BRITAIN
Work is no place for genes prejudice
The law needs to be changed to prevent employers
from refusing people jobs on the basis of genetic test results, campaigners
have warned. TUC has teamed up with GeneWatch UK and the British Council
of Disabled People (BCODP) to call for legal measures to block genetic
discrimination at work.
Risks
125, 27 September 2003
USA
WWII nukes still killing today
Employees at secret US World War II nuclear weapons facilities are still
paying a deadly price for the work and are missing out on compensation.
Workers at the plants were exposed to radiation laced dust that persisted
long after weapons manufacture ceased.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
CHINA
Deadly disasters in firework factories
In the space of only one week - from 28 July to 4 August 2003 - there
were four reported explosions in fireworks factories in China, leading
to the death of at least 31 people, reports China Labour Bulletin. The
independent organisation has produced its own detailed proposals to
improve occupational health and safety in China.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
CANADA
Deadly asbestos industry fights for survival
Asbestos industry lobbyists in Canada are continuing to defend their
deadly product at home and abroad. The latest twist in the multimillion
dollar campaign by the Canadian government and the asbestos industry
to rehabilitate asbestos came as workers from the Asbestos and Thetford
mines areas in Quebec lobbied a two-day international conference in
Ottawa calling for a global asbestos ban.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
Global
World Maritime Day, 25 September
As the global transport unions' federation ITF and its affiliated unions
prepare to mark World Maritime Day on 25 September, ITF has released
a new publication, Seafarers, the vital link in safe, sustainable shipping.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
BRITAIN
Fury at rig safety cuts after worker deaths
Moves to scrap a levy that funds safety training for oil industry managers
and designers have been exposed just days after an accident on the Brent
Bravo platform claimed two lives. The move to cut the Engineering Construction
Industry Training Board levy is being opposed by offshore unions.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
BRITAIN
Jail term for rigged safety valves
A Derbyshire company director has been jailed for selling unsafe equipment
to North Sea oil rigs. The faulty ball valves sold by 47-year-old Paul
Timson with forged safety certificates could have caused an explosion
and destroyed an entire North Sea oil rig. Timson, who was jailed for
15 months at Derby Crown Court, had admitted 19 charges of forging safety
certificates for ball valves, one charge of using forged business documents
for financial gain, and three charges of supplying unsafe valves.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
BRITAIN
Bosses call for government rehab help
Rehabilitation must play a greater role in halting the rising tide of
long-term illness and incapacity in the workforce, a report from a top
bosses' organisation has concluded. The Institute of Directors (IoD)
report says government and employers must work together to help long-term
absentees back into work.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003 • Union
advice on rehab
BRITAIN
Double trouble from soaring stress
The prevalence of work stress related health problems including heart
conditions has doubled since 1990 and is now the top cause of lost work
days, according to new official figures. An HSE report says: "The estimated
prevalence rate of stress and related (mainly heart) conditions has
increased over time and is now around double the level it was in 1990."
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
BRITAIN
Safety cuts cost lives, says Amicus
Government plans to cut the budget of the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) will have dire consequences for workers, says Amicus. The union
claims the move will result in fewer health and safety inspectors and
less frequent workplace inspections.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
BRITAIN
Cut risks not safety workers, says HSE union
Safety inspectors' union Prospect is campaigning against Health and
Safety Executive plans to reduce the number of investigations into major
injuries at work and cut the time spent on the cases they do investigate.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
BRITAIN
Union backs ban bullying day
Nationwide activities to mark ban bullying day are being scheduled for
16 October. The event, the brainchild of the union Amicus, employment
rights groups and anti-bullying organisation The Andrea Adams Trust,
is intended to "raise awareness of bullying and its terrible consequences
throughout workplaces up and down the country, where it might have occurred
or where it might occur in the future."
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
BRITAIN
Brit journalists are being written off by overwork
British journalists work the longest hours for the lowest pay with the
fewest rights and the shortest holidays in Europe and are are facing
stress and ill-health as a result, says journalists' union NUJ. It adds
that three of our members have committed suicide, at least one directly
blamed by their families on stress at work."
Risks
124, 20 September 2003 • Hazards worked
to death web resources
BRITAIN
UNISON help for voluntary organisations
Public sector union UNISON has launched a new website to provide free
health and safety information to small and medium sized community and
voluntary organisations. It says it created the www.healthandsafetyinfo.org.uk
resource after a year-long pilot of workplace safety advisers (WSAs)
in the community and voluntary.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003 • UNISON community and voluntary
sector safety
website
BRITAIN
Worker safety advisers are a hit!
A worker safety adviser scheme created in response to union calls for
"roving" safety reps has been a stunning success, a study has concluded.
Nearly 73 per cent of employers said awareness had increased and a third
said communications had improved; over 75 per cent of employers said
the pilot had led to them changing their approach, and nearly 70 per
cent of workers said there was more discussion on health and safety.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003 • More
on Worker Safety Advisers
BRITAIN
TUC awards "Workers' VC" to safety reps
The 2003 national Safety Reps of the Year have been honoured by the
TUC. TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said they were the heirs of
the 440 recipients of the 
Order
of Industrial Heroism or "Workers' VC" , awarded between 1923 and 1964
to recognise the "deeds of valour" of those who saved fellow workers
from danger or death.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003 • TUC
history online on the Order of Industrial Heroism
EUROPE
Eh, EU! Keep paraquat safely controlled!
International food and farming union IUF is appealing for worldwide
action to prevent the European Union from relaxing current restrictions
on the highly toxic herbicide paraquat. It says paraquat accounts for
a substantial number of the 40,000 global pesticide-related deaths each
year, adding there is no known antidote to paraquat poisoning.
Risks
124, 20 September 2003
BRITAIN
No more Mr Knackered Guy
A campaign for humane work hours and an end to overtime coercion by
employers has been launched by TUC. A TUC poll has revealed that large
sections of the workforce are enduring illegally long hours without
ever agreeing an "opt ou" from the 48 hour working week ceiling.
Risks
123, 13 September 2003 • TUC
It's about time campaign
EUROPE
Ban on smoking at work is likely
A complete ban on smoking in the workplace could be a step closer after
a top European official announced plans for new European Union-wide
measures on passive smoking. European Commissioner for health and consumer
protection David Byrnes said there was scope to act on the hazards at
the workplace under existing EU-wide safety laws.
Risks
123, 13 September 2003
USA
Overwork is hurting America
Americans are working long hours and taking little leisure time, with
profound effects on health and well-being. Joe Robinson, founder of
the Work-to-Live campaign, commented: "I tend to think overwork is the
No.1 family values issue… We work 100 hours a year more than the Japanese.
I'd hate to see what our karoshi numbers look like."
Risks
123, 13 September 2003 • Find out more on karoshi on
the Hazards
worked to death webpages
GHANA
Unions call for national safety laws
The Ghanian government should introduce a national health and safety
law, a top union official has said. Joshua Ansah, general secretary
of the Timber Woodworkers Union (TWU), said Ghana does not have a national
policy on occupational health and safety, and existing laws fall short
because they do not cover employment sectors including forestry, agriculture,
fisheries and health services.
Risks
123, 13 September 2003
AUSTRALIA
Truckies drive safety into the AGM
Australian truck drivers doubling as shareholder activists will raise
health and safety concerns at the annual general meeting (AGM) of Boral,
a publicly-listed concrete company facing fines and Supreme Court action
over its safety record. Activists have formed their own group, Boral
Ethical Shareholders, with backing from the transport union TWU. Risks
123, 13 September 2003
AUSTRALIA
Children claim Esso wrecked their lives
The deadly 1998 gas explosion at Esso's Longford, Australia plant broke
up the marriage of a worker the company wrongly claimed was at fault
for the blast, a judge has heard. The couple's teenage children are
seeking compensation in the Supreme Court.
Risks
123, 13 September 2003
BRITAIN
Insurers say it will pay to be safe
Businesses with good health and safety practices could pay less employers'
liability insurance, under an initiative launched by the Association
of British Insurers (ABI).
Risks
123, 13 September 2003
GLOBAL
Worked to death in an export zone
Millions of workers in developing nations are being worked to death
by the foreign owned firms that employ them, a global union body has
charged. In special online interviews with "export processing zone"
workers from the Philippines, Dominican Republic and Honduras, ICFTU
- the world's TUC - reveals that long hours, violence and abuse are
typical.
Risks 123, 13 September 2003
BRITAIN
Women win on call battle
Nine women wardens have won a legal battle that could have major implications
for people who are forced to remain on standby after completing their
hours of work. The GMB members lived in sheltered homes for the elderly
in the London borough of Harrow and worked a basic 37 hour week - but
they were kept on call for another 76 hours.
Risks
123, 16 September 2003
BRITAIN
Employers need to think more about mental health
Few managers feel able to offer support or advice to employees with
mental health problems - and their lack of confidence is shared by employees.
Just 2 per cent of the 1,596 people questioned in the survey from The
Work Foundation said their manager would be able to help if they had
a problem.
Risks
123, 13 September 2003
PHILIPPINES
Violence against media "out of control"
The media crisis in the Philippines has reached crisis point, a global
union has warned, with the assassination on 6 September of the sixth
journalist this year. In a letter to the President, the international
journalists' union IFJ has called for the authorities to properly investigate
these killings. The Philippines has also been criticised this month
for arresting on libel charges four journalists who wrote about illegal
and dangerous use of pesticides at a banana plantation.
Risks
123, 13 September 2003
USA
Jail sentence for asbestos crimes upped to 14
years
A US company boss has had his jail sentence for asbestos-related crimes
extended. Joseph Thorn, 41, was resentenced to 14 years in prison for
violating asbestos removal laws and jeopardising the health of hundreds
of employees.
Risks
123, 13 September 2003
BRITAIN
Police officers may face random drugs tests
The government is to reconsider introducing random drug tests for police
officers in England and Wales. The Police Federation, the organisation
representing frontline police officers, is opposed to the idea.
Risks
123, 13 September 2003
BRITAIN
Don't turn hard hat policy on its head
A plan by Network Rail to make the wearing of hard hats compulsory for
all workers on the railway infrastructure could prove counterproductive,
the rail union RMT has warned, and is calling for use to be based on
risk assessment for jobs.
Risks
123, 16 September 2003
USA
Unions keep the workplace safe
If you want to survive your job and enjoy decent conditions you should
get in a union, latest research from the US says. The Economic Policy
Institute's new report, How unions help all workers, concludes unions
greatly improve official safety enforcement.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
USA
Give the workers a break
A US campaign is calling for the country's frazzled workforce to "take
back their time." The organisers of "Take Back Your Time Day," scheduled
for 24 October, say overwork leaves fewer and fewer Americans with enough
time for their families and other responsibilities.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
SOUTH AFRICA
Mines to be hit by new claims avalanche
Another legal onslaught against South African mining houses is looming
following the announcement by a British legal firm that it is to take
up the cases of former gold miners. The miners are claiming compensation
from several mining companies for allegedly contracting chronic dust
diseases including silicosis.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
MALAYSIA
Minister calls for proactive workplace protection
A government minister has called on Malaysian employers to be proactive
in addressing workplace safety risks. The move came after workers suffering
cancers linked to workplace exposures raised their concerns with the
Malaysian Trades Union Congress.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
GLOBAL
Work less, produce more
A new International Labour Office (ILO) shows that workers produce more
when they are not worked into the ground. ILO's Key indicators of the
labour market concludes the relatively rested French workers each generated
$35 worth of output per hour, compared to $32 for their horribly overworked
US equivalents. Norwegian workers are almost 20 per cent more productive
than their US counterparts.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
AUSTRALIA
Union takes on casual work hazards
An Australian union is taking on the hazards of casual labour. Manufacturing
union AMWU says injury rates for "labour hire" workers are higher and
injuries more severe than for directly employed workers in the same
industry.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
AUSTRALIA
Workers to lower speed limits in road work zones
Road workers in the Australian Workers Union (AWU) have voted unanimously
to improve workplace safety by adopting speed limits in road work zones
where there are no traffic barriers.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
AUSTRALIA
Tobacco giant pays asbestos price
Tobacco multinational Philip Morris has settled a lawsuit with a Melbourne
employee battling lung cancer. The substantial out-of-court payout to
Lionel Newman, 62, a heavy smoker who was also exposed to asbestos dust
- however, the company broke with the usual legal ruse of trying to
blame smoking as contributory negligence.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
BRITAIN
Silicon Glen safety record "worst in UK"
Scotland's high-tech microelectronics companies have broken safety rules
far more often than their counterparts in England and Wales. Four Scottish
semiconductor manufacturers were guilty of 28 breaches of the regulations
meant to protect the health and safety of workers, compared to just
two breaches by one manufacturer south of the border.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
BRITAIN
Give us back our evenings and weekends
Government action to reduce weekend working and excessive work hours
is needed to help parents balance their work and family responsibilities,
new research has concluded. A Joseph Rowntree Foundation report found
employed parents are more likely to work outside the normal "nine to
five" than other workers.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
BRITAIN
Teachers use drink and drugs for stress
Teachers and other school staff are turning to anti-depressants and
alcohol to cope with rising stress levels. The findings came in response
to a Wrexham council survey, undertaken after concerns were raised by
the Health and Safety Executive.
Risks 122, 6 September 2003 • Hazards
guide to sensible drugs and alcohol policies
GLOBAL
Warning over heart risk from passive smoking
Being exposed to even a small amount of second-hand tobacco smoke may
increase your chances of developing heart disease, according to a new
study. It found people who are exposed to smoke just a few times a week
at home or at work could see their risk rise by 15 per cent in five
years or double over 30 years.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
BRITAIN
Long hours rife in UK workplaces
Over 3.4 million men work in excess of 49 hours a week, according to
research for GMB London Region. A Durham university analysis of 2001
Census of Population provides "the first comprehensive statistics on
those working more than 48 hours since the EU introduced a limit of
48 hours on the working week."
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
BRITAIN
TUC tells you how to telework
The TUC and the government have issued guides on the problems facing
teleworkers. Government figures show a 65 per cent rise over the last
four years in the numbers working outside the traditional office, so
it is no wonder the TUC was concerned.
Risks
122, 6 September 2003
