Headlines
August
Government publishes the first National Risk Register (13/08/08)
On 8th August 2008, the Government published the first ever National Risk Register, which sets out their assessment of the likelihood and potential impact of a range of different risks that may directly affect the UK.
The National Risk Register is designed to increase awareness of the kinds of risks the UK faces, and encourage individuals and organisations to think about their own preparedness. The register also includes details of what the Government and emergency services are doing to prepare for emergencies.
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Lithium Batteries Alert:
January 2009 will see significant changes to the regulations governing the carriage of Lithium batteries by road or air. These changes are defined by the 2009 editions of RID/ADR/ADN and the ICAO technical instructions. A new feature of the legislation is the requirement for an emergency telephone number.
Are you prepared for the changes?
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July
Chemical firm's small fine over dust blast (29/07/08)
A chemical company in Wales has been fined £12,000 following an 'entirely foreseeable and avoidable' April 2006 dust explosion and fire.
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Glove gaffe costs foundry (22/07/2008)
A foundry manager suffered serious burns at a Leicester aluminium castings firm because he was not wearing suitable gloves.
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Buncefield: latest results of investigation published (18/07/2008)
The Buncefield Investigation Board has published its eighth report into the incident.
The latest report sets out the Buncefield Major Incident Investigation Board’s (MIIB) third set of recommendations, this time on the subject of land use planning and societal risk around major hazard sites.
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CSB Releases New Safety Video on Fatal 2006 Oilfield Explosion in Mississippi, Emphasizes Safe Practices for Hot Work (17/07/2008)
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HSE announces: 228 work-related deaths in 2007-2008 (03/07/2008)
Provisional figures of work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain, issued by the HSE on 30 June, reveal that 228 workers lost their lived as a result of incidents at work in 2007-2008. This is 19 less work-related deaths than in 2006-2007, where 247 workers died.
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Government supports health and safety training in schools - Workplace Hazards Awareness Course (01/07/2008)
The Government has welcomed the launch of the Workplace Hazards Awareness Course (WHAC), which has been developed by IOSH and the HSE to teach students about health and safety before they enter the working world.
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June
Industry groups warn chemical bans threaten EU eco-label (17/06/2008)
Ten chemical trade associations have issued a joint statement warning that the future of the EU eco-label scheme is in danger due to rows over the acceptability of some substances. They are angry that Member States have rejected deca-BDE, PVC and other substances for what they regard as political, not scientific reasons. The groups argue that substances that have undergone EU risk assessments and/or REACH in future should not be rejected. But NGOs and several Member States argued in April that the label should be a mark of excellence and should avoid controversial substances.
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EU environmental risk assessment of bisphenol-A updated (12/06/2008)
The European Commission has now published updates of both the environmental and health parts of the EU risk assessment for the controversial plastics intermediate bisphenol-A. The environmental assessment concludes that no additional risk reduction measures are necessary for terrestrial and atmospheric compartments nor to address risks of secondary poisoning through food chains. But concerns persist over the effects of BPA on snails and the report notes the need to take into account a UK government study to be completed this year.
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NGOs set up hazardous substance 'priority list' database(09/06/2008)
Led by the International Chemicals Secretariat (ChemSec), NGOs have created an online database to help companies track the substances that will appear on their independent priority list of substances that should be authorised under REACH. The database will be accessible from 17 September when the group plans to announce its first list at a conference in Brussels
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EU ministers adopt Regulation on export/import of hazardous chemicals (06/06/2008)
EU environment ministers have adopted a revised Regulation on the export and import of hazardous substances, which is intended to fulfil its implementation of the UN Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent for trading in chemicals with developing country. An initial Regulation was annulled by the European Court of Justice citing an erroneous legal base.
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HSE warns aerosol companies to adopt good industry practices... (05/06/2008)
... after explosion at Merseyside factory killed one worker and seriously injured three others.
The warning follows the prosecution of North West Aerosols Ltd of Brookfield Drive, Aintree, Liverpool, following a major fire on their premises in December 2005 where one man was killed and three others received serious burns.
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Company fined £12,500 after workers exposed to hazardous dust (03/06/2008)
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