In what could be seen as a swipe at Lord Young, the TUC has called on the Government to appoint a health and safety tsar dedicated to championing the cause.

Expeditious resolution of health and safety prosecution cases in Scotland appears to be bearing fruit, following fresh statistics from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS).

BP Products North America Inc. (BP) has consented to pay a penalty of $50.6m (£32.5m) over safety issues stemming from the 2005 Texas City oil refinery explosion.

The Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO) is to be reviewed as part of the Government’s commitment to reduce the number and cost of quangos.

The Government is forging ahead in its war on red tape with the announcement that all new proposed regulation will be independently scrutinised to determine whether or not it will be taken forward.

A pensioner has been given an 18-week suspended prison sentence for ignoring a Prohibition Notice, which prevented him from issuing safety certificates for inflatable play equipment.

Companies facing prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) can take some comfort from a recent High Court decision, writes lawyer Bob Davies.

A builder appeared in court after he ignored three HSE enforcement notices ordering him to secure and prevent access to an excavation site at a residential property in Oldham.

One of the next major developments in health and safety law could be further consideration of the ‘reverse burden of proof’ principle, a panel of high-profile lawyers suggested yesterday (25 March) at the IOSH Conference.

A small chemical company has been hit with a £55,000 penalty owing to “persistent failings” in health and safety.

Hilary Ross examines the New Look case – a prosecution under The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRO) 2005, which caused some disquiet in health and safety circles, not least on account of the size of the penalty imposed.

Individuals are increasingly being singled out for criminal investigations following accidents at work. John Gollaglee looks at the impact such investigations can have on health and safety professionals and organisations.

The regulatory system can seem like a jungle to businesses that covet a clear understanding of how they can work effectively with different inspectorates. Alison Gray and Anna Hart set out what organisations should bear in mind if they want to get the best out of their relationships with regulators.

In a year of change for the health and safety landscape in Scotland, Paul Marshall tracks the development of the country’s dedicated Health and Safety Division, and considers what impact this will have on the enforcement regime north of the border.

Nick McMahon explains the differences between types of enforcement notice, the consequences of each, and what can be done if you believe a notice has been served without good grounds.

A pressure group is urging Lord Young to take notice of its new DVD, which highlights how employers’ negligence in health and safety led to workers being killed, before he delivers the findings of his review.

Six leading petrol retailers with more than 600 UK filling stations between them have joined a red tape cutting scheme launched by the London and Fire Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA).

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.

Health and safety professionals can now access a breakdown of relevant legislation thanks to a new guide from Barbour.

A new edition of the code of practice relating to RIDDOR has been produced to reflect changes in other items of legislation since the guide was last published in 1999. The guide sets out a summary of the main requirements as well as the full text of the Regulations and Schedules together with detailed guidance notes.