Joint TSG/NESHEP Newsletter compiled by Maurice Adamson incorporating other SHE related articles

1. North East Safety Groups Newsletter
July 2009
1) CPS announce first corporate manslaughter prosecution
The first employer to be charged under the Corporate Manslaughter Act 2007 has been announced by
the Crown Prosecution Service. Gloucestershire‐based Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings Ltd, is to be
charged in relation to the death of junior geologist Alexander Wright, who was killed when a pit
collapsed in on him on 5th September 2008. A director of the company has also been charged with
gross negligence manslaughter, while the first hearing has been set for 17th June 2009 at Stroud
Magistrates Court.
2) Tower Crane Register
The Government is to launch a statutory register of all tower cranes in the UK. The HSE will set up a
compulsory register of all tower cranes on UK sites by April 2010.
3) Police Worker was “Forced to leave her job”
A former Police worker has won an industrial tribunal against the force after claiming she was bullied
and overworked. The worker sued Cleveland Police for constructive unfair dismissal, claiming she was
forced to leave her job after a string of incidents involving a number of staff. She was employed by the
force in the Central Crimes Bureau(CCB) and then as an operator on the Police National
Computer(PNC) from October 2005 until her resignation in September 2007, when she left she had
been on sick leave for 131days with stress. She alleged she was excluded in the exchange of telephone
numbers & texts, sharing information or help between PNC operators and the exchange of
emails/jokes shared between the training mentor and the other PNC operators. The employment
tribunal accepted the worker “had been subject to bullying/harassment” by five of her colleagues in
the CCB. A remedy hearing will now be set up to decide damages.
4) Council counts the cost following death
A London council has been ordered to pay more than £56,000 after a scaffolder was fatally
electrocuted by an unearthed wall light on one of its housing estates. The employee was clearing
scaffolding and accidentally touched the live metal casing of an external wall light. He received a
massive electric shock and went into cardiac arrest. Paramedics who were called to the scene were
unable to revive him. Camden Council were fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £16,000 in costs.
5) The National Safety Passport
Cognition Media has developed an e‐learning National Safety Passport
program, saving their customers a great deal of time and money while
maintaining a very high standard of training. The program is completely
portable allowing candidates to fit it in around their other duties. No more
need for days away from the job, travelling or overnight costs, a clear winner
in today’s economic climate. At a cost of £69.99(ex VAT), it is ideal for
renewals as well as new safety passport holders. Feedback from both
candidates and management has been overwhelmingly positive. The
program includes the nationally recognised EMSS Safety Passport card which
can be validated online for authenticity. This will exceed employer’s
mandatory requirements to provide safety, health and environment (SHE)
training at a fraction of the cost associated with more traditional passport schemes. The course has
been proven to hold the attention of the candidate and improve knowledge retention while making
the learning a more enjoyable experience. For further details contact Len Wilson on (01642) 619329 or
email: len.wilson@cognitionnetwork.co.uk

2. North East Safety Groups Newsletter
July 2009
6) RES Teesdale Scaffold Ltd
Access and public equipment providers to the trade and public since 1992.
Contract Scaffold Services – We provide a safe and high
quality scaffold access service for industrial, commercial and
private clients ensuring men and materials are supplied
when required.
Hire and Sales of Access and Site Equipment – From
conventional and system scaffold, non‐mechanical plant,
cherry picker, temporary fencing, ladders, staging and
handrail systems. We keep a large stock of equipment available for hire and sale. If we have not got it
we know someone who has.
Site or Social Venue Suppliers – We are recognised as being one of the most efficient enclosure
suppliers in the North East. This service has grown over the years to include temporary
accommodation, display stands for vehicle and other product launches, event sign stands and flag
poles, camera stands, film and lighting towers. Tel: (01642) 231515, Fax: (01642) 232423 or email:
enquiries@resteesdale.co.uk
7) Fractured ankle caused by fall
A bank cashier who fractured her ankle when she fell down a step has received almost £9,000 in
compensation. The employee was carrying two metal boxes from the safe to the cashiers and as she
passed through an open door in a passageway she fell down a step fracturing her left ankle, spraining
her right ankle and damaging her left knee. There were reportedly no signs warning employees of the
hazard.
8) TSG Programme July 2009 – June 2010
The above programme has been sent to all members both electronically and by external post, if there
are any problems or you have not received your copy please contact Tracy Waters on (01642) 619322
or email: tracy.waters@neshep.org
9) Future Newsletters
If the newsletter is to continue I need an input from Members, included could be information relating
to your company (eg success stories or awards, yourselves, any problems solved, sharing best practice
or learning events, any problems you may have encountered for which you may need answers). This is
an opportunity for our members to co‐develop a useful Health & Safety Publication. Contact Maurice
Adamson (01642) 576010 or email: maurice.adamson@btinternet.com with your article.
10) Say cheese
A NEW photography competition focusing on health and safety at work has been announced by the
European Agency for Safety and Health (EU‐OSHA). All photographers – professionals or amateurs –
are invited to join the competition and submit their photographs of good or bad H&S practice before
15th August 2009. An international jury of professional photographers will select the best entries.
Prizes totalling 7,000 Euros await the winners.
For further information log on to: www.osha‐photocompetition.eu

3. North East Safety Groups Newsletter
July 2009
11) Bad Hand Day Campaign
A HSE commissioned trial has revealed that hairdressers say “yes” to reduce their very high chances of
contracting dermatitis and other uncomfortable skin conditions by wearing non‐latex gloves during
their work. HSE is encouraging Britain’s hairdressers to wave goodbye to work related skin conditions
by getting “gloved up”.
Find out more by visiting the website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/hairdressing/index.htm
12) Grand launch for HSE’s new strategy
The long – heralded new HSE strategy “Be Part of the Solution” was released on Wednesday 3rd June
2009 at Westminster Central Hall.
13) EMSS goes Nationwide
NESHEP are pleased to inform you that, with the support of NEPIC, the Essential Minimum Safety
Standard (EMSS) Scheme has been introduced nationwide.
Please be advised that you will start to see EMSS Safety Passport cards across the country from June
2009.
EMSS Safety Passport card holders are
guaranteed to have an in date recognised
National Safety Passport qualification (minimum
standard of CCNSG). EMSS Safety Passport card
holders are also entitled to a competency log
book and online competency profile in which
they can document all other training. The validity
of the EMSS Safety Passport card can be checked
against a secure online database at
www.emssonline.org.
The scheme has been developed over the last
two years by the North East SHE Partnership
(NESHEP) in conjunction with industry leaders and major contractors and is fully supported by the HSE,
NEPIC and Teesside University.
The EMSS scheme has been fully supported by the HSE but if you have any questions or you need
further resources to promote the scheme within your own organisation please contact Tracy Waters
(NESHEP Business Coordinator) on (01642) 619322 or email: tracy.waters@neshep.org