HSfB Site News - 21 January 2007

Site News

21 January 2007

• Express Park Tour and Smart Training Solutions IOSH Working Safely course winners announced! See our Winners page to see if you have won!

HSfB Site News

Site News

20 January 2007

• Express Park Tour and Smart Training Solutions IOSH Working Safely course draw will take place Sunday night (21 January). Keep your eyes peeled on this page for names of winners:

• HSfB Prize Draw Winners!!

18 January 2007

• The Legislation News pages have been updated where you can read more on the following.
  • The Road Safety Act 2006
  • The Compensation Act 2006 (Contribution for Mesothelioma Claims) Regulations 2006

16 January 2007

• A new download has been added by one of our Community Forums moderators.
  • Construction Site Induction by Coldrop (PowerPoint) 83KB

14 January 2007

• Our fantastic free prize draw has now closed! Winners will be notified via email as soon as the draw takes place. All winners' names will be published on this site after confirmation has been made. Good luck!

2 January 2007

• New Downloads added to the Downloads pages.
  • Basics Human Factors + Ergonomics by Andy Brazier of Andy Brazier (PowerPoint) 741KB
  • Office Safety Awareness by Michelle Wilson (PowerPoint) 1.4MB

10 December 2006 - HSfB Changes to News Service

10 December 2006 - HSfB Changes to News Service

HSfB has been bringing you up to date health, safety and environmental news articles for nearly three years now, however; from this week's issue of the newsletter (Issue 58) we will be ceasing this service so that we can focus on improving our study support and downloads available from the site. We will continue to deliver Legislation News updates for the time being.

The newsletter will remain and will contain all of our regular features and more in the future, but it will be reduced to once per month rather than fortnightly.

These changes will allow us to concentrate on improving our quality of study support and making sure you receive a wealth of FREE health, safety and environmental materials to help you learn, teach and work.

We thank you for the support you have always shown and for your continued support in helping us to face our new challenges.

9 December 2006 - Latest News from Buncefield Investigation Board

9 December 2006 - Latest News from Buncefield Investigation Board

Lord Newton of Braintree, Chair of The Buncefield Investigation Board, has issued an update of recommendations for future investigations into the Buncefield oil depot disaster.

The Investigation Board will continue to monitor the progress of the on-going work and criminal investigation. However, legal proceeding decisions remain under the sole jurisdiction of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency (EA).

Lord Newton of Braintree, said:

"In the year since the Buncefield incident, local residents and businesses have continually demonstrated strength and determination to overcome the devastation and changes to daily life which have been caused by the explosion.

"The Dacorum Borough Council, Business Leaders and many others have worked impressively together, not only for recovery, but also for new opportunities, renewal and growth.

"The Board is aware that great uncertainty remains and continues to work extremely hard on reaching its own conclusions and recommendations.

"Nothing can change what happened a year ago, but the Board knows that the right lessons must be learnt to prevent any repetition of such events."

Since the publication of the Board's Initial Report in mid July 2006, coupled with the evidence gathered, issues and key areas were identified, three of which the Board have focused on. These areas are as follows:

• Design and operation of storage sites.
• Emergency response to incidents.
• Advice to planning authorities.

Good progress is being made into the investigation of possible breaches of the law. This decision will be taken by the CA when all lines of inquiry have been conducted.

Further information on the Buncefield oil disaster can be accessed from the Buncefield investigation webpage by clicking the following:

Buncefield investigation

Article by Alexandra Johnston

9 December 2006 - Seafarers Excessive Hours a Significant Safety Risk

9 December 2006 - Seafarers Excessive Hours a Significant Safety Risk

A research report by the Centre for Occupational and Health Psychology at Cardiff University, funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), has been published and shows that due to the long excessive working time limits and under-recording, seafarers are at risk of fatigue.

Fatigue within seafarers working environment is believed to be due to several combined factors, such as port frequency, job support and physical hazards.

Some of the recommendations to address the risk of seafarers fatigue are as follows:

• To review the recording of working hours.
• Implement fatigue management training.
• Introduce information campaigns.
• Establish standard measures of fatigue within the industry.
• Develop a multi-factor auditing tool.

Mary Martyn, MCA head of the Seafarer Health and Safety Branch, said:

"This research confirms that fatigue at sea is a complex problem. We support the report's conclusion that a co-operative approach is needed, involving regulators, shipping companies and seafarers.

"Given the global nature of shipping, it is a problem that needs to be addressed at national and international level."

The research report, in pdf format, can be accessed by clicking the following:

Seafarer Fatigue: The Cardiff Research Programme

Further information can also be accessed from the HSE webpage by clicking the following:

HSE Research Projects Directory

Article by Alexandra Johnston

7 December 2006 - Scottish Borders Blitz Highlights Poor Scaffolding

7 December 2006 - Scottish Borders Blitz Highlights Poor Scaffolding

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) blitz on construction sites in the Scottish borders has highlighted the poorly built defective scaffolding which did not meet the standard required by law.

A representative from the Scottish Borders Council Safety Department accompanied HSE Inspectors when they visited 24 sites. It was deemed necessary to issue 3 Prohibition Notices for poorly constructed scaffolding. Work had to be stopped on a further 5 sites in order to remedy defects.

Typical hazards found during the blitz were as follows:

• Scaffolding was being overloaded on boards creating the potential risk of collapse.
• Platforms were incomplete and had missing guard rails.

Commenting on the blitz, an HSE Inspector from the Construction Division said:

"Poorly constructed scaffolding remains a very real issue in the Borders and it is disappointing that those where enforcement action was taken or work stopped had not taken the opportunity to attend the free information event at the end of September.

"Work at Height remains the biggest cause of fatal or other serious injuries in the Construction industry.

"Small builders and those involved in self-build plots are particularly prone to using poorly erected and maintained scaffolding.

"Scaffolding should only be erected and altered by someone who has had appropriate training."

Further information on scaffolding can be accessed from the HSE webpage by clicking the following:

HSE Scaffolding Information Sheet

There is also an HSE webpage providing information on falls from height, which can be accessed by clicking the following:

HSE - Falls from height

Article by Alexandra Johnston

7 December 2006 - HSC Public Consultation For Merge With HSE

7 December 2006 - HSC Public Consultation For Merge With HSE

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) have published a public consultation on the suggested merging of the HSC with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), for the provision of one single health and safety authority.

It is the view of the HSC that by merging with the HSE, it would provide a modern, stronger governance framework for health and safety.

The consultation explains how the governing body of the new authority would be the HSC. They would continue their current independence, continue links with stakeholders, but would have the added bonus of "strengthening their capacity to challenge and support delivery."

Suggested provisions of the merger are as follows:

• There would be a more accountable structure in line with current best practice.
• Better decision making and a clearer public and regulatory presence;
  for the continued independence of the safety regulator.
• A balanced structure at arm’s length from Ministers.
• Membership for representatives from employer and employee backgrounds, with a seat for local Government and a member designated to maintain links with the devolved authorities.

HSC Chairman, Bill Callaghan, Commenting on the consultation, said:

“We believe that our governance structures – the infrastructure that supports our decision- making – have served us well in the past. In particular, the broad partnership nature of the HSC, its independence and its strong links with Local Authorities are assets we wish to maintain. Equally, the shape of the labour market, the nature of workplace risks and stakeholder expectations are very different to those which created the backdrop to the Health and Safety at Work Act thirty years ago.

“We therefore decided earlier this year that the time was right to look critically at how our governance arrangements compare with best practice, what works well at present and whether we could strengthen the links between strategy and delivery necessary to provide the accountability expected of a public body in the 21st century.

“Our conclusion is that merging the Commission and Executive into a single body will give us a more robust governance framework, improve our working practices and create a stronger voice for health and safety in Great Britain.

"We believe that our proposals take the best from the existing governance arrangements, updating them to instil the drivers necessary for re-invigorating the decision-making framework within which we work and strengthening our existing partnerships, particularly those with Local Authorities.”

Your views for the suggested merger are invited in the public consultation, which can be downloaded from the HSE webpage by clicking the following:

"A Stronger Voice for Health and Safety" A Consultative Document on merging the Health and Safety Commission and Health and Safety Executive

Article by Alexandra Johnston

Twelve Days of Christmas Fire Campaign

Twelve Days of Christmas Fire Campaign

The Government has launched a Christmas fire safety campaign in an effort to minimise the number of people injured, maimed or killed by house fires during the Festive season.

Fire Minister Angela Smith issued a stark reminder that throughout the Christmas period the likely-hood of fire deaths is 50% more than at any other time of year.

Local fire and rescue services will promote the "Twelve Days of Christmas" fire safety message, reminding people to stay safe and think about the possible hazards arising from ill-placed candles, decorations and electric Christmas lights.

Fire Minister, Angela Smith said:

"While I welcome the real progress being made to reduce deaths and injuries caused by fire we simply cannot afford to be complacent. That is why the Government put fire prevention at the heart of the work of the Fire and Rescue Service and gave Chief Fire Officers the flexibility to allocate their resources themselves according to local needs to protect those most at risk.

"I am delighted to launch our latest Christmas Fire Safety Campaign that will be delivered in partnership with the Fire and Rescue Service across the country. Figures show that while there has been a significant and sustained fall in the number of fire deaths the risks over the festive period are greater than normal.

"This hard-hitting campaign is a serious reminder that many of the things we enjoy about Christmas can all be fire hazards when proper care is not taken and provides twelve tips for festive fire safety."

Keep your loved ones safe from fire in the home and follow the The Twelve Days of Christmas "Fire Kills" top twelve tips for festive fire safety:

• On the 1st day of Christmas - Check your Christmas tree lights conform to the British Standard. Always use an RCD on outdoor electrical equipment (safety device that can save lives by instantly switching off the power).
• On the 2nd day of Christmas - Never place candles near your Christmas tree or furnishings. Don't leave them burning unattended.
• On the 3rd day of Christmas - Make sure your family and visitors staying for the festive period know what to do in an emergency. Practice a fire escape plan.
• On the 4th day of Christmas - Decorations can burn easily - don't attach them to lights or heaters.
• On the 5th day of Christmas - Switch off electrical appliances when not in use, unless they're designed to stay on. Take special care with Christmas lights. Always switch off and unplug Christmas lights before you go to bed.
• On the 6th day of Christmas - Celebrate Christmas and New Year safely. The risk of accidents, especially in the kitchen, is greater after alcohol is consumed.
• On the 7th day of Christmas - Most fires start in the kitchen - never leave cooking unattended.
• On the 8th day of Christmas - If you are planning to celebrate with fireworks, store them in a metal box, read the instructions, never go back to a lit firework and keep a bucket of water nearby.
• On the 9th day of Christmas - Make sure cigarettes are completely extinguished.
• On the 10th day of Christmas - Check the battery in your smoke alarm every week and use Christmas as a reminder to clean it and remove dust.
• On the 11th day of Christmas - Keep candles, lighters and matches out of reach of children.
• On the 12th day of Christmas - Take the time to check on elderly relatives and neighbours this Christmas - make sure they are fire safe.

Of course, fire in the workplace during the Festive season also poses a greater risk, owing to office party merriment and alcohol consumption clouding the risks otherwise adhered to by the workforce.

The TUC and RoSPA have produced a Christmas Safety Guide - Office Party Planner, which provides information to make your office, or any other work party, go with a swing without ending in tragedy. You can access the Planner by clicking the following:

TUC/RoSPA Party Planner

Please take a moment to read the Christmas fire safety messages. Keep your family, friends and colleagues safe from fire this year. Have fun, enjoy yourself and remember Christmas 2006 as being one of the safest and best.

Article by Alexandra Johnston

26 November 2006 - Mental Health Bill Introduced

26 November 2006 - Mental Health Bill Introduced

Protection for patients and the public is at the heart of Mental Health Bill 2006 which was published on 17 November 2006 and amends the Mental Health Act 1983. The Bill will both benefit patients and will improve public safety. It will introduce supervised treatment in the community to ensure that patients comply with treatment when they are discharged from hospital and enable action to be taken to prevent relapse.

The Bill also gives new rights and extra protection to people who may be unable to decide about their care. These new safeguards will affect around 5,000 people with a serious mental disorder who have not, up until now, been covered by existing mental health laws.

Rosie Winterton, Health Minister commented:

"We want people to get the right treatment at the right time. We want to improve the safety of both patients and the public. This Bill will help ensure that people with serious mental health problems receive the treatment they need to protect them and others from harm. It will also strengthen patient safeguards and ensure human rights are protected.

"We are already modernising services, and the Bill is a key part of our strategy to reform and improve mental health care. It will update the law to reflect the way mental healthcare is provided in today's NHS."

Home Office minister Gerry Sutcliffe also commented:

"Timely treatment for mental disorder is vital in preventing harm to patients and to others. I look forward to doctors having powers to treat patients in the community to address the revolving door problem before their patients relapse and become involved in tragedies to themselves or to the public."

The Bill amends the 1983 Mental Health Act and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 which was contained in the Queen's Speech 2006 and introduced on 16 November 2006.