MedWorm: Health and Safety Executive

Health and safety of the older worker

Occupational Medicine — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Implications for health and safety risks cannot be assessed without longitudinal research on workforces with substantial numbers of workers over age 60 in order to address the healthy worker effect. (Source: Occupational Medicine)

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Report highlights home care failures

NHS News Feed — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:00:00 +0100

A number of elderly people are being let down by home care services, an inquiry by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has found. The commission reported that around half of the older people and relatives interviewed were highly satisfied with their standard of care. However, in a minority of cases there were significant lapses in the care some received. Among the problems reported were older people being left unwashed, denied assistance with eating and without a say in the way they were treated. In a few isolated cases, elderly patients reported physical abuse and having money systematically stolen. The report is one of a series of damning examinations into elderly care to be published in recent months. Investigations by the Patients’ Association and Care Quality Commission (CQC) ...

Fracking 'probable' cause of Lancashire quakes

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:48:00 +0100

Controversial 'fracking' technique to extract gas from the ground was the 'highly probable' cause of earth tremors, report findsTwo earthquake tremors in north-west England earlier this year were probably caused by controversial operations to extract gas nearby, a report by the company responsible has concluded.The two tremors - magnitude 2.3 and 1.5 - which were felt by people just outside Blackpool, but did not cause any known damage, were reported in April and May. Since the second event, Cuadrilla Resources has stopped "fracking" operations – where water and chemicals are injected into rocks at high pressure to extract gas from the cracks.The news came as protesters against the controversial new energy source halted work at a Cuadrilla gas exploration rig at Banks, near Southport, Me...

Life, limb and hearing – How to save all three!

International Journal of Surgery — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 22:52:32 +0100

Aim: To establish if the sound levels produced by power tools in the orthopaedic theatre is within the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, which help prevent acoustic trauma to operating staff and patients. (Source: International Journal of Surgery)

Britain's Weirdest Health And Safety Rules And Bans Exposed

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 04:00:00 +0100

Great Britain, like many other countries, has become so obsessed with health and safety, that some of its rules and bans have become a source of amazement, ridicule and jokes. Examples range from an area of lawn popular with fans who could not get into a court being out of bounds in Wimbledon tennis club because it was wet, to schoolyard soccer games not being allowed unless the ball was made of sponge. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), a public body in the UK, explained that health and safety legislation is there to protect people from real risks... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Uptake and quality of health surveillance for noise and hand-arm vibration

Occupational Medicine — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100

Conclusions While many of the companies appear to be following HSE guidance, there is a significant number that are not. Further initiatives that engage with smaller companies may help increase HS provision. (Source: Occupational Medicine)

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MoD investigates former chemical weapons factories for contamination

Guardian Unlimited Science — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 18:20:30 +0100

Lingering risks of contamination from tens of thousands of tonnes of chemicals dumped across UK since first world warInteractive map of UK chemical weapons contaminationThe Project Cleansweep briefing documentThe Ministry of Defence has investigated 14 former chemical weapons factories and stores across the UK for contamination, according to an official briefing seen by the Guardian.Tens of thousands of tonnes of mustard gas, phosgene and other lethal chemicals have been made, stored, burned and dumped at sites in England, Wales and Scotland since the first world war. Some areas are still fenced off to protect the public today.After a four-year investigation of the sites considered potentially hazardous – named Project Cleansweep – it has concluded that there is "no indication of signi...

'Management Standards' and work-related stress in Great Britain: Progress on their implementation - Mellor N, Mackay C, Packham C, Jones R, Palferman D, Webster S, Kelly P.

SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:27:55 +0100

The aim of this paper is to identify what constituted barriers to progress in the implementation of the Management Standards for preventing and reducing work-related stress nationally, an approach advocated by the Health and Safety Executive in Great Brita... (Source: SafetyLit: All (Unduplicated))

National Mesothelioma Day- Call For Action To Cut Deaths, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 11:00:00 +0100

The Joint Union Asbestos Campaign (JUAC) is today calling on the government to boost safety standards, by placing a requirement on local authorities to give parents and school workers an annual report of the asbestos risk in schools. Although every year asbestos related mesothelioma claims the lives of 16 UK teachers, and more than 70% of school buildings contain asbestos, the Health and Safety Executive policy has recently cut school inspections... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

How much longer can Christopher Booker go on misleading readers? | George Monbiot

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 13 May 2011 13:56:46 +0100

Everyone makes mistakes. But journalists must tailor their beliefs to the evidence, not the other way roundYou can tell a lot about a newspaper from the way it handles the mistakes its journalists make. Does it correct them? Does it ignore them? Does it allow those mistakes to be repeated long after they have been discredited? You can, I believe, tell a lot about the Sunday Telegraph from the fact that it continues to employ Christopher Booker, without, apparently, insisting that he stops spreading misinformation.A list of all the howlers he has made in recent years would fill a book, but here is a small selection:Global warmingBooker dismisses much of climate science, tending to prefer unqualified bloggers to provide his information. This gets him into endless scrapes, the most amusing of...

HSE Introduces New Arrangements For Online Reporting Of Injuries And Incidents, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 10 May 2011 10:00:00 +0100

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... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Harness suspension and first aid management: development of an evidence-based guideline

Emergency Medicine Journal — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The possibility of a fall into rope protection and subsequent suspension exists in some industrial situations. The action to take for the first aid management of rescued victims has not been clear, with some authors advising against standard first aid practices. To clarify the medical evidence relating to harness suspension the UK Health and Safety Executive commissioned an evidence-based review and guideline. Four key questions were posed relating to the incidence, circumstances, recognition and first aid management of the medical effects of harness suspension. A comprehensive literature search returned 60 potential papers with 29 papers being reviewed. The Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) methodology was used to critically review the selected papers and develop a guideli...

Japan nuclear crisis - live Q&A

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:24:00 +0100

As Japan struggles to prevent a meltdown at Fukushima nuclear power plant, a panel of scientists will answer questions from 1pmAs the nuclear crisis continues at Fukushima Daiichi, there are many confusing reports circulating the internet – from the exposure of fuel rods at reactor 2 to the rise in radioactivity in the area surrounding the facility.To answer your questions about the crisis, we are putting together a panel of scientists who will be live for an hour from 1pm, so please leave your questions below.So far, we have Prof Gerry Thomas who holds a chair in molecular pathology at Imperial College London. She will answer questions on the effects of radiation exposure. Prof Paddy Regan at the University of Surrey's Department of Physics will also be answering questions from 1.30. He...

Protecting Respiratory Health: What Should be the Constituents of an Effective RPE Programme?

Annals of Occupational Hygiene — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Although personal respiratory protection is widely recognized as having a lower priority than reduction of any risk at source, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is a major part of risk management for many employers. We have identified the key elements of what constitutes an effective risk control programme involving RPE, through a 3-fold approach involving (i) a review of the published scientific literature, (ii) exploring the issue through >40 years of research publications from the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) (in which the ergonomics of personal protection equipment has been a significant thread), and (iii) a series of interviews and discussions with IOM and Health and Safety Executive staff with experience in the testing, prescription, or use of RPE. We have used th...

Scissor Lift Safety Warning Following Fatal Overturns, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:00:00 +0100

Users of certain types of scissor lifts are being advised to make daily safety checks after five people were killed in three separate incidents when they overturned. A safety alert has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to warn service and maintenance engineers and those in the construction industry who use, or lease out, JLG 500RTS and 400 RTS scissor lifts, to ensure that safety critical components are working correctly... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Pharmaceutical Workers Exposed To Hazardous Substance, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:00:00 +0100

A Swindon pharmaceutical company has been fined after a number of its employees were sensitised to a potent substance and developed allergic contact dermatitis. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Catalent U.K. Swindon Zydis Limited (trading as Catalent Pharma Solutions) after at least ten employees - including John Renicks, John Clifford and Ian Thorne - developed the skin condition when working with Olanzapine. The substance is an active ingredient in one of the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic drugs and is a known cause of allergic contact dermatitis... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Hospital fined £50k following patient death

Nursing Times Breaking News — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 07:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive said an 89-year-old man died after hospital staff left him with only one rail on his bed to prevent him from falling out. (Source: Nursing Times Breaking News)

New European Rules On Notifying Chemical Substances

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is supporting the European Chemical Agency's (ECHA) campaign to remind companies that new rules on classification, labelling, packaging and notification of chemical substances come into force on 1 December 2010. From December, within one-month of placing a chemical substance on the market, all companies involved in their manufacturer or import will need to notify the ECHA for their inclusion in the new Classification and Labelling Inventory... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Supportive Leadership: Improving Organisational Health and Preventing Burnout in Pastoral Care Managers and Staff

Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100

This study examined the efficacy of an evidence based supportive leadership program to address psychosocial hazards identified in an organisational health review of a pastoral care organisation. Participants were employees and volunteers identified as having supervisory or management roles (N = 24; M = 11, F = 13; Age Range = 24 to 68), including the Senior Leadership Team (SLT; n = 7). The supportive leadership program was implemented over a 12-month period with follow-up over another 12-month period. Organisational health was measured through the use of the Health and Safety Executive Indicator Tool (HSE, 2004b) and qualitative interview data at pre-intervention and at 12- and 24-month follow-up. The results of the HSE Tool were compared over time, utilising the comparison benchmarks pro...

Lanarkshire Farm Safety Event Aims To Cut Deaths, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Farmers from across Lanarkshire are encouraged to attend a free half day event this week for practical advice in dealing with the dangers of working in agriculture. The latest figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that the sector is still one of the most dangerous in Great Britain. Eight agricultural workers died in Scotland in 2009/2010, and a further 78 major injuries were reported... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Mesothelioma Cases Rising in the United Kingdom

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 18:51:41 +0100

According to recent statistics released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), mesothelioma deaths in 2008 totaled 2,249, up from 2,156 for the previous year. This is the latest year for which data concerning mesothelioma deaths is available. The HSE is responsible for the regulation and enforcement of workplace health, safety and welfare in the United Kingdom. This public body also conducts research into occupational risks. The expected number of malignant mesothelioma deaths in the United Kingdom is predicted to peak in 2016 with increasing death tolls each year. After adding other asbestos-related cancer deaths to the total amount of mesothelioma deaths (2,249), the HSE suggests around 4,000 people pass away from an asbestos-related disease each year. Mesothelioma is a form of cancer...

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Nitrogen Knocks Out Employee Inside Machine, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a Black Country recycling firm after nitrogen gas, used to stop explosions, made a worker pass out. Halesowen Magistrates Court heard that it was usual for workers at Overton Recycling to climb into the chute of a fridge recycling machine at the company's site in Rufford Street, Lye. On 1 June 2009, Stephen Barnes, 47, from Birmingham, was working on the machine used to recycle fridges... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Lifesaving Advice On Offer For County Durham Farmers, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Farmers across County Durham are being encouraged to attend a free half day event later this month to pick up advice on dealing with the dangers of working in agriculture. Figures from the HSE reveal that 38 agricultural workers died in Britain last year - making farming the country's most dangerous occupation. The event, which is being organised by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will take place at Barnard Castle Auction Mart on Tuesday 23 November between 8.00 - 11.30am... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The South West: A Safer Place To Work, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Fewer people in the South West are being seriously or fatally injured through their work, according to figures for 2009/10 released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There were 2,208 major workplace injuries recorded in the region last year compared to 2,370 in 2008/9 and 17 deaths - five fewer than the previous year. But the estimated number of people suffering from work-related illnesses rose by 19,000 from 107,000 in 2008/09 to 126,000 last year... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The North East: A Safer Place To Work, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Fewer people across the North East are being seriously or fatally injured at work, according to figures for 2009/10 released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There were 1,219 serious workplace injuries recorded in the region last year compared to 1,382 in 2008/9 and three deaths - six fewer than the previous year. The number of people suffering from work-related illnesses in 2009/10 remained the same as last year, at 55,000... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

The North West: A Safer Place To Work, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Fewer people in the North West are being seriously or fatally injured at work, according to figures for 2009/10 released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).There were 3,215 major workplace injuries recorded in the region last year, compared to 3,321 in 2008/9, and 19 deaths - four fewer than the previous year. But the estimated number of people suffering from work-related illnesses rose by 7,000 from 122,000 in 2008/9 to 129,000 last year. HSE continues to take a tough line with firms in the North West who put workers at risk by breaking safety legislation... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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The East Of England: A Safer Place To Work

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Fewer people in the East of England are dying or being seriously injured at work, according to figures for 2009/10 released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There were 2,298 serious workplace injuries recorded in the region last year compared to 2,359 in 2008/9 and 10 deaths - 2 fewer than the previous year. However, the number of people in the East of England who believe they were made ill through their work rose by 3,000 from an estimated 125,000 in 2008/09 to an estimated 128,000 last year. An estimated 2... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

London: A Safer Place To Work

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Fewer people across London are being seriously or fatally injured through their work, according to figures released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There were 2,433 serious workplace injuries recorded in the region last year compared to 2,690 in 2008/9 and 11 deaths - eight fewer than the previous year. The estimated number of people suffering from work-related illnesses rose by 17,000 from 121,000 in 2008/09 to 138,000 last year. Stephen Williams, Divisional Director for London, said: "This is once again a step in the right direction... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Fewer People Seriously Injured At Work In The East Midlands

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Fewer people across the East Midlands are being seriously injured at work according to figures for 2009/10 released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). There were 2,056 major workplace injuries recorded in the region last year compared to 2,150 in 2008/9. However, the number of deaths rose by one to 12, while the estimated number of people who believed they were suffering from work-related illnesses rose from 86,000 in 2008/09 to 101,000 last year. Across the region, more than 2.2 million working days were lost due to illness or injury, an average of 1.29 days lost per worker... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Good Progress On Reducing Injuries And Fatalities At Work Not Matched By Progress On Work-Related Harm To Health, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 10:00:00 +0100

New figures released today confirm that Britain has the lowest rate of fatal occupational injuries in Europe and one of the lowest levels of work-related ill health. The statistics published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that in Britain between April 2009 and March 2010: - There were 152 workers fatally injured - down from 179 the previous year. This is the lowest level on record in Britain, with 0.5 deaths per 100,000 workers. - There were 26,061 major injuries, such as amputations and burns, to employees - a rate of 101.5 per 100,000 - compared with 27,894 in 2008/09... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Hospital Fined After Health Worker Infected With Hepatitis C, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A healthcare worker at a Worcestershire hospital contracted the Hepatitis C virus after injuring herself on a needle used to take blood from an infected patient. During the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust over the February 2007 incident, City Magistrates heard the worker, who had been training at the Trust for three weeks, was instructed to take blood from a patient known to be infected with the virus... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Cutting Deaths In Construction - Free Orkney Event Aims To Reduce Risks, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 13:00:00 +0100

A practical event for builders, construction workers and contractors will take place in Orkney next week in a bid to reduce the death toll in Scotland's construction industry. The Orkney Construction Training Group has organised a free safety and health awareness event at Orkney College on Monday 11 October, between 8.00am and 4.00pm. The event is being supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Construction Skills and the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Safety Initiative Targets Region's Small Construction Sites, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:00:00 +0100

A new safety initiative targeting small-scale building projects is being launched across Greater Manchester and Cheshire. Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show two thirds of all construction deaths in the North West, and more than half of the serious injuries, occur in the two counties. During the next six months, HSE inspectors specialising in construction will be visiting short-duration building projects to offer support and advice to workers and contractors... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE issues ambulance trust warning

HSJ — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive has warned an ambulance trust after it found measures had not been taken to assess the risk to crews from violence and aggression. (Source: HSJ)

Asbestos saga proves our feeble press watchdog has no bark and no bite | Richard Wilson

Guardian Unlimited Science — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:44:17 +0100

It took a seven-month battle to get the Daily Mail to correct Christopher Booker's dangerous claims about asbestos. Guest post by Richard WilsonBack in February, the Daily Mail published an article denouncing "The Great Asbestos Hysteria", and claiming that the health risks had been grossly exaggerated by "the BBC, profiteering lawyers, and gullible politicians". The article was a response to a study raising concerns about the ongoing dangers of asbestos in UK schools. Those dangers were, the Daily Mail assured us, "all but non-existent". While many older school buildings still contained asbestos, almost all of it was "relatively harmless white asbestos, encapsulated in cement or other materials, from which it is virtually impossible to extract even a single dangerous fibre". The threat fr...

Majority Of Local Authorities Satisfy Asbestos Management Rules In 'system Build' Schools, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 11:00:00 +0100

The majority of local authorities in England with 'system build' schools have procedures and precautions in place to manage asbestos safely, according to a survey and follow-up inspection programme. Of the 152 councils in England that have responsibility for providing education, 110 satisfied the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), via an online survey, that they have systems in place to meet their duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006. The other 42 authorities were visited by HSE inspectors to ensure that they were also managing the risks from asbestos... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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New Agreement To Improve Health And Safety On Construction Sites, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 07:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has signed an agreement with the Building Control Alliance (BCA), in a bid to work more closely to improve health and safety standards in the construction industry. The agreement, which was signed at the Construction Industry Council's Offices in London, sets out how HSE and building control professionals will cooperate to help and support each other, for example in providing health and safety advice to the construction industry, but clearly distinguishes their separate regulatory roles and responsibilities... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Local Authorities Reminded Of Their Health And Safety Responsibilities Ahead Of Waste And Recycling Inspection Programme, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Local authorities are being reminded to check that they are clear on their health and safety responsibilities in procuring and managing waste and recycling services, ahead of a programme of inspections that will begin next month. Over the next three years, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will look at the procurement and management of municipal waste and recycling services following the introduction of guidance in January that clarifies the legal duties on local authorities, whether they deliver them in-house or contract them out... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Safety Advice Issued On Electric Gates, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0100

Installers, designers, maintenance firms and manufacturers of electric gates, are being urged to seriously consider new safety advice issued by the Health and Safety Executive today, following the recent deaths of two children involving these gates. The safety alert points out that limiting the closing forces of gates alone will not provide sufficient protection to meet the relevant standards, and installers must fit additional safeguards to gates in public areas... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Research Indicates No Increased Cancer Risk At Greenock Factory, Scotland

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:00:00 +0100

Workers at a Scottish semi-conductor plant are not at increased risk of developing occupational cancers, new research suggests. An independent investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) has concluded that earlier concerns about occupational cancer at the National Semiconductors UK (NSUK) factory in Greenock were unfounded... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Five Exposed To Asbestos At Manchester's Arndale Centre

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 08:00:00 +0100

A shop fitting company has been fined after five workers were exposed to potentially deadly asbestos fibres at the Arndale Centre in Manchester. Eastern Regional Shopfitters Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after it ignored a report which stated asbestos was present in a shop it was working on. Two workers spent five days ripping out old shop fittings in October 2009 before they discovered that asbestos had been used in some of the ceiling panels... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Agriculture Champion's Stark Message To Welsh Farmers

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 14:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive's is using the Royal Welsh show (19-22 July) show as an opportunity to rally Welsh farmers into looking out for themselves and each other. HSE board member Sandy Blair, who lives in south Monmouthshire has a stark message: "Death and injury in farming shouldn't be accepted as 'part of the job'; that's a dangerously old-fashioned view of a modern industry. "We all recognise how important agriculture is to the Welsh economy and environment, so it goes without saying that the safety of those farmers who dedicate their lives to it needs to be a priority... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Deregulation Of Health And Safety Policies Could Adversely Affect Workplace Safety

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:00:00 +0100

A report by the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University has found that workplace safety has been put at risk due to changes in health and safety policies over the past decade. The report, 'Regulatory Surrender: death, injury and the non-enforcement of law', reveals that policy changes have affected the ability of the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to enforce health and safety law. Researchers found that the number of inspections made of business premises has fallen by 69% and investigations of health and safety incidents has declined by 68%... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Farmers Urged To Think Safety Ahead Of Flagship Show

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0100

Agriculture is officially the most dangerous industry in Britain, with proportionately more work-related deaths than in any other sector. That is the message the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will take to next week's Great Yorkshire Show in Harrogate (13-15 July). According to new figures from the Health and Safety Executive, 38 workers were killed during farm work in 2009/10, marking a return to average levels of previous years and in contrast to 25 fatalities the previous year - a record low... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Worker Death Stats - UNISON Response, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 01:00:00 +0100

UNISON, the UK's largest public service union, said today (30 June) that statistics released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), showing the number of worker deaths falling to a record low, grossly underestimate the real figures. The union believes that the real death toll is ten times higher than reported and warned that now is not the time for the Government to relax health and safety legislation. Hope Daley, UNISON's Head of Health and Safety, said: "These figures fail to show the full story when it comes to work-related deaths and illnesses... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Tragic Rise In Agriculture Deaths, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:00:00 +0100

New figures for the number of workers who were fatally injured in the agriculture sector have today been released by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). They show that between 1 April 2009 and 31 March 2010: - 38 agriculture workers were killed at work, marking a return to average levels of previous years in contrast to the record low in 2008/09 when 25 workers died - the rate of fatal injuries in the sector was 8.2 per 100,000 workers, making it the most dangerous industry in which to work - of the 38 agriculture workers killed, 17 were employees and 21 were self employed people... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Health And Safety 'Used As An Excuse', Hackitt Warns, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Too many people use health and safety as an excuse to hide behind, the Chair of the Health and Safety Executive has warned. Judith Hackitt made the comments in a letter to Lord Young of Graffham, welcoming his review and offering to help gather evidence for his inquiry. Prime Minister David Cameron appointed Lord Young to lead a Whitehall-wide review of health and safety law and practice. He will also examine compensation culture and report to the Prime Minister in the summer... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Report Encourages New Ways Of Working To Reduce Injury In Bed Manufacturing

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 14:00:00 +0100

Measures bed manufacturers have taken to successfully reduce manual handling injuries feature in a new report aimed at promoting good practice in the industry. Employees in the bed manufacturing industry are around twice as likely to suffer manual handling injuries such as back and upper limb disorders than those in any other manufacturing sector. This prompted the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), with the support of the National Bed Federation, to identify the key risk activities and encourage companies to identify solutions that would work best for them... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Trust warned over asbestos breach

HSJ — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 09:56:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive has issued an improvement notice to NHS Wiltshire. (Source: HSJ)

NHS Trust Fined Â£75,000 After Drug Mix-up Kills Nurse Hours After Giving Birth, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 18 May 2010 07:00:00 +0100

An NHS Trust has been fined after a mother who had just given birth died when she was given the wrong drug. Great Western Hospitals NHS Trust was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after 30-year-old Mayra Cabrera died at the Marlborough Road hospital in Swindon on 11 May 2004. Mrs Cabrera, who was also a nurse at the hospital, was given an epidural drug in her arm instead of a saline solution. She died an hour later following medical complications caused by the drug mix-up... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Quick Reference Factsheet To Guide Retailers On Asbestos, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 14 May 2010 15:00:00 +0100

Retailers are being sent a quick reference factsheet to help them understand their legal responsibilities on asbestos to ensure their workers, customers or any contractors are protected from exposure. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has teamed up with the BHF-BSSA Group - an independent retail trade body representing more than 7500 small retailers, after it was found that compliance with 'duty to manage' regulations was particularly low in this sector... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Competence Is Key: Ensure Asbestos Surveyors Are Qualified For The Job, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:00:00 +0100

Asbestos surveys are only effective if competent surveyors are employed to do them...That is one of the key messages being promoted at roadshows to help explain new guidance devised for those responsible for managing the risks from asbestos. 'Asbestos: The survey guide' (Ref: HSG264) which was published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in January is aimed at those who commission asbestos surveys, the surveyors who carry them out and those who use them such as architects and demolition or removal contractors... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Manchester Care Home Fined Over Legionnaires' Risk

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 07:00:00 +0100

A care home company has been fined Â£5,000 after putting elderly residents in Manchester at risk of catching Legionnaires' disease. SJ Care Homes Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the company failed to comply with an enforcement notice issued at one of its nursing homes. HSE Inspector Sandra Tomlinson issued the notice after a routine visit to Beech House Nursing Home on Yew Tree Lane in Wythenshawe on 24 February 2009. The visit revealed the care home did not have the required precautions in place to control legionella bacteria... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

1 In 4 Construction Sites Fail Safety Inspections, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Nearly one in four of the construction sites visited by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) during March failed safety checks. Inspectors from HSE carried out checks at 2014 construction sites across Great Britain as part of an intensive inspection campaign aimed at reducing death and injury in one of Britain's most dangerous industries. During unannounced visits, inspectors focused on refurbishment and roofing work to ensure that any work at height was being done safely and that the sites were in good order. 2414 contractors were inspected during the campaign... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE And Council Help Businesses Get Safe And Healthy, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has joined forces with a host of organisations to help local businesses benefit from a new and innovative support project. The Estates Excellence project is being spearheaded by organisations committed to health and safety across the South East to fulfil the need for advice and training for businesses and workers. Partners include Slough Borough Council, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Federation of Small Businesses, EEF, SEGRO, SERCO, SERTUC and local business groups... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Good practice reminder on open farms

Health Protection Agency — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:47:36 +0100

As we are approaching the busy Easter holiday season when families are likely to visit open farms, the Health Protection Agency, Health and Safety Executive and Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services have jointly published a timely reminder of good practice in reducing the risk of infection to visitors to open farms. It is recognised that the risks cannot be completely eliminated. (Source: Health Protection Agency)

'Do Your Bit' To Reduce Death And Injury In The Workplace

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Bosses are being encouraged to get their employees more involved in health and safety in a bid to reduce injury and ill health. The Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) new campaign 'do your bit' is in response to workplace research which provides evidence to suggest that involving workers has a positive effect on health and safety performance. The 'do your bit' campaign is a year long initiative offering free or subsidised training courses to help businesses get their employees more involved in improving their health and safety... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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All Sectors Of Industry Called To Action On Safety Alerts, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:00:00 +0100

All sectors of industry are being urged to play their part in sharing information to prevent accidents. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has revamped its Safety Bulletin system which warns industry of problems with equipment, process, procedures and substances that may lead to injury, with bulletins now available automatically via email, text message or RSS feed, as well as on the website. HSE is now calling on industry to commit to sharing such information more effectively when sending out their own alerts... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Launches Crackdown On Dangerous Construction Sites, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

HSE inspectors are to launch an intensive inspection initiative aimed at stopping dangerous practices on building sites across Great Britain. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wants to raise awareness of construction site risks and prevent unnecessary injuries and deaths. Construction is one of Britain's most dangerous industries. During 2008/09, 53 workers died and 11 264 were injured, across Great Britain, while working in construction. The inspection initiative - starting on 1 March - will focus on refurbishment or roofing work... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Safety Event For South East Farmers To Help Reduce Death And Injury, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:00:00 +0100

Three hundred farmers from across Surrey, Sussex and Kent will be attending a free agriculture safety event at Hadlow College, Tonbridge, on the 17 February in a bid to bring down the high numbers of death and injury in the sector. The Safety and Health Awareness Day (SHAD) at Hadlow College is fully booked and is one of a number of similar events run by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) across Britain... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Liverpool Construction Workers Warned Over Killer Dust

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:00:00 +0100

Construction workers in Liverpool are being warned they could be putting their lives in danger if they regularly cut stone, concrete or masonry. Silica dust kills more than 500 construction workers every year but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is concerned that many people are unaware of the dangers. HSE has arranged an event in Liverpool on Wednesday 17 February to raise awareness about the dust, which is the second biggest cause of lung disease in workers after asbestos... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Keeping Alive - Borders Church Minister Backs Safety Message For Scotland's Farmers

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 17:00:00 +0100

A Borders minister is urging farmers in his parish and throughout Scotland to come home safely from their fields as he lends his support to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) 'Make the Promise' campaign. Rev Robin McHaffie, Minister of Yetholm Parish Church, Kelso has been distributing 'promise knots' to farms in his Borders parish, encouraging farmers to put them up around where they work as a reminder to take care in a bid to help to reduce the number of needless farm accidents each year... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Welcomes IAEA Report, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive has welcomed the publication of a second report into its Nuclear Directorate from the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). A team of senior nuclear regulators from across the world visited the UK in October 2009 to perform a second peer review of ND's work in regulating safety at Britain's nuclear facilities, the first being in 2006. During the Integrated Regulatory Review Service (IRRS) mission, the IAEA visited two UK licensed sites and considered ND's self-assessment, together with progress since the first IRRS Mission in 2006... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Slips, Trips & Falls Caused 1,117 Injuries To Workers In The East Midlands - Health And Safety Executive, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Slip, trip and fall incidents in the workplace caused injuries to 1,117 workers and cost a worker's life in the East Midlands last year, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned today as it launched a hard-hitting campaign. HSE figures show that slips and trips are the most common cause of major workplace injury in Britain and cost society an estimated Â£800 million each year. More workplace deaths are triggered by falls from height than any other cause, according to official statistics... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE : pesticides and veterinary medicines

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 03:30:00 +0100

This information resource on pesticides and veterinary medicines is made available by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Information and guidance is provided on using veterinary medicines (including sheep dips), storing and transporting pesticides, using pesticides safely, and current UK legislation. Resources available include guidance documents, leaflets, and how to report a suspected adverse reaction to veterinary medicines in animals or humans. (Source: Latest Internet resources added to Intute: Health and LifenSciences veterinary gateway)

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Health and safety campaign launched to reduce falls at work

Management in Practice — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:01:11 +0100

The financial cost of people slipping or falling at work is £800m a year, the Health and Safety Executive has revealed (Source: Management in Practice)

Carbon Monoxide - Will You Wake Up?

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

Students living in digs are being urged to make sure they aren't putting their lives in danger by making sure their accommodation has life-saving audible carbon monoxide (CO) alarms fitted. Every year 15 to 20 people die from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in the UK and 234 suffered major injuries last year alone. The Health and Safety Executive is launching a new campaign in the South West to make parents, landlords and students aware of the dangers of carbon monoxide... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Infection at work

Clinical Governance Sitewide RSS Feed — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 16:03:00 +0100

Health & Safety Executive webpages containing links to sources of HSE information and guidance on biological hazards at work. (Source: Clinical Governance Sitewide RSS Feed)

Bristol Landlord Fined For Asbestos Exposure

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 10:00:00 +0100

A Bristol-based company has been fined for putting its workers at risk of asbestos-related diseases while working on a property in the city. Frank Bruce and Company Ltd, of St George, Bristol pleaded guilty at Bristol Magistrates in relation to refurbishment work at Lawrence Hill Industrial Park in the city during February and March 2009. The court heard Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspectors visited industrial units where the defendant had organised refurbishment work involving the removal of a large quantity of asbestos insulation board without taking statutory safety precautions... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Keeping Alive - A New Year's Resolution For Farmers In Wales

Water Quality / Air Quality News From Medical News Today — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0100

Farmers across Wales are being encouraged to make their New Year's resolution a promise to come home safe from the field. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched the next phase in its 'Make the Promise' campaign at an agriculture safety day at Welshpool Livestock Market with the stark message that people are still dying in needless farm accidents... (Source: Water Quality / Air Quality News From Medical News Today)

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Safety fears for new hospital

Scotsman.com News - Health — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

PLANS for a new hospital for the elderly in the city have been called into question by the health and safety executive. (Source: Scotsman.com News - Health)

Telling Your Boss What You Think Of Them Is Good For Your Health - British Psychological Society

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:00:00 +0100

In pursuit of happy, healthy, stress-free employees, psychologists urge companies to allow employees to rate their managers' ability to manage. The research, co-funded by the Health & Safety Executive, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and Investors in People, is presented today 13th January 2010, by Emma Donaldson-Feilder, from Affinity Health at Work, at the British Psychological Society's Division of Occupational Psychology Annual Conference... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Keeping Alive - A New Year's Resolution For Farmers, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:00:00 +0100

Farmers are being encouraged to make their New Year's resolution a promise to come home safe from the fields. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched the next phase in its 'Make the Promise' campaign with the stark message that people are still dying in needless farm accidents... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Publishes Full Offshore Health And Safety Statistics 2008/09, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Full and finalised offshore health and safety statistics for 2008/09 are now available on the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website. The detailed report follows the release of 'headline' statistics in August and contains figures on injury, ill-health and dangerous occurrences (see notes), including hydrocarbon releases, between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009. No workers were killed while working offshore during 2008/09 - the second consecutive year with no fatalities - and there was a fall in major injuries with 30 reported, a fall of 14 compared with 2007/08 figures... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

'Hidden Killer' Asbestos Campaign Wins International Award

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

A campaign warning tradespeople about the dangers of asbestos has won a prestigious international award. The Health and Safety Executive's 'hidden killer' campaign came top in the health category of the European Excellence Awards, held in Vienna, which honour outstanding achievements in public relations. Around 20 tradesmen a week die in the UK from asbestos-related diseases and the aim of the campaign, launched in autumn 2008, was to help prevent another generation of plumbers, plasterers, electricians and joiners having their lives cut short... (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Publishes Full Offshore Health And Safety Statistics 2008/09, UK

Public Health News From Medical News Today — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0100

What information is available on drugs in diving?

NeLM - Medicines Q & A — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Source: South West Medicines Information and Training Area: Evidence > Medicines Q & A There are several sources of information on drugs and medical conditions that may affect a person's ability to dive. Professional divers are required by law to undergo a medical assessment by a clinician trained in diving medicine and approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Recreational divers undergoing training run by organisations such as the Sub Aqua Club are also required to disclose certain medical conditions and undergo a medical examination if necessary. Medical fitness to dive using medication depends upon the type of diving, underlying pathology, effects of medication on fitness to dive and the consequences of its abrupt cessation during diving activities. The underl...

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Nuclear reactors contain safety flaws, watchdog warns

Guardian Unlimited Science — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:05:05 +0100

• Major concerns over European and American designs• Redesign required before plants can be approved for constructionIn the race to provide energy for the nation's future, two multinational companies have led the way with designs for reactors that promised clean, green electricity with unprecedented safety.But detailed reviews by the Health and Safety Executive highlight a series of shortcomings in security and safety systems in both reactors that must be fixed or redesigned before the power plants can be approved for construction.Safety officials reviewed plans from the European companies, Areva and EDF, which make the EPR reactor, and similar documents for the AP1000 reactor built by the American multinational power company, Westinghouse, and ruled that both need to improve the safet...

New Interactive Forum Launched Today By HSE, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Today, the Health and Safety Executive opens the doors to an all-new, online 'Pledge Forum' about workplace health and safety. As part of the launch of Be Part of the Solution - the strategy for improving the health and safety of Great Britain - a health and safety Pledge was created. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Farming Out The Safety Message To Students, Scotland

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Farm safety is firmly on the curriculum for the new intake of students at the Scottish Agricultural College, with practical advice and guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Management Standards and stress-related work outcomes

Occupational Medicine — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:20:40 +0100

Conclusions This study provides empirical evidence to support the use of the MS approach in tackling workplace stress. (Source: Occupational Medicine)

Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week Warning To Rogue Gas Fitters, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Rogue gas fitters are being warned that they will be taken to task over shoddy jobs that risk lives. The Health and Safety Executive is using Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week (16-20 November) to renew its commitment to bring them to justice. According to provisional figures, HSE successfully prosecuted 28 people for breaching gas legislation in 2008/09, covering 66 separate offences. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Safer Movement Of Heavy Goods - HSE Drive To Lift Standards In North East And Highlands, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors will be carrying out a series of inspections at harbours, marine bases and pipe yard sites throughout the North East and Highlands of Scotland targeting work involving the lifting and movement of heavy goods. The aim of is to raise awareness, promote sensible management and improve standards at the locations visited in the coming week. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Warns Firms To Better Protect Employees Who Work At Height, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has delivered a stark warning to companies who fail to protect employees working at height - they will be held to account. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Fife Farmers Urged To Sign Up For Safety Event, UK

Water Quality / Air Quality News From Medical News Today — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:00:00 +0100

Farmers from across Fife are being encouraged to attend an event that will arm them with the advice they need to make their farms safe places to work and help reduce accidents. The Health and Safety Executive is running a free Agriculture Safety and Health Awareness Day (SHAD) next week (19 November) as a way for those working on farms get practical advice from LANTRA instructors with an industry background. (Source: Water Quality / Air Quality News From Medical News Today)

Pressure On To Tackle Stress As Business Loses Out, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is supporting National Stress Awareness Day as statistics reveal more than 11 million working days were lost to work related stress last year. This startling figure translates as a Â£4 billion cost to society and HSE wants companies to be made aware of the real cost, not only to people but also to business. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Processed food and low mood

NHS News Feed — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:01:00 +0100

Conclusion This study suggests that a healthier diet protects against depression, but it cannot prove this due to several limitations: It is plausible that depression affected the participants’ diet rather than the other way around. The researchers argue that this is unlikely to have happened as no association was found between the participants' early reports of depression (between 1991 and 1993) and their diet six years later. The results were also not affected by excluding people who already had signs of depression when their diets were measured between 1997 and 1999. Although this may be the case, different methods were used to assess depression at these times and this reduces the reliability of these results. Depression was assessed with a short questionnaire, and participants ...

New National Quarry Safety Team Formed, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:00:00 +0100

A new team of specialist inspectors has been assembled to crackdown on death, injury and ill-health in quarries and open cast mines across Great Britain. The team of Health and Safety Executive inspectors, initially five-strong, has decades of knowledge and expertise in the sector. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Companies Fined After Workers Exposed To Asbestos, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Two businesses and a company director have been fined after workers in Manchester were exposed to potentially deadly asbestos fibres. The prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) comes just days before the launch of a national Â£1.2 million campaign to increase awareness about asbestos among tradespeople. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Statistics Show Big Improvements In Britain's Workplace Safety And Health Record

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:00:00 +0100

Britain became a healthier and safer place to work last year, according to figures released today by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Statistics show there has been a significant reduction in the numbers of people killed, injured or suffering work related ill-health from April 2008 to March 2009. Across England, Scotland and Wales, 29.3 million working days (equivalent to 1. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Warns Demolition Firms After Employee Breaks His Spine In Fall, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0100

A Norwich employer has been fined Â£7,500 after one of his workers broke his spine in a fall at the former RAF Watton site in Norfolk. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted Tim Philpott, trading as Philpott Demolition and Recycling, of Spinney Close, Long Stratton, Norwich, for his role in the incident on 20 April 2007. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Grangemouth Company Fined After Worker Gets 3,300-volt Electric Shock, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0100

A Grangemouth-based company has been fined for breaching health and safety law after a worker was burned by live power cables. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted refinery and petrochemical company Ineos Manufacturing Scotland Ltd for failing to ensure a safe system of work was in place before undertaking excavation work near live electrical cables. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Safety And Health Awareness Day In Billericay To Help Prevent Farmyard Accident, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Farmers across Essex will attend a Safety and Health Awareness Day (SHAD) this week to help them prevent agricultural accidents. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is holding the free event at Barleylands Farm, Barleylands Road, Billericay CM11 2UD on Thursday (October 22) in a bid to reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by farmyard incidents. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Board Member Honoured With Lifetime Achievement Award, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive's longest serving board member, Judith Donovan, has been recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award. The agriculture and small business champion, who is in the final year of her maximum 10-year term with HSE, has been honoured by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) for her work in these areas. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Litigation related to drug errors in anaesthesia: an analysis of claims against the NHS in England 1995–2007

Anaesthesia — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Ninety-three claims (total cost £4 915 450) filed under 'anaesthesia' in the NHS Litigation Authority database between 1995 and 2007, alleging patient harm directly by drug administration error or by an allergic reaction, were analysed. Alleged errors were categorised using systems employed by the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention, the American Society of Anesthesiologists Closed Claims Project and the UK Health and Safety Executive. The severity of outcome in each claim was categorised using adapted National Patient Safety Agency definitions. Sixty-two claims involved alleged drug administration errors (total cost £4 283 677) and 15 resulted in severe harm or death. Half alleged the administration of the wrong drug, in most (16) a neuromuscular ...

See Sense - Devon And Cornwall Businesses Urged To Cut Deaths And Serious Injuries Caused By Lorries, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive is launching a new campaign in Devon and Cornwall to reduce the number of people killed and injured by delivery vehicles in the two counties. Three people died in 2007-08 and 219 people were seriously injured by moving vehicles in their workplace between 2004 and 2008 in the region. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Mesothelioma Death Highlights Risk for Sheet Metal Workers

Asbestos and Mesothelioma News — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:49:59 +0100

Sheet metal workers are one occupational group that has faced a history of asbestos exposure. In a recent story from Portsmouth England, Betty Williamson’s husband, a past sheet metal worker, passed away from an asbestos-related disease. Her husband, Tom Williamson, received a mesothelioma diagnosis in October of last year and was informed that he only had a few months to live. The couple initially became concerned after Mr. Williamson developed a bad cough. Mrs. Williamson believes her husband may have been exposed to asbestos during the 20 years that he worked for a sheet metal business. She said, “I cannot believe what has happened in a year. He was always a healthy person. We had lots of plans for our retirement.” The Health and Safety Executive plans to launch a new asbestos...

Safety Warning After Lancashire Workers Get 11,000-volt Shock, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Outdoor workers in Lancashire are being urged to take extra care near overhead electricity lines after two men suffered 11,000-volt electric shocks and burns. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued the warning following the successful prosecution of Huntapac Produce Ltd in relation to an incident at Marsh Farm in Hesketh Bank near Preston. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Warns Building Firms After Worker Is Seriously Injured In Fall, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging employers to ensure their workers are protected when working at height after a man fell from the first floor of a building he was working on, suffering life-threatening injuries. The man was using a power saw at Barnfields Industrial Estate in Leek, Staffordshire, when he fell through the side of the building to the ground on 30 October last year. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Warns Employers After Two Norfolk Teenagers Seriously Injured By Electric Shocks, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned companies to ensure they look after young workers, after two Norfolk teenagers suffered electric shocks while working on a farm near Thetford. One of the teenagers had to have his little toe and part of his big toe amputated from his left foot. He has also been left with long scars where cuts were made to relieve the pressure build-up in his legs. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Â£10,000 Fine After Worker Breaks Ribs In 10ft Fall, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0100

A Tipton-based firm has been fined Â£10,000 for breaching health and safety laws following a worker's fall at a warehouse. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted West Midlands Installations Ltd after one of its employees injured his head and ribs when he fell from a racking storage unit that he was assembling. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Streptomycin pioneer: Saving lives at 90

Guardian Unlimited Science — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 23:05:05 +0100

Denny Mitchison fully intends to carry on having life-saving ideasDenny Mitchison gets up at 6.30am most weekdays. By 7.30am he is driving across Richmond Park, and by 8am he is installed in his windowless rabbit-hutch of an office in St George's, University of London, occasionally popping along the corridor to the institution's high-security infectious diseases labs. He recently decided that, at the age of 90, he might just allow himself Mondays off.He owes his presumed position as the oldest full-time professor in the country to his point-blank refusal to give up when, as he sees it, there is still work to be done."Science is a lifetime occupation," he says. "It takes you over. When you actually find something new, it's the most exciting time. The real reason one goes on doing it is simp...

Gateshead Manufacturer Fined Â£3000 After Workers Exposed To Hazardous Fumes, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has highlighted the importance of managing health risks effectively after a Gateshead company admitted exposing its workers to hazardous soldering fumes. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Liverpool Hospital Fined Over Legionella, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a strong health warning after high levels of the legionella bacteria were found at a Liverpool hospital. The Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital NHS Trust was ordered to pay nearly Â£48,000 following an HSE investigation at the NHS Trust's hospital on Thomas Drive, Liverpool. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Health and Safety Executive slates trust's "complacency" over water supply legionella

HSJ — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0100

A hospital trust in Liverpool has been forced to pay £48,000 after unsafe levels of legionella bacteria were found in its bathing water supply. (Source: HSJ)

Health and Safety Executive slates trust's 'complacency' over water supply legionella

HSJ — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:33:00 +0100

A hospital trust in Liverpool has been forced to pay £48,000 after unsafe levels of legionella bacteria were found in its bathing water supply. (Source: HSJ)

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Two Enfield Firms Fined After Unlicenced Asbestos Removal, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Two companies have been prosecuted after workers and members of the public were exposed to unacceptable levels of asbestos during a removal project. The Health and Safety Executive took the companies to court, on the 06 October 2009, after an unlicensed contractor carried out the specialist work at a warehouse in Brimsdown, Enfield. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE And Police Speak With One Voice On Health And Safety, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a policy statement entitled Striking the balance between operational and health and safety duties in the Police Service. The statement, a result of collaborative work with the Police Service, sets out how that balance can be achieved. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Food Manufacturer Fined After Worker's Fingertips Are Amputated, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive is warning food companies about the need for suitable risk assessments and adequate guarding of machinery after a company was fined today at Oxford Magistrates Court, following an incident where one of its employees was left with a permanently disfigured hand. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Warning On Machinery Guarding After Prosecution Of North Wales Company, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0100

Employers operating machinery need to ensure that risks are fully assessed and that potentially dangerous moving parts are suitably guarded, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said. The warning follows the prosecution of a North Wales company for two separate incidents on the same machine in which employees' hands were trapped, causing them serious injury. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Trends in Wood Dust Inhalation Exposure in the UK, 1985-2005

Annals of Occupational Hygiene — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:13:11 +0100

Conclusion: Analysis of the temporal trend in UK wood dust exposure concentrations revealed declines of 8% per annum. Interviews with key long-serving employees and management suggest that factors such as technological changes in production processes, response to new legislation, and enforcement agency inspections, together with global economic trends, could be linked to the downward trends observed. (Source: Annals of Occupational Hygiene)

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Fragile Roofing Warning After Firm Fined For Newcastle Worker's Seven-metre Fall, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warned of the dangers of working on fragile roofs, following the conviction of a Lancashire-based company and a director for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

University deaths not linked to Rutherford radiation, concludes report

Guardian Unlimited Science — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:23:31 +0100

Pollution from the Nobel prize-winner's atomic experiments 'unlikely' to be cause of spate of cancer deathsRadiation left over from 100-year-old experiments by Ernest Rutherford, the father of modern nuclear physics, is not responsible for a cluster of deaths at Manchester University, a report has concluded.Professor David Coggon, an occupational epidemiologist from Southampton University, said he was "pretty confident" there were only small health risks to people who worked in the building where the Nobel prize-winning nuclear physicist carried out atomic experiments with materials such as radon and polonium. "By far the most likely explanation for the cluster is that it occurred by chance coincidence," he found.An inquiry in 1999 by the university's radiological protection service found ...

Cheltenham Borough Council Fined Â£14,000 After Ride On Mower Incident, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:00 +0100

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning that care needs to be taken when using ride-on mowing machines following a court prosecution of an employer. A council employee fell from a ride-on mower onto a park bench on 21 may 2008, breaking two ribs and suffering a compressed lung. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Warns Employers To Control Risks From Workplace Vehicles, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers that they must have systems in place for ensuring pedestrians and vehicles can move safely around the workplace after a man was knocked over by a forklift truck. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Company Fined After Employee Dies From Serious Head Injuries At Work, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging companies to implement and maintain safe systems of work and to offer full training to staff to ensure that the health and safety of employees is not put at risk. This follows the sentencing on Friday (25 September) of Delico Ltd at Aylesbury Crown Court. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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HSE Prosecutes Water Filtration Company After Worker Is Severely Injured, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging companies to ensure that their equipment is fit for purpose and that safe and effective working systems are put into place, to protect employees. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Increases Flexibility Of First Aid At Work Training Regime, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 03:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is making changes to the first aid at work (FAW) training regime to make it more flexible - saving businesses time and money without compromising health and safety. The new guidance will see the mandatory four-day FAW training courses reduced to three days and there will also be an option for a one day course for smaller businesses. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

New Zealand Officals Share Lessons With Their HSE Counterparts

Health News from Medical News Today — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 02:00:00 +0100

A Senior Manager from the Department of Labour (DoL) in New Zealand has been in Great Britain this week to learn lessons from, and share knowledge with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Safety Regulator Disappointed By 'killer' Advert Ruling, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) expressed its deep disappointment at a decision by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) to uphold a complaint about its 'Asbestos: The hidden killer' awareness campaign. The ASA has upheld one complaint from a single source challenging HSE on the numbers of workers it quoted as dying as a result of exposure to asbestos fibres. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Death And Injuries Prompt Potato Harvest Warning, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:00 +0100

As the main potato harvesting season gets under way, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is calling on farmers and contractors to take extra care. The plea comes after a 34-year-old man was killed in Fife earlier this month while apparently working on a potato harvester that was powered up. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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HSE Warning After Incident At Road Works Leaves Motorcyclist In Intensive Care, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned employers to maintain safe systems of working at road works, after a road traffic collision left a motorcyclist in intensive care. Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Services Ltd of Ashwood Park, Basingstoke, was fined Â£15,000 and ordered to pay costs of Â£31,139. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Health and Safety Executive Warns Of Importance Of Risk Assessments When Caring For Vulnerable People, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +0100

Organisations responsible for the care of vulnerable people must ensure that an effective risk assessment regime is in place and that any risks are properly addressed and managed, says the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) The warning follows the death of an inpatient, Sylvan Money, who was found hanging in her room at the Bronllys Adult Mental Illness Unit in Brecon in January 2004. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Employers Fined After Worker Injured From Double Risk, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0100

Construction companies must assess and manage the risks from overhead power lines and working at height, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said, after three employers were prosecuted for an incident in which a worker received an electric shock and subsequently fell from a roof he was working on. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

HSE Warns Employers To Maintain Equipment And Provide Training After Forklift Injury, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning employers that machinery and equipment need to be properly maintained and adequate training provided, after a Staffordshire apprentice suffered serious foot injuries when a forklift truck overturned. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Companies Warned To Manage Transport Safely After Employee Crushed To Death By Forklift Truck, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned companies to manage transport in the workplace after a man was killed when his forklift truck was obstructed in its path, toppled over and crushed him. Trackline (International) Ltd of 9 Spencer Parade, Northampton was today fined Â£7,500 and ordered to pay Â£6,690 costs at Lincoln Crown Court. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

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Company Fined After Exposing Employees To Risks Of Developing Severe Dermatitis, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:00:00 +0100

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding companies of the importance of managing dermatitis risks, by effective risk assessments and taking adequate precautions to ensure that employees are not exposed to hazardous substances at work. The call comes after the sentencing today (9 September) of Prysmian Cables and Systems Limited at Southampton Crown Court. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Proposing a common sense approach to assessing the risks posed by physical intervention techniques

Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

Physical intervention techniques pose a risk to all those exposed to them. Suitable and sufficient risk assessments are therefore essential to ensure patient safety. A robust process for assessing such techniques is outlined in this paper. Irrespective of whether they are universally accepted or approved, physical intervention techniques are being applied, in a variety of health and care settings, on a daily basis. Every time a technique is applied there is a risk of injury. Therefore, there is an imperative to develop an effective way in which such techniques can be effectively risk assessed. The development of a process that is robust enough to evaluate all types of techniques, and is simple and concise enough to engender widespread and regular use could eliminate the use of unnecessary ...

Complacency Has No Place, Warns HSE's New Head Of Offshore, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0100

The new head of the Health and Safety Executive's Offshore Division has put tackling any industry complacency on safety at the top of his priority list. Steve Walker, who replaces Ian Whewell on his retirement, is keen to see that the good progress being made in improving safety does not lead the industry to take its eye off the ball. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)

Warning To Scaffolding Companies After Firm Prosecuted For Collapse, UK

Health News from Medical News Today — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Scaffolding companies need to double check their structures are safe and secure, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned following the collapse of scaffolding at an industrial unit in Caerphilly. The incident on the Western Industrial Estate resulted in a fine for the Cardiff-based scaffolding company responsible for the unsecured structure which collapsed in June 2006. (Source: Health News from Medical News Today)