Back in the headlines

The death of Jean Charles de Menezes is back in the headlines as the inquest is finally getting under way. The Metropolitan Police, as a corporate body, has been convicted at trial of endangering the health and safety of de Menezes. What the inquest will determine is whether or not de Menezes was unlawfully killed.

According to the Guardian, Police Commissioner Sir Ian Blair's internal website message to Scotland Yard staff was leaked to the de Menezes family campaign:

"Our approach will be one of humility. On 22nd July 2005, we confidently believed that our systems of command, of surveillance and of firearms intervention were among the best in the world. However, they failed in response to a previously unforeseen circumstance, suicide bombers on the run.

"This will be a difficult couple of months and we must brace ourselves for criticism.
I am certain that the amount of work we have done in the aftermath of the tragedy and the professionalism of the colleagues giving evidence will take us through the turbulence that lies ahead and it is to be hoped that one of the legacies of Jean Charles is a Metropolitan Police Service even better equipped to deal with tragedy and danger.

"Finally, I am acutely conscious of the fact that the inquest will come on top of some serious challenges around race, within and outside the organisation. I am immensely proud that, despite the past few weeks, you continue to deliver a first-class service to all Londoners. You should stay proud too."

During the inquest, the de Menezes' family representative Michael Mansfield asked Deputy Assistant Commissioner John McDowall if a tragedy such as this could ever happen again, and he responded: “I very much hope that this will never happen again. But at the same time, with human beings, it is entirely feasible that some such tragedy may occur again, with just the way that circumstances sometimes unravel themselves”.

That doesn’t bode well, does it?

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The Q&A section of http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/ has been busy this week; why not have a look at the most recent queries posted below and put your knowledge to good use by logging in to answer them?

Do forklift truck drivers over the age of 40 have to be retested?

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Does CCTV come under display screen equipment?

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Tesco employee sues customer over injury caused by 'depressed driveway'

I've just been reading an article in the Daily Mail about a Tesco customer who is being sued by a delivery driver of the supermarket giant.

Apparently, the employee, Andrew Britton, had 'gone over on his ankle' on customer Paul Singleton's drive while unloading his shopping.

Britton assured Singleton he was fine, yet three months later the estate agent received a letter from Mr Britton's lawyer stating he "inverted his ankle" when he stepped out of the van near the gate.

It continued: "The reason why we are alleging fault is that you failed to maintain the driveway and caused or permitted areas of the driveway immediately in front of the gate to sink and form a depression within the driveway into which our client has stepped and which has caused his injury."

To make matters worse, Tesco has refused to get involved or discuss the incident, claiming it was a "private matter", despite involving a member of its staff allegedly suffering an injury while on duty.

So, who is at fault here (if anyone)? Tell us what you think here.

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Then you can, with our Q&A section on http://www.healthandsafetyprofessional.co.uk/

Recent questions added have been on subjects such as ethical PPE, DSE and posture, and servicing HGVs. Why not log on and use your health and safety knowledge to help your peers?

It's a great way to be part of the health and safety community.

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Another example of health and safety bureaucracy

Royal Mail, which recently stopped deliveries to a village called Booze, North Yorkshire, due to health and safety concerns, has announced it will restore the service after Booze council agreed to carry out road improvements so postal workers could avoid back injuries, much to the joy of its residents.

Royal Mail had abandoned deliveries there after concerns over the state of the country lane, which health and safety inspectors said posed an "unacceptable" risk.

Yet another unsavoury story ... Isn't it time to stop condemning the profession and let us get on with the job of saving lives? Have a rant in our forums.
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A waste of money?

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) has just published a report which states low-risk businesses are basically wasting their money bringing in consultants.

BERR says low-risk businesses could save £140 million a year if 20% sought basic health and safety advice from the HSE and other government sources rather than buying in consultancy.

According to the report, the average company spends 20 hours a year on administration to comply with health and safety regulations, costing more than £350. Do you think it's too much? Tell us in our opinion poll.

Lastly, do you believe low-risk firms are wasting money? Or are you a consultant? What do you have to say about the report? Discuss here.

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Hairy workers sent home

Contractors working on an asbestos removal project were forbidden from continuing work as they were not clean-shaven, according to reports.

The workers were required to wear protective gear, including mouth masks. However, managers said a satisfactory respiratory seal could not be achieved unless the worker is clean shaven.

Do you think this is just another negative story to hit the headlines, or do the managers have a point? Share your views in the discussion forum.

Decorator fined for "smoking in his workplace"

Some interesting comments have been added to our story on the decorator who was fined for smoking in his van. Check out what your peers have to say about it here.

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