SHP’s News pages contain the latest information and developments in UK and European
health and safety, including: legislation; enforcement campaigns; research
and reports; political news and reaction.
Grass is not always greener on other side of the world, OSH salary survey finds
15/08/2008
Grass is not always greener on other side of the world, OSH salary survey finds
A new survey of the earning capacity of safety and health practitioners has found that the average salary of these professionals is just £25,000 – in New Zealand.
Union calls for more action to protect cash-in-transit couriers
15/08/2008
Union calls for more action to protect cash-in-transit couriers
The GMB union has welcomed the latest crime figures pointing to a fall in the number of attacks against cash-in-transit couriers, but insists that more must be done to protect workers.
Time's up for market town clock winder
14/08/2008
Time's up for market town clock winder
Reported on the BBC News site yesterday was the story of 68-year-old David Rees, whose family have wound the clock at Llandovery Market Hall, Carmarthenshire, for the last 150 years. Rees has now been asked to stop winding the clock for 'health and safety reasons'.
Desktop lunchers' keyboards breed more bacteria than a toilet seat
12/08/2008
Desktop lunchers' keyboards breed more bacteria than a toilet seat
Computer users who habitually eat lunch at their desks are being warned that their keyboards could harbour more harmful bacteria than a toilet seat.
Anti-stab vests buying frenzy claims rebuffed
08/08/2008
Anti-stab vests buying frenzy claims rebuffed
National media reports of mass orders of anti-stab vests being placed by local authorities and hospital trusts as a direct result of the rising incidence of knife-crime attacks have overstated the situation, the Local Government Association (LGA) has told SHP.
Show your support for SHP columnist Kevin's choir
07/08/2008
Show your support for SHP columnist Kevin's choir
SHP's In Court Analysis expert and chair of the IOSH Bristol and West of England Branch Kevin Bridges can now add 'TV singing star' to his list of achievements following his appearance in the prime-time Saturday night show, 'Last Choir Standing'.
Streamlining proposals aim to reduce ‘health and safety burden’
07/08/2008
Streamlining proposals aim to reduce ‘health and safety burden’
Better advice and support on health and safety could save small businesses up to £300m a year. This is the conclusion of a report by the Better Regulation Executive, which examines how health and safety regulation affects low-risk and small businesses.
Government loath to reverse pleural plaques decision despite consultation
06/08/2008
Government loath to reverse pleural plaques decision despite consultation
The Ministry of Justice has launched a consultation on the best way of supporting people with pleural plaques, but admits it is reluctant to change the law.
Food from source to serving Food and drink are two things we often take for granted. 'Back to basics', the occupational safety and health in food manufacturing conference will tackle some of the health and safety challenges presented in getting some of our favourite food items to the dinner table or lunch box.
Regulatory system report doesn't go far enough Europe's largest health and safety professional body has said the "half measures" proposed in the Better Regulation Executive's 'Improving outcomes from health and safety' won't do enough to enhance the UK's regulatory system.
The best in public sector safety There's less than one month left to book your place at this year's National Safety Symposium, taking place at The Park Royal in Warrington from 7-9 September.
Letter to the Independent: The end of playtime? Sir,
As president of Europe's largest body for health and safety professionals, I agree that stopping children from playing games like conkers denies them the chance of learning vital life skills ('The end of playtime', 4th August).
Letter to the Sunday Telegraph: 'Red tape' Sir
In response to Colin Bower's letter ('Red tape', 27th July), we would certainly oppose barmy bans attributed to health and safety. Often this is just an excuse used by 'red tape robots' and 'tick box Tonys' in offices and town halls up and down the country.
Your chance to vote Have you voted in this year's Council election yet? There are only 12 places available, so your vote is important.
Don't be so noisy! A new online guide providing practical guidance on the control of noise in the music and entertainment industries is now available.
IOSH strategy 2008?2012 We've made great progress since our strategic priorities were set in 2005. This new strategy document presents the evidence.
Teenage death toll under spotlight with MPs IOSH is staging a seminar at Westminster for MPs this month to highlight its campaign to improve health and safety for working teenagers.
New consultation document - REACH A new consultation document is now available for your comments: Consultation on the enforcement of REACH in the UK has been published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Drop ?inappropriate' footwear codes and reduce back and foot problems, says TUC The TUC today (Thursday) called for employers to drop ?inappropriate? requirements for workers to wear uncomfortable or dangerous footwear.
A new TUC guide Working feet and footwear found that while many employers allow employees to wear healthy and safe footwear, a number of big city institutions and upmarket shops insist female staff who deal with the public wear slip-on shoes or high heels as part of a dress code. This can lead to long-term foot problems, especially when combined with prolonged standing.
Whilst the ''official''s'' comments may not be accurately quoted in context, surely they illustrate one of the biggest difficulties for an H&S practitioner - the concept that risk should not be based
Sounds like an ''accident waiting to happen'' that should have been forseen with proactive risk management.
Let me put this scenarioi: an apprentice employee, in the lunch room on their lunch bre
Whilst agreeing with the sentiment that doing our job in order to protect lives is very satisfying, unfortunately living in tax expensive UK means that one has little choice but to look for a decent b
It''s not all about the money. Having worked abroad, in emerging economies, the reward is making a huge difference to the safety culture, instead of just picking round the edges of an overblown system
Steve, I don''t agree with that at all. You may think the public are duplicitous in this but generally they are sick to the back teeth of the influence of health & safety and most people would consid
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