Lawford Kidd's Blog

According to the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), more needs to be done to reduce the risk of injuries and illnesses amongst fashion industry factory workers.

Encouragingly, steps have already been taken with fire safety courses, which are funded and accredited by IOSH, having been rolled out in garment factories. Additionally, more safety inspections are being carried out in supply chain factories in a bid to improve working conditions for factory employees.

According to recent research, which was undertaken by Imperial College London and commissioned by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the number of people in the United Kingdom who are diagnosed with, or die from, skin cancer contracted as a result of sun exposure at work, is much higher than expected.

It is hoped said research will better educate busineses as to the risks of skin cancer for employers/workers working in outdoor roles, including those in construction, agriculture and leisure.

Two firms, namely C&F Electrical Services Limited based in Glenrothes, Fife and Raytheon Systems Limited, Essex were fined £20,000 and £24,000 respectively, after two workers were seriously burned and left disfigured.

The two men were working on a live electricity distribution board when a capacitor, two of which the men were meant to be replacing, accidently fell onto a live conductor causing a 'flashover' and burning the men on the face, neck and arms.

A Scottish Firm located in Moray, Scotland has been fined £6,666 following one of its employees being burned in a flash fire.

The employee who was aged 49 at the time of the incident, was burned as he opened the door to a shed where a pressure washer was kept. Upon opening the door, the smoke inside ignited which quickly burned the employee. He had approached said shed after seeing smoke escaping.

Businesses across Scotland, and throughout the UK, are being encouraged support a campaign aimed at preventing the risks of occupational cancers.

According to Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), the organisation behind the No Time to Lose campaign, the decisions which businesses and their respective health and safety experts make today with regards to controlling exposure to dangerous carcinogens in the workplace, will help to save lives in the future.