October 2007 Newsletter

Announcements

HS Direct has launched its new website, along with lots of new method statements. We have also now started offering risk assessment examples to go with all our method statements. Visit www.hsdirect.co.uk/method-statements/products.html to see our newly expanded product range.

We would also like to welcome our new colleague, Mr Nick Murphy, to our team. Nick has joined us so we can provide you with a better faster health and safety service as you need it. So if you need health and safety policies, method statements and risk assessments writing you can be assured we will have exactly what you require as quickly as possible. Call us about your required service on 01142 44 44 61.

October Newsletter

Warning from HSE over the silent killer of Carbon Monoxide

The HSE is supporting CO (Carbon monoxide) awareness week, organised by campaign group CO Awareness, by reminding homeowners and landlords of the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Last year research showed that 45% of households were unaware of the dangers of CO poisoning from gas appliances, which killed 16 people in 2005/6.

CO fumes are often referred to as ‘the silent killer’ because they cannot be detected. You cannot see, smell or taste the fumes, which in extreme cases can kill without warning in a matter of hours.

HSE advise that if an appliance is suspected of releasing excess CO you should switch off the appliance, ventilate the room, visit your GP as a matter of urgency and ensure that a CORGI registered installer makes the necessary repairs. Simple precautions such as regularly servicing and maintaining gas appliances through a CORGI registered installer and using audible CO detectors could help save lives.

For more information on gas safety please go to www.hse.gov.uk/gas/domestic/index.htm

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007

For the first time, companies and organisations can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter as a result of management failures resulting in a gross breach of a duty of care.

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, which comes into force on 6^th April 2008, clarifies the criminal liabilities of companies where serious failures in the management of health and safety result in a fatality. Prosecutions will be of the corporate body and not individuals, but the liability of directors, board members or other individuals under health and safety law or general criminal law, will be unaffected.

More information can be found at; www.justice.gov.uk/publications/corporatemanslaughter2007.htm

CBI wants out of hours GP appointments

The CBI (Confederation of British Industry) claims that millions of staff were forced to take time off work to visit GPs because they could not get evening or weekend appointments costing business a billion pounds a year. The CBI is calling for patients to be able to register at more than one practice so they have access to GP services near their work as well as at home. The BMA (British Medical Association) said the real problem was the failure of employers to provide their staff with a proper occupational health service.

Pesticides cause asthma in farmers

New research has suggested that exposure to several commonly used pesticides dramatically increases the risk of asthma in farmers. Its main finding was that a history of high pesticide exposure was associated with a doubling of asthma risk. The link remained statistically significant after adjusting for a variety of potentially confounding factors including age, smoking and body weight.

Britain losing the workplace cancer fight

Britain is seriously underestimating the risk of contracting cancer at work according to some new research. The HSE has estimated that only 4% of cancers are linked to work – resulting in about 6,000 deaths a year. However, this new research has found the figure could be four times higher than the official estimate. The researchers argue that the HSE has ignored work related risks that have produced work-caused and work-related cancers over several decades and that workers are still exposed now to too many carcinogens in the workplace.

Work Stress linked to heart risk

Canadian researchers have found individuals who return to a stressful job after a heart attack are more prone to a second attack than those whose work is not stressful. The researchers concluded that these results should be disseminated in cardiac practice and in occupational health services with the aim of reducing job strain for workers returning to work after a heart attack.

HSE calls for transport industry to improve its injuries rate

The transport industry continues to have one of the worst records for major injuries due to falls from vehicles during loading and unloading of goods. The HSE in 2004/5 found that transport accounted for 31% of all workplace fatalities.

With an estimated three million people in Great Britain working with vehicles as part of their normal job, HSE’s ongoing workplace transport campaign warns workers to take sensible precautions to minimise risks in all vehicle related work, particularly in the area of falls.

The awareness campaign aims to help those who are responsible for buying and managing workplace vehicles with simple steps than can be taken to improve the safety of vehicle:

Vehicles should be well maintained and checked regularly

Procedures for loading and unloading should avoid the need to work at height where possible

Floor surfaces should be anti slip when possible, or, slip resistant footwear provided

If work at height is unavoidable steps, platforms and other safety equipment should be provided.

Extensive guidance and advice can be found at; www.hse.gov.uk/fallsfromvehicles/index.htm

Disclaimer

All information and advice is given in good faith. We cannot accept any responsibility for your subsequent acts or omissions. If you have any doubts queries or concerns, you should refer to the relevant regulations and take further professional advice.

Health and Safety Solutions from HS Direct LTD

Please feel free to contact HS Direct on 0800 8496728 or visit www.hsdirect.co.uk for all your health and safety needs.