Neals Notes April 2001
Do you have an idea for a Health and safety project?
The HSE has just published its annual Mainstream Research Market Document which details the it's current health and safety research activities and its anticipated £20.5 million research requirements for 2001-2002.
The document also invites private and public sector organisations to enter the Competition of Ideas for health and safety projects.
The HSE places a high value on collaborative projects and hopes that this document will stimulate such proposals. The Competition of Ideas during 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 have so far resulted in over £5.75m worth of contracted research. Last year 61 organisations took part in the competition and submitted 164 proposals against 22 broad issue areas.
Currently 32 of these are under contract negotiation The deadline for entry to this year's competition is 12 noon on the 16th of May 2001.
details on how to enter are contained within the Mainstream Research document which is available from Jill Thompson HSE's Research Strategy Unit, PO Box 1064, Sheffield S3 7YB Tel: 0114 289 2366 Fax 0114 289 2400 Email jill.thompson@hse.gsi.gov.uk
Board Accountability for Health and Safety
The HSE has drawn up a new draft code on health and safety responsibilities for company directors and board members of public sector organisations. Such a board needs to accept joint responsibility and leadership for their organisation's health and safety performance. There must be a clear health and safety policy and a board has to appoint one member to be i.c. health and safety issues. All board decisions must reflect the health and safety policy especially when making investment decisions on new equipment, premises and products. Ignorance is not accepted as an excuse. The draft code is available from HSE Books Tel 01787 881165
Kevlar to the rescue
British Airways is spending some £ 17 million on Concorde in an effort to get the plane airborne again. A layer of Kevlar/rubber compound is being used to line the fuel tanks which should prevent fuel escaping if a tank is ruptured.
Generic testing at Works gets Mixed Reception from Directors
A survey of members of the prestigious IOD has indicated that business leaders in the UK have concerns about some of the issues concerning generic testing at work. Members gave little support to any compulsion in general generic testing in relation to work and only 8% indicated they would support such a measure even if it was thought to be in the best interests of the employee.
And, even in the case of risk of disease from occupational exposure only 17% supported compulsory generic testing.
Testing for alcoholic consumption took place as a routine in 6% of the companies covered. The same figure was recorded for drug abuse. In conclusion, the IOD is opposed to any notion of genetic screening creeping into general recruitment policies. The report costs £5 plus P and P from 020 7766 8766.
Health and Safety Purchasing Power
The traditional view that purchasing a health and safety based product can involve phone calls and road trips is due for a revision when Safety & Health Expo 2001 opens at the NEC Birmingham on May 21st. This four day show will feature thousands of products and hundreds of companies.
Pre-register on http://www.safety-health-expo.co.uk or phone 0870 429 4328.
Up to 80% of accidents can be attributed to the actions or omissions of people
- is the theme for a two day conference at the Thistle Westminster Hotel in London On June 13th and 14th.
Called Identifying, Measuring and Reporting Human Error it is coupled with an interactive workshop. The conference will typically cover how to classify qualitative human reliability data, When, where and why you should use a quantitative approach and How to construct a comprehensive risk assessment of human error. Ring 020 7915 5055 for details or visit http://www.iir.conferences.com/humanerror/
Bespoke Internet Aid for Small Firms Using Chemicals
A cross government initiative that will assist small firms to manage health, safety and environmental risks from chemicals in the workplace has been announced. This innovative Internet based system will bring together advice and tailor it to suit the needs of individual firms and has been made possible through funding from the Treasury's Invest to Save Budget. The development of this system is expected to take three years. with a Treasury contribution of some £250,000.
This project will allow information on the risks from chemicals to be accessed through a single electronic gateway rather than having to scan a plethora of many different guidance documents. Ring HSE at 08701 545500 for more details.
Industrial/Contact Dermititis SOS Appeal for sufferers
As Mayday approaches, a different kind of Mayday is being broadcast by the manufacturers of Derma Shield skin protectant. Benchmark Technologies Ltd, This Save or Skin Appeal is part of a new initiative by the manufacturers of Derma Shield to establish itself at the forefront of the skin protection industry. It is being launched by this founder member of the Skin Protection Group of the BSIF to identify sufferers from industrial or contact dermititis. If you know anybody who suffers chapped, cracked or diseased skin than Derma Shield would like to hear from you on Tel 01633 877569 Fax 01633 865282
There is more information on http://www.dermashield.co.uk
Derma Shield is currently being used by hundreds of companies as diverse as British Airways, Powergen, Mercedes Benz, Hallmark Cards and Xerox.
New World Record for Keying with One Hand
Diana L Erickson set a new world record for typing on a single handed keyboard in the USA when she reached a speed of 85 words per minute on a standard typing test. Before she had an accident and was forced to switch to a single handed Maltron keyboard she had attained a speed of 80 words per minute with a standard two-handed keyboard. How long did it take her to switch from conventional two handed keyboard work to working with her right hand only on a single handed board? A mere six weeks!
Contact Maltron on 0208 398 3265 or ring 07004 MALTRON (625876) from anywhere. E Mail address sales@maltron.com
Website http://www.maltron.com
This page is sponsored by Professional Health and Safety Consultants Ltd. Phone Internationally: +44 2087787838 or UK London 020 8778 7838 for all your health and safety requirements.