The Health and Safety Commission has published the annual report of the HSE/Local Authority Enforcement Liaison Committee.
According to provisional statistics there was an increase in the number of workplace related fatalities. Figures suggest that 44 people (20 employees and 24 members of the public) were killed in workplace accidents in the local authority enforced sector during 2000/01. The report suggests that most of these accidents were preventable. Although figures for the period indicate that the number of reported non-fatal injuries is declining, more than 32,000 people were injured.
Copies of the report are available, free from: HSE/Local Authority Unit 7SW, Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS. Tel: 020 7717 6438.
Occupational asthma
The Health and Safety Commission has agreed to certain measures aimed at reducing occupational asthma by 30 per cent, including an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP).
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) estimates that between 1,500 and 3,000 people in Great Britain develop occupational asthma every year. The future costs to society of new cases of asthma over the next ten years are estimated to be between £579 and £1,159m.For more information, tel: 08701 545 500.
No magnetic link to tumours
A report published in Occupational Environmental Medicine concludes that there are no apparent excess risks of brain tumours as a result of occupational exposure to magnetic fields in the UK among electricity generation and transmission workers Vol 58 (179482)
Coping with trauma
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has published guidance relating to catastrophe and how best to deal with it. It refers to terrorist attacks, armed conflict and all situations that can strain the ability to cope, understand and respond. Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence WHO September 2001 (180072).
Farming fatalities
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) is appealing for greater vigilance in order to avoid fatal injuries within the agricultural sector. Last year, 53 people died in farm accidents including four children. The HSC argues that this demonstrates the industry is not doing enough to prevent loss of life. Many accidents are caused by moving vehicles or falling from heights and are preventable through planning work carefully, providing proper training and using the right equipment for the job. Tel: 08701 545500
Food preparation safety
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a food information sheet on how to safeguard machines that pack products into pre-formed rigid containers, as well as information on the machinery that manipulates, cleans, inspects, pasteurises, sterilises and labels the containers. Between 1997 and 2001, the HSE investigated 45 serious accidents associated with these machines. Moving parts are the main dangers. HSE Books
Source
The Facilities Business
Postscript
David Denton runs the Safety, Health and Environment briefing published by Barbour Index. www.barbour-index.co.uk