27 January 2011
A recent artilce in SHP states "Hundreds of workplace injuries were not declared by Network Rail over a five-year period because staff and contractors were fearful of the consequences if they reported them, an independent report has concluded". We all know that many accidents go unreported and what we see is 'the tip of the iceberg'. Its a shame though as it makes a mockery of yearly statistics. For more on this see SHP Online
[Read on about Fear led to Network Rail RIDDOR irregularities]
20 January 2011
A very serious accident recently occured when a crane hit a cherry picker and the basket was knocked to the ground leaving Alexander Struthers, a steel erector, with multiple broken bones. Following the case being heard at Lanark Sheriff Court, Health and Safety Executive Inspector Eve Macready said: "This completely avoidable incident has had an enormous impact on Mr Struthers' life. "Duty holders have an obligation to ensure all work at height is properly planned and a proper risk assessment...
[Read on about Working at Height: Cherry Picker Struck by Overhead Crane]
13 January 2011
We, at Ai Solutions support 'green' ideas, especially in construction. We have recently read in the Construction Enquirer that a forward thinking Welsh Government has started the search for contractors to deliver an ambitious plan to exploit solar energy throughout the country. The first phase of the programme is expected to be worth up to £100m over the four-year framework agreement. If this is something your organisation may be interested in then you have until 23 February to prequalify.
[Read on about Welsh Solar Panel Plan]
12 January 2011
Bowmer & Kirkland is believed to have won the contract to build a £210m distribution centre for supermarket giant Ocado. There has been lots of comepetion around for this prestigious development including Vinci, Simons and Buckingham. This construction will be one of the UK's biggest warehouses. Ocado confirmed in a trading update on Monday that a contractor had been appointed for its "Customer Fulfilment Centre" on the 35-acre site on the Birch Coppice Business Park in Dordon, North...
[Read on about Bowmer & Kirkland Win Ocado Contract]
11 January 2011
Midland business leaders are urging the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to keep its nerve this week and hold interest rates at the historic low of 0.5 per cent. Christine Braddock, President of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce and Industry said until the government gets a clear steer at how the private sector is starting 2011, current interest rates should be retained. She said: "Question marks still remain over the Midlands economy despite the Chamber's recent QES survey which showed record high...
[Read on about Bank of England must keep its nerve]
11 January 2011
The January 2011 edition of the Ai Solutions Newsletter is now available: January Newsletter.
[Read on about Newsletter - January 2011]
10 January 2011
The HSE has prosecuted two companies after three workers fell through skylights on three separate occasions at an industrial unit in Warrington. The SHP reported that, on three separate occasions, three similar incidents were allowed to happen. An astonished HSE officer stated that "A man was sent on to a roof without safety equipment, despite two caretakers falling through skylights less than a month earlier" As we all know, more workplace deaths are caused by falls from height than anything else...
[Read on about HSE - Falls From Height Prosecutions]
5 January 2011
This is not new but we thought a very valuable resource from the HSE. The second edition of 'Fire safety in construction' explains how everyone involved in construction projects can comply with their legal duties relating to fire risks. It is aimed at all those with a role for developing and managing construction sites, including clients and designers, and is relevant to all construction projects, including small refurbishment sites. Much of what is contained in the guidance is not new, but the...
[Read on about Fire Safety In Construction]
4 January 2011
We recently read that there are various occupational health hazards that are causing illnesses among employees, asthma caused due to workplace pollutants like dust, latex, isocyanates or flour is burdening the UK economy to a very large extent. The research pointed out that an estimated 3,000 new employees are identified with occupational asthma each year. Yet this condition seems to be under diagnosed. According to a reputed journal Thorax, millions are spent each year from the country's treasury...
[Read on about Reducing Workplace Asthma Can Save Millions]