This month’s news
Scots to reduce sick leave
Businesses in Scotland have been challenged to reduce the number of working
days lost through ill health by 750,000. Health and Safety Commission chairman
Bill Callaghan told a conference in March, "We need to reduce the figure of
174,000 people reporting work-related problems to 140,000, and reduce the
number of working days lost from 2.2 million to 1.5 million."
Safety software
An easy-to-use computer software package to help small businesses improve
their health and safety awareness has been launched by the Health and Safety
Executive and insurer Royal & Sun Alliance.
The Essentials of Health and Safety Routemap is available from HSE Books,
tel 01787 881165, and at high-street bookshops, price £95.
Rehabilitation seminar
The Engineering Employers’ Federation is organising a one-day seminar to
describe good practice for the rehabilitation of employees injured or made ill
by their work. The seminar will be held on May 15 at the Royal College of
Physicians of London.
For details, contact the events co-ordinator, Abigail Ferris, on 020 7222
7777, or e-mail [email protected]
Disabled rights
A campaign to raise awareness of the rights of disabled people among health
professionals had been launched by the Disability Rights Commission. The
campaign is being backed by a series of leaflets.
European Safety Week
Activities surrounding this year’s European Safety Week will be extended to
a fortnight, running from October 15, the Health and Safety Executive has said.
This year the theme will be workplace accidents. An action pack will be made
available by the HSE during the summer.
Buildings risk
A report into the health and safety risks associated with various hazards in
buildings has been published by the BRE. Building Regulation, Health and Safety
is available from the BRE, at www.bre.co.uk
Complaints up
More people are complaining about misconduct by nurses, midwives and health
visitors, the United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health
Visiting has revealed. More cases are also being processed and more
practitioners are being removed from the register, its latest statistics show.
Offshore safety
Bill Callaghan, chairman of the Health and Safety Commission, has challenged
the offshore oil and gas industry to improve its occupational health
performance. The next five years have to see a "significant
reduction" in the number of people who become ill as a result of working
offshore, he said.
PPE seminar
British industry spends £500m a year on personal protective equipment, the
Health and Safety Executive has said. But much of this investment is wasted
because of poor selection or misuse. The HSE will be holding a seminar on May
31 in Aberdeen to address this issue. Â 08701
545500.
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Maximum exposure limit
Proposals for the introduction of a maximum exposure limit for the chemicals
piperazine and piperazine dihydrochloride have been published by the Health and
Safety Executive.
