29 January 2013
It is good to hear that the Irish Health and Safety regulator, Richard Bruton TD, has unveiled the Health and Safety Authority's strategy and its programme of work for 2013. He said: "There is a need to find efficiencies but not at the expense of the safety, health and welfare of workers. The collaborative approach adopted by the Authority, using targeted inspections and compliance tools, is designed to encourage buy-in from all stakeholders." For more on this article visit SHP Online
[Read on about Irish health and safety regulator unveils three-year strategy]
29 January 2013
For those of you that follow Ai Solutions we would like to remind you that we have other sources where you can access information regarding Health and Safety blogs, CDM and Asbestos. This includes Twitter, Linked In and Facebook. If you use these other forms of media then please feel free to connect with us.
[Read on about Health and Safety Social Media]
28 January 2013
The Safety & Health Practitioner reported that, although the CPS opened 63 new corporate manslaughter cases last year, there has been criticism that there has been too few convictions. However, directors and senior managers must not be lulled into a false sense of security. Senior law firms, including Pinset Masons, have stated that in the current financial cuts in businesses that may adversely impact health and safety should not be made. Careful planning and the health and safety of those working...
[Read on about Cost Cutting Alert Regarding Corproate Manslaughter Investigations]
28 January 2013
For those among you who would like more information about managing the asbestos in your own building(s) the HSE has published a web site detailing 'how' you should do this. The web site is a step by step guide to all the duties regarding best management of asbestos www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos. Additionally Ai Solutions has help and guidance regarding Asbestos and the CAR12 regulations on our web site; this includes an extensive knowledge base that has been written by experts in the field. Come and visit...
[Read on about Managing My Asbestos]
24 January 2013
RoSPA has unveiled groundbreaking evidence that shows accidents are the top cause of preventable, premature death for most of our lives. The research was recently presented in Westminster to a group of politicians, journalists, civil servants and health professionals. As a result, RoSPA is now calling for accident prevention to be made the number one priority for public health in England. They have published the Big Book of Accident Prevention and ask for everyone to spread the news. Please visit...
[Read on about The Big Book of Accident Prevention]
24 January 2013
The Construction Enquirer reports that the government is ruling out an investigation into construction blacklisting unless new evidence is produced that the practice is still going on. This decision has not pleased shadow business secretary Chuka Umanna who has called for a 'full investigation'. He believes that the government should be making those responsible for the blacklisting compensate those affected. For more on this story visit Government rejects call for blacklist investigation
[Read on about Blacklist Investigation Not Going Forward]
19 January 2013
The HSE has recently issued a press release regarding a hospital trust failing in their duties in regard to asbestos management. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust had an asbestos survey that clearly showed there was asbestos in the door surrounds but, despite several site meetings between the Trust and the contractors, no information on the location or condition of any asbestos was given to the contractors. For more...
[Read on about Hospital trust failed in their Asbestos Management duties]
17 January 2013
A Swansea engineering firm and building contractor have been fined for asbestos exposure. Workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos fibres following a catalogue of errors by an engineering company and a building firm during a demolition and refurbishment project in Swansea. The engineering firm had two asbestos management surveys for the site, which, although later deemed to be inadequate, identified the presence of asbestos material and highlighted other areas, such as the ceiling voids, which...
[Read on about Swansea Firm Fined for Asbestos Exposure]
16 January 2013
The ONR and the Environment Agency has received a formal request from the Minister of State for Energy to start generic design assessment work on a new nuclear reactor for the UK. The aim is to ensure that it meets high standards of safety, security, environmental protection and waste management. This project, when built will be the first of its kind in the UK and will set the standard for future works. For more information visit Office for Nuclear Regulation
[Read on about Regulators to assess new nuclear reactor design]
15 January 2013
Professor Rory O'Neill, a researcher at the University of Stirling, made several Freedom of Information requests and analysed more than 20 HSE reports to map fatality statistics against a list of sectors excluded from proactive inspections. The professor stated that there are now at least 37 "sectors without inspectors", including agriculture, quarries, plastics, electricity generation and supply, and other industries acknowledged by the HSE to be "higher risk". The professor believes that the government...
[Read on about Most Fatalities Happen In Uninspected Sectors]
11 January 2013
The HSE are prosecuting a Swansea engineering firm and contractor after recent investigations revealed several breeches, one included the failure to appoint a competent CDM-C. It was also noted that during the demolition works an asbestos insulation board (AIB) covering a steel column was damaged, and a Wall Colmonoy employee was told to tape plastic bags around it. Work continued in the building for several months with the AIB debris left lying on the floor until an unannounced visit was carried...
[Read on about Swansea Contractor Orders Workers to Tie Plastic Bags Around Exposed Asbestos]
10 January 2013
IOSH have stated that current health and safety legislation and approved codes of practice have contributed "immeasurably" to the protection of works in the UK. Although IOSH support the drive to streamline and simplify the raft of health and safety regulations they say that this process must not involved a slide in standards. These comments were delivered as part of a submission to the HSE, which is compiling a report for the Government. To read more then see SHP News
[Read on about IOSH Want H & S Framework Simplified & Strengthened]
9 January 2013
The January 2013 edition of the Ai Solutions Newsletter is now available: January Newsletter.
[Read on about Newsletter - January 2013]
7 January 2013
Ai Solutions continue to work hard to provide 'best value' for our customers and this New Year we are proud to announce that we can now offer a 'Complete CDM-C service'. The CDM-C Service and Consultancy is an option we can provide to aid you in effective CDM management. We will provide a fully qualified and competent CDM-C to manage your project from design start through to handover of the health and safety file. This allows you to fulfill your duties as a Client as well as providing you with peace...
[Read on about Ai Solutions CDM Co-ordinator Service]
3 January 2013
Staffordshire County Council has been handed a court bill of £15,000 after admitting liability when dangerous asbestos fibres were released into the nursery of a primary school in Cheslyn Hay. Work was being carried out at the school when some board was misidentified and put into a skip. The contractor involved was also fined however they stated that 'only a small amount of fibres were released'. For more on this story please visit www.expressandstar.com Ai Solutions can help you manage your...
[Read on about £15k Fine for Asbestos Fibres found in Nursery School]
3 January 2013
The met office prepares to reveal whether 2012 was the wettest year on record in the UK. Their analysis indicates that the heavy rainfall we are experiencing is creating "an upward trend" and that this type of extreme rainfall is the normally the sort of downpour you would expect once in 100 days. This will have a long term effect in the construction industry as flooding will be a normal occurrence and we will have to consider the risks involved during works. Additionally as homes flood more...
[Read on about Extreme Rainfall]
2 January 2013
Judith Hackitt, Chair of the HSE, has published her end of year statement. She stated that "It's been a busy and a challenging year for everyone involved in health and safety. The challenges never stop so it's good to look back at some of the really great things which have been going on and which I hope we can build on in 2013 and beyond." For her full statement visit Judtith Hackitt's blog
[Read on about 2012 - What a Year]