Tag Archives: Health and Safety South East Ltd

Star Wars Production Fined by HSE

The production company behind the new Star Wars The Force Awakens movie has been fined £1.6 million by the HSE. Back in June 2014 when the Star Wars movie was being filmed for release in December 2015, the actor Harrison Ford was injured on set of the Millennium Falcon spaceship by a metal door. This incident resulted in the actor who plays Han Solo being airlifted to hospital for surgery as he had a broken leg. Foodles Production (UK) Ltd, owned by Disney pleaded guilty earlier this year to two charges brought by the HSE.
In a court hearing, they were told that the actor could have been killed. The HSE said that the power of the rapidly closing door meant Ford was hit with a force comparable to the weight of a small car. The Judge said the firm had failed to communicate its risk assessment to the actor, he also said ‘The greatest failing of all on behalf of the company is a lack of communication, a lack because, if you have a risk assessment and you do not communicate it, what is the point of having one?’

Mesothelioma – Asbestos

Mesothelioma is a cancer that is usually caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos.  Asbestos exposure occurs when it is inhaled or asbestos fibres are swallowed. Everyone will breathe in asbestos from the outside air but these tiny amounts are unlikely to cause any future health problems. When asbestos products start to deteriorate, it is cut, sanded, drilled or disturbed in any way then microscopic fibres enter the air , these fibres can remain the air for hours, placing anyone nearby in danger. Once they have been inhaled, they become trapped in the respiratory tract and lungs, they then may stay there for life. Overtime, asbestos fibres will accumulate in the lungs and cause scarring and inflammation. This can cause breathing difficulties and lead to cancer and other illnesses. It may take between 10 to 50 years after the exposure for symptoms to manifest.  There are 4 types of Mesothelioma cancer:  Pleural Mesothelioma – this develops in the lining of the lungs. This is the most common type of Mesothelioma cancer which is found in 75% of all cases. Peritoneal Mesothelioma – this develops in the lining of the abdomen, approximately 20% of cases are peritoneal. Pericardial Mesothelioma – this develops in the exterior lining of the heart. This is a rare type of Mesothelioma and accounts for about 1% of all cases.  Doctors can offer three treatments to patients who are diagnosed with Mesothelioma: Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Overall, older Mesothelioma patients have a lower survival rate than younger ones. The reason being is that younger patients are eligible for more intensive treatment like surgery. Whereas the older generation may not be offered such treatment due to poor overall health or  a high risk of complications.  Mesothelioma Deaths by Age Range: 1999 – 2005
If you would like to know more information about Mesothelioma please visit https://www.asbestos.com

Not Skirting the Issue

Consequences of workplace sexual harassment can be anything from low morale, depression, poor productivity to even leaving a job. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) have released two new infographics (details below) in a bid to spread awareness. Statistics show only 4 percent of victims, mostly being female, talked to an employer after being harassed. If you would like more information, follow the link https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/infographics/sexual-harassment-work image

Movember is Approaching

image Around every minute of every day a man is lost to suicide The Movember Foundation is the leading global organisation committed to changing the face of men’s health and now they are tackling a new issue, suicide. In a new video they have released,’Suicide notes talk too late’. The video shows real life stories, men reading out suicide notes that they never carried out. Their message is clear and simple, “Men let’s talk when things get tough” You can get involved with this charity by going to https://au.movember.com/events/ “The moustache is our ribbon. This Movember, grow your Mo and use it to raise funds for men’s health.” image

FREE Asbestos Training

Small businesses can have access to free asbestos awareness training during the months of September and October. This is all because of the UKATA’s annual Train Safe Campaign. UKATA members are offering the training to help raise understanding about the dangers of asbestos exposure and the necessary precautions. in 2015 members pledged 3,500 hours of free asbestos awareness training as part of the campaign. To book for the training, visit www.tinyurl.com/j2exqlp