FORTHCOMING HSE CAMPAIGNS - UPDATE DECEMBER 2007

[Big Daz]

Hello Big Daz,

10 December 2007


Issuing officer(s): Dave Joyce

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No. 1080/07
Ref EX5
Date: 10 December 2007




To: All Branches



Dear Colleagues,



FORTHCOMING HSE CAMPAIGNS - UPDATE DECEMBER 2007



At a recent meeting with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), we were provided with a valuable update for Branches and Safety Reps regarding the forthcoming HSE campaign profile for the beginning of 2008. Specifically in relation to Royal Mail we have asked the HSE via the 'LOPP' (Large Organisations Partnership Pilot) for the major HSE campaigns and resources to be linked into the LOPP Scheme activities to ensure that we gain maximum benefit.



As we highlighted during our update earlier this year, during each campaign, Inspectors visiting all premises will focus on the key campaign areas and assess the standards, offer advice and enforce applicable legislation. It is also common during major campaigns that certain businesses will be targeted for inspection based on their activity profile i.e. if their work area is relevant to the current campaign. Falls from Vehicles, Better Backs and Slips and Trips are all highly relevant to CWU members in RM and BT and we therefore wish to maximise our involvement with the campaigns.



Therefore the campaigns stated below are some of the key HSE campaigns for the beginning of 2008. It is important to note that some of these details of the campaigns stated below may change as the priorities change within the HSE, however the information will provide you with the main areas of focus in the near future.



Falls from Vehicles



More than 2000 serious injuries to people falling from vehicles are reported to HSE each year. Many of these injuries are broken arms or legs, resulting in weeks off work and possible loss of earnings. There are probably many more injuries that are not reported.

This campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the risk of falling that workers are exposed to when accessing and/or working at height on vehicles, and the action that should be taken to minimise these risks.

The HSE has published supporting web pages for this campaign containing useful information for companies regarding:



. Highlighting the risks

. Planning loading and unloading

. Footwear and clothing

. Ground Level controls

. Access to vehicles

. Advice on surfaces

. Maintenance

. Case studies

. Information posters for employee awareness



These web pages are available from the link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/fallsfromvehicles/index.htm

A number of Companies have been actively involved in this campaign to share some of the best practices they have put into action to reduce falls from vehicles. The details of their specific case study can be accessed directly via the web link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/fallsfromvehicles/cs03.pdf



Better Backs



MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders), including back pain and ULDs (Upper Limb Disorders), remain the largest cause of occupational ill health. This means a lot of suffering for working people, and major problems for business as well. It is an immense challenge.

In 2005/06:

two million people in Great Britain suffered work-related ill health;
half of these people suffered MSDs;
MSDs accounted for nearly 10 million working days lost;
people suffering a work-related MSD took an average 17 days off work.
We would like to remind all Branches and Safety Reps that a Better Backs campaign will take place in January/ February 2008. This campaign is aimed at reducing the incidence of back pain and upper limb disorders at work and reducing the number of working days lost due to back pain. HSE are also continuing to promote the importance of managing back pain more generally by "staying active" and good return to work practices.

More details on the campaign and how companies can become involved is available from the web link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/campaigns/index.htm



Slips and Trips



Slips and trips incidents remain the main cause of major injuries in the workplace and continue to be one of the main target areas for the HSE in their work to reduce injuries. Therefore the HSE will be running a campaign at the beginning of 2008 aimed at producing publicity material to support companies' awareness of this important issue.

Statistics show slipping and tripping to be the single most common cause of major injury in UK workplaces:

almost 11,000 major injuries each year;
38% of all major injuries;
27,000 over 3 days injuries;
24% of all over 3 day injuries.
In LA industries:

44% of major injuries;
24% of over 3 day injuries.
Slips and trips are often the initiators of accidents attributed to other causes, such as some machinery accidents, scalding and falls from height.

For general advice on the prevention and causes of slips and trips accidents in the workplace, the HSE has a series of web pages available that can be accessed through the web link http://www.hse.gov.uk/slips/index.htm.



General Further information



We will provide Branches, Regional Health and Safety Forums and Safety Reps with a further update on the HSE campaigns in February 2008. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like any further information in the meantime.



Yours Sincerely







Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer





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