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| HEALTH AND SAFETY SHOULD BE PROPORTIONATE TO RISK AND THE REGULATIONS SHOULD REFLECT THAT |
| Health and safety legislation is currently under the spotlight as part of the Cabinet Office's Red Tape Challenge. The HSE's Myth of the Month series ran from April 2007 to December 2010. Throughout this period, HSE attempted to dispel some of the most widely believed health and safety myths. Everything from Kids wearing goggles to play conkers to HSE banning step ladders. However there are still too many reports that HSE and health and safety law are responsible for all sorts of bans - cheese-rolling events, knitting in hospitals and even toothpicks! In reality HSE has banned very little outright, apart from a few high-risk exceptions like asbestos, which kills around 4000 people a year. Too often health and safety is used as a convenient excuse by others to not do something that may need some effort to plan and organise, but HSE say it's time to challenge this and remind people to focus on the real risks - those that are still causing people to be killed, injured or made ill at work.......read more » |
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| GUIDANCE TO EMPLOYERS DURING THE BAD WEATHER |
| Keeping Slip Free During the Ice & Snow....read more » |
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| SEVERE WEATHER WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE UK |
| Impact and advice associated with severe wind conditions -
The Met Office has issued warnings that winds will cause problems as we continue through the rest of this week. They have issued a 'Be Aware' status, which is likely to be upgraded as the week progresses. The worst weather hitting the country, Thursday and Friday this week.
Obviously you need to take into consideration any employees you may have on the road, out on site visits and any temporary or out house premises you may have. You will need to take especial care where there is scaffolding or loose site materials etc. on and around your premises. Not only will you have employees to take care of but members of the public who frequent your premises making use of your services as well as contractors and visitors.
We issue the following guidance as presented by the Met Office.......read more » |
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| WINTER RISK MANAGEMENT |
| With the anticipation of colder weather on its way, it is likely to bring with it the usual problems for both people and properties. To maintain a safe property and ensure staff and visitors are kept safe, we have produced the following guidance.......read more » |
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| THE HIDDEN POTENTIAL KILLER |
| A fine of £ 10,000 plus £ 12,759 costs has been imposed on the University of Lincoln after evidence of the existence of asbestos-containing material throughout the University came to light.
It was only by chance that the situation came to light. In February 2010, a lecturer found herself accidentally locked in a room at the University, on freeing herself she had noticed a dusty material which looked odd and contacted the health and safety department to investigate further. They discovered many of the doors were lined with asbestos insulating board (AIB).....read more » |
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| CIVIL DISTURBANCES! |
| Nationwide Riots, Protesters at Traveller's Sites and now camping protesters at St Pauls. What next?....read more » |
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| FIRST AID - ARE YOU DOING WHAT YOU SHOULD? |
| An employer is expected to have:
1. completed a first-aid needs assessment
2. ensured that there is either an appointed person to take charge of first-aid arrangements or, if necessary, there are appropriate numbers of suitably trained first-aiders;
3. ensured there are adequate facilities and a suitable stocked first-aid box;
4. provided employees with information about the first-aid arrangements.....read more » |
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| HEALTH WARNING OVER DIRTY OFFICE DESKS |
| The Independent Newspaper in its 'Health News' has reported that a study of desks in hundreds of offices across the country found poor levels of hygiene.
Dirty office desks are harbouring germs which can quickly spread among staff as firms are braced for an outbreak of sickness absence through colds and flu, a report said this week.....read more » |
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| END OF AN ERA - HSE INFO LINE 'HANGS UP' |
| In a move to improve efficiency further and deliver value for taxpayers, HSE's Infoline telephone service, which currently provides a basic information service to callers, will end on 30 September 2011.....read more » |
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| FREE ASBESTOS TRAINING |
| HSE and asbestos training providers are working together to promote and provide free asbestos awareness training.
From September to November 2011, training providers will be pledging and delivering free training sessions at a place near you.
....read more » |
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| NATIONAL MESOTHELIOMA AWARENESS DAY |
| On September 26th, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation will hold its eighth annual event.....read more » |
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| USEFUL ADVICE FROM THE POLICE IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES |
| The City of London Police have published a short document which we feel may be of help to some of our web site users in these troubling times.....read more » |
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| EVEN THE BIG GUYS DON'T GET IT RIGHT! |
| High-street retailer Marks and Spencer and two of its contractors have been convicted for potentially exposing workers and members of the public to asbestos.......read more » |
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| INSURERS MAY NOT PAY OUT ON PUB FIRES IF DIRTY DUCTWORK IS TO BLAME |
| A recent news report has from the Heating and Ventilating Contractors' Association (HVCA), has shown poorly maintained kitchen extraction ductwork in pubs and restaurants is a huge fire risk, and insurance companies are increasingly unwilling to pay up if a fire is traced back to grease-laden or incorrectly-fitted ductwork.....read more » |
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| TAKE THE RED TAPE CHALLENGE |
| The website for you to tell the Government which regulations are working and which are not; what should be scrapped, what should be saved and what should be simplified.....read more » |
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| FOOD WASTE AND FOOD CONTAMINATION |
| With the warm weather upon us, here are a few food hygiene tips for your workplace.
These simple steps can ensure hygiene standards for any workplace with a kitchen or food preparation area and adopting the basic principles can ensure a safe and healthy workforce.....read more » |
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| HSE INTRODUCES NEW ARRANGEMENTS FOR ONLINE REPORTING OF INJURIES AND INCIDENTS |
| In September the HSE infoline will be closed and RIDDOR reporting will move to online forms but telephone reporting will continue.....read more » |
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| CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER APPEAL REBUFFED |
| Earlier this month we reported on :
1ST CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER PROSECUTION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL -
We can now update our report by adding the following :
....read more » |
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| EMPLOYER FINED FOR NO COMPULSORY INSURANCE |
| Employer Fined ﾣ2500 + costs for running their business without having compulsory insurance in place to protect his employees.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently prosecuted the employer following a complaint from an employee at the factory .
....read more » |
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| LANDLORD CONVICTED OF REPEATED GAS INSPECTION FAILURE |
| HSE have reported that a landlord has been given a suspended six-month prison sentence for repeatedly failing to carry out annual gas inspections on one of his properties.
The landlord, was found guilty of breaching Regulation 33(1)(g) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 36(3) of the Gas Safety (Installation and use) Regulations 1998. He was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for a year, and 200 hours' community service, and was ordered to pay ﾣ30,000 in costs.....read more » |
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| GOLF-RESORT GUEST DIED FROM LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE |
| Are you managing the risk of Legionella?
IOSH , through the Safety & Health Practitioner have recently reported on the case of an exclusive leisure resort in Scotland being fined for failing to put in place adequate controls to prevent Legionnaires' Disease.
....read more » |
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| 1ST CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER PROSECUTION HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL |
| Directors and Managers please take note; the first Corporate Manslaughter prosecution has been successful. In the event of a fatal accident, could you convince a jury that you had taken all reasonable measures? Would your Policies and Procedures stand up to scrutiny and support your defence?....read more » |
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| POWERED PERIMETER GATES - TRAGIC ACCIDENTS |
| HSE have recently issued a General Safety Notice regarding Powered Perimeter Gates.
We are reproducing the Notice to all our members to ensure this type of tragic accident does not happen again.
The purpose of the 'General Safety Notice' is to advise Landlords, Commercial owners or facilities managers of properties with Powered Perimeter Gates, what they must do to ensure the safety of people in the vicinity of such gates.....read more » |
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| WINTER RISK MANAGEMENT |
| With the anticipation of colder weather on its way, it is likely to bring with it the usual problems for both people and properties. To maintain a safe property and ensure staff and visitors are kept safe, we have produced the following guidance.......read more » |
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| COMPANY EMAILS |
| If the loss of the ability to send and receive emails in your Company will impact on your Company's ability to perform, you need to review and consider the 'impact analysis' section in the 'Business Continuity Area of this Website to help you devise a cost effective continuity strategy.
....read more » |
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| HOTEL OWNERS FACE CHARGES UNDER FIRE SAFETY ORDER |
| The owners of a Hotel in Newquay are to be prosecuted for offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order.....read more » |
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| COMPETENT PERSON DEFINITION |
| Recently we have been asked several times to clarify the definition of 'A Competent Person'. This legal requirement came into the force with the Management of Heath and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 requiring that all employers must appoint one or more competent persons. An amendment in 1999 states that this person should preferably be in direct employment of the organisation.....read more » |
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| HOTEL PROSECUTED FOR FIRE SAFETY BREACHES |
| A Hotel and its General Manager have been ordered to pay out more than ﾣ40,000 in fines and costs after a blaze led to the discovery of numerous fire safety failures at the premises. The Hotel Manager pleaded guilty to ten offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, in a prosecution mounted by Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service.....read more » |
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| WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM and MINIMUM TEMPERATURE IN THE WORKPLACE? |
| The temperature in workrooms should normally be at least 16 degrees Celsius unless much of the work involves severe physical effort in which case the temperature should be at least 13 degrees Celsius. ....read more » |
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| WORKER DEATHS IN BRITAIN FALL TO RECORD LOW |
| New figures released 30th June by HSE reveal that the number of people killed at work in Britain fell last year to a record low.The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released the provisional data, which shows that 151 workers were killed between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010 compared to 178 deaths in the previous year and an average number over the last 5 years of 220 deaths per year.....read more » |
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| TOO MANY PEOPLE USE HEALTH AND SAFETY TO HIDE BEHIND |
| HSE continues to champion a sensible and proportionate approach to dealing with risks in the workplace - not eliminating them from all aspects of life.
Once again Judith Hackitt, chair of HSE, has spoken frankly and practically on the sensible approach to dealing with risks in the work place.
She warns ﾓtoo many people use health and safety as an excuse to hide behindﾔ. In a recent letter to to Lord Young of Graffham, she welcomes his review and offers to help gather evidence for his inquiry.....read more » |
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| WEBSITE LAUNCHED FOR FIRST OFFICIAL WORKERS' MEMORIAL DAY |
| Wednesday 28th April - Workers' Memorial Day....read more » |
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| TAKE A RISK - IT'S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH! |
| Interview with Judith Hackitt - Manchester Eve News, March 11, 2010....read more » |
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| NEW INITIATIVE FOR SME SUPPORT BY A JOINT ENTERPRISE |
| HSE and Council help businesses get safe and healthy....read more » |
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| BROKERS AND CLIENTS FAIL LAW TEST |
| Corporate Manslaughter penalties unknown by brokers ....read more » |
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| HSE - MORE CARING THAN YOU THINK! |
| Slips, Trips and Falls are they costing you ﾣﾣﾣ's ?....read more » |
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| SHARP INCREASE IN VIOLENT ATTACKS |
| Violence at work: Findings from the 2008/09 British Crime Survey, HSE....read more » |
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| GUIDANCE TO EMPLOYERS DURING BAD WEATHER |
| Keeping Slip Free During the Snow....read more » |
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| NEW FIRST AID AT WORK REGULATIONS 2nd Edition |
| Now available to order here.......read more » |
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| RECORD ﾣ400,000 FINE FOR RETAILER'S FIRE SAFETY BREACHES |
| "Good business management includes taking responsibility for fire safety, knowing the law and acting on it"....read more » |
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| HEALTH AND SAFETY LAW - WHAT YOU ARE TELLING YOUR STAFF! |
| By displaying the HSE Law Poster* you are making a promise to your workforce.....read more » |
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| LADDER EXCHANGE 2009 - HSE INITIATIVE |
| Are you providing safe and fit for purpose access equipment?....read more » |
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| WORK BREAK CUT - LED TO DEADLY BLOOD CLOT |
| Use of Display Screen Equipment at work ....read more » |
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| YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE WORKPLACE |
| Key risks for young people when starting work often arise because of their lack of experience or maturity.......read more » |
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| DRIVING CHALLENGE! |
| Managing Work Related Road Safety....read more » |
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| FIRE SAFETY FAILURES AT HOTEL LEAD TO SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCES |
| Landlords Beware!!!!....read more » |
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| SPEED LIMITS FOR VANS - CLARIFICATION OF NATIONAL LIMITS |
| Driving at Work Safety Guidance....read more » |
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| HEALTH AND SAFETY LAW POSTER - NEW FROM HSE |
| Revised Law Poster....read more » |
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| SWINE INFLUENZA |
| Facts not Porkies!....read more » |
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| LEGISLATION UPDATE |
| Legislation Changes due to commence on 6 April 2009....read more » |
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| ROOF BOSS JAILED FOR DEATH PLUNGE |
| A roofing firm boss jailed for 12 months for manslaughter - due to gross negligence ....read more » |
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| HEALTH AND SAFETY OFFENCES ACT 2008 |
| Tougher punishments for H&S breaches from this week....read more » |
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| SOME MOTHERS DO'AVE THEM!!! |
| Before the Festivities get in to full swing here are a few 'Festive' incidents from 'Christmas Past'....read more » |
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| SMOKING BAN - BLACKPOOL LANDLORD LOSES FIGHT |
| ........ he will however not leave it there!....read more » |
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| MOBILE PHONE LAW - FIVE YEARS ON BUT LIVES STILL LOST |
| RoSPA Press Release....read more » |
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| FIRE SAFETY BREACHES - FIRST LANDLORD IN LONDON IMPRISONED |
| Have you an up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment on your premises?....read more » |
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| HEALTH AND SAFETY AGENDA - RESCUE BACK FROM THE MEDIA |
| MPs from all parties have spoken of the need for businesses and government to do more to ensure businesses operate in a responsible way. ....read more » |
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| RISK ASSESSMENT FOCUS |
| European Campaign for Safety and Health at Work for 2008-09....read more » |
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| EMPLOYERS LIABILITY INSURANCE |
| No longer a requirement to display your certificate if an electronic copy is made ....read more » |
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| NEW LAWS FOR ALL DRIVERS TO BE AWARE OF..... |
| 'Causing death by careless driving'- comes into force across the UK today....read more » |
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| BOUNCY CASTLE RULING OVERTURNED |
| A couple found liable for an accident on a bouncy castle that left a boy with brain damage have won their appeal....read more » |
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| LORRY DRIVER JAILED FOR USING HANDS-FREE PHONE AT THE TIME OF AN ACCIDENT |
| Road safety groups responded by calling for a blanket ban on phone calls at the wheel....read more » |
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| FIRST AID REGULATIONS, OCTOBER 2009. HSE ANNOUNCE CHANGES |
| What Businesses need to be aware of ....read more » |
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| CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER BILL - THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRST AID |
| Have you done a First Aid Risk Assessment recently?....read more » |
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| SUMMER IS HERE? |
| Some frequently asked questions to our experts.....read more » |
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| NOTIFICATION OF A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT |
| Changes to the F10 Reporting Procedure to HSE....read more » |
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| WHAT THE CONSULTANT SAW! |
| A Challenge for our Readers....read more » |
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| THE CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER AND CORPORATE HOMICIDE ACT 2007 |
| The Act comes into force on 6th April 2008 ....read more » |
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| TRAINEES AND YOUNG WORKERS |
| Tragic death could have been prevented say HSE....read more » |
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| VAN DRIVERS REMINDED TO WEAR SEATBELTS |
| Since the first seatbelt law was introduced in 1983, 50,000 lives have been saved through motorists wearing seat belts.....read more » |
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| LOOKING AFTER YOUR BUSINESS |
| What you must do..........read more » |
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| HSE PUTTING THE RECORDS STRAIGHT |
| Clearing up the 'Urban Myths'....read more » |
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| SENSIBLE RISK MANAGEMENT |
| Enabling individuals to understand that as well as the right to protection, they also have to exercise responsibility....read more » |
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| MANSLAUGHTER LEGISLATION AND DRIVING AT WORK |
| Have you overlooked your mobile employees?....read more » |
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| THE CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER BILL - ARE YOU COVERED? |
| Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007, effective from 6th April 2008....read more » |
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| SMOKING AT WORK - 2008 |
| Update....read more » |
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