The fatal fall of a scaffolder last week has seen the provisional total of construction deaths rise to 50 in 2007/08.
The unnamed man was working on the Ferrara Quay housing development in Swansea when the accident happened last Tuesday. He was taken to hospital but later died.
Nick Blundell, UCATT Regional Secretary for the Wales and South West, commented that this latest death underlines the dangerous nature of construction. "While it is alomost impossible to make the industry entirely safe, construction employers in general could be doing far more to make sites safer," he said.
Do you work in construction? Post your thoughts on our discussion forums by clicking here.
Click here to return to HealthandSafetyProfessional.co.uk
Monday 28 January 2008
Monday 21 January 2008
20 killed in China
A gas explosion in an illegal mine in northern China has killed at least 20 people, according Xinhua news agency.
China's coal mines are the world's most dangerous, with more than 3,000 deaths reported every year. Although the Chinese government has introduced legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal or unsafe mines, mine owners and local officials are frequently accused of ignoring regulations in search of greater profits.
China's industrial and economical advancements are amazing, however, its industrial safety seems to be severly lacking. But acceptable OSH standards in the working place are basic human rights.
What do other readers think? What should the Government be doing to improve safety in China's workplaces? Click here to start a thread in our discussion forums.
To return to HealthandSafetyProfessional.co.uk, click here.
China's coal mines are the world's most dangerous, with more than 3,000 deaths reported every year. Although the Chinese government has introduced legislation aimed at cracking down on illegal or unsafe mines, mine owners and local officials are frequently accused of ignoring regulations in search of greater profits.
China's industrial and economical advancements are amazing, however, its industrial safety seems to be severly lacking. But acceptable OSH standards in the working place are basic human rights.
What do other readers think? What should the Government be doing to improve safety in China's workplaces? Click here to start a thread in our discussion forums.
To return to HealthandSafetyProfessional.co.uk, click here.
Tuesday 15 January 2008
Will 2008 be a pressing year?
February's issue of HSW magazine includes a super article on the best guesses of some of the most senior figures in health and safety - including the HSE's chief executive and experts at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the EEF manufacturers' organisation - of what will be the pressing issues this year. (Read the article by clicking here)
This got me thinking. It's great to hear what industry leaders think about the coming year; it's very interesting and gives food for thought. But being the Community Editor of HealthandSafetyProfessional.co.uk, I am much more interested to hear what our readers think. So hear is your chance to come up with even better ideas - what's in store for 2008?
Legislation this year will be quite sparce - although the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act is sure to be of interest to 99% of health and safety professionals. But is there anything else you think will have a big affect on how we work? Share your thought with your peers by visiting our discussion forum.
This got me thinking. It's great to hear what industry leaders think about the coming year; it's very interesting and gives food for thought. But being the Community Editor of HealthandSafetyProfessional.co.uk, I am much more interested to hear what our readers think. So hear is your chance to come up with even better ideas - what's in store for 2008?
Legislation this year will be quite sparce - although the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act is sure to be of interest to 99% of health and safety professionals. But is there anything else you think will have a big affect on how we work? Share your thought with your peers by visiting our discussion forum.
Monday 7 January 2008
Your input is needed!
HealthandSafetyProfessional.co.uk has been live for a few weeks now, and the response from users has been excellent. The only gripe I have been informed of is that some users are having difficulties logging in. Well, there's an easy way around that. Just give our technical helpdesk a call on 0845 370 1234 and they should be able to solve the problem.
On another note, I have noticed that users are taking full advantage of our Q&A section on the site. It is great that members are posting questions, however, in order for this to be a successful feature of the site and for users to get the most from it, we need you to post answers! So if you have experience or knowledge on a particular subject that a user needs help with, this is your opportunity to use that knowledge to assist your fellow professionals.
We don't want the information on the site to be one-way. Remember, registered users can comment on any piece on the site, and read the comments of other members. So, if you agree or disagree with the opinions expressed, or if you want to share some hot tips and advice, you can express your views at the touch of a button. So please do!
To return to Health and Safety Professional, click here.
On another note, I have noticed that users are taking full advantage of our Q&A section on the site. It is great that members are posting questions, however, in order for this to be a successful feature of the site and for users to get the most from it, we need you to post answers! So if you have experience or knowledge on a particular subject that a user needs help with, this is your opportunity to use that knowledge to assist your fellow professionals.
We don't want the information on the site to be one-way. Remember, registered users can comment on any piece on the site, and read the comments of other members. So, if you agree or disagree with the opinions expressed, or if you want to share some hot tips and advice, you can express your views at the touch of a button. So please do!
To return to Health and Safety Professional, click here.
Thursday 3 January 2008
Putting lives on the line
We received many letters from HSW readers and IIRSM member alike over the festive break. It's always great to hear your views and my aim for 2008 is to build an online health and safety community that we can all be proud to be part of.
At the end of last year there were calls to scrap Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) following the death of a ten-year-old boy. Many readers had lots to say, as relayed in this very blog just last month. However, Geoff Lloyd, Deputy Chairman of the IIRSM Board of Governors, wrote to me recently with his view. Here is his letter in full.
"As the retired Head of Safety for the Metropolitan Police I felt I had to raise some points to consider.
"Firstly, the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 was not written with emergency services in mind, particularly section 3. In fact, police did not come under the umbrella of health and safety law until The Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997 was enacted. I know that the Metropolitan Police Service does not train its officers to carry out water rescues and officers are not required to swim.
"Concerning the case of the two PCSOs, I understand that the officers did not just stand and watch the little boy drowning. When the officers arrived at the lake there was no sight of the boy in the water. Apparently some anglers who were sitting on the bank told the officers about it but had done nothing.
"Perhaps we should also consider and ask where were the parents when this tragedy happened? Why had they let two small children play near water without supervision?
"As I compose this letter, the radio news is reporting of a small child killed on the highway while riding a petrol 100cc-engine quad bike while following her father’s car at 7pm, in the dark, down an unlit country lane. Rather than debate whether PCSOs are fit for purpose, perhaps we need to debate whether some parents are."
Geoff Lloyd FIIRSM CFIOSH, Deputy Chairman, IIRSM
Do you agree with Geoff? Post your comments in our discussion forum and get your voice heard. Click here to visit to our forum.
At the end of last year there were calls to scrap Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) following the death of a ten-year-old boy. Many readers had lots to say, as relayed in this very blog just last month. However, Geoff Lloyd, Deputy Chairman of the IIRSM Board of Governors, wrote to me recently with his view. Here is his letter in full.
"As the retired Head of Safety for the Metropolitan Police I felt I had to raise some points to consider.
"Firstly, the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 was not written with emergency services in mind, particularly section 3. In fact, police did not come under the umbrella of health and safety law until The Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997 was enacted. I know that the Metropolitan Police Service does not train its officers to carry out water rescues and officers are not required to swim.
"Concerning the case of the two PCSOs, I understand that the officers did not just stand and watch the little boy drowning. When the officers arrived at the lake there was no sight of the boy in the water. Apparently some anglers who were sitting on the bank told the officers about it but had done nothing.
"Perhaps we should also consider and ask where were the parents when this tragedy happened? Why had they let two small children play near water without supervision?
"As I compose this letter, the radio news is reporting of a small child killed on the highway while riding a petrol 100cc-engine quad bike while following her father’s car at 7pm, in the dark, down an unlit country lane. Rather than debate whether PCSOs are fit for purpose, perhaps we need to debate whether some parents are."
Geoff Lloyd FIIRSM CFIOSH, Deputy Chairman, IIRSM
Do you agree with Geoff? Post your comments in our discussion forum and get your voice heard. Click here to visit to our forum.
Wednesday 2 January 2008
Happy New Year
Well, Christmas is over and done with - I have even taken down my tree (I like to be organised). At this time of year I often think of all the effort we go to, the stress we put ourselves under, and it's all over in a flash!
I haven't posted for a couple of weeks owing to the fact that I decided to try and forget all about work over the festive period and relax. Work-life balance and all that. But I'm back and will be posting regularly - it's one of my resolutions.
Today saw the return of millions to the workplace - minus, of course, the ones who decided to pull a sickie. Apparently, today is the most popular date in the calendar to call in sick - a staggering five million do so! I made it in, just about.
Thanks to everyone who sent me letters over the festive break ... come back for an article on your opinions on health and safety in the police force tomorrow.
To return to Health and Safety Professional, click here.
I haven't posted for a couple of weeks owing to the fact that I decided to try and forget all about work over the festive period and relax. Work-life balance and all that. But I'm back and will be posting regularly - it's one of my resolutions.
Today saw the return of millions to the workplace - minus, of course, the ones who decided to pull a sickie. Apparently, today is the most popular date in the calendar to call in sick - a staggering five million do so! I made it in, just about.
Thanks to everyone who sent me letters over the festive break ... come back for an article on your opinions on health and safety in the police force tomorrow.
To return to Health and Safety Professional, click here.
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