Latest News 2012

 Health & Safety News January 2012

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Changes to HSE Procedures and Regulations

Did you realise that HSE's Infoline telephone service (which provided a basic information service to callers) has ended?

Are you prepared for the RIDDOR changes in April this year? 

From 6 April 2012, subject to Parliamentary approval, RIDDOR’s over three day injury reporting requirement will change. From then the trigger point will increase from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation.

Did you realise that from the 12th September last year only fatal and major injuries and incidents will be able to be reported by phone to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)?  All other work-related injuries and incidents reportable under RIDDOR must now be reported online.

Have you updated your policies and procedures to reflect these changes?

Please call our office on 01204 597454 or email sales@onestopsafetyservices.co.uk for more information or advice about these changes may affect you.

Independent Regulatory Challenge Panel Launched 5 January 2012

An independent panel to consider challenges to health and safety regulatory advice is now established.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is supporting the new panel, which will look into issues raised by business where they believe a HSE or local authority health and safety inspector has given advice that is incorrect or disproportionate. The panel will not look at issues where other independent appeals processes exist, such as for enforcement notices or prosecutions.

The Löfstedt Review

Professor Löfstedt’s independent report “Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety regulation” was published 28 November on the DWP website.

The Government has announced that it is committed to simplifying health and safety guidance for small businesses by the summer in 2012, as well as ensuring that properly managed low-risk businesses need no longer be visited by inspectors.

The Government has by and large accepted its recommendations, and has said it will ensure that by the summer of 2012:

• Health and safety guidance for small businesses will be much simpler than before;

• Businesses will get simple and consistent guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, professional bodies and insurers on whether or not they need to consider expert health and safety advice;

• Low-risk businesses that manage responsibilities properly will no longer be visited by inspectors; and

• Legislation will be brought forward to abolish the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.

Health and Safety Executive press releases 2012 - North West

January

13/01/12: Liverpool businessman fined £112k over roof fall death - A Liverpool businessman has been fined £112,000 after a labourer died following a fall from the roof of an industrial unit, just months after another worker was injured in a fall at the same site.

12/01/12: Lancashire roofer caught on camera risking lives - A Lancashire roofer has been prosecuted after he and two employees were spotted on a shop roof without any protection to stop them falling.

06/01/12: Landlord prosecuted after Blackburn family put at risk - A landlord has been fined after he failed to make sure gas safety checks were carried out at a house in Blackburn, putting a family of eight at risk.

See the HSE website for full details on these stories

Please call our office on 01204 597454 or email sales@onestopsafetyservices.co.uk for more information or advice on any of these subjects and how they may affect you and your business.