres below.  He sustained serious injuries and has been unable to return to work since.

Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Failure to ensure the scaffold working platform was safe.  Person working on platform was seriously injured when part of it collapsed causing him to fall to the ground.

Fined £4,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Failure to have in place adequate procedures or supervision to ensure a scaffold working platform was in a safe condition before use.  Employee was instructed to use platform to gain access.   Part of the platform collapsed and employee fell sustaining severe injuries.

Fined £13,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Prosecution arises from unsafe access onto the conveyors of a fragmentiser.  Injuries to an employee when the conveyors started unexpectedly whilst he and a colleague were cleaning a blockage.

Fined £1,875 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Failure to make an assessment with regard to operation, maintenance and cleaning of horizontal band saw.  Failure to prevent access to dangerous parts of horizontal band saw whereby employee was injured.

Fined total of £3,500 under PUWER 1998 and MHSWR 1999.  This case resulted from the investigation of a fatality.  Bed rails used could not be fixed to the bed frame such that they could not slide out of position.

Fined £9,000 under PUWER 1998.  Failure to ensure that access to dangerous part of a conveyor was prevented.  Whilst clearing wood shavings from conveyor, employee was injured.

Fined £7,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  A Scarab Minor street sweeper was sweeping a roadway during which it reversed hitting the IP who was seriously injured.  Police and VOSA are investigating.

Fined £1,000 under PACAR 1998.  This case resulted from the investigation of a facility.  A tragic accident stemming from an unwise action by the responsible person allowing an under-age person to drive the tractor.  The accident was entirely preventable.

Fined £25,000 under the PUWER 1998.  IP was Polish, spoke very little English, suffered a broken arm and lacerations within a few hours after starting at workstation for the first time.  A biscuit hopper and fixed plough had been installed onto the conveyor line with no guarding.  Biscuit crumb not being dispensed as well as intended and IP intervened. Person giving instructions for task could not be identified by company or IP.

Fined £4,500 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  A 39 year old suffered a serious injury to his left foot.  Mill-ring approx 5'6" dia, weight approx 1.5 metric tons, fell on top of him whilst he was assisting in moving the mill-ring to carry out maintenance work on it.

Fined £2,500 under HASAWA 1974.  Guard interlocks defeated.  No system in place to check safety features were in place and functioning.  No RA in place for machine.

Fined £4.000 under PUWER 1998.  Employee injured whilst operating a circular saw bench, thus identifying the deficiency in machinery guarding standards.

Fined £300 under ELCIR 1998.  This case resulted from the investigation of a fatality.  Fatal accident to employee revealed that there was no ELCI in place at the time of the accident.

The Chair of the HSE says "The responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of all organisations' employees starts at the top."

An investigation by the Healthcare Commission has found that managers at Staffs Ambulance Service NHS Trust took risks with the safety of patients, staff and volunteers over a three year period.  The investigation highlighted problems at the former Trust including lack of driver training for emergency ambulance volunteers (community first responders) and poor management of controlled drugs.

Research conducted by the Chartered Management Institute and Cabinet Office reveals that, as the threat of disaster continues to hang over organisations across the UK, many fail to provide adequate protection for their key assets.

Train drivers' union, ASLEF, says it is "very concerned" about the safety implications of two separate incidents involving containers being blown off freight trains in high winds.   The incidents happened on the same day, both trains were travelling at over 70 mph, neither driver was aware that the containers had come off, and in one case, the train ran for a further 40 miles.

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority has published a series of handbooks, brochures, leaflets and a DVD to help those in agricultural, horticultural, commercial forestry, shellfish gathering, food & drink processing, and packaging industries understand their responsibilities in relation to licensing.

A new study carried out by National Britannia claims that, for every reportable accident in a British workplace, there are a further 16 less serious accidents, many of which lead to insurance claims against employers.

The Cabinet Office has published new guidance to help with the development of local action plans for groups of people who may be vulnerable in an emergency.  The guidance is intended primarily for those involved in local emergency planning for vulnerable groups such as school children, care home residents or people with mobility problems.

An ongoing campaign to reduce workplace accidents in the wire industry has had significant results.  In its first year, "Live Wire" has led to a 17% reduction in accidents across the nine wire producing companies that signed up to the campaign.  One company cut its rate by over 60%.

Following the deaths of two men in January 2002, an examination of the prosecutions against the men's employer and the principal contractor on site.  (Edward Hodson)

Airwave is the digital radio system used by police forces across GB.  It is based on Terrestrial Trunked Radio technology.  Since its introduction, questions have been raised about the possible side effects on those using the systems from exposure to low-level radiofrequency radiation.  A report on one long-term study which is hoping to find some answers.  (Elizabeth Gates)

The Work at Height Regs 2005 apply to all work where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.  A look at what employers and other dutyholders need to do to comply with the Regs.  (Chris Kendall)

A three year HSE inspection project which set out to reduce the number of work-related injuries sustained by postal workers and improve safety management at Royal Mail has recently ended.  Evaluation of its success is still underway but early indications show great promise.  (Nick Cook)

The Disability Discrimination Act has made a positive difference to employers' attitudes to hiring people with a disability, a survey from the Dept for Work and Pensions has found.  But what exactly does the Act mean for employers.  (Helen Rosser)

Concerns over whether safety targets are too low or too high - or indeed whether regulation is required at all, are often raised by a variety of stakeholders, including industry, regulators, safety campaigners and the general public.  The challenges faced by those trying to get the balance right.  (Roger Bibbings)

The TUC is offering free training for Polish workers employed in the cleaning, security and building services across Tower Hamlets and the City of London.

HSE has warned companies that they must include consideration of the language skills of workers in a proper risk assessment.  This advice follows the successful prosecution of Magna Specialist Confectioners Ltd for safety breaches which led to a Polish worker's arm being broken by moving machinery.

A recent British Lung Foundation survey found that less than a third of tradespeople are aware that asbestos exposure can cause cancer, only 12 per cent know asbestos exposure can kill them, nearly a third wrongly believe most asbestos has been removed from UK buildings and 74 per cent have had no training on how to deal with asbestos.

Allergic conditions have increased threefold in the last 20 years and can cause a great deal of problems in the workplace.  An estimated 18 million people in the UK now suffer from allergies.  Allergy Awareness Week runs from 19 - 23 May and has been organised by Allergy UK, who state that the UK has the highest incidence of allergies and the lowest number of specialists to deal with it.

One in five crashes on major roads are caused by tired drivers but many motorists ignore the simplest sign - the common yawn - that it's time for a break!  The Government has launched a new £800,000 THINK! campaign, primarily targeted at people who drive for work, to remind them of the dangers of driving when tired.

Tracing the fascinating history of the H&S poster. (Nick Cook)

Almost half of Britain's motorists regularly flout the law by texting and driving, putting themselves and other road users at risk, according to figures released by the RAC Foundation.

The public are being warned to have any flued appliance carefully checked and serviced by qualified competent persons.  This follows the prosecution of Mr Angelo Buratti, the director of JB Group of Companies Ltd, who was fined £15,000 and costs of £3,750.82 under HASAWA 1974 s37.  An elderly occupant of a house suffered symptoms similar to those of carbon monoxide poisoning.  The investigation found incorrect installation work had been done.

Farmers have been warned to ensure they remember good safety practices during the current silage-making season.

Fined £6,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Company removed asbestos cement products in Jan 2007 and has not provided HSE with copy of consignment note.

Fined £60,000 under CHSWR 1996.  Collapse of adjacent building into site during extensive excavation work to create underground car park.  Excavation undertaken without any temporary support.

Fined £4,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  A 5 year old was pulled under a miniature train and dragged along.  The attendant was only 15 years old.  Train was lifted off the boy and ambulance called.  Complainant claims that H&S attended location with the police, concerns were raised, one of them being with H&S about barriers and was told they were not required.

Fined total of £800 under PUWER 1998.  IP was winding rope using a rope winder attached to the back of the tractor.  A guard had been removed from machine and IP caught his fingers in a chain.

Fined total of £1,200 under WHR 2005, LOLER 1998, PUWER 1998.  Installation/removal of protective covers from security cameras. Inadequate training for FLT users.  Employee raised up, working from pallet on FLT.

Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Employee caught her right index finger in the moving part of labelling machine.

Fined total of £16 (sic) under CAR 2006.  Exposure of a number of college employees to asbestos during the attempted encapsulation of a sprayed coating of a ceiling and other associated works.

Fined £1,000 under HASAWA 1974 s7.  Exposure of employees to asbestos during the attempted encapsulation of a sprayed coating of a ceiling and other associated work.

Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Failure to provide assisted bathing in controlled water temperatures of residents and thereby resident was scalded and fatally injured.

Fined £35,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  This case did result from the investigation of a fatality.

The HSE must now follow a new code of practice for regulators requiring it to take a risk based approach to inspection and enforcement.  The Regulators' Compliance Code will mean fewer inspections for compliant businesses but more rigorous inspection when there is a high risk of a business flouting safety regulations.

Increasing rates of inspection should be the HSE's main target, and measures to extend its responsibilities into other areas place an excessive strain on its resources and risks diverting its focus.  Committee Chair Terry Rooney MP said, "At present, businesses can expect an HSE inspection once every 14.5 years.  This is not enough to act as a deterrent to those employers tempted to cut corners on health and safety … Increasing inspection rates should be the HSE's main focus."

General workers' union, the GMB, and Prospect, the union that represents HSE staff, have raised serious concerns about the move from London, and the impact of the HSE's funding shortage on future recruitment.  Their views have been noted by the Pensions Select Committee, which has asked in its report that the HSE clarify how savings from the closure of the London HQ will be re-allocated to fund front-line services.

New regulations aimed at getting people off incapacity benefit and into work have been laid before Parliament.  The Employment and Support Allowance, which will replace Incapacity Benefit, will give disabled people and those with long term illnesses who could work more support to find employment.  Meanwhile, the poorest, more disabled people in society, will be given more financial support.

UCATT has urged the HSE to carry out more inspections to increase the deterrent factor saying, "Too many construction bosses do not care about the safety of their workers, and no number of DVDs, posters, or fancy seminars will change their thinking.  The only thing which will do is if a construction inspector is constantly breathing down their necks."  This follows the revealing of initial figures of 69 construction workers being killed at work during 2007/08, a reduction of 10 per cent on last year's total, but still higher than the 60 deaths in 2005/06.

British businesses are losing £250 a second in costs and payouts for needless accidents in the workplace.  62 per cent of workers receive little or no H&S training from their employers.  Workers in the construction industry and employees of SMEs are said to be most at risk.

Police officers could be stationed in NHS premises in Wales if the Welsh Assembly decides to ratify a recommendation from a taskforce set up to address violence and aggression against hospital staff.

Three workers have been awarded compensation after developing asbestos-related diseases following exposure to the substance in their workplaces.  Kenneth Chapman was awarded £180,000, a former benefits officer received almost £170,000 and Peter Guy was awarded provisional damages of £20,000.

The fees and charges under the new REACH chemical substance registration procedures were adopted by the EC recently.  Basic registration fee will range from 1,600 euros for substances produced in volumes below 10 tonnes, to 31,000 euros for those above 1,000 tonnes.

Cashnext fined £50,000 and costs of £30,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Leanna Shearer plunged ten metres down a lift shaft when she was leaving the Krazy House Nightclub and mistakenly went through a door leading to the goods lift-shaft which had been left unlocked.

Fast food giant McDonalds fined a total of £20,000 and costs of £18,800 under HASAWA 1974 s2, PUWER 1998 and MHSWR 1999.  An employee required reconstructive surgery on her arm after she slipped and submerged it in scalding oil.

An allegation that they put profit before safety will cause any company to shudder but it can be quite a challenge for the prosecution to substantiate.  (Michael Appleby)

Unpacking some of the confusion surrounding freedom of information legislation in relation to health and safety, and some suggestions as to what practical steps can be taken to protect clients' interests.  (Aaron Le Marquer)

Biosafety issues came to the fore last year following the release of the foot-and-mouth virus in Surrey.  The incidence of infection from hazardous biological agents is relatively low but, with the number of escapes of such agents on the increase, an exploration of the problem and an explanation of what is being done to address it.  (Gary Burns)

With Britain's growing 'compensation culture' a cause for concern for everyone bar the legal profession, a look at the advantages and disadvantages of the 'no-fault' approach adopted in New Zealand for the treatment, rehabilitation and compensation of victims of workplace injuries.  (Chris Peace)

The people who clean our workplaces make our working lives easier and more pleasant, but precious little attention is paid to the many work-related hazards and risks they face.  (Dr Chris Idle)

A look at how the control of static electricity in the workplace has evolved, and what equipment is currently best suited to protect workers from the risks it poses.  (David Rogers)

How a specialist business lender devised an end-to-end approach to H&S management that ensures accountability, understanding, and buy-in at every level in the company.  (John Hamilton)

Given that 30 per cent of GP appointments are used to discuss mental health problems, it seems we are a more stressed-out nation than ever.  Work has a huge effect on our stress levels, particularly daily stress, so employers need to be aware of the various ways in which they can improve the well-being of their workers.  One often overlooked approach is to use natural remedies.  (Leila Abachi)

Stroke is the third biggest killer and the leading cause of severe disability in the UK.  It can happen to anyone, of any age, but a number of simple lifestyle changes is all it takes to drastically reduce the chances of it happening.  (John Barrick)

The two-year period of grace for the music and entertainment sector to implement the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 has now ended.  An outline of the main changes and what employers must do to meet the requirements.  (Mike Denton)

At the end of February, HSE launched a new phase of the "Asbestos: Don't take the gamble" campaign.  Why the drive to raise awareness about this deadly hazard is necessary.  (Nick Williams)

The first time most organisations consider what they should do in the event of a serious incident in the workplace is when such an incident has occurred, and the Police and/or regulator are on site, demanding to see documents and interview witnesses.  What to expect, and what action to take, if you find yourself in this unhappy position.  (Rob Elvin)

Industrial rope access has often had to battle against ill-conceived perceptions about its level of danger, yet it boasts an impressive safety record.  An attempt to dispel the myths that surround the activity.  (Roderick Dymott)

An HSE inspector explains what they look for when inspecting organisations' premises on workplace transport issues.  (Jayn Johnson)

Educating workers to carry out their tasks safely is a recurring challenge for the construction industry.  How a messaging approach called Trojan Horse could offer a solution.  (Dr Bassam Burgan)

HSE has warned companies that they need to manage the movement of vehicles in the workplace to help protect employees and non-employees who may be on or around the site.  This comes after Redworth Construction Ltd were fined £10,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,321 under HASAWA 1974 s3.

HSE is warning plant hire companies to ensure their vehicles are supplied in a safe condition.  Astra Plant Ltd were prosecuted for hiring out an excavator without suitable rollover protection, and for failing to carry out pre and post-hire checks on equipment and hirers.  They were fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,356.55 under HASAWA 1974 s6.

HSE reminds the building trade that failure to carry out checks and surveys for asbestos in property refurbishments is unacceptable.  The HSE successfully prosecuted a building surveyor, Raymond Joseph Boyle, who failed to meet his legal duties and carry out an asbestos survey during a refurbishment.  He was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £4,016 under CAR 2006.

Peter Neil Ingram fined a total of £2,000 and costs of £1,777 under GSIUR 1998.  HSE is advising tenants and home-owners to have any gas-fired appliance carefully checked and serviced by qualified and competent person.  Currently, only CORGI is approved by HSE to register competent gas installers.

HSE and Environment Agency Wales have been on site to investigate the loss of containment of a substantial quantity of petrol from the storage facilities.  The on-going investigation will establish the cause of the incident and will look at the safety management systems in place to ensure plant integrity and safe operation.

Employers are being warned to ensure they assess workplace machinery risks properly to ensure they have adequate safeguards in place.  A worker's index finger was sliced off by an unguarded circular saw.  The Fence Factory Ltd was fined total of £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,645 under HASAWA 1974 s3. 

Employers are being warned to ensure they adequately assess the risks at all stages of the manufacturing process, including setting up.  A worker had his forearm amputated after his clothing became caught in a protruding bolt which dragged him into and over the machine.  The company Peter Brotherhood was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay costs of £16,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.

Sedgemoor District Council and HSE join forces to combat some of the silly myths which grow up around H&S issues.  Various Council members have signed up to the "ten principles of sensible risk management".  These principles give organisations practical, sensible advice on what risk management should and should not encompass.

HSE has announced a new crackdown on poor welfare standards in companies across Derbyshire, by kicking off a series of workplace checks.  HSE inspectors will make surprise visits to companies throughout June and July in Derby, Chesterfield and Glossop.

Fined £13,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Employee sustained 12% burns following incident where lifting equipment failed.  This resulted in a beam that had been galvanized falling back into the molten zinc bath.  IP was splashed, his overalls were 60% cotton and 40% polyester.

Fined total of £6,600 under WHR 2005 and HASAWA 1974 s33.

Fined £50,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  This case did result from the investigation of a fatality.

Fined £180,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  This case did result from the investigation of a fatality.

Fined £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Injured person assisting FLT driver to move steel beam of trestles.  Steel beam laid across forks, it slipped off as FLT moved hitting IP and landing across his torso.  Unsafe system of work, lack of control by FLT driver/employer, lack of IIT for IP and FLT driver (no certificate to prove FLT tng), lack of through exam for FLT.

Fined £120,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Deceased was trapped under the leading chassis cross member of a bus and died of crush injuries at the scene.  No risk assessment carried out or safe system of work enforced for maintenance on run-in line.

Fined £266,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Employee Paul McNamara sustained fatal injuries while operating the controls of the boom of a backhoe loader.  Fault on hydraulic control system caused the boom to continue moving, he was trapped and crushed.  Employer failed to carry out suitable assessment of risks and provide safe system of work.

Fined £200,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Whilst leak testing welds just performed, a blanking plate came off the chassis hitting the welder in the head.  This case did result from the investigation of a fatality.

Fined £250,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Fatal accident to Douglas Young, an MoP in his mid 60s.  He rode his motorcycle onto a section of old road that was temporarily closed, signs and traffic cones that had been warning of closure had disappeared several weeks before fatal accident.  Without warning the road was closed by 3 concrete barriers, mid afternoon, good weather conditions, braked hard, but collided.  Joint HSE, Kent Police investigation, advised CPS no grounds for manslaughter.  AMCP Ltd principal contractor.

Fined £8,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Electrical accident.  IP demonstrating how to do 6 monthly planned maintenance checks on refrig plant compressor.  Accident occurred as replacing fuses in control panel while still live but off-load.  Very poor electrical standards in panel.  Service dept falling behind PM programme.  Demonstrating to see if technicians could be trained to do the motor checks.

HSE warns employers to ensure they control the risks from workplace transport at their sites following the successful prosecution of a waste transfer company after one of their drivers died whilst emptying his vehicle on site.  White Reclamation Ltd have been fined £50,000 and ordered to pay costs of £30,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and s3.

The Court of Appeal has overturned a judgment that could have made employers liable for injuries caused by equipment they did not own or install at sites over which they have no control.  The judgment follows a run of decisions which have extended the definition of what is work equipment under PUWER.

The HSE is seeking comments on proposed changes to the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2002.  HSE says the planned changes do not affect the main legal duties but they do alter the rules for classifying and labelling a chemical preparation containing carcinogens and preparations containing ozone-depleting substances.

Calendar of new and upcoming legislation.

Iceland have been fined £15,000 and ordered to pay the fire service costs of £13,500 under Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regs 1997.  An electrical fire broke out at one of the stores.  On arrival, the fire service found six employees  had tried to evacuate onto a flat roof from the first floor of the building.  The workers found the vertical ladder locked.  Although the lock was forced, one of the employees was unable to descend and had to be rescued by firefighters.  The fire service's investigation found various breaches of the fire regs.

East Renfrewshire Council fined £2,000.  Following the start of roof repairs, the contractors were warned that they had cut too deeply through old felt in the school's roof, but they continued sawing.  Three days later, droplets of bitumen landed on a girl's hand as she left the classroom.

Reported accidents among members of the Packaging and Films Assoc fell to only 45 last year, compared with 142 five years ago.

Racing kart track operator Karting Oxford fined £10,000 for inadequate risk assessments after a crash left a 10-year old boy with a broken leg and dislocated and broken ankle when his kart hit a metal barrier beside the track.

The start of a five year chronicle of the steps to safeguard workers on the UK's biggest construction project.

Migrant workers are often left out in the safety advice loop, but some employers are trying to change that.  (Andrea Oates)

Sniffer dogs and toilet swabs may seem pretty hardline, but if you suspect drug dealing on your premises, what else can you do?  (Lucie Ponting)

Looking for root causes and reviewing control measures can prevent accidents recurring, but change for change's sake can be damaging.  (Jocelyn Dorrell)

Talking to Europe's biggest waste handler about how roving safety assistants are helping keep accident rates down in its 80 UK sites.  (Sara Bean)

A new series on protecting employees with chronic health conditions, starting with looking at how to care for asthmatics.  (Becky Allen)

How an activity based approach can help you reduce the volume of written risk assessments.  (Duncan Spencer)

Continuing the series on health and safety basics - who does what.  (Paul Reeve)

New limits on noise in the entertainment sector came into force in April.  Searching the web for the best sources of advice on noise control.  (Bridget Leathley)

An argument that anyone using agency drivers should check they aren't overstretched and underbriefed.  (David Cochran)

According to provisional figures from the HSE, fatal work accident figures for 2007/08 look set to be lower than last year's five-year high of 241.  During the first 9 months of the period, 163 workers died in the UK workplace.  This would project to a final figure of between 215 and 225.

The safety charity, Centre for Corporate Accountability, has reached a verdict that "Large companies are unlikely to be prosecuted for the new offence of corporate manslaughter for many years".  The CCA contends that, even when a death results from serious management failures and fits the legal criteria for a prosecution, chances are that loopholes will ensure no prosecution can be brought until sometime in 2010.

Assaults on public sector workers, including firemen and vulnerable workers like late-night petrol pump attendants, will now result in tougher sentences, the Sentencing Guidelines Council has confirmed.

According to a major new survey conducted by the Healthcare Commission, one in three staff suffers from work-related stress, while 35 per cent have experienced physical or verbal abuse from patients.

A new survey from the BSC has warned that thousands of young workers do not have the crucial training needed to keep them safe at work.

Never before has the environment been such an important business topic.  More than ever, companies need to be able to demonstrate that they are tackling environmental issues with the same seriousness and rigour as they do the matter of health and safety.  (Envirowise)

HSE has issued a safety alert aimed at employers in the printing industry who use hand-fed platen machines.  This follows two fatal incidents in the last 13 months.  (Both incidents are currently under investigation.)  The machines were being operated in "dwell" mode at the time.  HSE is concerned that the platen may automatically stroke at the end of the dwell period and safety devices may not be activated.

David Paul Johnson, who previously traded as Merlin Building and Roofing Contractors, was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter and breaching HASAWA 1974 s3.  He has been sentenced to 3.5 years imprisonment.

HSE is warning employers to ensure they assess workplace risks properly and inspect moving machinery to ensure that it has adequate safeguards.  This follows HSE's prosecution of Metal Products (Arden) Ltd after one of its employees had the tops of four fingers crushed by unguarded parts of a 60 ton power press.  They were routinely operating the press without any fixed guard and on this occasion they had pulled a plate towards themselves to make an adjustment, when the press came down on their four fingers.

HSE is highlighting the fatal consequences of carbon monoxide gas following the death of a six year old girl who was poisoned by fumes from a faulty boiler.  Hussein Jajbhay, director of property company Amadeus Investments Ltd was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £35,000 under HASAWA 1974 s37.

HSE is warning construction companies to manage the risks faced by their workers and contractors on building sites after a North Wales worker was seriously injured after falling into an unsafe excavation.  Winnington Construction Ltd were installing a septic tank system, failed to manage the risk on this site, which resulted in Mr David Farrow falling into the excavation and receiving internal injuries and a broken pelvis.  Winningtons were fined £18,000 and costs of £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.

HSE has warned companies to have safe systems in place for employees when using cutting machinery on woods which generate hazardous dusts.  This comes after a worker was injured by a cutting machine and colleagues were exposed to potentially harmful Western Cedar wood dust.  This is despite company managers having attended a dedicated HSE woodworking Safety and Health Awareness Day only seven months earlier.  E. H. Thorne (Beehives) Limited was fined £12,500 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and PUWER 1998.

Conditional discharge under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Proactive prosecution, WAH near fragile materials.

Fined £12,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Three fingers lacerated when IP operating the sleever.

Fined total £5,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and ELCIR 1998.  Unsafe demolition of industrial building.

Fined £90,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Double fatality.  Electrocution of 2 workers pushing a high tower light into overhead power lines.

Fined total £2,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2 and s3.  Roof work undertaken by Council employees resulting in molten tar falling into the school building and injuring pupil.

Fined £10,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Unsatisfactory asbestos removal by a licensed contractor.  After the completion of works significant quantities of asbestos were left remaining resulting in exposure to construction workers who re-occupied the area.

Fined £1,500 under HASAWA 1974 s3. Significant quantities of asbestos were left after completion of works resulting in exposure to workers who re-occupied the area.  Mr Ingram, the analyst, issued certificates of re-occupation despite obvious and widespread contamination with loose and fibrous asbestos-containing material.

Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s2.  Opening a rear access panel to a machine by using hydraulic jack.  The panel suddenly became free allowing the jack to fall, panel sprung open and fell back, trapping two fingers and causing fractures and crushing injuries to the IP.  They needed hospital surgery to remove the tips of the two injured fingers.

Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  Opening a rear access panel to a machine by using hydraulic jack.  The panel suddenly became free allowing the jack to fall, panel sprung open and fell back, trapping two fingers and causing fractures and crushing injuries to the IP.  They needed hospital surgery to remove the tips of the two injured fingers.

Fined £15,000 under HASAWA 1974 s3.  The folk  lift was reversing, IP was walking in the same direction on the blind side of the folk lift.  At the point of passing the red tipping skip, front wheel of the folk  lift run over IP foot.