http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b50e9d56425907809945acb3f76cc605/home.htmlHealthandSafetyProfessional.co.ukThu, 21 Aug 2008 09:01:00 +0100All Public Content -free-to-view onlyhttp://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/af84614d86422ee1e3f68bf912f2ec2e/employee-receives-conditional-discharge-after-colleague-loses-hand.htmlBradford magistrates have given a worker a two-year conditional discharge following an incident in which his colleague lost a hand in a unguarded machine.Graham Parker, a production operative working for conveyor-belt manufacturer Ammeraal Beltech in Keighley, West Yorkshire, knew that the mixer's guard was missing before his colleague's accident in March 2007.HSE inspector Paul Yeadon said Parker "was asked to ensure that this absence was rectified, but he failed in ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/af84614d86422ee1e3f68bf912f2ec2e/employee-receives-conditional-discharge-after-colleague-loses-hand.htmlThu, 21 Aug 2008 09:09:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b392380c470231a1ac443c0d80bbf1c7/retailers-get-dedicated-hse-site.htmlThe HSE has launched a new website for the retail industry offering advice on key safety issues, such as slips and trips, manual handling and falls from height.The site features the latest accident statistics in retail and wholesale; links to free leaflets; sample risk assessments; and case studies of retailers that have been prosecuted for safety breaches or have had to make substantial compensation payments to injured employees or shoppers.The ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b392380c470231a1ac443c0d80bbf1c7/retailers-get-dedicated-hse-site.htmlWed, 20 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/8ff06bb498237a051a071b7227249e98/new-mewp-guidance-online.htmlThe HSE has published new guidance on selecting and using mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).The new construction information sheet, CIS 58, has been produced for those responsible for specifying and managing MEWPs, and covers scissor lifts, self-propelled booms, vehicle-mounted booms and trailer-mounted booms.A pdf of The Selection and Management of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms can be accessed on the HSE site here.http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/8ff06bb498237a051a071b7227249e98/new-mewp-guidance-online.htmlTue, 19 Aug 2008 08:16:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/809f346da3a96d47a3044ee4d08fb9f3/scrapyard-cleared-of-corporate-manslaughter.htmlA scrap metal firm and one of its directors have been found not guilty of manslaughter but will be sentenced for safety failings following the death of a worker in an explosion.Two directors were also found guilty of perverting the course of justice for pressuring staff to give false evidence at the trial.In May 2005, 64-year-old Thomas Mooney was cutting up gas cylinders with an industrial cutter at Reliance Scrap ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/809f346da3a96d47a3044ee4d08fb9f3/scrapyard-cleared-of-corporate-manslaughter.htmlFri, 15 Aug 2008 08:01:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/42f52d8ff8c54250379d156a29352861/liability-insurance-rules-to-change.htmlEmployers will be allowed to display their employers' liability certificates in electronic format from 1 October this year, provided that all employees can access them.Under current legislation, employers must display at least one copy of their certificate at each place of business; typically in communal areas such as the kitchen. The Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 amend the original 1998 Regulations to allow companies to make the certificate ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/42f52d8ff8c54250379d156a29352861/liability-insurance-rules-to-change.htmlMon, 18 Aug 2008 10:41:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/cc73bd0b64499cf2735dbb4cc8a632ae/120000-in-fines-for-tower-scaffold-death.htmlTwo firms have been fined a total of £120,000 after a refurbishment worker died falling from a tower scaffold that had a missing guard rail and was inappropriate for the job.Darren Handley, an employee of Smethwick-based cladding and roofing firm Spanclad, was killed in October 2004 during recladding work at a Scottish Courage warehouse in Northampton. Westminster Building Co, based in Derby, was principal contractor for the project.Handley was working ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/cc73bd0b64499cf2735dbb4cc8a632ae/120000-in-fines-for-tower-scaffold-death.htmlMon, 11 Aug 2008 13:21:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b130031a3dfa0cafb2f59ec5b22bbfbe/low-risk-firms-waste-money-on-consultants-says-berr.htmlLow-risk businesses could save £140 million a year if 20% sought basic health and safety advice from the HSE and other government sources rather than buying in consultancy, according to a new Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) report.The report, produced by the BERR's Better Regulation Executive (BRE), says that small businesses could save £300 million each year overall with better advice and support.The report follows a review ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b130031a3dfa0cafb2f59ec5b22bbfbe/low-risk-firms-waste-money-on-consultants-says-berr.htmlMon, 11 Aug 2008 10:00:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b513d35871197c2f69961cadbcab784b/carillion-jm-fined-70000-for-fatal-17m-fall.htmlConstruction firm Carillion JM, formerly Mowlem, has been fined £70,000 after an employee fell 17 metres to his death. He had been wearing a harness but there was no suitable anchor point to attach the lanyard to.The incident happened at the Air BP fuel depot site on the Isle of Grain in Kent in December 2003, where large steel tanks were being built to store oil brought by barge from ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b513d35871197c2f69961cadbcab784b/carillion-jm-fined-70000-for-fatal-17m-fall.htmlWed, 06 Aug 2008 11:02:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/eb66da23dbbe455662d6a628743cefef/liverpool-crane-collapse-hse-issues-report.htmlAs part of its ongoing investigation into a fatal crane collapse in Liverpool last year, the HSE has written to every crane hire and supply firm in the country with the findings of its technical report.In January 2007, a luffing jib crane on hire from Falcon Crane Hire collapsed in Liverpool city centre, killing a worker and seriously injuring the crane driver.On 8 July, an inquest returned a verdict of ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/eb66da23dbbe455662d6a628743cefef/liverpool-crane-collapse-hse-issues-report.htmlTue, 05 Aug 2008 07:59:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/001a0edd3c9633212fc14b6b80e46b4e/wembley-fatality-witness-loses-claim.htmlA man who suffered post-traumatic stress after he saw his workmate die in an accident during construction of the new Wembley Stadium has lost his claim for compensation.In January 2004, Stephen Monk witnessed a temporary platform fall 18 metres and hit two men working below. One of the men was killed and the other suffered a broken leg.Monk himself was physically uninjured, but afterwards suffered anxiety, nightmares and suicidal thoughts. ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/001a0edd3c9633212fc14b6b80e46b4e/wembley-fatality-witness-loses-claim.htmlFri, 01 Aug 2008 08:16:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/fe9d6005bff3ce6ab9a8cc61f33b8181/corporate-killing-law-helps-drive-road-risk-message-home.htmlNew research has revealed that nearly 100% of fleet managers are aware of the potential impact of the corporate manslaughter legislation, and 86% of companies have policies in place to manage occupational road risk.The survey of 97 fleets operating more than 250,000 cars and vans, carried out by the RoadSafe partnership and service provider Kwik-Fit Fleet, found that 64% of road-risk policies had been signed off at board-level.Every company surveyed ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/fe9d6005bff3ce6ab9a8cc61f33b8181/corporate-killing-law-helps-drive-road-risk-message-home.htmlThu, 31 Jul 2008 08:50:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b7a501cc2bf6cf545bca9a8f6c77b843/two-firms-pay-203000-for-cradle-death.htmlCradle manufacturer Apollo Cradles must pay £160,000 in fines and costs after one man was killed and three others injured when the platform they were working on collapsed.Bradway Construction, which employed the four men, admitted failing to ensure the safety of employees and must pay a total of £43,000.Sixty-year-old Anthony Bottomley was killed in July 2003 when a bracket on the suspended access cradle gave way, causing it to fall ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b7a501cc2bf6cf545bca9a8f6c77b843/two-firms-pay-203000-for-cradle-death.htmlWed, 30 Jul 2008 08:08:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/e31955021d6c8e4423706ba3be46832c/wates-fined-for-carbon-monoxide-risk.htmlConstruction firm Wates has admitted breaching safety legislation by exposing bungalow residents in Birmingham to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.Wates, the principal contractor on the project, was prosecuted following roofing works carried out by a subcontractor in Rednal Road between June and September 2006. In 11 properties the work disrupted the integrity of warm air flues, which vent through roof ridge terminals, potentially causing a build-up of carbon monoxide ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/e31955021d6c8e4423706ba3be46832c/wates-fined-for-carbon-monoxide-risk.htmlTue, 29 Jul 2008 08:46:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/2e228a7ba4278a7ca332db52af75253c/location-location-location---the-hse-moves-northwest.htmlOver the next two years, the HSE is set to relocate to a single headquarters in Bootle on Merseyside. Health and Safety Bulletin editor Howard Fidderman reports on concerns that the closure of the HSE's London HQ will hamper the ability of the regulator to do its job.http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/2e228a7ba4278a7ca332db52af75253c/location-location-location---the-hse-moves-northwest.htmlWed, 30 Jul 2008 11:34:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/89d8c13c55d164635ea178e82c064c07/mental-health-site-launched.htmlDisability charity Shaw Trust has launched a new website giving employers and line managers comprehensive, easy-to-understand advice on how to deal with and help reduce mental ill health in the workplace.The website offers guidance on the early warning signs of mental health conditions, how to talk to employees with ill-health issues, how to support employees who are off sick and how to create a more healthy workplace environment as a ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/89d8c13c55d164635ea178e82c064c07/mental-health-site-launched.htmlFri, 30 May 2008 10:18:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/85f54c7b66cbf3bb7a4b8c578191cbaa/new-latex-allergy-guidance-online.htmlNational Health Service Plus has published new "evidence-based" guidance on managing latex allergy in the workplace.The new guidance says the use of powder-free, low-protein latex gloves as an alternative to powdered latex gloves significantly reduces the incidence of latex allergy and latex-induced asthma, so "powdered latex gloves should therefore not be used in the workplace".Employees with latex allergy, latex sensitivity or latex-induced asthma should use non-latex gloves.The guidance advises that ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/85f54c7b66cbf3bb7a4b8c578191cbaa/new-latex-allergy-guidance-online.htmlTue, 27 May 2008 08:24:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/7b3ad180acf8557de869b8178fa3f1a2/hse-to-amend-approved-poster.htmlThe HSE is consulting on changes to the approved poster employers must display in the workplace detailing basic health and safety information for employees.A recent review of the poster found it was "unappealing" and that employees rarely read it.The HSE is proposing new posters and leaflets that don't require updating by employers but still provide all relevant information for employees.Under the proposals, businesses would still be able to display the ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/7b3ad180acf8557de869b8178fa3f1a2/hse-to-amend-approved-poster.htmlTue, 27 May 2008 08:25:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/ae6bd2ae44c4c13a5c4248134f918748/trant-scoops-top-award.htmlTrant Construction has won the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents' (RoSPA's) top occupational health and safety award, the Sir George Earle Trophy. RoSPA said the judges chose the Southampton-based firm because of its strong health and safety ethos, led by the board, which has been successful in preventing accidents and ill health while also ensuring the continued growth of the family-owned business. The judging panel cited ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/ae6bd2ae44c4c13a5c4248134f918748/trant-scoops-top-award.htmlTue, 27 May 2008 08:26:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/4aedac6f62c0a2905d63fdebb2a29390/tories-pledge-to-change-hsw-act-for-police.htmlA Conservative government would amend Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSW Act) to prevent "overly-cautious" and "defensive" policing.In a speech in Crewe on 15 May, shadow home secretary David Davis said the Act must be amended so that the police's main priority is the risk to public safety, not the risk to individual officers.The Conservatives believe Section 2 currently allows "excessively wide interpretations of the ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/4aedac6f62c0a2905d63fdebb2a29390/tories-pledge-to-change-hsw-act-for-police.htmlTue, 27 May 2008 08:25:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/49074bd3c33f30c0dc7126b06a150d60/sweets-for-sale-with-mouse-dropping-topping.htmlPharmaceutical chain Superdrug has been fined £4,000 for leaving sweets for sale despite the fact they were covered in mouse droppings and urine.The drug retailer pleaded guilty to four offences under the General Food Regulations 2004 and the Food Hygiene (England) Regulations 2006 at City of Westminster Magistrates court. Westminster City Council's Food Team brought the prosecution against the store at London's Victoria Station after ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/49074bd3c33f30c0dc7126b06a150d60/sweets-for-sale-with-mouse-dropping-topping.htmlMon, 17 Mar 2008 16:15:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/1e40e5ddcc097bd0d9801594a8003a97/1-in-5-firms-lacks-clear-eyecare-policy.htmlA fifth of companies do not have - or do not know whether they have - an eyecare policy for staff and 9% of firms are not familiar with the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations, according to a survey of more than 100 HR managers and company heads.More encouragingly, 65% of company heads believe eyecare is at least as important as other employee benefits.The research, carried out by Specsavers Corporate ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/1e40e5ddcc097bd0d9801594a8003a97/1-in-5-firms-lacks-clear-eyecare-policy.htmlFri, 14 Mar 2008 12:56:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b732ee933fb91fe81f5f905a8b406ae8/diy-giant-admits-hot-tub-legionella-breach.htmlHalf a million visitors to a B&Q store near Bristol could have been exposed to the risk of Legionnaires' disease after a spa pool was found to contain legionella-contaminated water.On 11 March, North Avon magistrates fined B&Q £20,000 - the maximum available penalty - after the firm admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to ensure the safety of staff and customers.The pool was on display ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/b732ee933fb91fe81f5f905a8b406ae8/diy-giant-admits-hot-tub-legionella-breach.htmlFri, 14 Mar 2008 15:36:00 +0100http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/ad65d3137496411feab68931d826fd33/royal-mail-delivers-new-health-initiatives.htmlRoyal Mail has launched an online health-check service for staff which lets them analyse their lifestyles and create health improvement plans.The online assessment system offers employees information on a range of areas, including stress, nutrition and exercise.The initiative will be backed up by a newly-recruited team of health workers who will offer practical advice and support on health and wellbeing to the organisation's 180,000 staff.Royal Mail has also introduced an ...http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/file/ad65d3137496411feab68931d826fd33/royal-mail-delivers-new-health-initiatives.htmlTue, 11 Mar 2008 15:13:00 +0100