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Risks Newsletter
Number 280 - 28th October 2006|
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Editor: Rory O'Neill of Hazards magazine. Comments to the TUC at healthandsafety@tuc.org.uk
Risks is the TUC's weekly online bulletin for safety reps and others, read each week by over 13,000 subscribers and 1,500 on the TUC website. To receive this bulletin every week, click here . Past issues are available . This edition contains Useful links TUC courses for safety reps Disclaimer and Privacy statement .
UNION NEWS- TUC explodes dangerous safety myths
- Lecturers seek answers on safety training cuts
- Amicus takes on 'terrible' silica problems
- Humber pilots should be given a break
- Union warns on sea fatigue dangers
- Checkout this checkout workers
- Payout for woman filmed by her boss
- Union safety organisation goes west
- Unions raise safety concerns on nuclear sell off
- Campaigns aim to protect young workers
- Boss fined for teen injuries
- Asbestos deal agreed - but who will pay?
- Will nano products come off the rails?
- Cancer risk 'higher' for computer factory workers
- Lidl unsafe as safe falls on worker
- Multinational pays £100k for work death
- HSC building towards new construction regs
- Workplace bullying affects one in five
UNION NEWS
TUC explodes dangerous safety myths
The TUC has warned health and safety myths including schools banning conkers, safety inspectors banning ladders and acrobats being forced to wear helmets risk undermining genuine safety concerns. 'Health and safety myths' shows that popular examples of 'health and safety gone mad' are not down to bad safety law but are either untrue or a result of the way local schools or councils interpret the regulations. Employers will also often use 'health and safety' as an excuse for not doing something which they didn't want to do anyway or to save money, says the report. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Myths about 'killer conkers' and banning ladders undermine the whole concept of health and safety in the public's eyes. They perpetuate a false picture of Britain as a risk-averse country wrapped in cotton wool with a compensation culture gone haywire.' He added: 'Some employers, and others, are using health and safety as an excuse for making stupid decisions, but health and safety regulation in the UK is not out of control. The UK today has sensible and practical health and safety laws and we have half as many as we did 35 years ago. But because too many employers are ignoring them and not taking proper care of their staff, two million people in the UK are suffering from ill-health as a result of their work.' As well as rubbishing claims that the UK has banned conkers and ladders, the report points out that compensation payouts in Britain are among the lowest in Europe. And it says far from being a nation enmeshed in red tape, there are now less than half the safety laws there were 35 years ago.
- TUC news release and full 'Health and Safety Myths' report. Personnel Today.
- Can you tell fact from fiction? Take the TUC online safety myths quiz!
Lecturers seek answers on safety training cuts
Lecturers' union UCU has said it is 'astonished' at the Learning and Skills Council's reasoning for axing health and safety training courses. The union has written to LSC querying whether it consulted the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) before announcing it was to cut the 'vital' courses. The cuts announcement came this month in LSC's annual statement of funding priorities. It said funding for some short courses including health and safety, first aid and food safety courses, is to be withdrawn. The LSC states that these courses should in future be provided by employers who have a legal duty to do so. The UCU letter asks if HSC, any other organisations, or the lecturers who teach these courses were consulted on the closures. The union also asks what evidence there is that employers who currently send workers on LSC-funded training will now provide alternative health and safety training of a decent standard. The union has made its requests under the Freedom of Information Act. Roger Kline, head of employment rights at UCU, said: 'Making the decision to close these courses should have been done in consultation with the Health and Safety Commission. We wonder if that was the case. Feedback from our members who teach these courses suggests that they were not consulted.' He added: 'Lecturers are astonished at the suggestion that these courses will now be carried out as part of the employer's statutory duties. Given that we know that one in three employers do not offer any training whatsoever, we are not confident that they will step in to the breach and provide these courses themselves. There is a risk we'll end up with workplaces where nobody is trained in the basics of health and safety, first aid, and food safety.'
Amicus takes on 'terrible' silica problems
An Amicus campaign is seeking to minimise the risks of 'terrible' diseases caused by workplace exposure to silica. The union says silica is found in materials used in many industries and breathing in fine dust containing silica can cause lung damage, including 'silicosis, the world's oldest known occupational disease.' Silicosis is an irreversible disease that usually takes years to develop causing breathing problems which can be severely disabling and can lead to premature death. Crystalline silica can also cause other respiratory disease and has been linked to lung cancer, kidney and autoimmune system problems. The Health and Safety Executive estimates there are about 90,000 employees in foundries, ceramics, brickmaking, quarries and mining who are at risk. Amicus health and safety officer Bud Hudspith said: 'Amicus wants employers to start negotiations with us to eliminate silica dust as a health hazard. Silicosis is a terrible condition and we will do all we can to minimise the risks to our members.' A new Amicus guide to controlling silica dust has been sent to all the union's health and safety reps in affected industries. Amicus is also calling on employers to start negotiations to implement a new agreement to remove the risks associated with working with silica. Amicus is a signatory to the European Social Dialogue agreement on silica dust that came into force on 25 October 2006 (Risks 254), and which was also signed by organisations representing EU employers.
Humber pilots should be given a break
Marine pilots employed on the River Humber are not being given the breaks necessarily for safe working, their union has warned. TGWU is urging Associated British Ports (ABP) to remedy inadequate rest breaks and compensatory breaks for marine pilots working on the Humber, recognised as among the UK's most dangerous waters. Regional industrial organiser Ian Wood says ABP has so far failed to act. The pilots are required to work for 12 days at a time followed by six days rest. During the 12 days on, pilots work a continuous 8.30am to 5.00pm shift and are on call at all times. Inadequate rest is a well recorded root cause of accidents at work, said Mr Wood, adding the ABP's refusal to ensure adequate rest is taken flies in the face of the Working Time Regulations and a decision last month by the European Court of Justice (Risks 273). 'ABP is the 'Competent Harbour Authority' (CHA) for the Humber district and is showing a distinct lack of responsibility in not entering into a dialogue with the Humber pilots and their trade union on this issue,' he said. 'ABP should act now to ensure the marine pilots' safety, and that of all other seafarers who use the Humber Ports, before another accident occurs; one which could result in the loss of life.'
Union warns on sea fatigue dangers
Fatigue is now the number one health and safety issue in shipping - and regulators need to respond to the very real risks of a major disaster, maritime professionals' union Nautilus UK has warned. Speaking at a seminar on the issue organised by the Nautical Institute, senior national secretary Paul Moloney said research now proved the scale of the problem - leaving no doubt that too many ships are suffering from serious under-staffing and the industry is 'dicing with danger.' He warned that the existing regulations are proving 'wholly inadequate' to prevent seafarers from becoming dangerously over-worked and tired. He said a fundamental overhaul of the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) principles and procedures for issuing minimum safe manning certificates is essential. Regulators need to develop a more sophisticated approach to determining safe staffing and onboard operation of ships, he said. Nautilus UK is the new manifestation of the union NUMAST. NUMAST's Dutch partner union, FWZ, has become Nautilus NL - a move the unions say reflects their increasing cooperation and coordination.
Checkout this checkout workers
Checkout workers should checkout their checkouts or risk back pain, retail union Usdaw has warned. It says its simple 10 point 'Checkout Checklist' will help stamp out back pain for till operators who are shifting several metric tonnes of goods during an average shift. Usdaw issued the checklist in support of the TUC's 25 October national safety inspection day and as a practical contribution to the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE) better backs campaign. The checklist covers basic safety issues like whether the seat is suitable for the operator, are operators properly trained to use the till, is the area around the checkout clean and tidy, do operators have regular breaks, is the till properly maintained and is the temperature comfortable for heavy manual work. 'There is no doubt that working at the checkout in a busy supermarket is tough manual labour which is why we've issued this easy to use checklist,' said Usdaw general secretary John Hannett. 'While much good work has been done on checkout design our members still report serious back problems caused by unloading baskets or trolleys, packing heavy customer goods, inadequate seating and even cold temperatures or draughts. This simple checklist allows our members to properly assess how safe their workplace is and work with their managers to improve the tills which are the busiest part of any store.' He added: 'Our checklist is designed to prevent back problems developing by eliminating bad practice or poor design, but it also aims to help those with back problems continue to work instead of going off sick needlessly.'
Payout for woman filmed by her boss
A woman whose boss bombarded her with love notes and who rigged up a CCTV camera to watch her at work has been awarded £16,500 compensation. Amicus member Heather Harrop, 42, became sick with stress and was forced to leave her job after she attracted the unwanted attention of Michael Richardson, 66. Mrs Harrop, who worked as a production assistant at Analytical Technology International, based in Macclesfield, said her ordeal began in 2003. The married mother-of-one revealed how her boss left post-it notes on her desk telling her of his feelings and left flowers and a teddy bear on her home doorstep. In January last year she discovered a CCTV camera trained on her desk, linked to a camera hidden under a cardigan in Mr Richardson's office. Mrs Harrop said: 'It was horrible and creepy, I felt constantly at edge in the workplace and I even felt threatened in my own home. It got to a point where I could no longer work, I went off on stress and had to leave a job I would have enjoyed if it were not for Mr Richardson.' She added: 'Luckily I was a member of Amicus union who instructed Thompsons Solicitors to represent me and ensured I was compensated for my horrendous experience.' Mrs Harrop resigned and claimed sex discrimination and constructive dismissal, with the backing of her union Amicus. The case was settled out of court. Amicus regional officer Lawrence Chapell-Gill said: 'Mrs Harrop's ordeal was discomforting and threatening. I believe it's one of the worst examples of a boss' behaviour towards his staff. Luckily Mrs Harrop had Amicus on her side. This is an example of why union representation is still as important in the 21st century as it was in the last century.'
Union safety organisation goes west
Union reps in the South West are clamouring to find out more about how to organise for safer workplaces. A South West TUC conference in Bristol this week was the second this year to be packed out with union safety reps, after a February event was attended by more than 150 reps. Marie Hughes, the South West TUC's education officer, said: 'These reps are the reason unionised workplaces are safer workplaces. They deal with issues ranging from safety rules for lorries to hearing loss for staff in bars and clubs, as well as working to protect the 11 million workers facing serious health problems from standing at work.' South West TUC says union protection is necessary in a region where 12 employees were killed and 13,000 injured due to their work last year.
Unions raise safety concerns on nuclear sell off
Unions have warned that safety in Britain's nuclear facilities must not be a casualty of government plans to break up and sell off British Nuclear Group (BNG) and establish a new National Nuclear Laboratory. GMB reacted with anger at the announcement by Alistair Darling, the trade and industry secretary, that the government will support the break up of BNG (Risks 277). Gary Smith, GMB national officer for the nuclear industry, said the union was dismayed at the lack of consultation with the community and added: 'It is really bad news for safety and will continue to be opposed by the unions.' He said: 'GMB will not stand by and allow Sellafield to be used as a dumping ground.' Mike Graham, national secretary with Prospect, the union representing engineers and professional staff in BNG, said the union was 'disappointed' with the break up decision. He added: 'It is essential that the new owners are of the same calibre as BNG and have established track records in the fields of health, safety, security and environmental performance. Proven ability at effective change management and good industrial relations will also be vital for the success of the new employers.' Announcing the sell-off, Alistair Darling said he believed 'the best way of securing the right contractor for Sellafield is to proceed with a separate competition with the full focus on what is best at that site.' He said the process would be run by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) 'and the criteria it is setting will include first-rate health, safety, security and environmental performance, and effectiveness as a contractor.'
OTHER NEWS
Campaigns aim to protect young workers
Young workers should be protected in the workplace was the message of events nationwide this week. Among activities to mark this week's Euro Week 'Safe Start' theme was a joint STUC and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conference in Glasgow. STUC development officer Terry Anderson said: 'Young workers are an often undervalued resource in workplaces and quite often little attention is paid to ensuring the transition from education to full or part time employment covers adequate health and safety induction and the need for ongoing training.' Stewart Campbell, HSE director for Scotland, said: 'By raising awareness of important health and safety issues amongst young people we aim to help them start their working careers safely and prevent the beginnings of long term ill-health. Many complaints such as back pain and respiratory disorders develop over a long period of time. By highlighting health and safety risks and good practice early in a person's working life we hope that incidence rates will be reduced overall.' Safety professionals' organisation IOSH is developing its own high profile campaign. It wants employers across the country to use it online Wiseup2work resources as part of induction or work experience preparation and to 'tell teenagers that no job is worth dying for' and to 'give teenagers the confidence and support to speak up at work if they don't feel safe.' IOSH president, Neil Budworth, said: 'If we can get employers to do these three things, not only do we stand a good chance of saving lives, we will very likely save businesses lots of trouble too.' TUC has published a young workers health and safety guide for union safety reps (Risks 276).
- STUC news release. IOSH news release and Wiseup2work website. HSE news release.
- Young workers - a guide for safety representatives, TUC [pdf].
- TUC young workers' webpages. TUC, HSE and European Agency 23-28 October European Week 2006 webpages.
- Hazards young workers news and resources.
Boss fined for teen injuries
The boss of a young worker who suffered horrific injuries when he fell through a roof on a building site has been hit with a £10,000 fine. Stephen Edkins, 19, shattered his wrist and needed plates inserted into his jaw and cheek after the warehouse roof collapsed in September. He was working on a month's contract for Suffolk-based company Portal Power dismantling the warehouse, when he fell through a fragile roof light and dropped seven metres. His boss David Rose appeared before Rugby Magistrates' Court last week. The court heard that Stephen was taken on after just a 10 minute interview and had received no formal training. Magistrates ordered Rose to pay a £10,000 fine, £4,000 compensation and £607 costs. Speaking after the case, Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigating inspector, Alex Nayar, said: 'Companies need to realise the necessity of implementing appropriate safety measures to provide a safe working environment, preventing falls and avoiding injuries.' He added: 'An additional control measure which could have been used, but was not in this case, concerns use of safety nets, which constitute one of the most significant advances in recent years in relation to work of this type.' He said: 'HSE fully endorses their use in this type of situation. Nets are now acknowledged to be an industry standard safety measure across the country, and this has been the case for the past five or six years.'
Asbestos deal agreed - but who will pay?
A US company that has taken control of Equitas, the firm set up by the Lloyd's insurance market to handle billions of pounds in asbestos claims, has substantial interests in the asbestos industry it has been revealed. Berkshire Hathaway has agreed to take over Equitas, set up by Lloyds in 1996 when it was at risk of collapse after making huge payouts to cover a series of natural disasters and pollution claims (Risks 222). Equitas became liable for policies Lloyd's had underwritten up to 1992, but there were concerns that it had been running out of money after paying out £17bn, mostly on asbestos claims. Berkshire Hathaway, the US investment company owned by billionaire Warren Buffett, has agreed to take on Equitas' staff, operations, liabilities and most of its assets. It will also provide up to £3.7bn in reinsurance cover, which essentially insures Equitas against the risk of bigger-than-expected claims. Lloyd's has agreed to contribute £90m as part of the deal. The deal is a risky one for Berkshire Hathaway, but if it can limit the amount it has to pay out to insurance claimants, it can make a huge profit. The International Ban Asbestos Secretariat has raise concerns about the deal, however, because the firm is also the owner of former US asbestos conglomerate Johns-Manville. IBAS coordinator Laurie Kazan-Allen said 'it is ironic to reflect that payouts will be dispensed by a group, amongst whose subsidiaries is one of the world's former asbestos giants. It is not far-fetched to suggest that, given the long latency period of asbestos disease, exposure to hazardous JM asbestos in the 1960s and 1970s has led to many of today's cases of asbestos disease.' She added: 'These days Johns-Manville's asbestos claimants receive a small fraction of the value of their claims; one hopes that claimants against Berkshire Hathaway's new compensation facility will fare better.' Four days after the scheme was announced, the share price for Berkshire Hathaway closed at $100,000 (£53,400), breaking all records for US share values.
Will nano products come off the rails?
If you thought nanotechnology was space age, think again. It could be going down the Tube. Rail union ASLEF reports that Transport for London (TfL) is considering the use of nano-based anti-flu disinfectants on its trains. It is thought the nano product could be applied on an industrial scale in both mainline and tube trains and stations. ASLEF says the high tech disinfectant is currently being introduced onto the Hong Kong metro system by MTR, a company which is part of a consortium bidding for two new UK rail franchises - London Rail and West Midlands. The disinfectant, called nano silver-titanium dioxide coating (NSTDC), is being trialled in Hong Kong and may be used as part of its bid for the new franchises. The special nano coating will be applied to all surfaces touched by the Hong Kong underground's daily 2.5 million commuters, including escalator handrails, the buttons on ticket issuing and other machines and buttons and handrails in lifts. TfL says it is discussing plans for dealing with flu with government and says it is in touch with other metro companies, including the Hong Kong network. Unions have raised concerns that production and use of nano products is increasing dramatically, without sufficient knowledge of how to avoid so far unquantified health risks that might arise from their production and use. TUC has called for a precautionary approach (Risks 276).
- ASLEF news release. MTR news release [pdf].
- Hazards nanotechnology news and resources.
Cancer risk 'higher' for computer factory workers
Staff at computer factories could be at increased risk of contracting cancer because of working environments containing high levels of chemicals, metals and electromagnetic fields, according to findings of a long suppressed US study (Risks 162). IBM has fought for several years to prevent release of the study done by Richard Clapp, a Boston University professor of environmental health (Risks 125). The study analyses data collected by IBM itself on the ages and causes of death of nearly 32,000 people who had worked at IBM and died between 1969 and 2001. IBM has maintained the analysis is 'junk science' that misuses the data, a claim refuted by Dr Clapp who says his interpretation is largely consistent with IBM's own analysis. The differences are explained by flaws in the IBM study, as it failed to take account of the 'healthy worker effect', he said. Dr Clapp got hold of the data, known as IBM's 'Corporate Mortality File,' as an expert witness who analysed it for lawyers in California. They had sued IBM on behalf of a number of workers at a disk-drive plant in San Jose who got cancer. The study looked at death records of men and women who had worked for IBM for five years. Among the 27,272 men who died, there are 7,697 cancer deaths - 'significantly greater' than the 7,206 cancer deaths that were expected based on the national average. Several individual cancers showed particularly high rates compared with national averages, including cancers of the digestive organs, kidneys, brain and central nervous system and malignant melanoma of the skin. Among the 4,669 female deaths, 1,667 were from cancer, which Dr Clapp said was well above the 1,454 that were expected based on national data. Breast cancer, lung cancer, female genital cancer, brain and nervous system cancers rates were all elevated compared with national averages. Occupational health specialists in the UK say the findings should be a warning sign. Professor Andrew Watterson of Stirling University said similar results had been found Scotland's National Semiconductor plant. He said: 'The US study confirms some of the evidence we have seen at Nat Semi. The families of former Nat Semi workers have been calling for years for a Europe-wide or international study into the industry, and this is the next best thing.' Jim McCourt, of Phase Two, a support group for Nat Semi workers, said: 'The scale of this study shows the industry has a real problem, and we would call on the HSE to initiate a UK-wide study.'
- The Herald. The Daily Record. Press and Sun Bulletin. Wall Street Journal. View London.
- Richard W Clapp. Mortality among US employees of a large computer manufacturing company: 1969-2001. Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source 2006, 5:30 [Provisional pdf]
Lidl unsafe as safe falls on worker
Supermarket chain Lidl was fined £75,000 last week after a 1.5 tonne safe fell on top of an employee in a London store. Merton Council prosecuted the company after a deputy manager of Lidl was seriously injured in an accident in November 2004, suffering a broken ankle, severe abdominal injuries, a split liver and damage to his pancreas and bowel. He was hospitalised for four months, initially on life support in intensive care, where he suffered from multiple organ failure. The man, who worked at another branch, had been trying to remove the safe with a pump truck while helping the Morden store to reopen after refurbishment. Lidl pleaded not guilty to safety charges and maintained that it had done enough to ensure no one was at risk from the safe. It added that whoever moved the safe did so without senior management's instruction. The jury at the four-day trial found the company guilty of two safety offences. The judge, Recorder Williams QC, fined the company £75,000 for both offences and ordered Lidl to pay Merton's costs. Michael Carson, from Merton Legal Services, said: 'In sentencing the judge made it clear that the significant fine was meant to sting the senior management and shareholders. The judge reminded the company that it was only as a matter of luck that the Lidl deputy manager had not been killed, as a result of failings under the health and safety legislation.'
Multinational pays £100k for work death
A multinational firm has received a £100,000 fine and has been ordered to pay £32,607 costs following the death of an employee on a West Midlands construction site. Cementation Foundations (Skanska) Limited pleaded guilty last week at Warwick Crown Court to a breach of health and safety legislation. The case, brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), followed its investigation into the death of David Clark, 47, a banksman who was fatally crushed by a piling rig on 29 October 2002. The incident at a construction site in Coleshill was caused by failure of a welded pin, which was critical to the stability of the piling rig. When the part failed, the mast of the rig collapsed on David Clark. Speaking after the case, HSE investigating inspector Carol Southerd said: 'This death was the tragic result of the company's failure to pay enough attention to the quality and reliability of the critical component parts of heavy plant and to the fatal risks associated with those working routinely inside the danger zone of a potential rig collapse or overturn.' She added: 'Preventative maintenance should be managed so as to ensure any replacement of critical parts are of good quality and a thorough investigation is done into the reasons for replacement. Systems of work should be arranged so banksmen, working with piling rigs, are kept in a safe position during machine operation. Banksmen should be trained only to approach the machine for necessary operations at planned safe times.'
HSC building towards new construction regs
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has approved new construction regulations, which are expected to come into effect next spring. The revised Construction (Design and Management) (CDM) Regulations and Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) now need formal approval by ministers before they become law. Richard Boland, the Health and Safety Executive's head of construction policy, said: 'We remain on target for the regulations coming into force in April next year. Over the last four years we have worked in partnership with the industry to simplify and add clarity to construction health and safety law so that risks on site can be properly managed. We will continue to work together to make sure that the new provisions and ACoP improve standards of health and safety management in our industry.' The regulations make explicit what clients should already be doing as a result of existing duties in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Another law, the revised asbestos regulations, which introduce a more strict exposure standard for asbestos work but which attracted flak for excluding textured wall coverings from their scope, take effect on 13 November this year.
- HSE news release. HSE news release on the asbestos regulations.
- HSE construction and asbestos webpages.
Workplace bullying affects one in five
One in five employees has been a victim of bullying or harassment at work in the last two years, according to a new report. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), which carried out the research, said black and Asian employees, women and disabled people were most likely to face the problem. According to the report, 29 per cent of Asian employees or those from other ethnic groups said they had experienced some form of bullying or harassment, compared to 18 per cent of white employees. Some 37 per cent of employees with disabilities said they had come up against bullying, compared with 18 per cent of non-disabled people. Mike Emmott, the CIPD's employee relations adviser, said bullying needed to be taken seriously by employers. 'It can damage individuals' confidence, morale, motivation and sometimes their health, causing them to be less productive and effective at work,' he said. A second study published this week also found people from ethnic minorities were much more likely to be bullied at work. The survey, which focused on three NHS trusts, one police force and a central government department and which was sponsored by the British Occupational Health Research Foundation, found 25 per cent of ethnic minority workers have to put up with abuse at work, compared with 13 per cent of white employees. NHS Employers last week launched a campaign to tackle bullying. National Ban Bullying at Work Day is on 7 November.
- CIPD news release. NHS Employers news release. The Guardian on the CIPD and NHS reports. BBC News Online. Personnel Today.
- National Ban Bullying at Work Day, 7 November.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
USA: BP faces more safety woes
BP expects to pay up to another $400m (£214m) to cover compensation claims arising from the fire at its Texas City refinery last year that killed 15 people and injured over 170. It now puts the total bill, including repairs and lost profits, at around $2bn (£1.07bn). BP has apologised for the disaster, and settled many of the cases brought against it by relatives of those who died. However, many others are still ongoing, including one in which chief executive Lord Browne may have to testify (Risks 278). A BP-convened panel led by the former US secretary of state James Baker, which is reviewing safety at BP's downstream operations to see whether safety could be improved, is scheduled to report in November. The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB), which investigates major industrial accidents, has found that BP failed to investigate eight further incidents at the Texas City refinery, according to BBC Radio 4's File on 4 programme. It further claims that BP failed to adequately maintain instruments and equipment, and that the number of training staff at the plant had been cut by 73 per cent. The CSB concludes that such cost cutting was part of a 25 per cent reduction in fixed costs at the plant from 1998 to 2001, which had a serious impact on maintenance and infrastructure. This echoes claims made by lawyers for the victims of the March 2005 blast, who say this BP-imposed cuts package is something about which Lord Browne should be questioned in court. Announcing its results for the third quarter this week, BP said its profits had dropped 3.6 per cent because of production difficulties, but added: 'Compared with a year ago, the refining and marketing result, excluding Texas City, reflects strong operating performance.'
USA: Asbestos campaign goes into cyberspace
A top US asbestos disease campaign organisation has launched an online awareness campaign designed to spread the word about the dangers of asbestos. The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) says the initiative is built around a 'powerful' educational video that can be easily forwarded via email. ADAO says through a 'viral marketing' effect, the email ad aims to save lives by raising awareness about the widespread use of asbestos, which is not banned in the US and currently claims at least 10,000 US lives annually. 'Many people do not realise that asbestos continues to permeate our lives and that it is not banned in the United States, making this kind of educational email-driven campaign more important than ever,' said ADAO executive director Linda Reinstein. Paul Zygielbaum, who is featured in the video, is fighting asbestos cancer. 'I think of myself as a survivor and I don't think I'll be a victim until I give up fighting,' he said. 'However, it's a very difficult diagnosis and it never goes away. I am committed to working with ADAO to help educate others and hopefully, ultimately find a cure - so that no one else has to go through what I and my family continue to endure.'
- ADAO 'Survivor' video . ADAO website .
- International Ban Asbestos Secretariat. Hazards asbestos webpages .
- More from the Environmental Working Group on the US asbestos disease epidemic
EVENTS AND COURSES
Workplace bullying conference, 14 December, Edinburgh
A one-day bullying in the workplace conference on 14 December, supported by the anti-bullying charity the Andrea Adams Trust, will look at: how workplace bullying can be tackled; human resources strategies to eradicate workplace bullying; the effects of workplace bullying on individuals and organisations; government action to address workplace bullying; and trade unions strategies and workplace bullying.
- Bullying in the workplace conference , 14 December 2006, Edinburgh. Further details email or telephone 0131 272 2130.
TUC courses for safety reps
COURSES FOR SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2006
USEFUL LINKS
- Visit the TUC http://www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/ website pages on health and safety. See what's on offer from TUC Publications and What's On in health and safety.
- Subscribe to Hazards magazine, supported by the TUC as a key source of information for union safety reps.
- What's new in the HSC/E and the European Agency.
- HSE Books , PO Box 1999, Sudbury, Suffolk CO10 2WA. Tel: 01787 881165; fax: 01787 313995
Newsletter (5,800 words) issued 27 Oct 2006
