Lawford Kidd's Blog

Regular safety inspections, a maximum temperature in the workplace and far greater control of carcinogens are just some of the improvements that the TUC is calling for in its new ten point safety manifesto.

The report, Time for change, features ten key recommendations which the TUC believes, if implemented by a future government, could help turn around the UK's poor safety record, and prevent a good many of the 20,000 workplace-related deaths which occur in the UK every year.

The TUC is also hoping its manifesto for change will make the case for good health and safety practice, in a climate where safety laws are increasingly seen by ministers as unnecessary burdens on business, and where spending cuts and changes in regulations are making it more difficult to police employers who play fast and loose with their employees' safety.

The risks facing workers across Scotland would appear to be increasing rather than falling, as the latest provisional figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that 20 workers lost their lives while at work in Scotland last year - an increase of six on the previous year.

HSE disappointment

The HSE has expressed its disappointment at the figures, and has called on business to rethink workplace safety provisions and to focus on real risk in an attempt to bring the numbers down.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has been censured over safety failings that led to the death of a 14-year-old cadet.

Kaylee McIntosh died in August 2007 after becoming trapped beneath the boat she was in when it capsized on Loch Carnan in bad weather.

A Health and Safety Executive investigation found a series of serious failings by Major George McCallum, who was leading the boating trip, compounded by systemic organisational failings by MOD Army.

A man has been awarded compensation of £8,750 after he injured his ankle in the ditch of a ha-ha in the grounds of Hopetoun House, near Edinburgh, reports the Scotsman.

The man, who was 61 at the time of the accident, was attending a guided bat walk in the grounds with his grandson. The injury occurred as the pair walked back to their car in the dark at the end of the bat walk.

The compensation award was originally set at £35,000, however, according to the Scotsman, the judge reduced the amount by 75% for “a high level of contributory negligence” on behalf of the grandfather.

The chartered body for health and safety professionals has welcomed a call by parliamentarians to allow adequate time for consultations on Government policy.

Ministers are looking at slashing the time allowed for organisations to comment on some proposed law changes, from 12 weeks to as little as two. The aim is to make the consultation process more productive.

But the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) is among prominent organisations to criticise the plan. It would “counterproductive”, said IOSH, because it could stop stakeholders submitting evidence on important proposals on legislation.