News: Home Working The HSE has revamped the way it presents homeworking safety and health information. Further information: https://www.hse.gov.uk/home-working/ News: Approved list of biological agents - update The HSE has published the fifth version of the approved list of biological agents. New biological agents have been added and advice on available vaccines has been updated. Further information: https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/misc208.htm News: Metalworking fluids campaign Many businesses visited during HSE’s recent Metalworking Fluids campaign, are not doing enough to protect their workers’ health, reports the HSE. The regulator wants metal working businesses to minimise the amount of fluid mist generated, ensure extraction is fitted and working and carry out health surveillance. Further information: Information on the control of risk from metalworking fluids can be found here: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/campaigns/metalworkingfluid/ and here: https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/webinar-managing-metalworking-fluid-hazards/ News: ‘Asbestos – Your Duty’ campaign The HSE’s asbestos awareness campaign this year is supported by updated information online, new templates (including an asbestos management plan template), posters and explanatory videos. Further information: https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/duty/index.htm https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/duty/asbestos-management-plan.htm https://books.hse.gov.uk/product/9780717667529/Health-and-safety-industrial-asbestos-A3-poster https://books.hse.gov.uk/product/9780717667512/Health-and-safety-residential-asbestos-A3-poster News: Welding quality checks: Do you use non-destructive testing contractors? The HSE is concerned of falsification of results within the non-destructive testing (NDT) industry. Those using contractors to undertake this should make themselves aware of what has been happening and how to spot it. Further information: https://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/radiography-duplication-falsification.htm Case law: Loading shovel had 10 metre blind spot The HSE has pointed out that loading shovels, which are commonly used in recycling and earth moving, have an enormous area in front which the driver cannot see. A failure to recognise and manage this risk recently resulted in Ward Recycling Limited being found guilty of corporate manslaughter and safety offences. It was fined £2.15million after an agency worker was killed at its site in Hartlepool. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/01/26/recycling-company-fined-after-worker-killed-by-loading-shovel/ Case law: Unlicenced asbestos removal A man has been prosecuted after persuading a school and a householder to take him on for asbestos removal work which needed a licence that he did not have. In court he admitted contravening Regulations 8(1) and 20(3), the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/01/15/man-handed-community-order-for-illegal-removal-of-asbestos/ Case law: 11Kv overhead line strike Scaffolding in proximity to overhead power lines needs very careful control, as illustrated by this case which followed a serious accident. A scaffolder was fortunate to survive after contacting an 11Kv line with a pole. In court, Canterbury City Scaffolding Ltd was fined £50,000 and its director was given a community service order and a suspended prison sentence. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/01/15/company-fined-and-director-receives-suspended-prison-sentence-after-scaffoldersuffers-electric-shock/ Case law: Dangerously adapted angle grinder killed labourer A horrific case has been reported in which a man was struck by a circular saw which kicked back on him as he cut a poorly supported piece of timber. The blade had been fitted completely inappropriately, to an angle grinder, so that there was no guard. Fernando Araujo was sentenced to six months in jail, suspended for two years, and 200 hours of unpaid work. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/01/09/garden-landscaper-sentenced-after-worker-dies/ Case law: Hospital Trust in court over confined space incident The HSE has prosecuted Kettering General Hospital NHS Foundation Trust after an employee who was unblocking a drain, in an access chamber, was found unconscious. He had suffered acute sulphate intoxication. The organisation had not identified the very obvious chamber as a confined space and there were consequently no confined space control measures such as air monitoring, special equipment, rescue arrangements, top man, safe systems of work etc. Further information: https://press.hse.gov.uk/2024/01/09/nhs-trust-fined-after-employee-found-unconscious-in-manhole/