Blueprint sets out waste industry’s safety drive
A five-prong plan for driving down the number of people killed and seriously injured in the waste and recycling industry has been published. The Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum has been working on its blueprint for better risk management since a landmark summit in February, and the final plan puts the focus on those areas […]
EC consults on future EU health and safety policy framework
The European Commission (EC) has launched a public consultation on the results of the evaluation of the European Strategy on Safety and Health at Work 2007-2012. The consultation aims to help identify current and future challenges in the occupational safety and health area, and identify solutions to address these challenges. “Accidents at work are at a […]
Impact of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act
The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill received Royal Assent recently. The Act contains reforms relating to a wide variety of areas, including changes to employment law, health and safety rules and copyright regulation. The Bill, which was introduced to the House of Commons on 23rd May 2012, has attracted a considerable amount of controversy during its passage […]
Cuts to consultation periods are “counterproductive”
The chartered body for health and safety professionals has welcomed a call by parliamentarians to allow adequate time for consultations on Government policy. Ministers are looking at slashing the time allowed for organisations to comment on some proposed law changes, from 12 weeks to as little as two. The aim is to make the consultation process more […]
Fee for Intervention now in operation
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a new cost recovery scheme, with the aim of recovering the costs of inspecting, investigating and taking enforcement action against businesses that break health and safety laws. Known as Fee for Intervention (FFI), the scheme began to operate on 1st October and will enable the HSE to […]
Changes to health and safety reporting
With effect from 6th April, employers no longer have to report to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) injuries which keep workers off normal duties for seven or fewer days. Previously, injuries had to be reported if they kept workers off normal duties for more than three days. The change to the Reporting of Injuries, […]
Demolition firm sentenced over asbestos danger
A demolition firm has been sentenced after knocking down a building in the Lake District containing hundreds of asbestos ceiling tiles, putting the lives of workers and local residents at risk. IBT Contracting Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after carrying out the work at a former photography factory, despite not […]
Window and door manufacturer fined after worker killed
A firm specialising in the manufacture of wooden doors and windows has been fined for safety failings after a worker died at its Leyton premises. Andrzej Rokita had been with M M Contracting Ltd for only ten days when he attempted to help his son, also an employee, to remove a large board from the […]
Leading horse trainer in court after worker’s fall
The owner of racing stables in North Yorkshire has been prosecuted after a yard worker fell more than three metres through a skylight in a stable block. Paul Cussons, who had worked at Thorndale Farm near Richmond for 26 years, was asked by trainer and bloodstock agent Alan Swinbank to cut down some overhanging trees […]
HSE clampdown to reduce death and injury on construction sites
Construction sites are being put under the spotlight as part of an intensive inspection initiative aimed at reducing death, injury and ill health. During February and March, inspectors from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) will be visiting sites where refurbishment or repair works are being carried out. This is part of a national drive […]