The Government is inviting the chemicals sector to give its views on the way the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations are enforced.

The Scottish Chambers of Commerce (SCC) is concerned by the prospect of an “increasing disconnect” between the HSE and businesses operating in lower or medium-risk sectors, but still wants lighter-touch regulation of such companies.

The EU’s Environment Committee has called on the European Commission to update accident-prevention rules for dangerous-substance sites, including improved chemical classifications, clearer information for the public, and more frequent site inspections.

In what is being hailed as a “landmark decision”, the Court of Appeal has ruled in favour of a former RAF corporal who was diagnosed with a degenerative neurological condition following exposure to harmful toxins while working for the Ministry of Defence.

A three-year investigation into the use of cancer-causing chemicals by South Yorkshire’s steel industry is to be launched.

In part recognition of the need to maintain high standards of health and safety in the chemical industry, employer representatives and unions have thrashed out a European-wide training agreement to ensure competence of workers in the sector.

Chinese workers at a factory making touch-screen devices for Apple have aired their health and safety grievances in a letter sent to the US company’s CEO, Steve Jobs.

The Minister for Labour Affairs in Ireland has announced the publication of the Chemicals (Amendment) Bill 2010, which requires manufacturers and importers to notify the European Chemicals Agency about the classification of all hazardous substances that they possess.

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.

Accident reports on major historical chemical incidents are to made available for free download on the website of the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

The report of the joint public inquiry into the 2004 ICL Plastics factory explosion in Glasgow was delivered to ministers yesterday (1 July).

The HSE has created a new Chemicals Regulation Directorate (CRD) to oversee the regulation of biocides, pesticides, detergents and chemicals, and duties under the Classification and Labelling regime.

A chemical used to manufacture rubber may cause cancer in workers who are regularly exposed to it, according to research carried out by the University of Birmingham.

European suppliers of items that contain substances deemed to be of ‘Very High Concern’ (SVHCs) are subject to new rules governing their safe use.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is consulting on proposals for 16 chemicals to be included on a ‘candidate list’ of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs).

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has revealed that it recorded 1015 chemical incidents in England and Wales in 2007 – up five percent on the 2006 figures.

The fees and charges under the new REACH chemical substance registration procedures were adopted by the European Commission on 16 April. The basic registration fee will range from €1600 for substances produced in volumes below ten tonnes, to €31,000 for those above 1000 tonnes.