Changes to Health & Safety Legislation Updated quarterly
LEGISLATION
The Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008,
Will increase penalties and provide the courts with greater sentencing powers. The Act raises the maximum penalties in the lower courts from £5,000 to £ 20,000,and the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned has also been broadened.
Needlestick Injuries
The Health and Safety Executive Board recently considered this issue in the context of measures being discussed by the European Commission. HSE Board paper, 25th Sept 2008.European Commission measures for protecting workers from infections due to needlestick injuries at www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/hseboard/2008/250908/b60.pdf
LEAD ADVICE
HSE has updated its web pages on working safely with LEAD. The advice covers the risks and management of exposure to LEAD, legislation requirements and health surveillance.www.hse.gov.uk/lead/index.htm
MAJOR HAZARDS
The HSE and the Environment Agency announced in December 2008 that they had charged five companies in connection with the Buncefield explosion. www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2008/buncefield.pdf
FOOTWEAR
The TUC has produced a guide for Safety Reps on feet and footwear entitled Workers Feet and Footwear.
Employers must ensure that their Risk Assessment includes risks to the feet as well as slipping risks. www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/index.cfm
We have sent to branches the latest editions of the Safety Rep bulletin. We continue to spend a significant amount of time and resources dealing with a variety of requests and queries from members.