Safety, Health & Environmental Forum (Scotland) » Safety News

Improving worker involvement

Secretary — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:39:40 +0000

People support what they help create. By increasing worker involvement in the managerial decision making process, the worker’s knowledge can be harnessed. In relation to health and safety this can be used to shape safe systems of work by considering the reality of working operations. If the development of procedures, method statements, risk assessments and other operational measures involve workers who have to implement such measures, they are more likely to be used than if workers are simply told to follow them.

ZERO HARM Worker Involvement – the missing piece! identifies how worker involvement fits into the development of health and safety management systems. While it sets out a framework for effectively managing worker involvement, it also identifies a large range of practical measures aimed at enhancing the existing arrangements in any organisation. Written by Nigel Bryson OBE to support organisations wanting to improve their health and safety performance, BRYSON consulting are specialists in maximizing the impact of workforce involvement to continually prevent injuries and ill-health at work.

M&S fined £1 million

Secretary — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 10:41:37 +0000

Retail giant Marks & Spencer was fined £1 million yesterday for failing to protect customers, staff and workers from potential exposure to asbestos during refurbishment at one of its stores. The management was found to have been more concerned about the works being “unsightly” and “interfering with the shopping experience” of customers than the cancer-causing material.

It was told by Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC that the company, which he described as a “household name” was more interested in making profits out of its Reading store than properly planning for the removal of asbestos. He said the “tension” between health and safety and profit had caused the “lamentable problems” at Reading which had led to ceiling possibly containing asbestos falling to the shop floor when it was open.

“The response from Marks & Spencer was, in effect, to turn a blind eye to what was happening … It was already costing the company too much money,” the judge told Bournemouth Crown Court. “There was systemic failure on behalf of M&S management. There has been no hint of a proper full apology for what happened.” The judge said that the plc has failed to take responsibility for the breaches. Read More.

Health & Safety Scotland

Secretary — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:26:17 +0000

Health and Safety Scotland, 7 & 8 September at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston is dedicated to helping you control risks to health and safety in your workplace. If you are responsible for the health and safety of your workforce in Scotland and NE of England, this is the event for you. Health and Safety Scotland provides industrial, commercial and public sector organisations with a truly cost and time effective educational experience. With support from The British Safety Council in providing a comprehensive educational conference program the entire event is FREE to attend. More information is available by downloading the Invitation (177) and you can register online at the Health & Safety Scotland website.

HSL & NPPTL meeting for RPE manufacturers

Secretary — Fri, 27 May 2011 12:46:34 +0000

The UK Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) and the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) are co-hosting a meeting for all respiratory protective equipment manufacturers, July 26 – 28, 2011.

You can download Meeting information (142) or get more details from the HSL/CDC websites.

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-conferences/slips-trips-falls/home.aspx

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/resources/pressrel/letters/Manufacturers/lttr-07262011.html

HSE introduces new arrangements for online reporting of injuries and incidents

Secretary — Fri, 13 May 2011 12:52:47 +0000

Businesses will still be able to notify fatal and major incidents and injuries by phone following changes to reporting arrangements, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) confirmed today.

From 12 September 2011, all other reportable work-related injuries and incidents under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) will move to a predominantly online system, with a suite of seven forms available on HSE’s website to make the statutory reporting process quick and easy.

Said Trevor Carlile, HSE’s Director of Strategy:

“More than half of reportable injuries are already notified to HSE through the website and this proportion has been increasing steadily over the past seven years. Taking advantage of the growing use of the internet allows HSE to be more efficient in the way it works. We do recognise, however, that people reporting a traumatic event still need that personal interaction so the notification of fatal and major incidents and injuries will still take place by phone.”

Read the full article here.

Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings convicted of first corporate manslaughter charge under new Act

Secretary — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 16:38:21 +0000

Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings has become the first company to be convicted of the new offence of corporate manslaughter.

Alex Wright was 27-years-old when he died on 5 September 2008. He was a geologist for Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings and was investigating soil conditions in a deep trench on a development plot in Stroud when it collapsed and killed him.

Kate Leonard, reviewing lawyer from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Special Crime Division, said:

“Alex Wright was a young man, full of promise. His death is a tragedy for all those who loved him and would never have happened if Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings had properly protected him.

“I hope that this conviction offers his family some sense of justice. I send them my sincere condolences once again.”

Read the full story here: http://www.cps.gov.uk/news/press_releases/107_11/

Lanarkshire stoneworkers safety event aims to clear the air

Secretary — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:47:35 +0000

Construction workers in Lanarkshire are being invited to an event this Tuesday (24 November) to find out more about protecting themselves from Silicosis – a potentially lethal lung disease caused by breathing in stone dust. You can get more information from the HSE’s website.

Date: Tuesday 24th November
Time from 07.30am
Venue: Beatsons Building Supplies, Glencryan Road, South Carbrain, Cumbernauld G67 2UQ

Firefighter cycles 5 countries in 5 days

Secretary — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 09:32:13 +0000

SHEF(S) is proud to sponsor John McQuade in his effort to raise money for the Fire and Rescue Family Support Trust. John completed a tour through Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Wales and England. You can read more in this local paper article.

First Charges for Corporate Manslaughter

Secretary — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 09:36:51 +0000

A company has become the first in the UK to be charged under the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act. Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings is accused over the death of employee Alexander Wright, 27, who was killed when a pit collapsed in September 2008. See BBC for more.

John Cairns runner-up in PPE Section of Business Manager Awards

Secretary — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:41:18 +0000

John Cairns, PPE Officer of Strathclyde Fire & Rescue, Chair of SHEF(S) and Vice-Chairman of Safety Groups UK, was declared the runner-up in the PPE (Personal Protective Clothing) Section of The Business Manager Awards presented as part of the Workwear and Corporate Clothing Show in Birmingham.

The award was presented by fashion and workwear design icon, Jeff Banks, at a glittering award ceremony held at the Hilton Metropole Hotel at Birmingham’s NEC.

John Cairns (2nd from left) and Alex McAllister of Lion Apparal Receiving their award from Jeff Banks (far left) and Bill Colven (far right) Global Business Director of Awards sponsors, Invista’s Cordura Brand.