27 January 2006 - Shocking Results of Gangmasters Audit

27 January 2006 - Shocking Results of Gangmasters Audit:
A new audit on gangmasters who supply farming and food industries within the UK with casual labour, has produced shocking results.

The audit, conducted for the Temporary Labour Working Group, is the most detailed study of employment practices of gangmasters yet. Just over 200 gangmasters were inspected, of which 164 have to date been processed.

Confidential interviews with workers (majority being migrants), have produced the following shocking results:

*13 instances were of bonded or forced labour.
*28 cases were of the illegal employment of children and young workers.
*At one audit a Health and Safety Inspector narrowly escaped a fork lift truck striking him whilst being driven by a 14-year-old child.

The gangmasters audited were mostly from processing and packaging factories, all of whom volunteered for the audit. However, the majority were failing to comply with the law in areas such as the following:

*Only 10% were found to be obeying all the rules.
*Of those in breach of regulations, 40% were breaking the law in six or more ways.
*There were instances of bonded labour breaches on employment of minors.
*There were more than 200 infringements of Health and Safety rules.
*There were 40 cases of illegal deductions from workers pay.
*There were 34 immigration and foreign workers' rights to work offences.

The auditors also received numerous allegations from whistle-blowers and workers concerning such things as the following:

*Allegations of bonded labour.
*Allegations of unpaid wages.
*Allegations of evasion of tax.
*Allegations of concealed subcontracting.
*Allegations of forced overtime.
*Allegations of overcrowded and unhygienic conditions.
*Allegations of intimidation.
*Allegations of crminal activity.
*Allegations of immigration offences.

However, The Association of Labour Providers representing gangmasters say that although the figures looked bad, "in many cases they referred to breaches of regulations that were unenforceable."

Chairman of The Association of Labour Providers, Mark Boleat, said:

"The majority of illegal deductions related to transport. In respect of children, anyone under school leaving age must have local education authority and parental consent to work - that's unenforceable.

"Obviously, there would have been some nasty non-compliances, but if you audit any other group of businesses you would find many similar issues."

Mr. Boleat was concerned that when he did come across serious abuses and reported them, no enforcement action was taken.

Although Legislation requiring gangmasters to be licensed was passed in 2005, the Government still have not decided which sectors of the industry should come under the new scheme. However, an announcement by the Government is expected in February 2006.

This decision must surely be a matter of great urgency in the Government's agenda, as not only the Health and Safety of workers, but also the Health and Safety of children is at risk.

Further information on the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 can be accessed from DEFRA's Website by clicking the following:

Defra, UK - Farming - Agricultural employment - gangmasters

Article by Alexandra Johnston

27 January 2006 - HSE February Watch Your Step Campaign

27 January 2006 - HSE February Watch Your Step Campaign:
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Inspectors will commence their Nationwide 'Watch Your Step' campaign, similar to the campaign launched in October 2005, where once again they will be visiting construction sites in a bid to reduce slips and trips within the industry.

Reported slips and trips within the construction industry each year is in excess of 3,000 incidents. However, the HSE say this figure could be even higher.

The areas most likely to cause slips and trips are as follows:

*Corridors and stairways being obstructed with tools, materials and waste.
*Uneven footpaths which have not been levelled properly.
*Cables trailing across pedestrian routes.

During their visits, HSE Inspectors expect to find the following:

*Deliveries have been planned to minimise the amount of materials being stored on site.
*Contractors have a system in place for managing waste materials.
*Footpaths are safe to use.
*Walkways/stairways are kept clear of obstructions.

Organisations such as, UCATT, TGWU, NASC, NCF and CECA will support the initiative with the distribution of free good order 'Toolbox Talk' packs containing the following:

*A 5 minute DVD, “Watch your step, a toolbox talk for construction”.
*A supporting Good Order On Site booklet.
*A Good Order poster.

There are also a limited supply of packs available free from HSE Books, Tel. 01787 881165, or they can be downloaded from the HSE Webpage by clicking the following:

Construction - Good order initiative

Article by Alexandra Johnston

26 January 2006 - HSE Webpage on Noise and Vibration Roadshows

26 January 2006 - HSE Webpage on Noise and Vibration Roadshows:
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have provided a webpage containing presentations from their noise and vibration roadshows. Some of the contents within the webpage, in pdf format, are as follows and well worth a look:

*Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005.
*Control of risks from Hand Arm Vibration.
*Health surveillance for Hand-arm Vibration Syndrome.
*Control of risks from Whole Body Vibration.
*Vibration at work: good practice controls.
*Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005.
*Control of Noise at Work.
*Noise at Work: good practice controls.
*Health surveillance for noise-induced hearing loss - Audiometry.

The HSE webpage containing information on the above can be accessed by clicking the following:

HSE- Vibration: Noise and Vibration Roadshows - Presentations

Further information on noise at work can be accessed from HSfB's main 'Your Articles' webpage by clicking the following:

Noise at Work

Article by Alexandra Johnston

26 January 2006 - DRC Poll Reveals Low Understanding of DED

26 January 2006 - DRC Poll Reveals Low Understanding of DED:
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) conducted a poll into the potential success of the Disability Equality Duty (DED) within the Public Sectors, which highlighted perhaps a 'low-level of understanding' of the DED amongst senior managers.

Public Sector Bodies, such as, Local Councils, Government Departments, Universities and Hospitals, must actively promote disability equality as placed on them by the DED. This means they have 'specific duties' under the DED to the public and must now implement and publish a disability equality scheme.

The disability equality scheme is two-fold as follows:

*It must show how the public sector bodies intend to eliminate unlawful discrimination.
*It must show how the public sector bodies aim to promote equality for the less able bodied.

The DRC's survey of Chief Executive Officers (CEO's) and Public Sector Managers revealed the following:

*Senior public sector managers had low levels of interest in the DED.
*Unlike the race equality duty, senior public sector managers lacked the personal commitment to see it through.
*They were transferring their responsibility to take the lead in implementing the new duties to HR Directors and equalities officers.
*There was marked evidence shown on the impact of the DED on employment practices and workplace issues.

Bert Massie, DRC Chairman , described the duty as:

'a useful tool for CEOs and senior managers, and a core part of their leadership responsibility to improve public services.'

Further information on the new Codes of Practice, forthcoming seminars and events can be accessed from the DRC Website, by clicking the following:

The Disability Rights Commission - Disability Equality Duty

Article by Alexandra Johnston

26 January 2006 - Fleet Managers Give Green Light to Health and Safety

26 January 2006 - Fleet Managers Give Green Light to Health and Safety:
Results of the Lex Vehicle Leasing (LVL) annual survey of fleet managers' priorities for the next 12 months, shows health and safety as being the major concern and is top of their list of priorities for 2006.

Some of the findings are as follows:

*Almost half (48%) of fleets questioned put Health and Safety at the top of their list of concerns.
*32% see vehicle running costs as the biggest issue in 2006.
*Over 200 fleet managers, responsible for running over 50,000 vehicles, put Health and Safety at the top of their priority list for the fourth year running.

Jon Walden, Managing Director of Lex Vehicle Leasing commented:

'Its good that so many companies realise that corporate liability is a real issue and one that is going to remain on the fleet agenda.

'Our Momentum consultancy team in particular has been investing time and effort to look at ways of improving safety, at the same time controlling fleet costs.'

An estimation of all road traffic accidents shows that up to one third involve someone who is working at the time of the accident.

Every week there are over 20 deaths and 250 injuries on our roads.

It is therefore good to see that almost half (48%) of fleets questioned in the LVL survey are putting the health and safety of their employees at the top of their priority list this year.

However, some employers still believe as long as they are complying with road traffic requirements, such as having valid MOT Certificates and employees having valid driving licences, they are complying with all that is necessary to ensure the health and safety of their workforce.

Click the link above to read more.

24 January 2006 - HSfB Site News

Site News:

Our Downloads pages have been merged to form one single page for ease of use, we hope this is an easier layout for you to browse the downloads on offer. If you have any further comments on how to improve any pages on the site, you can use our feedback form - Feedback or any other means available on this site - Contact Us

24 January 2006 - Latest HSE Guidances Consultations and Research Reports

24 January 2006 - Latest HSE Guidances Consultations and Research Reports:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have provided new Guidance's, Consultations and Research Reports within their webpage's as follows:

*Employers' Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969: A Guide for Employers

*RR405 - Design, materials and connections for blast-loaded structures

*RR411 - Testing and standards for rock reinforcement consumables

*RR416 - Information to accompany patients undergoing nuclear medicine procedures

*RR419 - Evidence base for identifying potential failures in the specification, use and maintenance of PPE at work

*RR421 - Organisational dynamics and safety culture in UK train operating companies

*RR422 - Developing guidelines for the selection of designers and contractors under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 1994


Two Campaigns have also been launched by the HSE as follows:

*Construction - Good order initiative

*HSE - Campaigns: Workplace Transport


Furthermore, the HSE's contribution of a Safety Report to assist in the Governments' Energy Review can be accessed by clicking the following:

*HSE to contribute safety report to energy review


To access any of the above, please click the relevant link.

Article by Alexandra Johnston

23 January 2006 - Company Owner Receives Custodial Sentence for WAH Fatality

23 January 2006 - Company Owner Receives Custodial Sentence for WAH Fatality:

A company owner, Mr. Wayne Davies, of A&E Buildings in Knighton, Powys, received an 18 month custodial sentence following a prosecution brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The case was brought by the CPS following an investigation by the Police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the death of Mr. Mark Jones, whilst in the employ of Mr. Davies.

Mr. Mark Jones from Ludlow and two colleagues were involved in the construction of a steel framed barn on Saturday 28 February 2004. During the installation of the barn roof, a 'home-made' basket was used whilst balanced on the forks of a telehandler, both of which belonged to the owner of the company, Mr. Davies.

The telehandler tipped over and threw both Mr. Jones and his colleague approximately 25 feet to the ground. Mr. Jones sustained injuries, resulting in his death. His colleague received serious injuries.

The owner of the company, Mr. Davies, at an earlier hearing admitted to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (HSWA), Section 2(1), by failing to ensure the safety of his employees. He also pleaded guilty to having breached Regulation 5 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), by providing telehandling equipment which was not properly maintained.

HSE Principal Inspector, Joy Jones, commenting on the case, said:

'This case is a reminder to all those involved in the construction industry of their legal obligations to manage health and safety.

'The verdict shows that Wayne Davies failed in both his duty to ensure the safety of his employees and in his responsibility to provide safe and suitable means of working at height.

'All contractors should ensure that all work at height is planned, supervised and carried out in a safe way. Workers involved should be trained and...

20 January 2006 - HSC Asbestos Consultation Coming to an End

20 January 2006 - HSC Asbestos Consultation Coming to an End:

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) consultation inviting businesses and the public views on possible amendment to the legislation on asbestos is due to come to an end on Tuesday 31 January 2006.

The draft consultation proposes changes to the European Asbestos Worker Protection Directive (AWPD) and existing asbestos regulatory framework currently controlling exposure to asbestos such as the following:

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The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (CAW), which govern the way all work with asbestos is done, to ensure it is done safely.
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The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983 (ASLIC), as amended, which require work with all the more hazardous asbestos-containing materials to be done by a contractor licensed by HSE.
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The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 (Prohibitions Regulations), as amended, which ban the importation, supply and use of raw asbestos and asbestos containing materials.

Some of the draft package consultation proposals are as follows:

* To tighten statutory protections for those working with asbestos, by introducing a single, lower control limit for worker exposure to all types of asbestos.
* Requiring specified training for all employees who are liable to be exposed to asbestos.
* Takes into account new research, showing the risk from asbestos-containing textured decorative coatings comparable to the risks from work with asbestos cement, something that already does not require a licence is also taken into account. The proposals are, that work with such textured coatings will no longer require a licence. However, work with more deadly forms of asbestos materials will still require a license.

The proposals repeal and replace CAW, ASLIC and the Prohibitions Regulations.

Further information on the proposals and response here

24 January 2006 - HSfB Site News

Site News:

Newsletter delivery problems, update - You should have your copy of this weeks newsletter by now, the problem seems to have been sheer traffic slowing down the mail delivery software providers. Again, apologies for the delay.

Health and Safety For Beginners

Health and Safety For Beginners

Newsletter delivery problems please read.

* We are currently experiencing problems with our newsletter mailing software which has meant that this weeks issue 35 has not been delivered yet. You can manually download the newsletter from our newsletter archives here: 2006 Newsletter Archive
* We are very sorry for this inconvenience and will resolve this matter as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.

22 January 2006 - HSfB Site News

Site News:

The Legislation News pages have been updated where you can read more on:

* The Legislative and Regulatory Reform Bill

18 January 2006 - NASUWT Survey Reveals Abuse of Teachers on Daily Basis

18 January 2006 - NASUWT Survey Reveals Abuse of Teachers on Daily Basis:

The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) conducted a survey in the South West of England over a two week period in November 2005, in order to assess the daily abuse, threats and insults teachers have to endure in their workplace.

The following results of the survey, which asked 355 teachers to record the level of verbal abuse they had to face on a daily basis, demonstrates how teachers' health and safety are being jepordised during their working day:

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71% of recorded insults occurred in the classroom.
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1% occurred out-with school.
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13 incidents threatened violence.
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One abusive comment was: 'I'm going to petrol-bomb your car.'
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A further abusive comment was: 'I'm going to get my brother to stab you in the face.'
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The survey found the worst time for verbal abuse was just prior to lunch break.
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The survey found the worst day of the week to be Monday.
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Swearing was most likely to be done by year 10's.

Chris Keates, NASUWT General Secretary, said:

'These snapshot regional surveys NASUWT is now using on a regular basis are very revealing. They demonstrate that there is a great deal of work still to be done to tackle the corrosive and debilitating effects on teachers of verbal abuse.

'No one should have to face this on a daily basis. It is essential that the health and welfare of staff is protected by a clear school policy of zero tolerance of this type of behaviour.'

Julian Chapman, Chair of NASUWT's South West Regional Executive Committee, commented:

'What is clear is that some teachers clearly endure, day to day, a torrent of foul language, personal abuse and obscenities which would not be tolerated in any other profession.

'Sadly, we believe

17 January 2006 - Stone Handling Safety Awareness for Brent Businesses

17 January 2006 - Stone Handling Safety Awareness for Brent Businesses:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the London Borough of Brent Inspectors alongside Occupational Hygienists and Mechanical Engineering specialists will be visiting 19 stone-handling businesses over a 2 day period, commencing on Monday 23 January 2006.

The purpose of the visits is to raise awareness of the dangers associated with stone-handling companies who deal with such materials as heavy mineral rock products processed to make such products as slabs and worktops made of marble or granite.

Inspectors involved in the initiative will be visiting businesses in Brent and concentrating on the following:

* Silica dust control.
* Storage and stone handling.
* Off-loading of deliveries.
* Transportation and pedestrian segregation.

Trevor Allan, Principal Inspector for HSE's North-West London Manufacturing Group, and Karen Barnes, Health and Safety Inspector for the London Borough of Brent, commented:

'The recent fatalities involving stone handling have emphasised the dangers of off-loading and storage, but there are also health risks associated with this work which are often poorly understood.

'This initiative aims to educate these businesses and ensure that the proper controls are in place to minimise health and safety risks associated with this work.'

The HSE have produced an information sheet for the handling of heavy stone blocks which can be accessed by clicking the following:

HSE Information Sheet - Handling heavy building blocks

Article by Alexandra Johnston

17 January 2006 - Buncefield Investigation Board Chair Announced

17 January 2006 - Buncefield Investigation Board Chair Announced:

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) have announced the appointment of the independent chairperson for the Buncefield Oil Depot incident which occurred on 11 December 2005.

The Rt. Hon. Lord Newton of Braintree, a life peer since 1997, will supervise the board investigation in accordance with the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Major Incident Investigation Policy and Procedures.

A HSE webpage has been set up. The webpage provides details and information of other board members and the HSE Environment Agency's terms of reference with regards to the Buncefield incident, all of which can be accessed by clicking the following:

HSC announces independent chair of Buncefield investigation board

Article by Alexandra Johnston

17 January 2006 - ODPM Announce Delay in Fire Safety Reform

17 January 2006 - ODPM Announce Delay in Fire Safety Reform:

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has announced there is to be a delay with the introduction of the new Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO), which will affect non-domestic premises in England and Wales.

The reason given by the ODPM for the delay, is to allow businesses and safety experts more time to prepare for the introduction of the new Regulations.

Northern Ireland and Scotland have their own laws on fire safety within non-domestic premises. Scotland's fire safety reform is expected to come into force in October 2006 at the earliest.

Jim Fitzpatrick, the ODPM Minister responsible for fire safety explained in a written statement:

“During the passage of the Order it was of concern to the House that business and enforcers should have adequate time to familiarise themselves with the new regime and the guidance that will accompany it and that the coming into force date should, so far as practicable, be timed to coincide as closely as possible with reform of fire safety laws in Scotland.

'Despite extensive work with stakeholders it is clear that all the guidance documents will not be ready for a full 12 week gap between publication and coming into force on 1 April 2006.

'In the light of the commitments we have given to the House and our commitment to ensuring this reform is properly backed, we have therefore concluded that the coming into force of the substantive provisions of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order should be put back.”

Mary Boughton, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Health and Safety Spokesperson said:

'This is an important reform and it is therefore vital that it is implemented successfully. People's lives could depend on it.

'Many of our members will be ready for the original date, which will mean that they will be compliant well in advance, but it also allows

17 January 2006 - HSE Workplace Transport Campaign

17 January 2006 - HSE Workplace Transport Campaign:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched a Workplace Transport Campaign yesterday, Monday 16 January 2006, in the Greater Manchester and Cheshire areas, aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries involving workplace vehicles.

Figures show that approximately 60 people each year in the UK are killed and 1,850 are seriously injured involving vehicles at workplaces. These incidents occur often when deliveries and pick-ups are being made.

The North West alone saw 6 deaths and 221 serious injuries last year from workplace vehicles.

The HSE say the monetary cost and organisation to companies of putting safety measures in place is minimal, with the cost in human lives and injuries hugely beneficial.

A simple cost comparison example, made by David Sowerby, Head of Operations for HSE in the North West was made in his comment:

'In situations like these, just £100 could save a life. That's how much it costs to buy a couple of tins of fluorescent paint to yellow-line your parking area, put up an outside light or buy high visibility jackets to help your staff be seen by drivers.

'We really want to get across to drivers and site managers that it does not take a lot of effort to make workers' jobs safer and easier and help cut incidents.'

The campaign began yesterday, (Monday, 16 January 2006), in local radio and evening papers, encouraging site owners and managers to look at the dangers within their sites and ultimately taking simple steps which could make them safer.

The HSE have provided an excellent webpage full of useful advice and information on Workplace Transport Safety which can be accessed by clicking the following:

HSE - Campaigns: Workplace Transport

Also available from the HSE webpages is an updated Vehicles at Work, which can be accessed by clicking the following:

HSE - Vehicles at work

Article by Alexandra Johnston

17 January 2006 - Is Health and Safety too costly for Small Businesses

17 January 2006 - Is Health and Safety too costly for Small Businesses:

As part of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) 'Better Business Campaign', the HSE commissioned Continental Research to conduct the UK Small Business New Year Resolution Opinion Survey 2005 designed to 'investigate awareness and opinion relating to workplace incidents.'

The survey showed that although small businesses planned to make improvements to health and safety within their workplaces, the cost of doing so made it a lower priority than other factors such as the following:

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Most important areas of development for small businesses were shown as having better financial systems and more effective marketing.
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Staff training was seen as the next priority.
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Enhancing I.T. systems was deemed to be of priority also.
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Health and Safety is pushed to the bottom of the priorities list.

The survey found that although 57% of small businesses made good intention resolutions, 21% would be broken within 2 weeks and 43% within 4 weeks, due to so many other areas having to be focused on.

Injuries and work-related illness within the UK in 2005 were as high as 600,000, at a staggering cost to companies of £1,200 per person, which for small businesses causes serious profit losses.

Judith Donovan CBE, Health and Safety Commissioner for Small Businesses said:

'It's easy to overlook or neglect health and safety measures, but in fact preventative measures can benefit businesses financially by averting work based incidents, and the associated staff and workplace costs that follow.'

'Whereas many businesses fail to make the most of their new systems or practices, health and safety measures are always in the interest of the firm, as they will contribute to protecting the staff, productivity and ultimately the bottom line.'

Click the link to read more.

16 January 2006 - Report Calls for Significant Changes to Corporate Manslaughter Bill

16 January 2006 - Report Calls for Significant Changes to Corporate Manslaughter Bill:

A report to the Government from a significant MP's Committee and backed by IOSH calls for changes to the current draft of the Corporate Manslaughter Bill.

As it currently stands, the Bill allows Senior Directors to delegate health and safety decisions to junior staff, thus potentially avoiding prosecution in the case of a fatality.

The report also includes a call for the introduction of an additional offence of 'Secondary Liability' for Corporate Manslaughter. This would allow individuals to be held liable for an organisations' health and safety failings.

A further call for a 'broad range of possible penalties' to be applied for anyone found guilty of Corporate Manslaughter was also outlined in the report. This would allow the courts to determine which penalty should apply to the circumstances involved in each individual death.

15 January 2006 - New Studies and Research Reports Within HSE Website

15 January 2006 - New Studies and Research Reports Within HSE Website:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have provided a number of Guidance's, Research Reports and Studies within their webpage's.

The areas covered in the studies include efficiency of gloves in printing, perceptions of Local Authority Health and Safety Officers and the COSHH essentials user consultation exercise.

15 January 2006 - HSE Guidance on Forklift Truck Non-Integrated Platforms

15 January 2006 - HSE Guidance on Forklift Truck Non-Integrated Platforms:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have produced and excellent Guidance on Working Platform (Non-Integrated) Fork Lift Trucks, which although not compulsory, provides the necessary information for Non-Integrated Working Platform suppliers, hirers and users to comply with their legal duties.

11 January 2006 - HSfB Site News

Site News:

A new site statistics page has been created for 2005, you can view the new page here: HSfB - Site Statistics 2005

10 January 2006 - Site News

Site News:

The Legislation News pages have been updated where you can read more on:

* Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) (Amendment) Regulations 2006: A consultation

9 January 2006 - US Court Upholds Parkinson's Claim of Welder

9 January 2006 - US Court Upholds Parkinson's Claim of Welder:

"A Madison County jury verdict court case, thought to be the only successful welding rod trial litigated in the US, has upheld a compensation claim by a welder who believed he developed Parkinson's Disease from his exposure to manganese in welding fumes.

A $1million award was granted to the plaintiff against Lincoln Electric, Hobart Brothers and the UK company, BOC Group.

The claimant, Mr. Larry Elam, told the court the defendants had been negligent in failing to investigate welding health hazards and of failing in the provision of adequate warnings."

9 January 2006 - HSE Dress Rehearsal Research Report for Planned Surveys

9 January 2006 - HSE Dress Rehearsal Research Report for Planned Surveys:

"The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) plans to conduct large scale workplace surveys during 2005 to 2015 in order to assess progress of health and safety at work targets set by the Government.

An initial 'Dress Rehearsal' conducted by the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB), has been presented and will take a leading role amongst a range of sources used by the HSE in assessing the progress towards targets set by the Government for health and safety at work.

The full report can be accessed from the HSE webpage by clicking the following:

* RR413 - Investigation of design options for the Workplace Health and Safety Survey

Article by Alexandra Johnston"

8 January 2006 - HSfB Site News

Site News: "A new article has been published on the Your Articles page

* A Tragic Lesson on behalf of a site visitor."

4 January 2006 - EHO's to Carry Out HSE Duties in MVR Workshops

4 January 2006 - EHO's to Carry Out HSE Duties in MVR Workshops: "A new pilot scheme, whereby Environmental Health Officers (EHO's) will carry out Health and Safety Executive (HSE) duties within Motor Vehicle Repair (MVR) workshops, is being launched for evaluation by Peterborough City Council in Cambridgeshire. The HSE will evaluate the scheme prior to becoming a blueprint for Local Authorities (LA's) Nationwide.

The scheme emerged from a working in partnership group, consisting of Peterborough City Council Representatives, the HSE, the HSE's partnership and a Local Authority Group and although MVR's are the main focus of the scheme, it will also include dry cleaning and launderette businesses."

3 January 2006 - RNID and TUC Break the Sound Barrier

3 January 2006 - RNID and TUC Break the Sound Barrier: "The Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have teamed up in a bid to encourage both workers and managers into taking the RNID's new telephone hearing check.

The 5 minute 'Breaking the Sound Barrier' unique telephone check (taken at home or in a quiet area within the workplace) is aimed at people who perhaps have difficulty hearing and as MORI research found, half the adults in the UK are too embarrassed to seek help."