14 February HSE clampdown on unsafe construction sites Starting today and for the next month, construction sites across the country will be visited by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death and injury in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries. During 2009/10, 42 workers died while working in construction, nationally, and nearly three … Read More
24 November The HSE takes the hard line with unsafe scaffolding Health and safety inspectors will be out in force in Manchester on Thursday 25 November in a bid to tackle dangerous scaffolding. Falls from height are the biggest single cause of workplace deaths in the UK, with two deaths and 563 serious injuries in Manchester alone last year. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors … Read More
16 November Cut the HSE budget at your risk, warns IOSH The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has warned that work-related deaths could rise if the government goes ahead with a 35 per cent budget cut to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). But IOSH said budget cuts unveiled in the comprehensive spending review could threaten the downward trend that HSE statistics have shown, … Read More
8 November The Occupational Safety Consultants Register and what it means for you The Occupational Safety Consultants Register (OSCR) is the first step to resolving the problems identified by Lord Young in his recent report. Whilst many businesses develop in-house competence and do not need to use safety consultants, many smaller businesses will need help. OSCR will give those businesses confidence that the person will have complied to … Read More
1 November Health & Safety statistics show a move in the right direction Across the East Midlands fewer people are being seriously injured at work according to figures released by the Health & Safety Executive for 2009/10. There were 2,056 major workplace injuries in the region compared to 2,150 in 2008/9. However, the news isn’t all good, with the number of deaths rising by one to 12, while … Read More
29 July Landlord jailed for fire safety offences Facilities management companies, managing agents and landlords need to be aware that they are responsible for the premises that they manage (especially the common areas of these premises). This relates to all relevant aspects of health and safety, including fire safety. A Landlord has received and a four month custodial sentence for failing to comply … Read More
26 July Local restaurant owner fined for failing the most basic food hygiene standards Environmental Health Officers (EHO) have closed an Indian restaurant in Barrow upon Soar, near Loughborough, after a routine inspection revealed that the restaurant was operating with filthy conditions in the kitchen and in the storage areas. During the visit in June 2009 they found a build up of dirt and food debris, indicating that basic … Read More
23 July Safety in Laboratories HPA fined £25,000 for exposing employees to deadly bacteria The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has been fined £25,000 for exposing its employees to the risk of infection from the potentially deadly E.coli O157 bacteria. Safety in Laboratories is an important issue On 9 October 2007, a worker was transferring the bacteria from a laboratory to a discard area at the HPA’s Centre for Infections … Read More
15 July Scores on the Doors – A few handy hints With the launch of the new Scores on the Doors website has sharpened the focus on restaurant hygiene. The scores are based on audits conducted by Environmental Health Officers on visits to premises. For those with a strong health and hygiene record, the chance to have their scores displayed on a website is a great … Read More
4 May Fire Safety (England) (Employees’ Capabilities) Regulations 2010 Fire Safety (England) (Employees’ Capabilities) Regulations 2010 came into force on 06 April 6 2010. These regulations have been issued to close a perceived gap in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. They require that employers delegating fire safety tasks take into account the fire safety capabilities of the employees to whom these tasks … Read More