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Fit-note system to come into force this spring
Yet another example of the Government spotting a real problem and then passing legislation intended to cure it and making a hugely worse problem. Why does this continually happen-because they consult

Research/reports: Trust in turbines
To put this in perspective you should read and then print a critical review of the above written by real medical doctors, one being our very own Dr Chris Hanning. He and his colleagues were not commis

Fit-note system to come into force this spring
Where does it say that employers "HAVE to do a risk assessment" on someone returning to work. This may well be the implied outcome of a return-to-work interview and appropriate pastoral care, but the

Guidance: The role of asbestos surveys
Is P402 accreditation deemed sufficient when coupled with an appropriate level and amount of experience?

Fit-note system to come into force this spring
It made me laugh, when I thought about a visit to the hospital last year and a sign read: 'If you are suffering from flu symptoms go home immdediately'.

Fit-note system to come into force this spring
This has not been thought through. There is a possibility of companies with massively compromised workforces, people still at work but not functioning well. Many will hang on at work, especially if

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Teesside chemical leak injures 37 25/01/2007

Teeside - 59.03 Kb

Inspectors from the HSE’s Hazardous Installations Directorate are investigating a chemical leak at BASF’s Seal Sands, Billingham plant on Teesside, which left 37 workers needing medical treatment.

Around 4.5 tonnes of hexamethylene-diamine (known as HMD) escaped in the incident on 4 January. It is a highly corrosive substance, known to be extremely destructive if inhaled, ingested, or if it comes into contact with the skin. Of the injured workers, 17 required hospital treatment – one man sustained serious facial burns and remained in hospital for a number of days.

The investigation into the leak is being led by the HSE, and also involves the Environment Agency and Cleveland police. Principal inspector of the HID in the North East, Alex Keddie, said: “Currently, we are loooking at the management systems used in running the site and also at the plant itself, and, as part of the investigations, we will also be interviewing all the people involved in the incident.”

The Teesside plant is German-owned BASF’s largest in the UK and produces chemicals used in the manufacture of acrylic and nylon fibres and plastics. This is the third major incident at the plant in recent years. A large fire ripped through it in 1995, while in 1999, a worker was killed by chemical fumes. The HSE acknowledged that it has had to investigate incidents at the plant on previous occasions but said it approaches each investigation “on its own merits and with an open mind”.

The GMB union has also spoken to the members it represents at the plant to find out if they had any concerns prior to the incident. Said regional secretary, Tom Brennan: “I can assure you there will be questions raised over safety procedures, equipment and machinery. There will be a complete review. What’s most important in cases of this nature is that we don’t have a repeat incident.”



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