HSE

New Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) health surveillance guidance

Health surveillance for silicosis should be considered for workers who are involved in high-risk occupations. This guidance helps to support those workers who work in construction, foundry work, brick and tile work, ceramics, slate, manufacturing, quarries and stonework.

Variable Manual Handling Assessment Chart (V-MAC) Tool

The V-MAC is a new online tool, to be used with the MAC tool, to assess manual handling operations where the load weights are variable.

Research Reports:
The following research reports were published during August 2015:

• RR1046 – Corrosion and cleaning of offshore deluge systems
  This report presents the findings of a literature review of the issues surrounding the corrosion of offshore firewater deluge systems as well as inspection and cleaning methodologies which may be used.

• RR1059 – A test method for assessing the performance of oil mist detectors
  Ignition of flammable mists, particularly oil mist, can occur in offshore locations such as gas turbine enclosures, diesel engine rooms and platform legs present a significant major accident hazard potential. This work aims to produce a test method capable of assessing the effectiveness of oil mist detection under conditions typical of those found in practice

Plumber fined after causing explosion at domestic property

A self-employed plumber failed to put in place the appropriate safety devices when removing an existing water tank for a loft conversion at a property in Haslingden.

In doing so, he created a closed water system combined with an old immersion heater, which allowed water to heat to 100ºC in a copper cylinder. Catastrophic damage was caused to the property when the cylinder ruptured.

The plumber pleaded guilty breaching to Section 3(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 for failing to conduct his undertaking in such a way as to ensure that he, and other persons (not being his employees), are not exposed to risks to their health or safety.

The plumber was fined a total of £500 with costs of £933.

Business partners fined following worker injured in explosion

Two partners of an engineering business in Yorkshire have been fined after an explosion resulted in a worker losing their thumb, forefinger and being blinded.

The explosion occurred when oxygen was being transferred between pressurised cylinders. The partners at Mason Engineering had rigged up a make-shift hose fitting that was not designed for this high risk procedure. Debris built up in the end of the hose, causing it to overheat and ignite in the oxygen

The business partners both pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and were fined £4000 each and ordered to pay costs of £1171/15 each.

Two companies fined for serious breaches in the removal of asbestos

Cowen Builders Limited (CBL) had been contracted by Paragon Management UK Limited (Paragon) to carry out work at the premises. Prior to this work asbestos had been identified in a survey by Paragon. Paragon failed to provide the details of the survey to CBL prior to the work starting. CBL continued to work without adequate measures in place after it was known the asbestos had been disturbed.

Paragon was fined a total of £20,000, and ordered to pay £2,373 in costs after Westminster Magistrates’ Court found them guilty of breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. They were also ordered to pay compensation to each of the three workers.

Kenneth W Cowen, sole Director of CBL was fined £15,000, and ordered to pay £2,373 in costs after pleading guilty to offences under Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.