A manufacturing company has been prosecuted for continually falling below acceptable health and safety standards at its factory.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that skip manufacturer received nine Improvement Notices and a Prohibition Notice for safety failings at its premises

During a visit, a HSE Inspector learned that the company did not have examination certificates for lifting equipment at the factory, which meant the devices, had not been tested & also discovered that staff were operating mobile cranes and forklifts without any training.

The inspector revisited the factory on three separate occasions and during each visit found additional safety deficiencies.

These included flammable substances being stored outside, rather than inside a fire-resistant unit.

There were also inadequate systems in place to ventilate harmful gases, which were created on the production line, and staff were not issued with adequate respiratory protection.

Other dangers included an unguarded dimension saw, and the factory’s electric wiring was in such a bad condition that workers were at risk of coming into contact with exposed electrical wires.

The Company appeared in court on 29 February and pleaded guilty to breaching s2 (1) of the HSWA 1974. It was fined £18,000, plus full costs of £6210.

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What are the symptoms of COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term illness that makes breathing difficult. The lungs and breathing tubes are damaged making it difficult to get air in and out. Walking up a hill, playing football or even playing with your grandchildren can become difficult because of shortness of breath.

Other common symptoms include;

• a persistent chesty cough and phlegm
• wheeze
• more frequent and troublesome chest infections

COPD is a slow developing condition, the symptoms tend only to start becoming a problem in mid-life, usually in the late forties onwards.

Because COPD creeps up slowly, many people do not realise they have the disease. They think their symptoms are simply due to lack of fitness or getting older. This means that often the disease does not get diagnosed in the early stages.

The sooner you realise you have lung problems, the quicker you can try to stop smoking and reduce harmful exposures to dusts, fumes and gases. Medical treatments may also help.

More to follow tomorrow……………………………………

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The waste was found on Freeman Road North in early November and a week later more was discovered at Thurnby Lodge Boys Club on Thurncourt Road.

In both cases, corrugated asbestos waste was found in large sheets or smashed up and sealed in plastic bags.

Leicester City Council’s environmental crime team said it was investigating. Councillor Sarah Russell, one of the assistant city mayors, said if the asbestos material discovered was not disturbed by the public, it was “unlikely” to have any health implications to people.

“The dumping of asbestos material in public places like this is highly irresponsible and a matter we treat very seriously,” she said.

“There are strict guidelines about the way asbestos material is disposed of and the implications of not following these guidelines can lead to a prosecution.”

Enforcement officer Paul Rudkin, from Leicester City Council, added: “We are appealing to any members of the public who may have had an asbestos structure removed recently, or who have any information whatsoever that may assist with our investigation.”

Source: BBC News Leicester

Last week, the HSE released its annual figures for workplace deaths – with an increase of 24 fatalities compared to the previous year.

IOSH voiced its concerns over these statistics, suggesting the figure could be a delayed effect of the recession and‘belt-tightening’.

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

Speeded-up prosecutions over the deaths of workers are on the cards.

The forthcoming Work Related Deaths Protocol has had a number of changes proposed, the major one meaning that charges over health and safety could proceed in some cases before a coroner’s inquest is held. No charges can currently be brought until the inquest has concluded.

The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT) hopes the reforms to the protocol, to be introduced in October, will boost conviction rates of employers whose workers are killed, as roughly just 30% are currently convicted when a construction worker dies.

UCATT said findings by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show management failings contributed to 70% of fatal accidents.

The union added many bosses took their firm into administration and started another one with the same equipment and a similar name to avoid a fine. It says this is possible because of the long delay between a death and the resultant court case.

The new protocol is administered by a National Liaison Committee consisting of Crown Prosecution Service members, the police, the HSE and the Local Government Association.

The law requires that principal contractors (PC) must undertake the following actions:

• Project management – plan, manage and monitor the construction phase so that it is carried out safely and without risks to health;
• Contractor engagement – provide information and directions whilst facilitating co-operation and co-ordination between contractors;
• Workforce engagement – make sure the workforce is being inducted, informed, trained and consulted on health and safety;

 Are you doing this?

Email me for a free information sheet at info@spectrumrisk.co.uk

A Cornwall haulage and skip hire boss has been handed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for two years, for illegally tipping asbestos waste in an area of “outstanding natural beauty”.

In an Environment Agency (EA) prosecution at Truro Crown Court, the Director of the Company (which has gone into liquidation) – was also ordered to pay £50,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act plus £4,000 costs.

During 2007 and 2008, the Company had illegally dumped waste; including asbestos, at three separate sites including two farms and a residential property in St Ives.

The court was told how about 9,000 tonnes of construction and demolition waste were dumped at a farm over a six-month period in 2007 and 2008.

This is STILL happening – ensure you use a reputable licensed contractor and check where they are taking it – even if it means following them in the car!!!!!

IOSH has welcomed a new review aimed at improving the rules surrounding health and safety legislation.

 Professor Ragnar Lofstedt will report to ministers in October with proposals for making health and safety laws simpler and more concise. It comes after the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that firms have an “obsession” with heavy-handed and bureaucratic management of minor risks, with many of them adhering to overly strict restrictions imposed by insurance companies.

The HSE uncovered a number of bans with no basis in official regulations, affecting activities such as kite flying, playground games and sports day sack races. This is despite health and safety legislation being designed to target the workplace in an effort to protect workers from risks including unguarded machinery, unsafe work at height and exposure to asbestos.

The Government wants to encourage the public to make a stand against the ongoing “epidemic” of health and safety excuses.

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said: “Middle managers in councils and companies should not try to hide unpopular decisions behind health and safety legislation. People must acknowledge these myths and continue to challenge them.”