Seven men have been convicted more than 25 years after a gas-plant leak in Bhopal, central India amounted to the biggest industrial disaster the world has ever known.

The Chemical Business Association (CBA) and the UK Warehouse Association (UKWA) have launched guidance for their respective member companies to help them achieve higher levels of major-hazard management. 

Hair salons across England are failing to protect customers from potential allergic reactions to hair dyes, new research suggests.

HSE chair Judith Hackitt CBE has been appointed chair of the Institution of Chemical Engineers’ new safety centre.

Only one of the five companies being prosecuted over the 2005 Buncefield oil depot explosion is admitting culpability for the health, safety and environmental damage charges against it.

A worker suffered serious burns after being set alight during an explosion at an industrial bakeware manufacturer’s factory in Nottinghamshire.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has been fined £25,000 for exposing its employees to the risk of infection from the potentially deadly E.coli O157 bacteria.

A huge chemical blaze in Lancashire, which closed two motorways, has led to the prosecution of an international waste-management company.

Two agency workers suffered burns after using unsuitable tools to mix chemicals at a Leicestershire adhesives factory.

The Ukrainian master of a chemical tanker has been sent to prison for two months after pleading guilty to being three times over the alcohol limit while in charge of the vessel as it headed up the River Thames towards London.

Michelle Twigg looks at the current strategic standpoint taken by the Health and Safety Executive, and asks whether it will adequately address emerging chemical risks in the workplace and lead to significant improvements in worker health.

The European Union’s new regulations covering the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals will bring major changes for the industry, so Douglas Leech outlines what they involve.

Every year, millions of tonnes of industrial chemicals help keep British businesses across almost every industry sector running smoothly, but their widespread use and application also makes them one of the workplace’s greatest hazards. In terms of how to handle them safely, John Thorne provides a quick reminder for practitioners of how to select the right gloves.

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) have become commonplace for the transport and storage of chemicals. However, recent research has shown that some IBCs may create unacceptable levels of risk in storage. As a result, new industry guidance has been issued. Douglas Leech explains what is involved.

With a new system intended to harmonise the global classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals due to come into force next year, Mark Blainey examines the changes that this will bring to existing legislation.

The Chemical Business Association’s fourth annual ‘index’ on the HS&E performance of the UK chemical logistics sector shows improvements in all areas in 2009.

The Chemical Business Association (CBA) announced the winners of its annual Responsible Care Awards at its annual lunch on 29 April.

Scientists at Nottingham Trent University are investigating how origami – the ancient art of paper folding – might help improve awareness of the safety procedures involved in handling hazardous chemicals.

The TUC has launched a guide to cancer-causing chemicals in the workplace, which aims to help safety reps keep up the pressure on employers to make workplaces safer, and stop them taking unnecessary risks with their employees’ lives.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has warned all businesses that they must register their use of chemicals before 1 December, or they will be banned from importing or manufacturing them.

Chemical safety solutions provider Chemstore has just announced the nationwide rollout of its Chemical Safety Site Audit. This free service will be particularly beneficial to any organisation that handles, stores or uses hazardous or pollutant substances, says the company.

Polyco has launched a new addition to its Matrix hand-protection range. The Matrix Nitri-Chem is described as a tough nitrile glove, which can be used for a wide variety of applications to protect users from exposure to chemicals and abrasion.

Sheffield-based designer and manufacturer of fencing Betafence recently turned to Denios to provide solutions for storage of hazardous chemicals.

Well-known PPE manufacturer JSP Ltd also provides a range of spill containment and absorption products to laboratories, factories and farms, as well as to logistics specialists who transport all kinds of fuel and chemicals.

As part of its chemical campaign, Marigold Industrial Ltd undertook research to identify the most common chemicals that businesses across Europe seek protection against.