28 October Wood Dust Dangers lead to fine A Northwich furniture company has been fined £16,000 after it repeatedly failed to protect its employees from exposure to wood dust. Pineland Furniture Ltd, based on Witton Street in the Cheshire town, was inspected by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on two separate occasions over a two-year period – with both identifying identical breaches. Nathan … Read More
29 August HSE Campaign – DUST KILLS It is a truism that: “The consequences of Safety Failures happen swiftly, whereas the Consequences of Health Failures arrive slowly”. The HSE has spent must of the Summer visiting sites and driving the Dust Kills Campaign Failure to prevent life-threatening diseases caused by dust at work is unacceptable, says the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), … Read More
23 September Metalworking fluids are still causing ill health Earlier this year, the HSE announced that it would be targeting organisations that use metalworking fluid (MWF) for inspection. Although this case predates the recent round of enforcement visits, it does support the narrative. Lantern Engineering Ltd was sentenced for health breaches after workers were exposed to metalworking fluid (MWF). MWF is hazardous to health, … Read More
28 January COSHH for small business COSHH Risk Assessment can be daunting for smaller businesses. Most of the businesses in the UK are small or medium-sized enterprises. The same health and safety laws apply to small businesses as apply to big ones, with a few exemptions on written risk assessments and policy documentation for very small companies. Note: these size-based exemptions … Read More
5 January COSHH extrinsic allergic alveolitis leads to £800,000 fine Metalworking fluid – COSHH extrinsic allergic alveolitis – an Uxbridge manufacturer of ejector seats has been fined £800,000 after three workers developed debilitating lung conditions. Three skilled CNC machine operators developed extrinsic allergic alveolitis after many years of years of exposure to the mist of working metal fluid. The lung condition, also known as hypersensitivity … Read More
7 September Health and Safety Failings – Pharmaceutical firm fined after employee exposed to hazardous substances Pharmaceutical firm fined after employee exposed to hazardous substances Key Facts: An investigation was launched into a pharmaceutical firm after worker exposed to hazardous substances. The firm had failed to review and ensure the health and welfare of their employee. They were subsequently fined £27,000. Read More
17 June Spotlight on – IOSH’s No Time To Lose Campaign IOSH’s No Time To Lose Campaign The aim of the No Time to Lose Campaign is to bring about better understanding of the causes of occupational cancer, and to help businesses take action. The campaign is working to: Get carcinogenic exposure issues more widely understood Raise awareness of the issue Suggest some solutions to tackle … Read More
21 April Spotlight On – Changes to labels on chemical packaging (CLP Regulations) Changes to labels on chemical packaging (CLP Regulations) In this article, we’re looking at the recent changes to labels on chemical packaging. The CLP Regulation, which deals with classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, came into force in January 2009. CLP adopts the United Nations’ Globally Harmonised System (GHS) on the classification and … Read More
27 February Farm worker exposed to toxic gases Prosecution following farm worker’s exposure to toxic gases Key Facts: A farm owner and his two businesses have been fined following as a result of serious safety failings A worker, 29, died as a result of exposure to toxic hydrogen sulphide gas The HSE found a number of unsafe practices and failings The owner and … Read More
22 January Diesel fumes and cancer – Need for Risk Assessment Diesel fumes and cancer – in the UK, about 800 people a year are diagnosed with cancer caused by exposure to diesel fumes. Further to this, around 500,000 UK workers are exposed to dangerous levels of diesel fumes, while Europe that figure could be more than 3.6 million people. Anyone working with or around diesel-powered equipment or vehicles can be affected – … Read More