This month’s news
No satisfaction with limited opportunities
People who move into jobs with limited opportunities are often more unhappy
than people who become unemployed, delegates at a conference organised by the
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in April heard. Professor
Michael West also argued that creativity was stifled in UK workplaces by job
insecurity, time pressures, threats and unconstructive criticism.
Chemical advice
A free Internet tool to help prevent the harmful effects of working with
chemicals by providing advice to limit exposure has been launched by the HSE.
The Electronic COSHH Essentials Internet package is available from www.coshh-essentials.org.uk
Good practice awards
Organisations that can show best practice in health and safety are being
urged to take part in this year’s European Good Practice Awards. The awards,
organised by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, is calling for
nominations. This year’s awards are focused on the successful prevention of
risks associated with work-related stress. The deadline for nominations is 5
July. Â Further details: mailto: [email protected]
Health audit free to NHS organisations
The Health Development Agency has published a report that aims to identify
and assess accurate and up-to-date workplace health audit tools for primary
care facilities. Its Workplace Health Environmental Audit Report is available
free to NHS organisations and staff. Â Email
[email protected]
or phone 020-7061 3190 for a copy.
Company car drivers in danger
As many as 18 per cent of company car drivers spend more than 20 hours a
week behind the wheel, according to a study undertaken by vehicle leasing firm
Godfrey Davis. Many organisations were failing to take adequate measures to
control and safeguard drivers’ actions, and risked flouting health and safety
legislation as a result, it added.
Confusion over risk assessment
A conference in April hosted by the Engineering Employers’ Federation
emphasised that limiting employee stress is an integral part of good management
and business practice. But organisations remained confused about what was meant
by risk assessment for psychological injury, the conference heard.
Health and safety guide to UK system
The HSC has published a comprehensive guide to Britain’s health and safety
system, explaining the role of the principal institutions, legal framework,
policy process, enforcement issues and control of risk in the workplace. The
Health and Safety System in Great Britain can be ordered online. Â www.hsebooks.co.uk
Learning package from the BBC
An online health and safety learning package has been launched by the BBC.
Safety @ Work. is available to businesses on CD-Rom or over the internet. It
has been endorsed by the Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.Call
020-8433 1641 or email [email protected]
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Diving fine
A Renfrewshire diving company has been fined £6,000 following an accident in
which one of its divers lost substantial parts of two fingers while installing
a 32-tonne concrete pipe.
