Welcome to the December edition of the health and safety update. We are finally in the Christmas spirit now that it is December, despite Christmas music and presents having been in the shops since October. Bah humbug.

It is also Christmas party season so whatever your preferred way of marking the occasion, keep safety in mind. In between the Christmas festivities we thought we would take some time to reflect on the major health and safety news of the past year and what is on the health and safety agenda for 2010.

In 2009 the recession dominated, with many businesses coming up against increasing pressure to streamline their operations, and concern from the HSE that this would lead to the health and safety of employees being compromised. The recession has undoubtedly had an effect, but what this is will take some time to show. The most recently released HSE statistics show that Britain has become an even safer place to work and remains a leader in Europe. However, Judith Hackitt has reminded business that a challenge faces us all in ensuring that this good performance is not compromised in the upturn we may see next year, as traditionally is the case.

Businesses were not the only ones having to make tough decisions in allocating resources as this is something that HSE itself had to face. Their new strategy committed to direct their resources where they can get the best returns. But the strategy made little reference to the changing landscape in relation to health and safety legislation and the corresponding impact on prosecutions with the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 coming into force, so its impact will remain to be seen.

It was a disappointing year for those awaiting a decision from the government on pleural plaques with this being deferred using the standard line that the government “continue to look at what we can do on pleural plaques”.

So what will 2010 bring for health and safety?

We await the HSE’s decision on whether they will ask the government to consider imposing duties on directors and the Sentencing Guidelines Council guideline on the imposition of fines for corporate manslaughter and health and safety offences that cause death. The first company charged with corporate manslaughter will also come to trial.

As a final thought we remind everyone to reflect on those health and safety issues Santa faces this Christmas - manual handling heavy presents, workplace equipment issues with Rudolf and friends, and work at height hazards whilst negotiating roofs and chimneys!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.

In this issue:

Safety at Christmas parties

It is Christmas party season and we are all gearing up for the obligatory work Christmas party. A time to let your hair down and for employers to reward staff for their work over the past year, which has been a particularly challenging one. More...

Statistics recently published by HSE for 2008/09 show that there has been a significant reduction in the number of people killed, injured or suffering work related ill health. More...

The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has recently published its report into patient accidents within the NHS between 12 October 2008 and 31 March 2009. More...

As reported in last month’s edition, the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) is currently consulting on its sentencing guideline for cases of corporate manslaughter and offences under health and safety legislation that cause death. More...

1st Response Roofing Limited is the first company to be fined under the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008. They were fined £23,500 and ordered to pay £3,452 costs following an incident where one of their employees fell nearly four metres and sustained serious head injuries. More...

The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is launching a new smart card at the end of the year in a bid to reduce the number of fraudulent cards in circulation. More...

Sickness absence traditionally increases over the winter period with people catching coughs, colds and flu which they just cannot seem to shake. We may even see another surge of swine flu. More..

On 4 November 2009, Tulip Limited was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay £29,523 costs following an accident where one of their employees crushed three of their fingers after putting their hand into a packing machine. More...

With the increased packaging and wrapping paper generated over Christmas, spare a thought for the safety of those who dispose of our waste. More...

Contacts

We hope you find this update both informative and interesting. If you wish to discuss any of the items raised in this month’s briefing, or require specific assistance please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team.

The information contained within this Newsletter is for general guidance only and represents our understanding of Health and Safety law and practice. Vizards Wyeth cannot be held responsible for any action or inaction taken in reliance upon the contents. Specific advice should be taken on any individual matter.

If you no longer wish to receive these updates, please click here and you will be removed from our mailing list.


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		Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas!

	Welcome to the December edition of the health and safety update. We are finally in the Christmas spirit now that it is December, despite Christmas music and presents having been in the shops since October. Bah humbug. It is also Christmas party season so whatever your preferred way of marking the occasion, keep safety in mind. In between the Christmas festivities we thought we would take some time to reflect on the major health and safety news of the past year and what is on the health and safety agenda for 2010. In 2009 the recession dominated, with many businesses coming up against increasing pressure to streamline their operations, and concern from the HSE that this would lead to the health and safety of employees being compromised. The recession has undoubtedly had an effect, but what this is will take some time to show. The most recently released HSE statistics show that Britain has become an even safer place to work and remains a leader in Europe. However, Judith Hackitt has reminded business that a challenge faces us all in ensuring that this good performance is not compromised in the upturn we may see next year, as traditionally is the case. Businesses were not the only ones having to make tough decisions in allocating resources as this is something that HSE itself had to face. Their new strategy committed to direct their resources where they can get the best returns. But the strategy made little reference to the changing landscape in relation to health and safety legislation and the corresponding impact on prosecutions with the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 coming into force, so its impact will remain to be seen. It was a disappointing year for those awaiting a decision from the government on pleural plaques with this being deferred using the standard line that the government “continue to look at what we can do on pleural plaques”. So what will 2010 bring for health and safety? We await the HSE’s decision on whether they will ask the government to consider imposing duties on directors and the Sentencing Guidelines Council guideline on the imposition of fines for corporate manslaughter and health and safety offences that cause death. The first company charged with corporate manslaughter will also come to trial. As a final thought we remind everyone to reflect on those health and safety issues Santa faces this Christmas - manual handling heavy presents, workplace equipment issues with Rudolf and friends, and work at height hazards whilst negotiating roofs and chimneys! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone. In this issue: Safety at Christmas parties It is Christmas party season and we are all gearing up for the obligatory work Christmas party. A time to let your hair down and for employers to reward staff for their work over the past year, which has been a particularly challenging one. More... New Health and Safety statistics Statistics recently published by HSE for 2008/09 show that there has been a significant reduction in the number of people killed, injured or suffering work related ill health. More... Health and Safety in the health sector The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) has recently published its report into patient accidents within the NHS between 12 October 2008 and 31 March 2009. More... Sentencing guideline update As reported in last month’s edition, the Sentencing Guidelines Council (SGC) is currently consulting on its sentencing guideline for cases of corporate manslaughter and offences under health and safety legislation that cause death. More... First fine under the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 1st Response Roofing Limited is the first company to be fined under the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008. They were fined £23,500 and ordered to pay £3,452 costs following an incident where one of their employees fell nearly four metres and sustained serious head injuries. More... New smart CSCS cards The Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) is launching a new smart card at the end of the year in a bid to reduce the number of fraudulent cards in circulation. More... Sick leave? Annual leave? Sickness absence traditionally increases over the winter period with people catching coughs, colds and flu which they just cannot seem to shake. We may even see another surge of swine flu. More.. Food manufacturer fined after hand crush On 4 November 2009, Tulip Limited was fined £65,000 and ordered to pay £29,523 costs following an accident where one of their employees crushed three of their fingers after putting their hand into a packing machine. More... Waste and Recycling With the increased packaging and wrapping paper generated over Christmas, spare a thought for the safety of those who dispose of our waste. More... HSE Asbestos campaign At the end of October the HSE launched its campaign to tackle the ongoing hazard presented by working with asbestos. More... Thames Valley Police fined for health and safety inadequacies Thames Valley Police have been fined £40,000 following an incident where an employee was shot during firearms training. More... Remember myth busting The HSE is reminding employers this month that putting Christmas decorations up in the workplace is not banned as long as it is done safely. More... HSE sends out warning following chemical burn Following the successful prosecution of Anglo Adhesives and Services Ltd, the HSE has issued a warning to remind those of the dangers of working with chemicals. More... Contacts We hope you find this update both informative and interesting. If you wish to discuss any of the items raised in this month’s briefing, or require specific assistance please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team. Health and Safety Team Partners Crispin Kenyon 020 7903 5780 ck@vizardswyeth.com Fiona East 020 7903 5670 fme@vizardswyeth.com David Johnson 020 7903 5793 dj@vizardswyeth.com Want to send this newsletter to a friend? Click here The information contained within this Newsletter is for general guidance only and represents our understanding of Health and Safety law and practice. Vizards Wyeth cannot be held responsible for any action or inaction taken in reliance upon the contents. Specific advice should be taken on any individual matter. If you no longer wish to receive these updates, please click here and you will be removed from our mailing list. © Copyright Vizards Wyeth 2009 Picture © Howard Sandler - Fotolia.com

In this issue: Safety at Christmas parties New Health and Safety statistics Health and Safety in the health sector Sentencing guidelines update First fine under the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 New smart CSCS cards Sick leave? Annual leave? Food manufacturer fined after hand crush Waste and Recycling HSE Asbestos campaign Thames Valley Police Fined for Health and Safety inadequacies Remember myth busting HSE sends out warning following chemical burn


			December 09