It has been a suspected carcinogen for many years but news has just been released that diesel fume particulate (sometimes known as PM10) is a known carcinogen (cancer causing agent). HSE estimates that 652 deaths have resulted from occupational diesel exposure causing lung and bladder cancer and also estimates that 100,000 workers are currently exposed…
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The Health and Safety executive have decided to postpone FII until the next ‘red tape day’ in October 2012 (FFI is the scheme by which HSE hopes to be able to ‘recover’ up to £40m per year from businesses which have ‘materially breached’ health and safety regulations). The scheme had been set to start on…
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The Regulations are to be updated from April 6th 2012 following a verdict by the European Commission that the omission of two terms from the 2006 Regulations has allowed too many types of ‘low risk’ works to be exempt from the regulations for notification, medical examinations and record keeping. The effect is to create a…
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We have been reviewing case law of late and, as part of our very busy round of Breakfast and Lunch club presentations, have delivered several talks on this issue. For those who are unable to make these clubs we thought a quick summary of our discussion would be useful (https://www.outsource-safety.co.uk/breakfast-clubs.html). Corporate manslaughter or not? We…
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Professor Ragnar Löfstedt’s review of health and safety regulation was published on Monday 28th November. On the same day the Government issued its response to the report and we have summarised the main recommendations below. The Löfstedt’ Report follows on from the recommendations of Lord Young’s Report, Common Sense Common Safety and seeks to expand…
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The HSE Board today (7 December) agreed that from April next year the HSE will charge duty-holders who materially breach health and safety law an hourly rate of £124 for its intervention. This has been reduced slightly from the original consultation figure of £133 per hour and the cost will also now be counted from…
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C&G Safety & Environmental Safety are pleased to announce that their specialist in Road Transport has successfully been granted membership to the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers.. AIRSO is a registered charity whose aim is to provide a platform for all who work in the wider area of road safety, whether that be, just…
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The days of inspectors working through companies alphabetically or just popping in when they are in the neighbourhood are now long past. The HSE now simply doesn’t have the resources necessary to implement this sorts of inspections regimes. This is further strengthened by Lord Youngs report, which HSE has adopted in terms of lower risk…
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Not too much of a change here but certainly something worth being aware of. Whilst proposals are yet to be adopted to allow a 7 day period before reporting an absence following injury (instead of the current 3 days) there are some smaller changes being implemented in the name of cost saving. Instead of reporting…
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Two companies and a contractor have been prosecuted for releasing asbestos fibres during an office refurbishment project in Birmingham city centre. This story highlights the need for sound advice as from experienced and competent CDM Coordinators. The building – at 114-116 Colmore Row – was owned by Evanacre Colmore Row Ltd which together with project…
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