December 2003
Wednesday 17 December 2003 - News - Road safetyRoad safety scheme may be extended, says PM
A pilot scheme which has reduced road casualties by 35% in some areas could be rolled out across the country, the Prime Minister signalled today...read
Wednesday 17 December 2003 - News - SecurityFrosty thieves nip in quick to steal car
Thieves stole a luxury 4 x 4 car as the owner defrosted it, police said today...read
Tuesday 16 December 2003 - News - Natural disasterCost of natural disasters went up in 2003
Natural disasters cost the world $60 billion (around £35 billion) in 2003, up from $55 (£31billion) the previous year...read
Tuesday 16 December 2003 - News - MiscellaneousConsultation on director and auditor liability
Options for a "radical overhaul" of directors' and auditors' liability were unveiled today by the Department of Trade and Industry...read
Monday 15 December 2003 - News - Health and safetyWarning on lambing danger to pregnant women
Pregnant women were warned today to avoid getting too close to sheep as the lambing season began across the UK...read
Monday 15 December 2003 - News - Road safetyPoor roads 'costing hundreds of lives'
Hundreds of lives are being lost each year because of the poor condition of Britain's roads, watchdogs said today...read
Friday 12 December 2003 - News - Health and safetyGarden centre owners fined over girl's death
The owners of a garden centre where a three-year-old girl was crushed to death by a falling carport were ordered to pay £150,000 today...read
Thursday 11 December 2003 - News - SecurityTips on preventing Christmas crime
The National Neighbourhood Watch Association (NNWA) has published advice and a checklist for householders, to help them avoid becoming a victim of burglary during the festive season...read
Wednesday 10 December 2003 - News - Fire safetyMinister sings 12 days of Xmas fire safety song
Firefighters have been giving information to schoolchildren about the dangers of fire in homes at Christmas time...read
Wednesday 10 December 2003 - News - Health and safetyCouncil awarded for small firms' safety training
This year's HELA (Health and Safety Executive/Local Authority Liaison Committee) Award for Innovation has been won by Leeds City Council, for its health and safety risk assessment training initiative for small and medium sized businesses...read
Tuesday 9 December 2003 - News - Health and safetyPrivate employers 'worse on health and safety'
The country's biggest union issued a "safety warning" today over the record of private firms given contracts by local authorities and health trusts...read
Tuesday 9 December 2003 - News - MiscellaneousPolice warning over hoax email
Internet users have been tricked into calling a police switchboard by a hoax email which claims nearly £400 has been taken from their credit cards, it emerged last night...read
Monday 8 December 2003 - News - Road safetyTaking the hump with traffic calming measures
Road humps on residential streets have done little for safety and simply annoy drivers, the House of Lords heard today...read
Monday 8 December 2003 - News - Security£2m cash boost to combat fraud
The Home Office today announced a £2 million cash boost in the fight against fraud, adding that the City of London Police would take the lead in investigating complex fraud cases...read
Friday 5 December 2003 - News - Health and safety / Environmental'Largest ever fine' for chemical firm
A chemical company was fined £250,000 today after admitting it risked exposing the public to hazardous waste and its employees to ionising radiation...read
Thursday 4 December 2003 _ News - Health and safetySafe working with LPG fuelled motor vehicles
New safety guidance has been published by the Health and Safety Executive to help those working on the increasing number of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuelled vehicles...read
Wednesday 3 December 2003 - News - SecuritySmall shops get help to protect their businesses
Small retailers can learn about reducing crime and making their businesses more secure at a series of Government-funded seminars announced today...read
Wednesday 3 December 2003 - News - ContinuityNo new laws needed to tackle financial disruption
A Task Force set up to consider major operational disruption to the financial system has concluded that new legislation is not needed...read
November
Tuesday 2 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyNew GP contract 'failing skin disease services'
An expert today launched an attack at the Government for failing to include skin diseases in a new GPs' contract...read
Tuesday 2 December 2003 - News - Miscellaneous'Bah humbug' bosses dread Christmas trading
Many entrepreneurs dread Christmas, claiming it is the most financially damaging period of the year, according to a survey released today...read
Monday 1 December 2003 - News - Road safetyScottish police stop eight drivers in phone ban
Eight drivers were stopped by police in Scotland today following the introduction of new legislation banning the use of mobile phones while driving... read
November 2003
Friday 28 November 2003 - News - Road safetyLatest crash test ratings announced
Car manufacturers' designs are still not providing much protection for pedestrians in the event of a crash, new test figures out today showed... read
Friday 28 November 2003 - News - Fire safetyFirefighters accept new phase of pay deal
Firefighters have voted to accept the latest phase of their pay offer despite anger over the increase being staged, it was announced today... read
Thursday 27 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyExtra safeguards for temporary agency workers
Employment agencies supplying temporary staff to work with children and the elderly will have to carry out extra checks under measures announced by the Government today... read
Wednesday 26 November 2003 - News - Natural disasterRain needed to avoid significant water shortage
Much of England and Wales could face serious water shortages next year unless there is significant rainfall over the winter months, the Environment Agency warned today... read
Wednesday 26 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyKiller bug outbreak believed to be over
A Legionnaires' disease outbreak which killed a man in his 70s and infected 25 other people is not expected to claim any new victims, health officials said today... read
Tuesday 25 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyFirms fined £50,000 over asbestos exposure
Two companies that had worked for a Ministry of Defence site in Dorset were fined £50,000 and a further £144,000 in costs between them at Bournemouth Crown Court today for failing to prevent the exposure of two workers to asbestos while they worked... read
Wednesday 25 November 2003 - News - SecurityLorry driver in £250,000 hijack ordeal
Thieves threatened a lorry driver with a stun gun before kidnapping him and stealing his vehicle packed with £250,000 of alcohol, police said today... read
Monday 24 November 2003 - News - Road safetyFree guidance on minibus driving
IAM Fleet, the commercial training division of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, is offering a free guidance booklet for minibus drivers... read
Monday 24 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyUpdated guidance on dust explosions
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published revised guidance aimed at industries dealing with combustible dusts, informing them of the safest way of handling them... read
Friday 21 November 2003 - News - SecurityRewards offered to catch graffiti vandals
Rewards of £500 were up for grabs today for anyone who can identify 12 prolific graffiti artists... read
Thursday 20 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyMedical boffins say sledging is too dangerous
The traditional winter pastime of sledging today became the latest children's favourite to be branded too dangerous... read
Wednesday 19 November 2003 - News - Road safetyNew simulator could be life-saver for truckers
A driving simulator that will give truckers potentially life-saving experience of handling dangerous situations was opened by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling today... read
Wednesday 19 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyBaby swallows hook allegedly left by workmen
A young mother was threatening to sue today after her baby daughter swallowed a screw hook, allegedly left in her home by workmen... read
Tuesday 18 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyFurther guidance on hazardous substances
A paper version of HSE guide "COSHH essentials: Easy steps to control chemicals" has been published to help employers, particularly smaller businesses, control exposure arising from the use of hazardous substances at work... read
Tuesday 18 November 2003 - News - SecurityWebshoppers warned of email virus fraud
Internet shoppers were today warned about a new virus which tries to trick them into revealing their bank details and other personal information... read
Monday 17 November 2003 - News - SecurityNew curbs on 'yobs' set to become law
Heavily debated tough new measures to crack down on anti-social behaviour are set to become law... read
Monday 17 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyLegionella bug found in 'cleansed' cider tower
A cooling tower at Britain's largest cider manufacturer has again tested positive for the bug which causes Legionnaires' disease, public health officials said today... read
Friday 14 November 2003 - News - EnvironmentalWaste and Emissions Trading Bill now law
The Waste and Emissions Trading Act was granted Royal Assent yesterday... read
Thursday 13 November 2003 - News - Natural disasterSave energy to stop flooding
Consumers are failing to make the link between their energy consumption at home and the risk that their property will be flooded, it was claimed today... read
Wednesday 12 November 2003 - News - Natural disasterFirst storm of Autumn expected this week
The first storm of Autumn will hit northern and western parts of Britain on Thursday night and Friday morning, Met Office forecasters warned today... read
Wednesday 12 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyDSEAR codes of practice published
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published four approved codes of practice (ACoPs) supporting the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)... read
Tuesday 11 November 2003 - News - Fire safetyFirefighters asked to decide on pay-deal
Firefighters are to be consulted on whether to accept the latest phase of their pay deal or move towards industrial action... read
Tuesday 11 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyBrakes on for old woodworking machines
A five-year transition period for the fitting of brakes to woodworking machines - required by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1988 (PUWER 98) - will soon expire, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has advised... read
Monday 10 November 2003 - News - SecuritySurge in credit card phone fraud
The fraudulent use of credit and debit cards to buy items over the Internet or telephone has soared by more than a third during the past two years, figures showed today... read
Monday 10 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyHunt continues for source of Legionnaires'
Investigations were today continuing to determine the source of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, which has already claimed the lives of two pensioners... read
Friday 7 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyMore work needed on occupational health
More needs to be done to tackle occupational health issues if Britain is to maintain its position as a world leader in health and safety, the UK's top safety official has claimed... read
Thursday 6 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyHSE must face trial over Paddington crash
The Health and Safety Executive has been refused leave to appeal to the House of Lords against a ruling that it must face a multi-million pound damages claim over the 1999 Paddington rail disaster... read
Wednesday 5 November 2003 - News - SecurityNew guide to avoiding key theft
Norwich Union Risk Services has produced an online risk management guide to help motor traders minimise their risk of exposure to vehicle key theft... read
Wednesday 5 November 2003 - News - SecurityFrustration at lack of stolen treasures register
Art experts voiced "frustration" yesterday at ministers' failure to set up a register of stolen items... read
Tuesday 4 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyJust dial for workplace transport advice
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Freight Transport Association (FTA) have opened a new workplace transport safety advice centre... read
Tuesday 4 November 2003 - News - Road safetyCar security and fire safety standards
New standards covering vehicle security and flammable materials in cars are to be introduced... read
Monday 3 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyAir DVT death rate 'just one in 2 million'
Air passengers do face an increased risk of deep vein thrombosis - the so-called "economy class syndrome" - but are much more likely to die in a road accident, researchers claimed today... read
Monday 3 November 2003 - News - Health and safetyAsking questions of occupational asthma
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published research carried out by the Institute of Occupational Medicine in Edinburgh on the development of a questionnaire to help identify work-related asthma... read
October 2003
Friday 31 October 2003 - News - Road safetyMaestro driver clocked at 480mph - allegedly!
A woman who drives a G-registration Austin Maestro today told of her shock when she received a speeding ticket claiming she was travelling at 480mph... read
Thursday 30 October 2003 - News - Fire safetyXmas toy shortage fear after blaze
A massive fire at a toy warehouse could lead to a shortage of some of Britain's top Christmas gifts, it emerged today... read
Wednesday 29 October 2003 - News - SecurityNumber plate technology catching criminals
A hi-tech crime-fighting tool which catches criminals on the move has helped Lancashire police arrest 276 people and recover £108,560 of stolen goods in five months, it emerged today... read
Wednesday 29 October 2003 - News - Natural disasterSolar storm threatens communications disruption
One of the biggest solar flares in living memory has erupted from the Sun, threatening to disrupt power and communications on Earth... read
Tuesday 28 October 2003 - News - SecurityMore uses for home CCTV than eyeing burglars
Home CTV systems are being put to more use than simply watching out for burglars, according to a new survey... read
Tuesday 28 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyDemonstration highlights safety funding 'crisis'
Workers were today lobbying MPs to highlight a funding "crisis" in the country's main health and safety body... read
Monday 27 October 2003 - News - Road safetyFresh warning to bosses over mobiles in cars
Employers were warned today to make themselves aware of the details of a new law banning the use of handheld mobile phones behind the wheel... read
Monday 27 October 2003 - News - Miscellaneous50% rise in compensation for victims of oil spills
The level of compensation available to victims of oil pollution from tankers such as the Braer and Sea Empress is set to rise by just over 50% from today, the Government has announced... read
Friday 24 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyOverhead power lines safety guide update
An updated leaflet and video has been published by the Health and safety Executive today to protect agricultural workers from the dangers of overhead power lines... read
Thursday 23 October 2003 - News - Road safetySlow drivers are the 'most dangerous'
There is "no simple relationship" between speeding and road deaths and it is actually slow drivers who are the "most dangerous", according to new university research... read
Wednesday 22 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyAnxious Brits worry over 'mythical problems'
The number of people suffering from anxiety, depression or bad nerves has soared to almost four million, according to new research today... read
Wednesday 22 October 2003 - News - ContinuityLessons learned on business continuity?
Almost one third of company executives and/or IT managers have in the past failed to consider business continuity as a priority, despite 64% recognising data loss as having a "major" impact on their business... read
Tuesday 21 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyPossible probe into workplace bullying
The Government is considering a nationwide survey of bullying at work, it was disclosed yesterday... read
Tuesday 21 October 2003 - News - Road safetyWorking time proposals for road transport
The Department for Transport (DFT) today published a consultation document on new working time proposals for the road transport sector... read
Monday 20 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyNew rules on electromagnetic exposure
Employers across the European Union will be required to carry out risk assessments of the dangers to their staff from radio, television and mobile phone masts in future, following agreement of a directive in principle by the EU Council of Ministers... read
Monday 20 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyNew lone worker anti-violence guide
The Health and safety Executive has launched a series of real life studies offering "practical ways to reduce the threat of violence to lone and mobile workers"... read
Friday 17 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyConstruction union sends out anti-death squad
A union is employing a team of roving inspectors to tour building sites across the UK to try to cut the rising number of deaths and injuries, it was announced today... read
Thursday 16 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyNew help to tackle infection risks at work
The Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP) today published new health and safety guidance on how to control the risks posed from infections at work, as part of the European Week for Safety and Health 13 -18 October 2003.... read
Wednesday 15 October 2003 - News - MiscellaneousLiability premiums 'are not over inflated'
Employers' liability insurance premiums are not artificially high, despite recent increases, a Government minister claimed today... read
Wednesday 15 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyLatex allergy and asthma dangers highlighted
New pages at the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) website were launched today to raise awareness of latex allergies, often a "serious cause of occupational asthma" according to the HSE... read
Tuesday 14 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyHSC meets to discuss directors' responsibilities
The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) was meeting today to decide whether the law should impose safety duties on company directors... read
Tuesday 14 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyCalls to 'give firms tax breaks for gym schemes
A leading UK accounting firm today urged the Government to adopt United States-style tax incentives to tackle rising obesity levels and low productivity in the workplace... read
Monday 13 October 2003 - News - MiscellaneousDrawing a line under boundary disputes
Boundary disputes between neighbours could become a thing of the past in England and Wales following new legislation introduced today... read
Monday 13 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyAudience members to sue over stage collapse
Three members of a theatre audience injured when a temporary stage collapsed during a Sound of Music show are to sue for damages, it emerged today... read
Friday 10 October 2003 - News - Miscellaneous'Good builders' register hits 500 mark
Figures released today show 500 firms are now on the Government-backed Quality Mark Scheme, designed to promote good builders and help homeowners avoid the rogue traders... read
Thursday 9 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyNew online safety guide for Europe's small firms
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has launched a new online guide of occupational safety and health advice for Europe's 19 million SMEs... read
Wednesday 8 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyChemicals advice for small businesses
The HSE has launched new guidance and advice to help people address the hidden dangers of working with chemicals... read
Wednesday 8 October 2003 - News - SecurityScottish retailers suffer more crime
The 2nd Scottish Retail Crime Survey has today revealed a 7% increase in the costs of retail crime, which equates to £76 per household in Scotland... read
Tuesday 7 October 2003 - News - Fire safetyNew rules for sprinklers
A 'long-awaited' CEN Standard has been issued by BSI as BS EN 12845 - a European Standard on sprinkler installations... read
Tuesday 7 October 2003 - News - Road safetyAgreement on legal costs in road accident claims
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has welcomed an agreement to end disputes with solicitors over legal costs in road accident claims involving conditional fee arrangements... read
Monday 6 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyGuidance on preventing slips and trips at work
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has today published a new Information Sheet giving advice about preventing slips and trips to workers in health services... read
Monday 6 October 2003 - News - Road safetySpeed camera policy 'responsible for deaths
A reduction in road safety education and an increase in speed cameras has led to the loss of over 5000 lives since 1993, according to a report from the Association of British Drivers... read
Friday 3 October 2003 - News - SecurityResearch reveals high cost of drug addiction
A small group of drug addicted criminals are costing one city £1 million of pounds a year, an expert has claimed.. read
Thursday 2 October 2003 - News - Health and safetyHSC welcomes Worker Safety Advisor fund
The creation of a new Worker Safety Adviser (WSA) Challenge Fund was warmly welcomed today by Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission... read
Wednesday 1 October 2003 - News - MiscellaneousDrivers fail to join petrol protest
A threatened mass protest by drivers angry at petrol price increases failed to materialise today... read
Wednesday 1 October 2003 - News - SecurityPumpkin haul may be work of Hallowe'en thieves
A lorry load of pumpkins may have been taken by thieves in an early Hallowe'en theft, police said today... read
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