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Risks

issue no 65 - 3 August 2002

Editor: Rory O'Neill of Hazards magazine. Comments to Owen Tudor.

CONTENTS

Risks is the TUC’s weekly online bulletin for safety reps and others, read each week by over 4,500 subscribers and 1,000 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. The TUC website lists future health and safety events in What’s On - new events are covered below.

UNION NEWS

Safety highlighted at Congress

Safety issues feature prominently on the agenda of this year’s TUC Congress. The annual meeting of delegates from the TUC’s 70 plus affiliated trades unions representing nearly 7 million workers, in Blackpool from 9-12 September, always features a session on workplace safety and sets policy pointers for coming activities and campaigns. This year specific motions deal with: the safety of community and district nurses working alone; a call from physiotherapists’ union CSP for a national alcohol strategy; a Society of Radiographers call for continued campaigning on strain injuries prevention; and a licensing system for cabin crew staff, sought by the Association of Flight Attendants. A motion from Accord congratulates TUC on its rehabilitation campaign (Risks 64), and says unions should urge 'the Health and Safety Executive to ‘keep the door open’ to the possibility that, in order to promote rehabilitation, a mandatory policy may be needed.' Construction UCATT calls for curbs on dangerous casual labour.

Violence against shop staff on the increase

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw is pressing for better security measures and is urging members not to 'have a go' after latest figures revealed a massive upturn in violent attacks. Figures released by employers’ group, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), showed that on average seven out of every 1,000 staff were subject to physical violence. With around 2.7 million people employed in this sector, this means more than 19,250 shopworkers were attacked in 2001. Tackling suspected shoplifters accounted for two-thirds of the incidents. Usdaw deputy general secretary John Hannett said: 'I want to remind our members not ‘to have a go’. Their safety is the most important part of any business and I urge all retail staff to join Usdaw’s ongoing campaign to improve the security measures employed by retailers. Usdaw has campaigned long and hard to increase the use of CCTV and security guards. We have also continually warned against the increased risk to staff working alone.' The union has reached workplace violence agreements with some employers, but says more needs to be done.

TGWU underground football campaign win

TGWU Scotland has ensured the views of workers at Glasgow Underground will, for the first time, be considered in the annual review of service arrangements relating to the football season. The union says it has pushed management at Strathclyde Passenger Transport to ensure that workers’ concerns, particularly on safety issues, are heard meetings involving underground management, Strathclyde Police and Glasgow Rangers FC Operations. After the company accepted the union should participate in planning meetings, union regional industrial organiser, Danny Sharpe, welcomed 'the opportunity to take part in these important discussions as we have an important and valuable role to play.' He added: 'It is vital that the views of the workers on the frontline are taken into consideration regarding the new arrangements for this year’s football season, particularly in regard to health and safety issues, and we look forward to a constructive and meaningful dialogue with all those involved.'

Amicus welcomes HSE work equipment guide

Amicus has applauded the HSE's new guidance on reducing the risks of injury from using work equipment. The new guide, Using work equipment safely, gives practical advice on how to select, use and maintain equipment, including machinery. Chris Ball, national secretary in Amicus, said: 'Using equipment correctly cuts the time and effort involved in completing any job of work. Having the right tool for the job is essential, it makes working easier and safer and it gives a far better result, whatever the job is. Workers should always demand this.' He added: 'Accidents cause human suffering and cost money, for example in lost working hours, insurance premiums and fines. By using safe and well-maintained equipment operated by competent staff, employers can prevent accidents and reduce these personal and financial costs.'

OTHER NEWS

Campaign wins asbestos compo reform

A two year campaign by MPs, the TUC and asbestos disease victims’ groups has won better treatment of the victims of the fatal asbestos cancer, mesothelioma. Since 29 July, mesothelioma victims claiming Industrial Injury Disablement Benefit have been eligible for a 100 per cent disablement assessment award automatically. The changes also mean that if they can’t sue their employer for compensation and need to use the government’s no-fault Pneumoconiosis Scheme, they will get the full lump sum of up to £50,000 rather than a fraction based on level of disability at the time of claim - victims’ health deteriorate quick, with few living more than two years after diagnosis. The medical assessments process been also been streamlined. The changes were campaigned for by the All Party Parliamentary Occupational Safety and Health Group asbestos sub-committee, which brings together MPs, Peers, trade unions, victims’ self-help groups and their lawyers. All Party Group Chair, Michael Clapham MP said the changes 'will deliver dignity to dying people and much needed extra money for people in desperate straits…Campaigns can make a difference and deliver real improvements for asbestos victims.'

  • News release from the All Party Parliamentary Occupational Safety and Health Group

Shorter lunches, fewer holidays, more sick leave

The average British worker takes less than half an hour for lunch, does not take his or her full holiday entitlement, and has 10 sick days a year off work, according to three separate surveys of working life. Champions of the British worker are likely to use the surveys to suggest that employees are being pushed too hard, and in many cases beyond their limits of physical and mental endurance. But others may argue that workers protest too much, pointing out that stricter monitoring of employee absence tends to reduce days lost through sickness. Some labour market experts have claimed that hard-driving employers are damaging employees' health. Official statistics suggest the average full-time working week has hovered around 39 hours over the past decade, but survey evidence from the Economic and Social Research Council suggests that almost half of men and a third of women frequently worked extra hours on top of their basic week. The surveys, all published in the last week, were from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development, business caterer Eurest and employment agency Reed.co.uk.

Woman jailed for assaulting teacher

A woman has been jailed for three months for assaulting a pregnant teacher during an argument over the price of a school trip. Deborah Broad, a mother of three, was told by the judge that teachers had to be protected from such assaults. The court heard that in July last year, Mrs Broad went to the school because she was angry at being asked to pay a further £1.50 towards a trip that had already cost £4. She hit one of the teachers, who was five months pregnant, in the face and on the shoulder. The judge said teachers had the right to feel protected on school premises and anyone who assaulted them must face stiff penalties. The Department for Education and Skills last month launched a poster campaign in England's schools warning parents they faced prosecution if they threatened or abused staff, with the government wanting to be seen to be supporting a "zero tolerance" attitude towards violence in schools. Union NASUWT and education minister Estelle Morris both welcomed the jailing.

Hairdressers at risk for underweight babies

Hairdressers are more likely to have babies that are either born small or with major birth defects, suggests research in the August issue of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Over 7,000 Swedish hairdressers who had gained their diploma at major hairdressing schools between 1970 and 1995 were monitored. A comparison group in other occupations was also monitored. Although there was no clear link between individual exposure and birth defects, frequent perming and spraying during pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of having a small for dates baby, say the authors. The authors conclude that while the risk seems to be moderate, hairspray contains chemicals, such as ethanol and acetone, that have sometimes been linked to reduced birth weight. The authors recommend that protective gloves should be worn and that steps should be taken to ensure proper ventilation throughout salons, but especially in mixing areas.

Safety dosh for small firm OSH

The HSE has launched the Small Firms Assistance Scheme (SFAS), a pilot grant scheme designed to help small firms improve their health and safety performance. The scheme will run until May 2003 and will be operated on behalf of HSE by the Small Business Service and Business Links. It will operate in three regions - West Yorkshire, Essex, and Devon and Cornwall. The scheme will operate on a matched-funding basis. Judith Donovan, CBE, Health and Safety Commissioner for small firms, said: "This scheme is designed to take the mystery out of health and safety by improving small firms' awareness and understanding of the issues. It is intended to generate sustained benefits by providing mentoring and training to encourage good practice and compliance with the law." Eligible small firms will have access of up to 50 per cent funding (to a maximum of £1,000), with the remainder of the cost being met by the firms themselves. The grants are for safety awareness seminars, mentoring and training initiatives.

  • HSE news release including local contact telephone numbers for grants information

Minister announces fire safety reform proposals

Fire safety minister Chris Leslie has published a consultation document aimed at simplifying, rationalising and consolidating fire safety law. He said: "The government is committed to fire safety and the modernisation of legislation will significantly reduce the burden on businesses throughout the country." The reform of fire safety legislation will mean businesses will no longer be required to obtain a fire certificate - and pay the administration fees to fire authorities to obtain a certificate. The minister says this will save business £1.7million a year, adding that although fire authorities will no longer issue fire certificates, they will continue to inspect premises and ensure that fire precautions are adequate. It says by focusing on the reduction of risk, there will be an estimated saving of between £45m and £110m from a reduction in the number of fires.

HSC progress report on train protection

The HSC has published a second progress report on how the railway industry has responded to the 39 recommendations made on trade protection systems by Professor Uff and Lord Cullen in March 2001. Bill Callaghan, HSC chair, said: "HSC welcomes the general progress in implementing measures to reduce signals passed at danger (SPADs). I am particularly pleased with the way in which the 1999 Railway Safety Regulations have worked in achieving an agreed programme for fitting the Train Protection and Warning System (TPWS). We are now reaching a point in the TPWS fitment programme where significant safety benefits are being obtained."

New railway operators safety guide

The HSE has published a new guide to help duty holders in the railway industry to meet their responsibilities under the Railways (Interoperability) (High-Speed) Regulations 2002, which came into force on 16 May 2002. The new guide is for duty holders - called 'contracting entities' in the Regulations - and other organisations involved in placing new or upgraded structural subsystems (ie. works, plant or equipment) into service on the UK's high-speed rail network. The guidance follows a series of deadly incidents on the UK’s rail system, and was prompted by an EU directive.

INTERNATIONAL

Australia: Workers sick of bullying

Bullies roaming offices and factory floors have prompted the New South Wales union movement and a leading employees' health body to begin drawing up a workplace anti-bullying policy. The NSW Labor Council and the Workers Health Centre in Sydney want the policy included in any new enterprise agreements and enforced by the Industrial Relations Commission. Workers Health Centre director Peggy Trompf said the centre received dozens of pleas for help from bullied workers each year and the number of victims was rising. Ms Trompf said the number of distressing stories prompted her and the Labor Council to start creating an anti-bullying policy that unions could ask to be put into new enterprise agreements.

Australia: Work causes bad blood pressure

A retired airman's three-year battle to prove his stressful job left him with permanent high blood pressure may have wide ramifications for how Australian employers treat workers. Eric Nothard, 61, suffered a stroke in 1999 that his doctor said was the result of high blood pressure, or hypertension. The hypertension had been diagnosed 23 years earlier when in the services, so after his stroke Mr Nothard applied for workers’ compensation. His case was rejected by an expert panel that said there was no proof that workplace stress caused hypertension. He appealed to a specialist government medical panel that, after examining the latest research findings, ruled that a link did exist. Murray Esler, a member of the review panel and a cardiologist who heads the Baker Medical Research Institute's research on hypertension, said: "This judgment is very specific in saying occupational stress is one proven cause of high blood pressure. That really does cross a boundary." He added: "It clearly goes beyond the military. It's the typical job of someone who works long and hard without any control over their work targets."

Canada: Thallium victims still suffering

Dozens of Canadian smelter workers poisoned with toxic thallium are still waiting to hear if the deaths of two colleagues are related to the exposures. The workers were poisoned last year at the Teck Cominco smelter in Trail, British Colombia. The two who died, both in their 40s, were among a group exposed to thallium during maintenance work. Worker Carey Bagg said: "It hasn't been nice, no, money-wise and everything but at least I'm still alive." Bagg had the highest level of thallium of 200 people tested - 27 times higher than occupational health and safety standards. He has suffered from diarrhoea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath and memory loss since the incident at the smelter. Teck Cominco was fined $270,000 (£108,500) by the provincial Workers' Compensation Board after 65 men tested positive for the toxic metal after doing repair and maintenance work on a boiler and furnace. About 200 workers were tested after many complained of diarrhoea, sore throat and nausea. The smelter was immediately shut down.

China: Mine deaths and labour abuses continue

Government promises of strong action to deal with China’s catastrophic mine safety record will amount to little unless labour abuses and rights violations cease. July’s monthly news review from the independent China Labour Bulletin, says: 'The message is clear: business as usual after some scapegoats are made to round off the whole matter!' It says occasional high profile prosecutions and the closure of small mines will have little impact when 'at the root of the safety problem is the fact that the miners are denied the right to protect themselves against hazardous working conditions, and the official trade union is ineffective in safety prevention.' The reviews says that although the officially sanctioned union federation ACFTU is now given the legal right to intervene in health and safety issues, it 'has failed to protect the miners… Denied the legal protection to exercise the rights accorded to them, and the basic workers’ right to organise themselves, miners in China are forced to risk their life in the game of Russian roulette.' Independent trade unions are outlawed.

Germany: Tougher workplace smoking rules

The German government has approved new regulations to limit smoking in workplaces that will 'significantly improve' the rights of non-smokers, according to the Federal health ministry. When the new regulation takes effect in about two weeks, employers will be 'required to take necessary measures to ensure that non-smoking employees are not exposed to health damaging tobacco smoke.' However, the regulation will not cover restaurants, bars and some other business that are open to the public, leaving some of the highest risk occupations unprotected. Health minister Ulla Schmidt said in a statement: 'We have succeeded in the long overdue task of creating legal clarity for non-smoker protection of workers and have considerably strengthened the legal position of non-smoking workers.' Meanwhile, US veterinarian Dr Antony Moore says exposure to second hand smoke is linked to the most common kind of cancer in cats. He said: 'I think there are a lot of people who might not quit smoking for themselves or their family. But they might for their cats.'

Greece/Australia: Unions demand Olympic deaths action

Australian building workers are taking a stand for their Greek colleagues who are finding work on the Athens Olympics a perilous exercise. Greek unions had already taken industrial action over safety concerns when the death toll reached four workers (Risks 63). Now a fifth site worker has died. The escalating death toll has promoted Australian construction union CFMEU and the New South Wales Labor Council to give the Greek government an ultimatum: work with Greek construction unions to avoid further casualties or endure public protests over the shoddy safety record. Representatives have met with the Greek Consul General. NSW Labor Council's Chris Christodoulou says that while he welcomes the fact that the Consulate is 'talking with us' the Greek government must treat unions with the same respect they were afforded during construction of the Sydney Olympics. The Australian union bodies say that while one worker died during construction of the Sydney Olympics site, the overall standard achieved in relation to workplace safety was best practice. All sites had effective delegates and safety representatives.

Ukraine: Mine action pledge after 20 more die

Twenty miners have died in an eastern Ukraine coal mine explosion. The latest tragedy at the Zasiadko mine in Donetsk was the third fatal mining accident in Ukraine in July. Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma responded with a promise to close down all unsafe mines: 'I have instructed the Prosecutor-General's office and security services to check if mines respect security norms. If it is not the case, they will be shut down,' Mr Kuchma said. 'We don't need coal at this price.' On 7 July, 35 coal workers were killed in a fire, and on 21 July a methane blast killed six miners and injured 18. Funding cuts since the break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 have made the situation worse, reports say. An average 300 miners die each year in the industry, and about 150 have died so far this year.

RESOURCES

GMB surfing for safety

GMB’s new 'surfing for safety' guide says union safety reps should see the internet as 'an invaluable source of health and safety information.' GMB gives these 'action points for safety reps': negotiate an agreement for free internet use in your workplace in order to access health and safety information to assist you in your role as a safety representative; and visit the sites recommended and build up your resources on health and safety issues. TUC and Hazards top the list of 'excellent' sites.

HSE campaigns webpages

The HSE says the 'campaigns section' of its website has been improved and now includes all of the Worksmart videos for online viewing, and Trackoff railway safety video and poster downloads aimed at teenagers, 'and many other useful links and downloads to support our current campaign strategies.' You’ll find details of other HSE campaigns - on roofing, asbestos, farm and construction safety, for example - and details of conferences and events.

Health threats from the "changing world of work"

Decentralisation, teleworking and other trends in work, including the growing use of short-term employment contracts, could increase accident rates and other occupational safety and health problems, according to two new reports from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

EVENTS

Only newly announced events, events next week and very important events will be listed here in future. But there is a comprehensive listing of health and safety events on the TUC website - bookmark it for easy reference!

National Simon Jones Campaign film tour, until 11 August

Groups across the country have got together to organise a unique film tour highlighting the dangers of increasing casualisation in the workplace. The film Not this time - the story of the Simon Jones Memorial Campaign chronicles the death of Simon Jones on his first day as a casual worker - and the fightback.

Hazards 2002, National Hazards Conference, 6-8 September

The National Hazards Conference will be held in Manchester for the second year running. Further details from Greater Manchester Hazards Centre. There is a financial appeal to keep registration costs down, backed by the TUC.

European Week of Health and Safety 2002, 14-21 October

This year’s week will take place in Britain from 14 October, on the theme of stress - there is a special page on the TUC website devoted to the week. Unions and union branches planning Euroweek activities should contact the TUC’s stress week co-ordination team at Worksafe, tel. 01535 664462, with details of what they are doing and what support they would like. More background: European Agency and HSE Euroweek webpages.

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.

TUC courses for safety reps

COURSES FOR SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER:

Midlands, North, North West, Scotland, South East and East Anglia, South West, Wales, Yorkshire and Humberside

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 (4,100 words) issued 5 Aug 2002

This page http://www.tuc.org.uk/workplace/tuc-5350-f0.cfm
printed 23 May 2012 at 09:10 hrs by 38.107.179.231