Fire Risk Assessment

The fire in a block of flats in Camberwell, south-east London on the evening of Friday 3rd July 2009 is a wakeup call to all of us about the dangers of fire.

This tragic incident, in which 6 people died, is a grim warning of just how unforgiving fire can be when it gets out of control.

Employers have a legal duty to safeguard their employees and others who may be affected by their business activities. This responsibility is never greater than when considering fire safety.

Fire safety begins with a Fire Risk Assessment. If you don't have one, you need one as quickly as possible. If you have one, it needs to be kept up to date and checked that all findings have been actioned. Read on to learn what is involved.


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Swine Flu Update

The number of confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK has now risen to more than 2,700. Although most symptoms have been relatively mild, over 30 people were admitted to hospital with the infection.

Come the autumn, when flu viruses tend to spread more rapidly, we might still see a considerable increase in cases, which may occur alongside infections from normal flu that routinely occur as we approach the colder months. . .

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HSE Recruits Additional Construction Inspectors

The Construction industry continues to display one of the worst health and safety records in the UK. This is more than mere statistics – it is the reality of dozens of lives lost every year, with many more serious injuries and families devastated.

Whilst the work may have its inherent dangers, far too many accidents are the result of clear disregard for the most basic standards of health and safety.

The Health and Safety Executive is determined to improve the industry's safety record by increasing its capacity to carry out inspections of building sites.

The HSE recently announced . . .


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Freight Transport - Unsafe Loads

A recent survey by the HSE and VOSA highlighted the hazards faced by all road users from freight vehicles that are incorrectly loaded.

Although the survey only involved a few vehicles, the HSE considered the results to be alarming and are planning to launch a campaign later this year that will be aimed at those responsible for loading and unloading vehicles.

As such they represent something or a wakeup call to anyone with responsibilities for freight transport - however large or small.

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Corporate Manslaughter Act - First Case

The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act has been in force since April 2008. In April 2009, almost a year later, the first company has been charged under the Act.

The case concerns a Junior Geologist who lost his life whilst working on a construction site at Brimscombe Lane, near Stroud in Gloucestershire.

If found guilty under the Act, the company faces an unlimited fine and a Director of the firm, who is also charged with manslaughter, could face life imprisonment.

However, we have yet to see if the charge of Corporate Manslaughter will be successful in this case.

The case is scheduled to be heard at Stroud Magistrates court on Wednesday 17th June, when undoubtedly it will attract yet more publicity.

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Swine Flu

We are at the beginning of Spring and the media is full of stories about Influenza. Somehow it just doesn't seem right but it is, nonetheless, a serious issue - potentially very serious.

For reasons that are not yet clear, Mexico appears to be suffering more than any other country from this Swine Flu epidemic. The death toll has already exceeded 150 and there are many more confirmed sufferers.

Two cases have been confirmed in the UK and the UN has stated that the epidemic cannot be contained, so we can expect to see more.

So what should employers be doing now in advance?

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Hands-Free Phone User Prosecuted

Since 2003 it has been illegal to use a hand-held phone whilst driving. In 2007 the penalties were increased so that you now risk a fixed fine of 60GBP and 3 penalty points on your licence.

The law explicitly applies to hand-held phones and most drivers feel safe when using hands-free equipment. However, in our last newsletter on this topic, we pointed out that even when using hands-free, a driver could be convicted of careless or even dangerous driving.

In a recent, quite high-profile case, a driver has been prosecuted after a fatal accident that involved use of hands-free kit.

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