1- 5: EUROPE UNDER STRAIN Europe-wide
union campaign to tackle work strains, including resources and
events. Suppressed RSI reports. UNISON back pain initiative. Mouse
hurts woman. Keyboards hurt most. Pocket ergonomist. Bad backs
in the chemical industry. Paper weight limits. Back pain and carers
resource. International RSI Day, 29 February 2000. pdf
(106k)
7-9: NEWS IN BRIEF TUC reports says dangerous
bosses get off too lightly. UK businesses lose billions in work-related
ill-health costs. HSE prosecutes too few safety offenders. Partnership
with "stakeholders" including unions will lead to safety, says
authorities. Till death do us part - new book on workplace bereavements.
Workers' Memorial Day, 28 April 2000. Cost of unfair dismissals
cases and safety victimisation goes up. Safety is the top trade
u nion role, says "largest ever" UK study. New Code on compensation
insurance. Sheep dippy. Millions exposed to vibration. Safety
benchmarking.
10-11: HOURS OF WORK Directors who drove
their workers too hard guilty of manslaughter in road death case.
International "Fatigue Kills!" campaign for professional drivers.
Dead tired - T&G union campaigns for shorter driver hours. Holiday
entitlement increases for millions of UK workers. Resource guide
on working hours, shifts and flexibility.
CENTREPAGE FACTSHEET No.68: EUROPE UNDER STRAIN
Unions are tackling the workplace strain injuries epidemic - Europe's
no.1 occupational health problem. Gives examples of problems and
solutions, resources and a model workplace strains prevention
policy. pdf (122K)
14-15: LISTENING TO THE WORKERS The UK's
health and safety regime is facing its first major overhaul in
a quarter of a century. Hazards looks at the flaws in the system
and says unions and workers must take this rare opportunity to
demand better laws, more rights and a greater voice. Safety reps
are urged to respond to this official consultation before the
17 March 2000 deadline.
16-17: DISQUALIFYING DIRECTORS New laws
are needed to make company directors accountable for safety crimes.
And it would help, says legal campaigner if HSE took full advantage
of the laws currently at its disposal. The article reveals that
the majority of serious safety crimes are not prosecuted in the
UK and that directors are rarely called to account for criminal
breaches of safety law. Brothers escape jail after using child
labour to strip asbestos. HSE announces new "naming and shaming"
policy for workplace safety criminals. Construction contractor
jailed for four months after ignoring HSE prohibition notices
on dangerous work. US book shows safety crimes are treated lightly.
19: WHAT THE UNIONS SAY TUC wants company
law to be reformed to make company directors more accountable
for safety - with tougher penalties for safety breaches including
disqualification, retraining and inprisonment. Union fears about
gluraldehyde allergy risk are confirmed by research. UNISON wins
six-figure compensation for health worker with latex allergy.
UNISON launches safety organising drive.
20: WHAT THE UNIONS SAY... ON ASBESTOS
End of the asbestos century - asbestos banned in the UK on 24
November 1999. International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS) launched.
21: WHAT THE UNIONS SAY GMB establishes
that part-time reps get full-time pay for safety training. VDU
work is bad for you eyes. GMB issues personal protective equipment
guide. Occupational health, safety and environment in an enlarging
Europe - conference, Glasgow, 28 January 2000.
22: HAZNEWS Welding causes skin problems.
Silica causes a range of health problems.
23: A-Z of recent HSC and HSE publications.
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