From 6 April 2012 [subject to Parliamentary approval] RIDDOR’s over three day injury reporting requirement will change. From then the trigger point will increase from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened).

 Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work.

 Employers and others with responsibilities under RIDDOR must still keep a record of all over three day injuries – if the employer has to keep an accident book, then this record will be enough.

 The deadline by which the over seven day injury must be reported will increase to 15 days from the day of the accident.

 New guidance that explains the change will be available to download from the HSE website on 16 January 2012 - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l73.htm

Wow!

What a great free tool from the HSE, designed to measure your health & safety culture.

Its simple, easy to use and gives some great (if not painful) feedback with an action plan – check it out here: http://www.hse.gov.uk/construction/lwit/step1.htm

Workers are as likely to have an accident in the first six months at a workplace as during the whole of the rest of their working life.  The extra risk arises due to:

• lack of experience working in a new industry or workplace;
• lack of familiarity with the job and the work environment;
• reluctance to raise concerns (or not knowing how to); and
• eagerness to impress workmates and managers.

This means workers new to a site:

• may not recognise hazards as a potential source of danger;
• may not understand ‘obvious’ rules for use of equipment;
• may be unfamiliar with site layout – especially where site hazards may change from day to day; and
• may ignore warning signs and rules, or cut corners.

Six steps to protect new starters

1. Capability – Assess the new starter’s capabilities

2. Induction – Provide an induction. Plan it carefully, including photos of hazards where possible, and use plain, simple language.

3. Control measures – Make sure the control measures to protect against risk are up to date and are being properly used and maintained: Involve employees and health and safety representatives in discussions about the risk and how best to make sure new starters are protected. Emphasise the importance of reporting accidents and near misses.

4. Information – Provide relevant information, instruction and training about the risks that new workers may be exposed to and the precautions they will need to take to avoid those risks.

5. Supervision – Provide adequate supervision. Make sure workers know how to raise concerns and supervisors are familiar with the possible problems due to unfamiliarity and inexperience.

6. Check understanding – Check workers have understood the information, instruction and training they need to work safely, and are acting on it, especially during the vital first days/weeks at work. Remember to make sure workers know how and with whom they can raise any concerns about their health and safety and that they know about any emergency arrangements or procedures

People who believe they may have been exposed to asbestos are understandably anxious and concerned about the possible effects on their health.

Many cases of inadvertent, short-term exposure to asbestos will most likely have been minimal, with little likelihood of any long-term ill effects. However, although the type of asbestos involved may be known, there will often be little, if any, reliable information concerning the level and duration of exposure.

These are important factors because the more likely an asbestos-containing material is to release fibres, the greater the risk. Some asbestos-containing materials release fibres more easily than others.

If you are concerned about possible exposure to asbestos, you are advised to consult your GP and ask for a note to be made in your personal record about possible exposure, including date(s), duration, type of asbestos and likely exposure levels (if known).

In some circumstances, your GP may refer you to a specialist in respiratory medicine. HSE does not advocate routine X-rays for people who have had an inadvertent exposure to asbestos. Asbestos-related damage to the lungs takes years to develop and become visible on chest X-rays. X-ray examinations cannot indicate whether or not asbestos fibres have been inhaled.

Source HSE

Proof that some people will do anything to get the job done…….how not to clear a jammed paper shredder!!!

A sharp rise in the number of people killed or seriously injured on British farms has wiped out previously achieved safety gains.

New figures released by the HSE show that between April 2009 and March 2010, the number of reported major injuries, such as broken bones or amputations, rose to 640, up from 599 the previous year. The number of major injuries has now increased by more than 40 per cent in the last three years.

In June it was announced that 38 people died as a result of work on farms last year – up from 25 twelve months ago and above the average of 37 for the previous five years. With a rate of fatal injuries to workers in 2009/10 of 8 per 100,000, agriculture remains Britain’s most dangerous industry.

NFU President, Peter Kendall, said:

“The HSE’s figures make sobering reading and must strengthen the industry’s determination to reverse this tragic record. All too frequently someone dies or is seriously injured in a farm accident. These accidents destroy lives and have a devastating impact on the families and businesses. As a farmer I know our workplace can be unpredictable, so working safe can be a big challenge. But we know better than any regulator the solutions to staying safe on farm. The NFU is determined to play its part in trying to reduce farm fatalities, dispel the myths and change traditional attitudes. That is why the NFU hosted the Farm Safety Summit in September with HSE and why I was so encouraged by the positive and constructive discussion across our industry.”

The HSE are working round Britain to support farmers in making the promise to come home safe. How you keep the promise is up to you.

If you’d like to make the promise please click on the link below – http://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/makethepromise/index.htm

The trial of the first UK company to be charged under the 2007 Corporate Manslaughter Act has been adjourned for legal arguments.

Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings is accused over the death of 27-year-old employee Alex Wright of Cheltenham.

The geologist died in September 2008 when a trench collapsed on him as he collected soil samples in Brimscombe.

Company director Peter Eaton, 60, of Stroud, also faces a charge of gross negligence manslaughter.

The trial was adjourned untill Friday.

Mr Eaton could be jailed for life if convicted.

The maximum sentence for his firm, which also faces charges for health and safety breaches, is an unlimited fine.

The new act was introduced to make corporate manslaughter cases easier to bring.

The biggest killer in industry - asbestos – continues to be a big risk to tradesmen as the annual rate of death from Mesothelioma  - the asbestos related cancer continues to grow. Tradesmen are of the opinion that it is a historical problem and that they are no longer at risk. In fact the deadly substance may be present in any building constructed or refurbished before 2000

Research from the the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) shows that one in four of the 4,000 people in the UK who die from diseases connected to asbestos each year are tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians and decorators.

The results of thus research have been unveiled to mark a new month-long campaign from the HSE warning Britain’s 1.8 million tradesmen about the dangers they face

Here’s a frightening fact for you!

Businesses are losing £28.3 billion per year because of stress, anxiety and depression, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has claimed.

The watchdog says around 13.7 million working days are lost as a direct result of work-related mental health problems – with employers left to foot the bill

I hope that you have all recorded your stress risk assessments (Remember its an absolute duty to carry out risk assessments of all foreseeable risks to health!!!!)

Consider simple control measures to reduce stress, such as positive feedback, flexible hours and the introduction of home working, which could significantly reduce the absenteeism rate by making employees happier