This month’s news
Abuse of patients
The UKCC has launched a video and CD-Rom highlighting the abuse of patients
by nurses, midwives and health visitors and ways to tackle it. Between 1995 and
2000, 64 per cent of cases coming before the UKCC, where charges were proved,
involved the abuse of patients.
Construction safety
Construction workers have been urged to make safety their priority in a
national newspaper advertising campaign mounted by the HSE. It is sending
health and safety checklists to employers or workers who respond to the
adverts.
Advice via e-mail
The TUC has started a weekly health and safety bulletin by e-mail. The free
RISKS "e-zine" is being aimed at safety representatives and others
working in health and safety. It will be posted on the TUC website, www.tuc.org.uk and sent to those who have
registered to receive it.
New targets for bakers
The HSC has called on the baking industry to set new health and safety
targets. HSC chairman Bill Callaghan said that injury rates had halved in parts
of the industry since 1993, but rates in bakeries were still double those of
manufacturing as a whole.
Safety check-ups
Small and medium-sized businesses are being urged to get a safety check-up
by the British Safety Council. The council has published a safety health check
to help organisations improve their health and safety.
Health at work award
Private medical insurer Bupa is looking for entries to this year’s Bupa
Foundation Awards Scheme Health at Work award. There is £10,000 prize money at
stake for the winner. The award is designed to recognise excellence in
occupational medicine. Â 020-7656 2246.
Stress conference
A conference called Taking The Stress Out of Work is to be held next month
at the University of Warwick. Speakers will include Industrial Society chief
executive Will Hutton. It will run from 4-6 July.
The International Stress Management Association at www.isma.org.uk or 020-8954 1593.
Occupational hygiene
The British Institute of Occupational Health will launch a revised modular
route to achieving its Certificate of Operational Competence next year.
Vibration risks
A campaign encouraging employers to choose carefully when buying or hiring
handheld power tools has been launched by the Health and Safety Executive. The
HSE is keen to crack down on health risks from vibration. It is publishing a
leaflet to help and stepping up inspections and advice.
Online health and safety information
An online health and safety information service has been unveiled by the
Stationery Office. OSH Online will contain information from the Health and
Safety Executive and other sources. It is available on subscription by logging
onto www.oshonline.com
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Injury rate falls
Injuries in the paper industry have fallen by 30 per cent in the past three
years, with a 10 per cent drop in "over three day injuries", according
to provisional figures from the HSE. But it said the industry could still
improve its record.
