Neals Notes January 2002

First Aid Training Courses

Safety First Consultants (UK)  0208 893 2635 offers a range of First Aid training courses. First Aid at Work is a four day course which is HSE certificated and meets the need  of  the First Aid at Work Regulations. It is backed by a re-qualification two dayer which must be taken within three years of of gaining a first certificate or a re-qualification one. First Aid (Appointed Persons) provides essential life saving skills and training that enables staff to deal with accidents prior to the arrival of more expert assistance. Courses are at Feltham in Middlesex or can be arranged in-house.

Fitness for Work and Medical Ethics

Is the title of a course being held by Croner Training (0207 881 1891) on two separate dates, February 5th and June 12th. Many employers and occupational health staff are faced with difficult decisions concerning fitness for work, whether this be recruitment decisions or decisions concerning a return to work after a spell of sickness absence. The impact of the Disability Discrimination Act of 1995 has made itself felt in many important decisions coming from Employment Tribunals. A group of four or more delegates can benefit from Croner's in-company training programme which can be carried out at a time and place to suit you.

British Woodworking Federation sets high standards with revitalised Health and Safety action plan.

The clear and laudable aim of the new Health and Safety action plan produced by the British Woodworking Federation  is to reduce major injuries and fatalities by 20%, to reduce  cases of work related ill-health by 40% and to reduce those "ephemeral lost days" by 50% within the next eight years. It has been estimated that around 113,000 days are lost each year  by BWF members as a result of an injury. The problems as outlined by the BWF include previous unclear training requirements, the lack of  recognisable and demonstrable employee-based certification of competence (in fact 80% of injuries in this field happen to those with no record of training) and thirdly, the lack of consultation with workers and the problem of getting them involved in health and safety issue.

Key elements in the plan to tackle these problem areas include the identification of existing relevant qualifications and the establishment of a core list which is acceptable to BWF members. Currently the BWF is working with the Health and Safety Executive and other organisations to provide an interactive machine-training competence package. This should be ready by July of this year. The need to promote competence is already being addressed to a major degree  by courses run by Didac Limited and the BWF has just produced two Machinery Safety Cards- one for circular saws and one for surface planers. And,  the federation is currently planning to extend this series with eighteen more cards. The next two will  cover vertical spindle moulding machines and narrow bandsaws.

The BWF expects all member companies to progress to appropriate competency for all their employees by December 2005. This is to be carried out in stages with the intent that 60% of employees achieve competency for their activity by December 2002, 80% by December 2003 and 90% by December 2004.

The current basic manual handling course which exists as a Power Point presentation is now being tailored specifically and should be ready by July. And, an attendance monitoring tool will be available very soon with a similar target of July for full use by BWF members. Currently the BWF Employment Affairs Committee has commented on a BWF-dedicated accident return form which will also permit the accident rate to be monitored and this will shortly be available. A dedicated consultation tool kit for BWF members is also currently being considered by the Employment Affairs Committee

Anthrax Cure in Sight

Treatment for anthrax could be a step closer after  some States-based discoveries. Teams of scientists working independently claim to have identified the key structures involved in the events leading to a release of toxin . It seems that chemicals remain in the bloodstream for several days even after antibiotics have been taken to kill the bacteria producing them.  Biological warfare scares recently have accelerated this research and the search is now on for drugs and treatments based on these scientific results. On the down side, this search for a "cure" is likely to take another two years. For more information contact http://www.cdc.gov

Flood Facts

  1. Around  five million people in England and Wales are at risk between September and April
  2.   Rainfall in winter is increasing and  rivers carry more water
  3.   Property, land and assets to the value of £214 billion are at risk
  4. 185,000 businesses are at risk
  5. Twenty eight people have died as a direct result of  flooding in the last two to three years
  6. If you have never been flooded  you are less likely to take much interest in Flood Facts and take preventative action

Flood advice is available on the net via http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodwarning

The "Oscars" of the Health and Safety World

March 4th is the closing date for entry to the 2002 RoSPA Health and Safety Award scheme. Ring the Helpline at 0870 777 2091 or write to RoSPA, Edgbaston Park, 353 Bristol Road, Birmingham, B5 7ST. The judges will be focusing on the steps you have taken in areas such as the management of occupational health, the management of sub contractors and contractors and the promotion of high standards of health and safety externally. This third point will typically involve evidence of actions taken to promote high standards via contractors, customers, suppliers, immediate neighbours and the wider community. The judges have asked that submissions " be discussed and agreed with the workforce" and that a senior workforce representative should sign section1 of the application form.

Construction firm fined after children steal can of liquid

 

A building firm has been fined after children entered a site and took a can of liquid back to their den when it caught alight. They gained access to the site through security fencing which was in the process of being removed as the  building was almost completed.

Next big show for Health and Safety buffs

Will be held at the NEC Birmingham from May 13 th to 16 th in Halls 9, 10 and 11 and the details can be found on http://www.safety-health-expo.co.uk Or contact CMP Information Ltd at 630 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5BG Telephone 0208 987 7877.

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