Neals Notes March 2002
Health and Safety Commission Annual report
This report covers the period 1st April to 31st March 2001 and covers the work of the Health and Safety Executive during a full, challenging and productive year which was dominated by rail issues. HSC Chair Bill Callaghan explains that many industries are now committed to delivering health and safety improvement targets including the construction industry where, unfortunately, there was a rise in fatalities. However, Callaghan is encouraged by this industrys' plans drawn up at a construction summit meeting. The report is available from the Stationery and costs £22.50. The ISBN reference is 0 10 291307 2.
Who did what to whom
The second annual HSE Offences and Penalties report identifies hundreds of companies and organisations convicted of health and safety crimes during the year 2000- 2001. It identifies almost 1,500 separate health and safety offences. During the period under review, the HSE prosecuted 2,077 offences and gained convictions is more than 70% of these. A total of 11,058 enforcement notices were issued over the same period. Copies are free of charge from 0207 717 6410. Ask for Ade Ibironke or alternatively visit www.hse.gov.uk/research/content.crr.index.htm
Trespasser costs Railway Companies
Two railway companies have been ordered to pay a total of £138,000 as a result of the death of 12 year old Shaun McGrath at Toton sidings, Nottinghamshire in May 1999. he had climbed through badly maintained fencing to play on the track. This is the first time train companies have d been prosecuted after a trespasser had been killed on the lines. Railtrack PLC pleaded guilty to the charge that it failed to ensure the safety of people on its property.
Bright Yellow Uniform seems to Protect Transport Workers
Improvements to Belgium's public transport system are helping to protect staff from violent or aggressive passengers. The most effective of these improvements seems to be stepping up the numbers of stewards in bright yellow uniforms. It seems they deter potential attackers and reassure travelers and fellow employees. The results of the complete training survey can be seen on www.fsap.ccoo.es or Email jmaestro@blatta.com
RoSPA Courses
These course run by RoSPA are basically held in Birmingham and Edinburgh but other venues can be arranged or a company's own premises can be used. Topics include violence in the workplace, control and monitoring dangerous materials, accident investigation, risk assessment, use of machinery and handling and lifting. A full listing can be obtained by ringing 0121 248 2244 or 0131 444 1155.
Civil Liability
Employees will be able to claim damages if they suffer injury or illness as a result of an employer's failure to comply with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. or the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1998 under Health and Safety Commission proposals. These proposals can be found on www.hse.gov.uk/condocs/cd177,pdf
St John Ambulance and the good Samaritan
St John Ambulance has arranged for extra insurance cover for all of its members and other trained people. Anybody who completes a training course with St John Ambulance in the use of automated external defibrillators will now be entitled to this additional cover. If a first aider or an AED operators faces a situation where the use of an AED is called for, other than in any official capacity as a first aider, it will be recognised that they are administering treatment as a good Samaritan. AED's help to increase survival rates considerably and this new cover means that more and more people will feel able to use them. More than 150,000 people in the UK die of heart attacks every year. Currently only 5% of those who suffer a cardiac arrest out of hospital will survive and this is due to the delay in receiving a shock from an AED
White asbestos is still a threat
Recent reports in our papers have suggested that white asbestos is harmless and should be exempted from the new duty to manage rules which come into force later this year. The HSE has now confirmed that these reports are untrue and says that white asbestos is a major health hazard. It also says that the bulk of scientific evidence in the UK and abroad regards the risk from white asbestos as proven. Advice on handling asbestos is contained in a free leaflet entitled Managing Asbestos in Premises which is available from HSE Books on 01787 881165 or Fax 01787 313995.
Drunk and Disordered
is a guide produced by the TUC to drugs and alcohol in the workplace and calls on employers to develop policies. Specifically these policies are to recognise that alcohol and drug misuse is a health problem, to prevent drug/alcohol misuse by developing awareness programmes, to identify employees with a problem at an early stage and to help employees with a drug/alcohol related problem. A recent study indicated that drink and drug related problems are one of the ,most common causes of sickness absence. And, another shows that 43% of organisations do not have a drug and alcohol policy and 84% do not run awareness programmes for staff. for a copy of the guide ring the TUC on 0207 467 1294.
Manual Handling Guidance
Toyota Industrial Equipment (UK) (0800 6676611) has published a guide on safe manual handling which gives employers and employees valuable advice on the safest way to lift, stack and move items in the workplace. It provides simple rules, recommends weight guidelines and advises on equipment-based solutions. This publication has been approved by RoSPA and the HSE and includes a comprehensive assessment checklist for employers to complete so that they can measure potential handling risks. It is free of charge.
ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL?
The Fleet Safety Forum has re-launched its informative sheet entitled Driver safety: preventing tiredness. It highlights the urgent need for fleet operators to monitor the fitness of all drivers and helps in the implementation of a policy to prevent driver tiredness. It includes a self-audit for employers, case studies on companies that have implemented tiredness policies and advice for drivers which can be photocopied for distribution.
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