LATEST
NEWS
28 February 2004
Brazil
Asbestos multinationals gag top safety campaigner
A Brazilian safety inspector, known nationwide for her passionate campaign
on behalf of the country's asbestos disease victims, is facing attempts
to silence here through malicious court actions.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Britain
Construction work is a strain
Research by physios' union CSP has revealed that workers in the skilled
construction and building trades are over five times as likely to get
a WRULD than corporate managers.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004 • Advice on construction strains
from the Laborers'
Fund for Health and Safety
Britain
Overworked? Tell someone about it!
TUC has provided snazzy free eCards for the overworked to send an electronic
greeting to friends or colleagues, a print-off-and-stick-up A4 sized poster
and a chart of the best long-hours related tunes to whistle while you
worked.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Britain
Campaigners call for end to "joke" work
death penalties
Unions and legal experts have renewed calls
for a work death law. The move comes after continuing UK government delays
in bringing forward promised corporate killing legislation.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Britain
Teacher gets £250,000 payout after pupil
attack
A special needs teacher who was kicked and battered with furniture by
a pupil has been awarded an estimated £250,000 in the High Court
following a case brought by teaching union NASUWT.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Britain
UNISON calls for end to dirty needle terror
"Subjecting thousands of NHS workers to the terror of dirty needles
is unnecessary and inhumane," health union UNISON has said. The claim
came on 23 February, the day that health unions launched a major campaign
demanding "Safer Needles Now."
Risks
145, 28 February 2004 • Also
see: Hazards needlesticks page
Finland
Lack of worktime control makes you sick
Control over your working hours is not just necessary so you run your
life, it is essential to your health. A study in the journal Occupational
and Environmental Medicine found a low level of worktime control increases
the risk of future health problems.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Global
Downsizing can kill those left behind
Cut-throat modern management is not just damaging for the workers who
are fired, it leaves behind an insecure and unhappy group of workers that
are more likely to go sick and more likely to develop permanent, debilitating
and possibly life-threatening health problems, according to reseaach in
the British Medical Journal.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Australia
Study blows a hole in pub trade smokescreen
A government-backed hospitality industry argument that smoking and pubs
can be a safe mix has been torpedoed by new research. A paper in the journal
Tobacco Control reveals designated "no-smoking" areas in the
hospitality industry provide little or no protection against the damaging
effects of secondhand smoke.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Britain
Most companies say directors should be responsible
Most company directors believe a senior director should be responsible
for safety and over half think they should be criminally liable for safety
failings.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Britain
"Brave" new world or back to the future?
The government's "radical new strategy" to improve future safety
standards in Great Britain, has been criticised as resource "rationing"
in The Lancet and had been been rubbished in advance by HSE inspectors'
union Prospect as a cost-cutting deregulation agenda.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Britain
Surge in serious accidents offshore
The number of major injuries offshore soared by 36 per cent last year.
Latest HSE figures for the offshore oil and gas industry show there were
64 major injury incidents during 2002/3, up from 47 incidents the previous
year.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Britain
TUC guide to avoiding repetitive strain
injury
A TUC "RSI: The Basics" guide tells office workers how to avoid
ending up in pain, splints or worse. It says repetitive strain injury
is a major problem in white collar work, adding that it does not just
affect typists. Anyone who regularly uses a keyboard or mouse can be at
risk.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Australia
UnionSafe Network
UnionSafe Network is a new web-based resource created specifically for
union reps in Queensland, Australia. It is Australia's third special safety
reps site.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Australia
Unions call for work death law
Families and friends of workers killed at work
have told a parliamentary enquiry in New South Wales (NSW) that the low
fines for workplace deaths are a "disgrace." industrial manslaughter
law will take effect in the Australian Capital Territory on 1 March 2004.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Australia
Unions to prosecute banks for hold-ups
Australia's Finance Sector Union is planning a series of prosecutions
against banks because it believes they have failed to reduce injury risk
to staff during robberies across Sydney, now rated Australia's bank robbery
capital.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Canada
Corporate "obligation" to tackle stress
Workplace stress and depression are exacting a heavy toll, particularly
among conscientious employees "in their prime working years,"
say a group of Canadian business leaders.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
Thailand
Officials say 200,000 Thai workers injured
More than 200,000 Thai workers were injured and 769 killed in work-related
accidents last year, according to Thailand's labour ministry. The number
has been rising since 2001 when 189,621 work-related accidents were reported.
Risks
145, 28 February 2004
USA
Union fund aids "Ground Zero" workers
The emotional and physical scars for workers who helped clean up Manhattan's
"Ground Zero" after the 11 September 2001 attacks haven't gone
away. In response, the union-backed Laborers Health and Safety Trust Fund
and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are teaming up to address
the medical problems.
Risks 145, 28 February 2004
21 February 2004
Britain
Safety reps should be at the heart of UK safety
The TUC is calling for more funds for the UK's official safety enforcement
agency and a greater role for union safety reps.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Which day this year will you start getting paid?
The TUC says "Work your proper hours day" on Friday 27 February
2004, the 42nd working day of the year, is the day in 2004 when on average
those who do unpaid overtime stop working for free and start to get paid.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
* Britain
Snooping council pays out after assault on worker
A social worker has received more than £200,000 in compensation
after enduring a vicious assault "which could have been avoided."
The victim's union, UNISON, condemned Swansea City and County Council
after the worker and her family were videotaped by private detectives
checking out her injuries.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
NUT wants more health and safety reps
Teaching union NUT has started a campaign to recruit a health and safety
representative in every school in Wales and England.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Teachers warned over school trips
Teachers' union NASUWT is advising members to avoid school trips following
a series of court cases over accidents involving children. The union said
the "finger of blame" had been pointed too often at teachers.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Nine out of 10 councils wrong on teen working
More than nine out of ten local authority by-laws on school-age working
conflict with national legislation, according to a report from the TUC
and the NSPCC. The result, say the two organisations, is that parents,
teachers and young people are confused about how much and what kind of
work teenagers can do.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Strike ballot over Tube working-while-sober sackings
Tube maintenance workers are being balloted on possible industrial action
in support of workmates who were sacked after empty beer cans were found
in their mess room.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Building union targets the gangmasters "infesting"
sites
Construction union UCATT says the bad gangmasters that are "infesting"
the industry must be driven out and has launched a campaign to expose
them.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Union calls for public enquiry into rail deaths
The union representing four rail workers killed by a runaway wagon before
dawn on 15 February has called for a public inquiry as the accident prompted
fresh questions about the maintenance of the railways and the role of
sub-contractors after privatisation.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Darling says rail is "too cautious" on
safety
In the week Network Rail was fined in two separate
cases for criminal and ultimately fatal breaches of safety law, Thames
Trains was told when it is to be sentenced for safety crimes relating
to 31 rail deaths and just days before four rail maintenance workers were
killed in Cumbria, transport secretary Alistair Darling told a conference
of rail bosses the industry was "over-cautious" about safety
at the expense of performance.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Bodymapping outbreak on work site
An outbreaking of bodymapping has spread across London construction sites.
Construction union UCATT, backed up by trade union tutors from Lewisham
College Trade Union Studies Centre, bodymapped its way through 217 workers
on Multiplex Construction's Docklands project.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
Widow loses asbestos compensation battle
A widow will not receive a penny of the near £400,000 in compensation
she is due for the death of her husband because the responsible insurer
could not be determined.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Britain
NUJ bullying website
Need advice on workplace bullying? Well, there's some great new resources
online. One of the best union-friendly resources around is on the website
of the National Union of Journalists' Glasgow branch.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Australia
Judge blames transport bosses, jails truckie
A truck driver pressured into driving 14-hour
shifts has been jailed following a fatal road traffic accident. Sentencing
truck driver Joseph Terry Caldwell, 24, to at least three years and 10
months jail time, County court judge Joe Gullaci called for authorities
to ban "ruthless" employers who imposed unreasonable deadlines
on their drivers.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
India
Work for parents, education for children
A $40 million (£21.2m) International Labour Organisation (ILO) programme
is seeking to remove 80,000 child labourers in India from work in 10 hazardous
industries. An ILO report released this month refuted the argument that
child labour is an economic necessity in developing countries, concluding
the benefits of eliminating child labour worldwide will be nearly seven
times greater than the costs.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
India
Say no to white asbestos
The Indian government must ban the production and use of "convicted
mass killer" white asbestos, a prominent environmental campaigner
has said.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Iran
Hundreds killed in chemical train explosion
About 300 people, most of them firefighters, were killed in an 18 February
explosion after a train laden with petrol and industrial chemicals caught
fire near the town of Neyshabur in northeastern Iran.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
Singapore
Bird flu recognised as work disease
Workers in Singapore who get infected with bird flu in the course of their
work are to be eligible for government compensation payouts. A ministry
of manpower (MOM) amendment to the Workmen's Compensation Act has added
"Avian Influenza" to the list of compensable occupational diseases.
Risks
144, 21 February 2004
14 February 2004
Britain
Manslaughter probe follows 19 migrant deaths
Police investigating the deaths of 19 people who drown picking cockles
have arrested a number of people on suspicion of manslaughter. Critics
are asking why government safety watchdog HSE had not intervened to stop
what was evidently a highly dangerous practice.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
Migrant deaths force government about face
Tough new laws to drive unscrupulous "gangmasters" out of business
were promised by the government in the wake of the Morecambe Bay cockling
tragedy. The move represents a total about face by the government, which
has consistently resisted union pressure, spearheaded by rural workers'
union TGWU.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
TUC supports bill on penalties
The TUC is backing a Bill by Andy Love MP which
would see companies that commit health and safety crimes paying much higher
fines for injuring or killing their employees. The ten minute rule bill
received its first reading on 10 February and if successful would see
magistrates courts fine employers guilty of health and safety offences
up to £20,000, compared to a £5,000 maximum now.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
Landmark ruling on workplace bullying
A Court of Appeal ruling could mean much bigger payouts for victims of
workplace bullying. In a case backed by public sector union UNISON, the
Court of Appeal overturned an interpretation of the law which limited
compensation to financial loss and ignored any mental effects.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
Overworked lecturer wins payout
A lecturer who said she often worked 70-hour weeks will receive more than
£40,000 in an out-of-court stress settlement. The NATFHE member
left her post at Henley College, Coventry, in 1998 after suffering a nervous
breakdown - the college had sent her on stress course, but hadn't reduced
her workload.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
HSE staff driven to industrial action
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is facing industrial action over
pay. Prospect, the union representing inspectors in the safety enforcement
agency, complains HSE can find the money for "idiotic projects"
but not for its own staff and says safety is suffering as a result.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
Asbestos widow faces cancer death
A woman whose husband and daughter died from cancer caused by exposure
to asbestos has been told she faces the same fate.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Global
The missing cases of beryllium disease
Increasing industrial use of beryllium "is resulting in an unrecognised
epidemic of chronic beryllium disease," according to a report in
The Lancet. Researchers point to a study that found 6 per cent of patients
labelled as having sarcoidosis actually had chronic beryllium disease.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
HSC puts the business case
Good safety practice is "vital" for a successful business, according
to the Health and Safety Commission (HSC). New case histories from HSC
give concrete examples of safe practices making sound business sense.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
European Parliament challenges UK on long hours
The TUC has welcomed a European Parliament decision to call on the European
Commission to end the UK's individual opt-out from the 48-hour average
limit on the working week.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Britain
Working parents want family friendly hours
Threequarters of working parents put family friendly working hours ahead
of other benefits. A survey by new campaigning charity Working Families
found 44 per cent wanted flexible working hours and 30 per cent wanted
a shorter working day.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
Iraq
IFJ mourns loss of nine journalists in bombing
The International Federation of Journalists has called for safety training
and improvements in working conditions as a top priority for Iraqi journalists
after confirmation that nine journalists in Iraqi Kurdistan were among
the victims of the 1 February terrorist bombings in Irbil.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
South
Africa
Outrage after farmer "fed worker to lions"
Union federation COSATU said it was "shocked and appalled" at
reports that a farmer had fed an ex-worker to the lions, adding "many
farmers still treat their workers as badly as under apartheid."
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
USA
Chemical safety board slams safety watchdog
The US chemical safety watchdgo criticised the behaviour of OHSA, the
work safety enforcement agency, as "unacceptable." It says OHSA
has failed to take action on reactive chemical hazards despite hundreds
of incidents, some catastrophic, that have killed more than 100 workers
over the past decade.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
USA
Fired if you pee, fired if you don't
Workers suffering from paruresis or shy bladder syndrome are being fired
as a result. Drug test happy US employers a treating failure to provide
a urine sample as a refusal to submit to a drug test.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
USA
Birth defect suit against IBM
Computer giant IBM is to face court charges alleging working conditions
in one of its microchip plants caused birth defects in a worker's baby.
The $100 million (£53.5m) suit is one of 250 chemical-related claims
facing IBM, including about 50 birth defect cases.
Risks
143, 14 February 2004
7 February 2004
Britain
UNISON prepares for Workers' Memorial Day
2004
UNISON is stepping up its preparations for Workers' Memorial Day 2004.
A briefing provides pointers for Workers' Memorial Day activities and
publicity.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Britain
Union issues asbestos epidemic warning
A union leader has warned the epidemic of the asbestos cancer mesothelioma
in Britain will be worse than experts fear if there is any weakening of
restrictions on asbestos use.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Britain
GMB warns of asbestos "ticking time bomb"
Government funding is necessary to help schools, hospitals and local authorities
identify and deal with asbestos in public buildings, GMB general secretary
Kevin Curran has warned.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Britain
Euro union boss urges UK to avoid hours court action
The head of Europe's union umbrella group has urged the government to
avoid court proceedings and drop the UK opt-out from the 48-hour working
week ceiling.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Britain
Long hours culture takes its toll on UK drivers
Excessive hours are having a damaging effect on the family and social
lives of most UK lorry drivers, with one in four drivers currently working
more than 60 hours per week, according to union research.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Britain
Official safety alert over rail job cuts
The Railway Inspectorate has delivered a strong rebuke to Network Rail
for failing to carry out an adequate safety assessment when it shed 600
managers, after complaints from union TSSA.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Britain
Work your proper hours day, 27 February 2004
If you do regular unpaid overtime, then TUC says on 27 February exercise
your right to work only your contractual hours, and remind your boss just
how much modern workplaces depend on unpaid overtime.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Britain
New resources for RSI Day, 29 February 2004
Planning a local event for International RSI Awareness Day, 29 February
2004? Well, make sure you tell everybody about it! You can print-off-and-use
a free RSI Day events poster.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Canada
Horror stories of x-ray techs
Most x-ray technologists suffer from "significant and diverse musculoskeletal"
problems due to the physical stress and strain of their job.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Europe
Chemicals crackdown will save thousands of lives
Thousands of lives could be saved in the European Union each year with
better handling of dangerous chemicals, the European Commission has said.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
Global
Tech firms promise action on exploitation
A report into working conditions in microelectronics plants in developing
countries has given the technology industry a "wake-up call,"
according to Dell.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
South
Africa
Unions slam AngloGold over miners' deaths
South African unions have lashed out at AngloGold after a spate of deaths
in the company's mines.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
USA
"Bankrupt" asbestos firms flourish in
US
Claims that asbestos trade in the US is dying off and compensation claims
are taking the industry with it appear to be unfounded. Imports are up,
and many of the major affected firms have improved sales and are employing
more staff.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
USA
Couple awarded $6 million in asbestos case
A US couple has been awarded $6 million (£3.27m) compensation in
an asbestos lawsuit. William Lisac was diagnosed with lung cancer last
year. A jury deliberated about four hours before deciding Lisac and his
wife, Lois, deserved $3 million each.
Risks
142, 7 February 2004
January
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