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, […]
Lawford Kidd Appoints Leading Claims Lawyer
Leading claims compensation law firm Lawford Kidd has announced the appointment of Val Roberts as a Consultant with the firm. Val has been practising for 20 years and is one of Scotland’s best known claimant lawyers. Lawford Kidd specialises in representing accident victims and was the first Scottish firm to receive corporate accreditation from APIL, […]
Man awarded damages for popcorn injury
An American court has awarded substantial damages to a man who claimed he became ill after years of breathing in the fumes of microwave popcorn, reports Yahoo! The 59-year-old from Colorado was diagnosed with a respiratory condition known as ‘popcorn lung’ in 2007, after eating the microwave popcorn on an almost daily basis for a […]
Government red tape blitz
Shops, offices, pubs and clubs will no longer face health and safety inspections, and over 3,000 regulations will be scrapped or overhauled in a radical plan by the Government to curb red tape and boost British business growth. From April 2013, the Government intends to introduce binding new rules on both the Health & Safety […]
Worrying ‘new principles on consultation’ from Government
The UK Government is not giving people enough time to comment on plans to cut health and safety regulations, a professional body has said. The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is concerned that new government guidance for its departments and other public bodies recommends as little as two weeks consultation on changes to […]
Firms fined for asbestos failings
Two Lincoln companies have been fined after workers were exposed to asbestos during the refurbishment of a Northamptonshire hospital ward. One of the companies was hired by the other to carry out an asbestos survey before work began on the hospital. The survey identified an asbestos coating on the underside of the ceilings, but missed […]
Government announces review of cosmetic procedures
The Department of Health has launched a major review into cosmetic surgery and procedures in response to concerns raised about the industry following problems with PiP breast implants. The review will look at many issues including whether the right amount of regulation is in place, if people have the right amount of information before going […]
Proposals to exempt self-employed from health and safety law
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has opened a three-month consultation on proposals to exempt self-employed people whose work activities pose no potential risk of harm to others from health and safety law. The Löfstedt review recommended that people who work for themselves be taken out of health and safety law if their work posed […]
Annual offshore injury figures continue to improve
The number of offshore oil and gas leaks that could potentially lead to a major incident continues to fall, new safety statistics have revealed. But Steve Walker, the head of offshore safety at the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), has warned industry not to be complacent following the encouraging figures. He said: “While we welcome […]
£300m support for future mesothelioma victims
From 25th July, newly diagnosed victims of mesothelioma will receive help through a new support scheme, the Minister for Welfare, Lord Freud, and the Association of British Insurers have announced. The new scheme will allow around 3,000 mesothelioma victims across the UK who are unable to claim compensation because they cannot trace a liable employer or […]