Hazards 109, January-March 2010

6-7 The state we’re in The UK is a humiliating 30th in a new global health and safety ranking. But it could be worse. We export some of the dirtiest work, like e-waste recycling and shipbreaking. And the Tories want to dump our safety protection at home. more

8-9 Recycling poisons Where do your gizmos go to die? Our e-waste is turning up in Africa, Asia and Latin America where “recycling” sometimes means kids working unprotected with deadly toxins. And UK workers are being poisoned too. more

10-21 News in brief Death fines won’t hurt big firms. ‘Lamentable’ Shell fined for safety crimes. Two jailed for firefighter deaths. Businessmen behaving badly. Firm fined after lung disease outbreak. Is your OHS OK? Employers clueless on ‘good jobs’. Docs say fit notes plan is ‘unrealistic’. Government lab done for cancer risks. Formaldehyde causes leukaemia too. New warning on the biggest work killer. Campaign against cancer. Blacklisting law won’t end ‘despicable’ practice. Blacklisting campaign goes global. Unfair workplaces can kill you. White collar workers in the firing line.

Centrepages The Union Effect Unions workplaces are safer workplaces – so get organised, or you may not live to regret it. more • [pdf]]

24-25 Exporting death Canada increased its asbestos exports last year. Asia is a key target market. But the International Ban Asbestos Secretariat is not letting the deadly trade go unopposed. A Hazards photofile. more

26-37 Unions and campaigns HSE suffers lead safety humiliation. Watchdog pulls director case histories. RMT dossier exposes rail safety failures. Yes/no paper safety campaign. RMT secures safe staffing milestone. ASLEF go slow ‘saves lives’. The deadly pressures of work. Awkward work caused strain injuries. Compo reform must not hurt justice. Broken limbs and scaly skin. What price on your life. Dog attack leads to plastic surgery. Bullied hospital worker had breakdown. Ladbrokes staff fear lone working. Sharp increase in violent attacks. Insurers fight to deny asbestos payouts. Campaign calls for zero lead exposures. Firm docs wages for loo breaks. Overworked and under-paid.

38-41 International news Black workers put at radiation risk. US workers fear reporting injuries. Surgery exposes China’s work diseases. Ex-Samsung workers seek cancer justice. Another deadly year for journalists. Mexico’s offshore corruption costs lives. BP hit with largest ever safety fine.

Backpage Don’t you mess with our safety.... A special Workers’ Memorial Day poster to mark the 28 April event.