Safety clampdown on construction sites
Unsafe practices on construction sites are to be targeted as part of a national initiative aimed at reducing death, injury and ill-health. During a month-long drive to improve standards in one of Britain’s most dangerous industries, the Health and Safety Executive will visit sites where refurbishment or repair works are taking place. Inspectors will ensure that construction sites are […]
Scottish worker fatalities increase
The risks facing workers across Scotland would appear to be increasing rather than falling, as the latest provisional figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that 20 workers lost their lives while at work in Scotland last year – an increase of six on the previous year. HSE disappointment The HSE has expressed […]
Grandfather receives damages for ‘ha-ha’ fall
A man has been awarded compensation of £8,750 after he injured his ankle in the ditch of a ha-ha in the grounds of Hopetoun House, near Edinburgh, reports the Scotsman. The man, who was 61 at the time of the accident, was attending a guided bat walk in the grounds with his grandson. The injury occurred as the […]
Edinburgh food firm fined after worker injured
An Edinburgh food firm has been fined after a worker seriously injured his hand on an unguarded dough mixer. Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that Joseph Burnett had been employed as a factory assistant for almost four months and helped to sort ingredients, make Chinese dumplings to order and package products. On the day of the incident he […]
Work-related road deaths should be reported under RIDDOR
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has called for the Government to include work-related road traffic accidents (RTAs) in the national accident reporting system (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995). According to latest provisional figures from the Department of Transport, in the year ending June 2012, 24,870 people are estimated to […]
Analysis of work-related road risk
A national standard for the management of work-related road risk would be welcomed by businesses, and should include ‘back to basics’ advice to practitioners about the processes and interventions they should be using to manage and lower their risk, according to new research by TRL. Dr Shaun Helman, who led the research, said: “For some […]
APIL claims asbestos victims have been let down again
Not-for-profit campaign group, the Association of Personal Lawyers (APIL), has criticised proposed new rules on how insurance companies search their historical records if a potential claim for compensation is being made against them, saying that they are “wide of the mark”. Responding to a consultation by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) on new search procedures, […]
Reported Road Casualties 2011
Reported road accident and casualty statistics have been released by Transport Scotland’s Statistician. The statistics show that there were: With regards to road accidents, there were: Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0.
Essex truck firm in court over life-changing injuries
An Essex firm has been prosecuted after one of its employees suffered life-changing injuries when he fell from a stepladder while spray-painting a lorry. The 51-year-old man shattered his left shoulder and collar bone, broke several ribs and received a deep cut to his head in the fall. The company was prosecuted by the […]
New initiative to reduce nanotechnology health risks
Reducing health risks in the field of nanotechnology is the aim of a new initiative released by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). IOSH co-commissioned the UK NanoSafety Partnership Group to produce the first-ever health and safety guidance for working with nanomaterials in research and development. Nanotechnologies offer potentially huge benefits to society, […]