Foreword

YOU WILL also notice that we have an in-depth interview with Dame Judith Hackitt where she shares her view on how her independent report on the Building Regulations and fire safety has been received and the next steps. She also pulls no punches over criticism that her review wasn’t as inclusive of industry bodies as some would have liked.

This issue also features detailed legal analysis with focuses on the growing concern about sexual harassment in the workplace and insight on gross negligence manslaughter guidelines. This is of course complimented with analysis of all the latest health and safety prosecutions. 

It’s been another busy month for news and there have been two key appointments with Dr Vincent Ho being named as the new IOSH president and Ian Taylor taking over from Teresa Budworth as chief executive of NEBOSH. 

BREXIT remains at the forefront of the industry’s mind with BSIF releasing a report on the impact that leaving the European Union will have on the UK health and safety sector. The EEF has also called for the current health and safety landscape to be maintained when the UK leaves the European Union, with existing worker production and legislative requirements continuing to be transferred into UK law to avoid cost and disruption to business. The Health and Safety Executive has also delivered a stark warning for the regulation of chemicals in the event of a no deal scenario.

A GMB union investigation has revealed that there have been more than 440 serious health and safety incidents recorded by Amazon since 2015/16. The British Safety Council has also pledged its support to the Usdaw campaign for the retention of fair access to legal representation for injured workers. You can read about all these stories and more in our news pages.

Safety and Health Excellence Awards 2019

We are now inviting entries for the Safety and Health Excellence Awards 2019, which will be held at the Vox, NEC Birmingham on 10 April 2019. The Awards will once again encompass the well-established British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) Awards that promote the importance of innovation and underline the highest standards of excellence within occupational safety and health.

There are 11 categories this year, which are completely FREE to enter. There are also three BSIF categories that have a small processing fee per entry. It will only take you a few moments to enter and it’s the ideal way to earn recognition from your peers for the great work you and your teams do in keeping people and premises safe. 

The complete category list is as follows:

HSM Health and Safety Manager of the Year – Sponsored by Alcumus

Health and Safety Team of the Year – Sponsored by NEBOSH

Alan McArthur Unsung Hero Award – Sponsored by 3M

Best Health and Safety Project – Sponsored by Arco

Best Health and Safety in Construction – Sponsored by Turner and Townsend 

Lifetime Achievement Award – Sponsored by Southalls

Best Health and Safety in Manufacturing 

HSM Rising Star Award

Innovation of the Year for Fire

Innovation of the Year for Security

Campaign of the Year

BSIF Product Innovation Award

BSIF Customer Service Award

BSIF Safety Solution Award

You can enter for FREE at www.she-awards.co.uk and the entry deadline is 31 January 2019, so make sure you submit your entry now. Tickets for the gala dinner are now on sale priced at £199+VAT or £1,800+VAT for a table of 10. 

HSM will return next month with article on workwear, footwear, hand protection, confined spaces and electrical safety and the BSIF annual guide to the safety and health industry.

Kelly Rose

Editor, Health and Safety Matters