Hazards 106, April-June 2009

4-5  Who pays? The British Chambers of Commerce is targeting health and safety laws because it says they cost business billions.  Only it’s not true. And Hazards reveals the real cost of business neglecting safety is borne almost entirely by workers and the public purse, with companies evading the blame and the bill. more

6-7  Partial progress? When serious workplace injuries increase and policy initiatives fail, it is never a good thing. But a large dose of Health and Safety Executive spin can make it look that way.

8-17  News in brief Directors try to shift the blame. Government go-ahead for cranes register. Directors in the dock. Inquest narrative spells out neglect. Unite ‘appalled’ by teen injury fine. Restructuring is bad for you. Businessmen behaving badly. Cancer warning on night work. Computer firms won’t chip in. Work cancers are misattributed to smoking. What’s new on nano? Canada buried asbestos evidence. Slow movement on pleural plaques. School asbestos killed teacher. Carpenters ‘face asbestos death’. HSE had never visited blast factory. Low fine ‘no deterrent’ – HSE. Scandal of fake high viz gear. Bosses must act on risk assessments.

Centrepages   While you were sleeping Millions of workers toil through the night, unseen by most of us and out of sight of safety regulators. What is becoming visible is the risks they face – which could include cancer and heart disease, warns Andy Watterson. more

20-29  What the unions say Thousands harmed by ‘safe’ lead levels. Print work caused kidney disease. Action call on high concern chemicals. Depression follows illness to work. Firefighters win pensions fight. Fit-for-work moves not enough. STUC wants work fit for workers. ‘No progress’ on RSI at work. Unions highlight school violence risks. School stress cost head her job. Bullying boss causes breakdown. What price on your life? Unions call for helicopter action. Rail fire regulation victory. Agreement reached on Olympics. A new way to kill – ‘Econocide’.  Government pledge to end blacklists. Sick sacked RMT rep wins job back. Payout for flea bitten whistleblower. Popcorn peril spreads to sweets.

30-31  International news Safety watchdog failed under Bush. Oz unions defend prosecutions role. Work disease system favours business. Cancer and the workplace.

32-36  Resources Latest reviews and resources and a backpage pin-up-at-work ‘Falling down on safety’ poster