News

26 Jan - Standards should boost quality of OH provision

Tuesday, 26 Jan 2010

In a move that should raise the overall quality of care delivered by occupational health (OH) service-providers, new performance standards have been published in the UK for the first time. Produced by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM), in partnership with a group of stakeholders, the standards will be underpinned… Read more

22 Jan - Industrial disease victims 'not being compensated'

Friday, 22 Jan 2010

Hundreds of people are being left to die from industrial diseases without receiving the compensation to which they are entitled. Critics blame the failure of a scheme that was established to find which insurance company covered their employer. A recent government review showed that it failed in more than half… Read more

21 Jan - Airborne hazardous substances: Fit for life

Thursday, 21 Jan 2010

Matthew Judson outlines the work being done to address the thousands of deaths and cases of ill health caused by airborne hazardous substances via a new scheme to ensure respiratory protective equipment is fitted, worn and looked after properly. Occupational respiratory disease is rife in the UK, with 6000 new… Read more

14 Jan - Appeal over asbestos law ruling

Thursday, 14 Jan 2010

Insurers have appealed against the decision to allow legislation which gives victims of an asbestos-related illness the right to claim damages. Last week, a judge rejected a bid to invalidate The Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions)(Scotland) Act which came into force last year. It allows sufferers of pleural plaques, a benign scarring… Read more

14 Jan - Health and safety code aims to advise over asbestos

Thursday, 14 Jan 2010

Guernsey's Health and Safety Executive is asking for help from the building industry to ensure asbestos is properly dealt with in the future. The call follows an increased number of failures to deal with asbestos. The executive has proposed a draft code of practice for consultation with the industry and… Read more

13 Jan - Asbestos warning to tradesmen

Wednesday, 13 Jan 2010

The Health and Safety Inspectorate has issued a stern warning following the conviction of two local tradesmen of handling asbestos without a licence. Mark Pemberton and Francis 'Frankie' Howard, who trade as Isle of Man Roofing Services, were found to have damaged asbestos cladding on a property two years ago.… Read more

13 Jan - Willmott Dixon, Styles&Wood and M&S face court over asbestos charges

Wednesday, 13 Jan 2010

Willmott Dixon, Styles & Wood and Marks and Spencer are among five companies this week facing court accused of exposing staff and members of the public to toxic asbestos fibres. The Health and Safety Executive initiated proceedings against the companies – also including Manchester-based firm PA Realisations and Clarence Contractors,… Read more

12 Jan - Plans approved for asbestos site

Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010

Plans to build 123 new homes on the site of a former asbestos cement works have been approved by a Cheshire council. Halton Borough Council passed an application to redevelop land in Derby Road, Widnes, on Monday night. Residents opposed the plans, at the former Turners Asbestos Cement works, fearing… Read more

12 Jan - Insurers could appeal after asbestos-law challenge fails

Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010

A group of insurers has failed in its bid to overturn a law in Scotland that allows people with asbestos-related pleural plaques to claim for compensation. Aviva, AXA, RSA, and Zurich brought a judicial review against the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009, which made pleural plaques a compensatable condition… Read more

12 Jan - Workers welcome asbestos defeat for insurers

Tuesday, 12 Jan 2010

SHIPYARD workers affected by asbestos last night hailed a court ruling which could mean billions in compensation payouts. Judge Lord Emslie yesterday threw out a bid by insurance firms to have a law on asbestos cases passed by the Scottish parliament thrown out as "irrational". The law was passed at… Read more