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| HSE News | |||||||||
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1 in 10 London workplaces at risk of falls from height HSE inspectors visited 494 workplaces across London and 47 notices were served aimed at improving working at height (equivalent to one in ten). This is a new initiative designed to reduce accidents at work from falls, which is the single biggest cause of accidents in the workplace. Places visited included schools, bus garages and public and private hospitals. Improvement notices require employers to carry out correct risk assessments, as well as carrying out routine safety checks on equipments such as ladders. A new document has been published with comprehensive details about the legal responsibilities for employers surrounding driving at work. For a copy of this document in pdf format, please check the Heales new internal site, www.heales.com/hminternal.htm. A new discussion document has been published seeking information on first aid at work. The documents poses questions such as, does current legislation provide the easiest and most cost effective way for employers to provide first aid at work? Also why do many employers have trouble understanding their responsibilities under the legislation? The document can be found at The document will be published in January. Many employers are now starting to recognise workplace stress as a valid Health and Safety issue. A new guidance stress policy can be found on the HSE site at http://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/walkthrough/policy.pdf |
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Mobile phone use in cars must be monitored by employers Legislation is being brought to force which holds employers responsible for employees using mobile phones whilst driving. From December 2003, employers must now provide hands-free kits and cradles to all mobile phone users. It is no longer acceptable for someone to be holding the mobile phone in their hand whilst driving. This ensures that distractions are kept to a minimum. Employers must show they have taken all reasonable measures to educate their employees as to the risk of accidents whilst driving and using mobiles. |
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| WHO News | |||||||||
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WHO highlights CVD risk to women The WHO launched the results of the largest ever collaboration to study heart disease. The launch was timed to coincide with World Heart Day on 28th September, who's themes aimed to draw attention to the fact that cardiovascular disease is not only a mens health problem. Heart attacks and strokes are responsible for twice as many deaths in women as all cancers combined.
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| Other News | |||||||||
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Hep A vaccines may protect for longer Hepatitis A vaccines elicit immune memory which persists even after the loss of detectable antibodies in the blood, according to research in “The Lancet”. The long term protection conferred by the vaccine was reviewed in different populations, and it was found that in healthy individuals, there may be no need for a booster. These findings would not apply to individuals whose immune system had been compromised. |
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Generic testing in the workplace? A news article in the “British Medical Journal” detailed a report calling for changes in the law to prevent employers discriminating on the basis of genetic tests. The report looked at genetic tests that may be used for employment purposes and the evidence from research conducted linking genetic factors to occupational illnesses. Tests include susceptibility to particular chemicals and radiation, however, the reliability of such tests are insufficient to predict whether or not individuals are at risk. However, many employers have expressed desires to use these tests as a method of pre-employment screening. In a survey carried out by the Institute of Directors in 2000, 50% of employers thought it would be acceptable to carry out genetic tests to determine if employees are susceptible to occupational diseases arising from exposure in the workplace. If such tests were used by employers, many existing employees would be in danger of losing their jobs to prevent large numbers of work-related illnesses. The BMJ report points out that hazards in the workplace can affect all workers, not just those with “bad” genetic test results. Current UK law states that the exclusion of employees due to genetic test results could be construed as effort to protect the health and safety of workers. Such employees cannot claim protection under the Disability Discrimination Act as they do not display any symptoms. The report concludes that more emphasis should be placed on the control and reduction of hazards in the workplace, not seeking to exclude those employees who may suffer more as a result of the hazards. |
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Another BMJ news report detailed how heavy drinking is costing the NHS up to £1.7 billion per year. The total costs to the UK as a whole, including absenteeism and alcohol related crime costs up to £20 billion, nearly three times as much as the estimated £7 billion received by the government each year in excise duty from alcohol. Alcohol misuse could account for up to 10% of the disease burden in the developed world. One of the commonest problems related to alcohol in the UK is binge drinking. Although in Southern Europe daily drinking is common, quantities consumed per drinking session in the UK were highest in the UK and Northern Europe.
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