Posts Tagged ‘Health and Safety’

First Trial under Corporate Manslaughter Act

Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act is in the news again.

This time it is the culmination of years of discussion and debate – first about the Act itself, what it should cover and to whom it should apply – then about the penalties that should be imposed.

The Act was brought in after public outcries about such major tragedies as the capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry outside Zeebrugge the Bradford City fire and the rail disasters at Southall and Paddington. The law was unable to convict any person or organisation in regard to these accidents.

The first case under the new Act has now been brought to court and judgement made.

This first case is not on the same scale as the major disasters of past years, but it resulted in the death of a young man, which is every bit as devastating for his family, his colleagues and others who knew him.

What lessons can we all learn from this case? (more…)

Involving Workers in Health and Safety

Monday, January 25th, 2010

Effective Health and Safety

How effective is your organisation in promoting health and safety amongst your workers?

Sadly, much of the effort we expend is wasted and fails to produce the results we are seeking. There may be many reasons for this including, for example, the often quoted lack of top-level commitment.

Whilst lack of commitment at management level may be true in some cases, there are plenty organisations in which the management are fully determined to improve health and safety yet feel they are fighting an uphill battle. (more…)

Safe Use of Chemicals in the Workplace

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

“REACH” and the Database of Chemical Substances

As part of the European REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has made its database of chemical substances publicly available. Its aim is that employers and employees should be able to access information that will allow them to use the substances in a safe manner. (more…)

Surefire way to improve safety culture

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Effective Health and Safety

How effective is your organisation in promoting health and safety amongst your workers?

Sadly, much of the effort we expend is wasted and fails to produce the results we are seeking. There may be many reasons for this including, for example, the often quoted lack of top-level commitment. (more…)

Taking precautions in bad weather

Friday, December 11th, 2009

The UK has just been hit by what for us is an extended cold snap. It has already brought chaos to Eurostar’s services to the continent, disrupted airports and caused major headaches for road users.

We have dealt with the risks of driving in poor weather conditions in an earlier newsletter see Driving Safely in Winter.

This time we thought it timely to remind employers of the potential risks that bad weather brings to their premises. (more…)

Guidance on First Aid

Monday, December 7th, 2009
As of the 1st October 2009, the Health and Safety Executive introduced new guidance on First Aid in the Workplace. This was not a change in the law about First Aid – Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations – but a change in the way the law is implemented, with particular emphasis on training needs and how companies assess those needs. (more…)

Eco-design energy usage regulation

Friday, December 4th, 2009

The European Union is at pains to ensure that designers and manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment take advantage of all the latest technological advances that might help to improve energy efficiency.

As part of the European Directive on the eco design of energy using products (Directive 2005/32/EC), a new Regulation came into force in January 2009 to limit the energy consumption of electrical and electronic equipment when in standby mode. The Regulation covers a wide range of products for use in domestic and office environments. (more…)

Conker Challenge to H&S Myths

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Health and Safety Undermined

Health and Safety in the Workplace is a deadly serious business, although you might be forgiven for thinking otherwise if some of the press reports are to be believed.

We hear of numerous instances where events and activities that we once took for granted are now being cancelled, forbidden or wrapped up with so much bureaucracy that they are no longer viable – and all in the name of health and safety. (more…)

Competent Health and Safety Advice

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Health and Safety professionals are getting fed up with the bad press they have been receiving over the past months and years. This poor publicity has portrayed health and safety as being bureaucratic and lacking in common sense. (more…)