Safety Matters - JUNE 2007

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In this issue:

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a 'ladder exchange' which aims to remove 4,000 unsafe ladders from workplaces across the UK

Study identifies that a hard-working, hard-drinking culture in the UK construction industry is leading to a high incidence of occupational health problems among workers in the sector

Just one in five employers are offering advice on how to quit smoking ahead of July's ban, a survey shows

The Institute of Directors (IOD) consults on Directors duties again

A new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign aims to reduce the number of slips in kitchens

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned companies to take extra care when demolishing buildings containing asbestos cement sheets

Retail chain fined over transport yard fatality

Company receives heavy fine for power supply lock off failure that led to a fatality

Appeal court judges rule that man paralysed in mobile phone accident can claim damages

Are your company's safety systems up to scratch or are you risking prosecution? At MESH we have extensive experience of helping companies to improve their health and safety and in many cases improve their competitiveness.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a 'ladder exchange' which aims to remove 4,000 unsafe ladders from workplaces across the UK

Throughout June, July and August, small businesses will get the chance to have their ladders checked and where necessary, trade them in for new ones at a discounted price. The HSE is working in close association with local authorities, ladder manufacturers and retailers to address the safety issues around access equipment with employers and ladder users.

A spokesperson for the HSE identified that they want anyone working at height to use the right ladder for the job and to use it safely. Ladder Exchange is seen as the ideal opportunity for small trade businesses to assess the risks involved in ladder use and adopt sensible health and safety measures.

In 2005/06 a total of 46 workers died and a further 3,351 employees suffered major injuries as a result of a fall from height in the workplace.

Businesses need to ask themselves three simple questions in order to improve ladder safety:

• Do you need a ladder or should you use something different?
• Is it the right ladder for the task?
• Are you using the ladder safely?

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Study identifies that a hard-working, hard-drinking culture in the UK construction industry is leading to a high incidence of occupational health problems among workers in the sector

In a Health and Safety Executive survey of 300 employers in the Midlands region, around a third of the 1,700 construction workers who participated were found to be suffering from the effects of workplace noise or vibration; another third were found to have more general health problems, generally related to blood pressure or respiration.

More than 16 per cent were found to have an abnormal body mass index score and over 32 per cent were smokers. Overall, about 600 people needed to be referred to a GP.

The study pointed out that the physically demanding nature of construction work could in many cases be masking unhealthy eating patterns among workers.

A US research study also suggested greater mortality rates among construction workers due to a range of work and lifestyle factors, one of which was alcohol-related conditions.

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Just one in five employers are offering advice on how to quit smoking ahead of July's ban, a survey shows

With only a few weeks to go until the smoking ban is introduced, over 50 per cent of employers say the change in the law has made them more aware of employees health issues.

But despite this professed concern, only 20 per cent of employers questioned by Manpower said that they were providing advice on how to quit smoking. And less than half said that they promoted healthy living through employee benefits such as discounted gym membership and free fruit.

Another recent survey of 257 companies revealed that 36 per cent planned to ban smoking breaks and there is little employees can do to stop them.

Employees will struggle to fight any bans on their smoking breaks because they are not entitled to them. It could be that they try to claim a breach of the Working Time Regulations, which grants staff working for a minimum of six hours a day 20 minutes break. However, it will prove difficult for an employee to succeed in the employment tribunal with such a claim.

Companies are being advised that the best practice they can employ is to prevent staff smoking near to their premises. The survey shows that 70 per cent of employers plan to stop smoking at the front of their premises.

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The Institute of Directors (IOD) consults on Directors duties again

The IOD has launched a new consultation on the production of new, authoritative guidance on directors’ duties, regarding health and safety at work. The draft guidance has been drawn up by a steering group of key stakeholders at the request of the HSC.

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A new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) campaign aims to reduce the number of slips in kitchens

According to HSE figures, last year alone 1,863 kitchen staff received an injury that kept them off work for more than three days while 640 sustained a major injury. The new campaign, which will run over the next 12 months, aims to assist chefs, managers and business owners in setting up effective systems for preventing slips and trips and to encourage staff to adopt a 'see it sort it' mentality.

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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned companies to take extra care when demolishing buildings containing asbestos cement sheets

The warning comes after Wye Valley Demolition Ltd of Hereford, was fined £6,000 and asked to pay costs of £13,600 at Hereford Magistrates' Court following the release of asbestos during the demolition of a former grain store building.

The court heard that the building contained asbestos cement sheets which should have been removed under controlled conditions but which instead were smashed to the ground by a machine then spread over the demolition site.

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Retail chain fined over transport yard fatality

The company behind retail chain Home Bargains has been fined £120,000 following the death of an employee in Liverpool and ordered to pay costs of £32,576.

The lorry driver was fatally injured when hit by an articulated lorry whilst crossing the transport yard of the TJ Morris distribution centre. The Liverpool City Council investigation showed that at the time of the accident there was no designated route for lorry drivers to walk from the staff car park to the transport office across the yard.

The investigation highlighted that the tragic accident could have been easily prevented if a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the transport risks had been completed.

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Company receives heavy fine for power supply lock off failure that led to a fatality

The worker was electrocuted whilst wiring a water unit during the refurbishment of a bank building in London’s High Holborn. As he was wiring the unit a colleague in the power switch room turned on the electricity.

The HSE on investigation identified that there were no locking systems for the power; only a bit of tape, to indicate which circuit could be turned on or off. It was seen that the contractors on the site had been working excessively long hours in order to get the job finished.

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Appeal court judges rule that man paralysed in mobile phone accident can claim damages

The man who was paralysed in an accident whilst driving for work will now be able to claim damages from his employer, after the judges ruled that the cause of the crash was because he fell asleep after working excessive hours, rather than the use of his mobile phone whilst at the wheel.

The employer had previously claimed that the accident was due to his lack of attention due to composing and reading text messages. The drivers defence had said he had fallen asleep at the wheel haven been on the road since 3am that morning. In the crash his van rolled over, breaking his back.

The court was told that the company had a culture of long hours and pressure was on to get the job done quickly. The company disregarded the working time legislation.

Because the driver was not wearing his seatbelt and he had taken no action when he realised he was tired, he was assessed to be 33 per cent contributory negligent, meaning any damages awarded in the future would be reduced by that amount.

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