Health and safety news and updates

safety4business produces this completely free monthly update on health and safety news for distribution to selected clients. The update is not intended to be comprehensive, as that would clearly involve a very long and unwieldy communication. Instead, it aims to identify the most relevant items, providing you with the option to investigate further if needed.

We hope you find the news and update both interesting and effective in helping you to keep abreast of what is happening in the world of health and safety.

News

Noise at Work
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has published a magazine, Noise at Work, ahead of the new European directive on noise at work, which comes into force in February 2006.

The magazine contains articles on the subject of noise including:

       Effective acoustic design
       The special needs of disabled workers
       Personal hearing protection
And
       A good practice manual

RSI Figures Rising

Statistics from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) reveal an apparent sharp increase in the reports of cases of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).

Figures for 2003/2004 indicate that 448,000 British workers suffered from RSI, a rise of 52,000 on the 2001/02 figure, with each person requiring an average of 18.3 days off work.

The CSP advises employers to reduce the problem of RSI by:

       Conducting risk assessments

       Encouraging early reporting of any symptoms

       Providing access to appropriate help
And
       Ensuring that employees are able to organise their work and take regular breaks.

TUC Calls for Safer Apprenticeships
The TUC wants union safety reps to make sure apprentices have a safe introduction to the world of work. It says in the past two years, 10 young people on government funded learning schemes have been killed at work. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said:
'The tragic deaths of 10 young people in the past two years were all avoidable. Everyone at work should be fully aware of the health and safety procedures and legislation that are in place to protect them.'

Launching a new leaflet, produced with the Learning and Skills Council, for union safety reps on the role of modern apprenticeships, he added: 'Union safety representatives do a wonderful job keeping staff safe at work. This leaflet will help them better understand the role of the modern apprentice and will ensure apprentices know there is someone specifically tasked with looking out for their safety at work.'

 Health and Safety Executive Update

Watch Your Step Campaign Launched
The Health and Safety Executive, in partnership with Local Authorities and other stakeholders, has launched a cross-industry campaign, Watch Your Step, to encourage employers to take action to curb workplace slips, trips and falls.

There are 42,260 reported falls in the workplace annually, costing the economy approximately 800 million. Check out Safety4Business slips trips and falls courses in the library of courses.

Ladders Week
A national HSE initiative to promote the safe use of ladders, Ladders Week, runs from 14th-18th November. The week will consist of national coordinated events to raise awareness of the potential dangers of not using a ladder properly, the other equipment that can be used instead of a ladder and when, and how, to use a ladder safely.

The initiative includes involvement from trade associations, local employers and equipment hire companies, and will feature Safety and Health Awareness Days, practical demonstrations of alternative equipment to ladders, and breakfast meetings with employers and health and safety professionals.

HSE Leaflets, Books and Guidance

Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 - Guidance
The Health and Safety Executive has published Hand-arm vibration: Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005. The guidance offers practical guidance on:

• Risk assessment
• Estimating vibration exposure
• Arranging health surveillance
• Technical and medical guidance for vibration technicians and medical and nursing staff
  

Explosives Regulations 2005
The Health and Safety Executive have issued a guidance pack Enforcement of Regulations on the Storage of Explosives: Advisory Guidance for Local Authority, Fire Service and Police Staff to assist local authorities in the enforcement of the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005.

Colour Vision: Employer Guidance
The Health and Safety Executive has published Colour vision examination: A guide for employers and Guidance Note MS7 Colour vision examination: a guide for occupational health providers. Both publications are designed to help employers with employees whose duties require good colour vision for safety critical purposes. The guidance helps employers and their occupational health providers choose the appropriate colour vision testing methods, given the risks involved in that occupation.

Tower scaffolds Information Sheet
The Health and Safety Executive has revised Tower Scaffolds Construction No 10 CIS10 (rev4) 10/05, an Information Sheet for users of mobile access towers (also known as tower scaffolds or towers) and persons who select and specify such equipment.

In Court

Director Jailed for Manslaughter
A director of M W White Ltd. of Ketteringham, Norfolk has received a 12-month custodial sentence after admitting the manslaughter of a 36-year old employee.
The company was also fined 30,000, whilst costs of 55,000, to be paid equally by the company and the director, were awarded jointly to the Health and Safety Executive and the Crown Prosecution Service.

The deceased worker had climbed into a paper-shredding machine at the paper recycling business to clear blockages and the machine had started up unexpectedly resulting in fatal injuries. It was established that the accident occurred because:

• There was no safe system for such work
• The machine was not securely isolated whilst the unblocking work was being carried out
• The electrical controls were contaminated with dust

Risk Assessment Failure Results in Fine
On 18th March 2003 a driver at Glebe Mines Ltd. of Cavendish Mill, Stoney Middleton was killed when he was trapped between a loading shovel and a fork-lift truck.

An HSE investigation established that Glebe Mines had no risk assessment and had not properly planned the movement of vehicles and personnel at its site.
The company were fined 20,000 for failing to ensure the safety of the driver contrary to section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were also fined 5,000, with costs of 7,600 for failing to carry out a risk assessment, contrary to regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Note: The information contained within this document is intended as a summary of selected items of health and safety news and information. As such, it is not offered or intended as complete, exhaustive and accurate reporting of such news and information. Safety4business accepts no responsibility for the completeness of the information, and no liability for actions resulting from it.