Thames Valley Police was called to an address in Chippinghurst, Oxfordshire
at around 7.18 on Sunday after reports that a man had attempted to
commit suicide using chemicals. Cordons and a road closure were put in place to safeguard the areas immediately surrounding the property, including a neighbouring property where the residents were not at home.
These were removed by 3.30pm when all chemicals had been safely contained and removed and the house was safe to re-enter. There was never any danger to the public, Thames Valley Police and the other emergency services involved took standard safety measures when dealing with such an incident. A 23-year-old man was taken to hospital following the incident where he is receiving treatment, however his condition is not life-threatening.
Update:
Firefighters, paramedics, police and an ambulance hazardous area response
team (HART) rushed to Chippinghurst, near Garsington, at about 7am. The
entire village was sealed off and residents were told not to leave their
homes after a 23-year-old man filled his house with the killer gas hydrogen
sulphide. He was found gasping for breath by his father who immediately
called the police and paramedics.
The incident ended with the suicidal man being taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Fire brigade officials refused to discuss the incident and referred all calls to the police. An ambulance spokesman would only confirm that two ambulance crews, an ambulance officer, two supervisors and the HART team had been sent to Chippinghurst shortly after 7am. She added that all inquiries had to be referred to the police.
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "We were called to Chippinghurst, Oxfordshire, at 7.18am after reports that a man had tried to commit suicide using chemicals. "Officers along with the fire service are investigating and were present to protect life and property."
Monday 30 January 2012
Sunday 29 January 2012
CRS – Announce the winner of their NEBOSH Environmental Candidate of the Year 2011
CRS have for the first time decided to offer an award for the candidate who achieved the highest overall results on their NEBOSH National Certificate in Environmental Management Course. The winning candidate for 2011 was Mr Rob Goulding from Salisbury. Rob obtained the highest overall results (72% in the exam and 93% in the project work) Rob attended our CRS NEBOSH National Certificate in Environmental Management in July 2011 at our Colchester Training Venue. Rob was one of four students on this course who all achieved a distinction. So the competition on this course alone was fierce. The award for 2011 was presented by Ros Stacey - Business Development Manager to Rob at a special lunch held at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton. After the presentation Rob said “What a wonderful surprise to find that I have won this wonderful accolade”.
Saturday 28 January 2012
Oban Barge Death Firms have £640K Fines Reduced by Appeal Court Judges
Two companies who were fined a total of £640,000 over the deaths of two men on a fish farm barge in Argyll have had their penalties cut by appeal judges.
Maarten Pieter Den Heijer, 30, and 45-year-old Robert MacDonald died on Loch Creran, near Oban, in May 2009. Scottish Sea Farms was fined £600,000 and Logan Inglis was fined £40,000 over health and safety breaches. Appeal court judges agreed the fines were too harsh and reduced them to £333,335 and £20,000 respectively. The original fines were imposed by Sheriff Douglas Small last year after the case was heard at Oban Sheriff Court.
The court heard how Scottish Sea Farms worker Campbell Files and engineer Arthur Raikes - employed by Logan Inglis - were fixing a hydraulic crane on the barge when they went below deck to find cabling and pipework. The oxygen levels below deck were very low and Mr Files passed out while Mr Raikes managed to climb back out. In an attempt to rescue Mr Files, his Scottish Sea Farms colleagues Mr Den Heijer and Mr MacDonald entered the small chamber below deck but lost consciousness almost immediately. The three men needed to be rescued by emergency services but only Mr Files recovered.
Following the incident on 11 May 2009, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered Scottish Sea Farms had failed to suitably prepare staff for working in the small, sealed chambers on the Loch Creran barge. Logan Inglis was also found to have failed in its duties to staff in terms of information provided and training. Neither company had identified the risk to their respective employees from working in the confined spaces. Both firms pleaded guilty to breaches of safety rules, but appealed against the level of fines imposed.
Lawyers for the companies told the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh that Sheriff Small had failed to take account of factors which should have made the fines more lenient. Lord Mackay of Drumadoon, sitting with Lord Menzies and Lady Dorrian, agreed and ordered that the fines should be reduced. The court heard that both firms had good records on health and safety matters. Scottish Sea Farms was said to have an annual turnover of almost £94m. For Logan Inglis the figure was more than £2.7m. The appeal judges were told the engineers had been hit by the economic downturn and that if the fine was too heavy it could lead to redundancies.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-16743183Loch
Maarten Pieter Den Heijer, 30, and 45-year-old Robert MacDonald died on Loch Creran, near Oban, in May 2009. Scottish Sea Farms was fined £600,000 and Logan Inglis was fined £40,000 over health and safety breaches. Appeal court judges agreed the fines were too harsh and reduced them to £333,335 and £20,000 respectively. The original fines were imposed by Sheriff Douglas Small last year after the case was heard at Oban Sheriff Court.
The court heard how Scottish Sea Farms worker Campbell Files and engineer Arthur Raikes - employed by Logan Inglis - were fixing a hydraulic crane on the barge when they went below deck to find cabling and pipework. The oxygen levels below deck were very low and Mr Files passed out while Mr Raikes managed to climb back out. In an attempt to rescue Mr Files, his Scottish Sea Farms colleagues Mr Den Heijer and Mr MacDonald entered the small chamber below deck but lost consciousness almost immediately. The three men needed to be rescued by emergency services but only Mr Files recovered.
Following the incident on 11 May 2009, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) discovered Scottish Sea Farms had failed to suitably prepare staff for working in the small, sealed chambers on the Loch Creran barge. Logan Inglis was also found to have failed in its duties to staff in terms of information provided and training. Neither company had identified the risk to their respective employees from working in the confined spaces. Both firms pleaded guilty to breaches of safety rules, but appealed against the level of fines imposed.
Lawyers for the companies told the Court of Criminal Appeal in Edinburgh that Sheriff Small had failed to take account of factors which should have made the fines more lenient. Lord Mackay of Drumadoon, sitting with Lord Menzies and Lady Dorrian, agreed and ordered that the fines should be reduced. The court heard that both firms had good records on health and safety matters. Scottish Sea Farms was said to have an annual turnover of almost £94m. For Logan Inglis the figure was more than £2.7m. The appeal judges were told the engineers had been hit by the economic downturn and that if the fine was too heavy it could lead to redundancies.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-16743183Loch
Conoco and CNOOC Reach $160 Million Settlement with Fishermen
ConocoPhillips and China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) will pay $160 million to compensate Chinese fishermen for losses arising from oil leaks in China's biggest pollution settlement. The companies reached an agreement with the agriculture ministry to pay 1 billion yuan Conoco, the third-largest U.S. oil company, said in a statement today. That's more than four times the 234 million yuan ($37 million) 29 fishermen had sought in a lawsuit for the loss of clams and sea cucumbers resulting from spills at China's biggest offshore oilfield last year.
In a sign that China is cracking down on polluters, Premier Wen Jiabao demanded a "thorough" investigation into the leaks after China's maritime regulator ordered Conoco on Sept. 2. to shut the field. Houston-based Conoco operates and owns 49 percent of the Penglai 19-3 area in Bohai Bay, while CNOOC., the listed arm of China National, has 51 percent. While the settlement may be one of the biggest in China, it's a "drop in the bucket" for Conoco, said Gordon Kwan, head of regional energy research at Mirae
Asset Securities HK Ltd. "I'm surprised China isn't asking for more," he said by telephone from Hong Kong. "This doesn't even pay for two deepwater exploration wells in offshore China."
The compensation surpasses the 3.26 million yuan a unit of Zijin Mining Group Co. agreed to pay last year after the collapse of a tailing dam at a tin mine in 2010 killed 22 people, Xinhua News Agency said Dec. 28. China's largest gold producer said in May an appeals court in Fujian province upheld a criminal fine of 20.4 million yuan against the company after acidic waste leak from a mine in July 2010 polluted a river and poisoned enough fish to feed 72,000 people for a year. State-owned PetroChina Co., the nation's largest oil producer, was fined 1 million yuan in 2005 for a toxic spill that poisoned the drinking water of about 3 million people. The payments contrast with the $20 billion fund that President Barack Obama demanded from BP Plc to compensate victims of the worst U.S. oil spill. BP paid $7.4 billion to individuals, businesses and government entities affected by the Gulf of Mexico spill by Dec. 23, according to its website. Conoco will also allocate about $16 million of a previously announced environmental fund to improve fishery resources, the company said in today's statement.
The leaks tainted more than 6,200 square kilometers (2,400 square miles) of Bohai Bay, resulting in losses to the tourism and fisheries industries in Liaoning and Hebei provinces, Xinhua said in a report today. Conoco Chief Executive Officer James Mulva apologized for leaks in a Sept. 6 statement after state media accused the U.S. company of negligence and cover-ups. China National said on Dec. 24 resuming oil production at Penglai is a priority for 2012 after the closure forced CNOOC to cut its 2011 output
target. CNOOC has declined 17 percent in Hong Kong in a year and gained 0.3 percent to close at HK$15.50 on Jan. 20, the last trading day before the city's markets shut for the Lunar New Year holidays. Conoco has gained 4.6 percent in 12 months and rose 0.1 percent to $70.61 yesterday. "This should be taken as a positive sign in that a settlement has been reached, which may be one of the elements needed" before the field can start, David Hewitt, an analyst at Credit Suisse Group AG in Singapore, wrote in an e-mailed response to questions today. "You could argue that a key uncertainty for the stock this year is production growth" at CNOOC, he said.
CNOOC, which relies on fields off the Chinese coast for 80 percent of its production, said on Jan. 19 that it aims to produce the equivalent of 330 million to 340 million barrels of oil in 2012, a gain of as much as 2.7 percent from last year. Output was about 331 million to 332 million barrels of oil equivalent last year, compared with a revised target of 331 million to 341 million, CNOOC said. Before the leak the company had a target of as much as 365 million barrels. CNOOC's state-controlled parent said on Jan. 10
that 29 fishermen had sued the country's biggest offshore energy explorer. The Tianjin Maritime Court accepted a complaint from fishermen alleging the spilled oil killed their clams and sea cucumbers, the official Xinhua News Agency reported on Dec. 30. "The company will continue to support and assist ConocoPhillips to deal with the subsequent issues in a proper manner," CNOOC said in a statement today.
Related Links
Conoco offers compensation for leaks http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5806826974&z=1250248780
ConocoPhillips to pay 1 billion yuan for oil spill http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5806455950&z=1250248740
Conoco, CNOOC Parent Reach $160 Million Oil Spill Settlement http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5806198148&z=1250248769
ConocoPhillips to pay 1 bn yuan for oil spill: China government http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5806116630&z=1250248769
Conoco, CNOOC Agree On CNY1 Billion Compensation For Bohai Oil Leaks http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5805938035&z=1250248780
On The Web
Conoco Phillips http://www.conocophillips.com/EN/Pages/index.aspx
In a sign that China is cracking down on polluters, Premier Wen Jiabao demanded a "thorough" investigation into the leaks after China's maritime regulator ordered Conoco on Sept. 2. to shut the field. Houston-based Conoco operates and owns 49 percent of the Penglai 19-3 area in Bohai Bay, while CNOOC., the listed arm of China National, has 51 percent. While the settlement may be one of the biggest in China, it's a "drop in the bucket" for Conoco, said Gordon Kwan, head of regional energy research at Mirae
Asset Securities HK Ltd. "I'm surprised China isn't asking for more," he said by telephone from Hong Kong. "This doesn't even pay for two deepwater exploration wells in offshore China."
The compensation surpasses the 3.26 million yuan a unit of Zijin Mining Group Co. agreed to pay last year after the collapse of a tailing dam at a tin mine in 2010 killed 22 people, Xinhua News Agency said Dec. 28. China's largest gold producer said in May an appeals court in Fujian province upheld a criminal fine of 20.4 million yuan against the company after acidic waste leak from a mine in July 2010 polluted a river and poisoned enough fish to feed 72,000 people for a year. State-owned PetroChina Co., the nation's largest oil producer, was fined 1 million yuan in 2005 for a toxic spill that poisoned the drinking water of about 3 million people. The payments contrast with the $20 billion fund that President Barack Obama demanded from BP Plc to compensate victims of the worst U.S. oil spill. BP paid $7.4 billion to individuals, businesses and government entities affected by the Gulf of Mexico spill by Dec. 23, according to its website. Conoco will also allocate about $16 million of a previously announced environmental fund to improve fishery resources, the company said in today's statement.
The leaks tainted more than 6,200 square kilometers (2,400 square miles) of Bohai Bay, resulting in losses to the tourism and fisheries industries in Liaoning and Hebei provinces, Xinhua said in a report today. Conoco Chief Executive Officer James Mulva apologized for leaks in a Sept. 6 statement after state media accused the U.S. company of negligence and cover-ups. China National said on Dec. 24 resuming oil production at Penglai is a priority for 2012 after the closure forced CNOOC to cut its 2011 output
target. CNOOC has declined 17 percent in Hong Kong in a year and gained 0.3 percent to close at HK$15.50 on Jan. 20, the last trading day before the city's markets shut for the Lunar New Year holidays. Conoco has gained 4.6 percent in 12 months and rose 0.1 percent to $70.61 yesterday. "This should be taken as a positive sign in that a settlement has been reached, which may be one of the elements needed" before the field can start, David Hewitt, an analyst at Credit Suisse Group AG in Singapore, wrote in an e-mailed response to questions today. "You could argue that a key uncertainty for the stock this year is production growth" at CNOOC, he said.
CNOOC, which relies on fields off the Chinese coast for 80 percent of its production, said on Jan. 19 that it aims to produce the equivalent of 330 million to 340 million barrels of oil in 2012, a gain of as much as 2.7 percent from last year. Output was about 331 million to 332 million barrels of oil equivalent last year, compared with a revised target of 331 million to 341 million, CNOOC said. Before the leak the company had a target of as much as 365 million barrels. CNOOC's state-controlled parent said on Jan. 10
that 29 fishermen had sued the country's biggest offshore energy explorer. The Tianjin Maritime Court accepted a complaint from fishermen alleging the spilled oil killed their clams and sea cucumbers, the official Xinhua News Agency reported on Dec. 30. "The company will continue to support and assist ConocoPhillips to deal with the subsequent issues in a proper manner," CNOOC said in a statement today.
Related Links
Conoco offers compensation for leaks http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5806826974&z=1250248780
ConocoPhillips to pay 1 billion yuan for oil spill http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5806455950&z=1250248740
Conoco, CNOOC Parent Reach $160 Million Oil Spill Settlement http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5806198148&z=1250248769
ConocoPhillips to pay 1 bn yuan for oil spill: China government http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5806116630&z=1250248769
Conoco, CNOOC Agree On CNY1 Billion Compensation For Bohai Oil Leaks http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5805938035&z=1250248780
On The Web
Conoco Phillips http://www.conocophillips.com/EN/Pages/index.aspx
Glasgow Patients Escape Human Fireball
Patients and staff fled in terror yesterday after a man set himself on fire at a hospital yesterday.
The victim doused himself with an accelerant then set himself alight after attending an appointment at a clinic at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Onlookers doused the flames and he was taken to the hospital's casualty unit.
A source said: "He was seen coming from the direction of one of the clinics and he has then set himself on fire in the foyer of the building.
"The man was fully alight, with the flames covering most of his body, before people got to him with towels.
It was like something out of the movies, with people in disbelief at what was happening. It was quite horrific. There were patients and children very close to him, not to mention staff, and one bystander was right next to him with what appeared to be her baby twins. He has obviously been deeply troubled to do something like this. Hopefully he will pull through. Thankfully no one else was injured, which is a piece of extreme good fortune in the circumstances."
The building was evacuated after the incident happened and all appointments scheduled for the afternoon were put off. Our source said: "People were told there had been an incident and that everything would be back on track by the following day. In the event, the building was reopened by 3.30pm. A small area remained cordoned off behind medical screens, with towels on the floor at the spot where the man had been treated."
Further details on the man's identity where not being released last night.
A source said he sustained serious burns in the incident although his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/01/26/patients-escape-human-fireball-terror-after-man-sets-himself-alight-at-city-hospital-86908-23720791/
The victim doused himself with an accelerant then set himself alight after attending an appointment at a clinic at Glasgow Royal Infirmary. Onlookers doused the flames and he was taken to the hospital's casualty unit.
A source said: "He was seen coming from the direction of one of the clinics and he has then set himself on fire in the foyer of the building.
"The man was fully alight, with the flames covering most of his body, before people got to him with towels.
It was like something out of the movies, with people in disbelief at what was happening. It was quite horrific. There were patients and children very close to him, not to mention staff, and one bystander was right next to him with what appeared to be her baby twins. He has obviously been deeply troubled to do something like this. Hopefully he will pull through. Thankfully no one else was injured, which is a piece of extreme good fortune in the circumstances."
The building was evacuated after the incident happened and all appointments scheduled for the afternoon were put off. Our source said: "People were told there had been an incident and that everything would be back on track by the following day. In the event, the building was reopened by 3.30pm. A small area remained cordoned off behind medical screens, with towels on the floor at the spot where the man had been treated."
Further details on the man's identity where not being released last night.
A source said he sustained serious burns in the incident although his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2012/01/26/patients-escape-human-fireball-terror-after-man-sets-himself-alight-at-city-hospital-86908-23720791/
Wednesday 25 January 2012
HSE Proposals to revoke seven statutory instruments CD238
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has announced today its proposals to revoke seven Statutory Instruments, that have been identified as being redundant or that have been overtaken by more up to date Regulations. The consultation document can be found at www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd238.htm
Should you wish to comment, please do so to HSE by 12 March 2012.
If you are not the appropriate person in your organisation to provide a response to this consultation, please forward this message to the relevant contact.
The legislation proposed for removal is as follows:
Should you wish to comment, please do so to HSE by 12 March 2012.
If you are not the appropriate person in your organisation to provide a response to this consultation, please forward this message to the relevant contact.
The legislation proposed for removal is as follows:
- Anthrax Prevention Order 1971 etc (Revocation) Regulations 2005
- Employment Medical Advisory Service (Factories Act Orders etc Amendment) Order 1973
- Health and Safety (Foundries etc) (Metrication) Regulations 1981
- Non-ferrous Metals (Melting and Founding) Regulations 1962
- Pottery (Health and Welfare) Special Regulations 1950
- Pottery (Health etc) (Metrication) Regulations 1982
- Regulations for use of locomotives and waggons on lines and sidings in or used in connection with premises under the Factory and Workshop Act 1901 (1906 No.679)
Tuesday 24 January 2012
Bungalow crash tanker driver remanded
A man has appeared in court charged with a string of offences after a fuel tanker crashed into the front of his family's bungalow.
Hugh Billington, 51, appeared charged with arson with intent to endanger life; arson reckless as to whether life was endangered; assault by beating; dangerous driving and theft. Billington, a lorry driver, spoke only to confirm his personal details.
He was arrested on Friday following the incident in Wool, Dorset, at the bungalow he and his wife Christine own, the court heard.
Magistrates in Weymouth, Dorset, heard that Mrs Billington was in the bungalow's kitchen when the tanker, loaded with kerosene, crashed through the front of the house.
Mrs Billington, who is understood to run a dog grooming business from the house, was "safe and well" but the bungalow suffered "significant" damage in the blaze, police said at the time.
Bald-headed Billington, who gave his address as "no fixed abode", made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to appear at Dorchester Crown Court on January 31.
The court heard that at the time of the incident he was on bail, having been charged with common assault following allegations of an attack on his wife. He faces a hearing via videolink at Weymouth Magistrates Court on January 31 for that charge.
Around 30 firefighters tackled the blaze at the couple's bungalow, which was brought under control in about an hour in the morning of January 20. Pictures released by the fire service show the tanker crashed into the front of the bungalow, having smashed through the front wall and a set of windows.
The front door of the bungalow has been removed and the blaze can be seen to have ripped through the house out towards the back garden.
Hugh Billington, 51, appeared charged with arson with intent to endanger life; arson reckless as to whether life was endangered; assault by beating; dangerous driving and theft. Billington, a lorry driver, spoke only to confirm his personal details.
He was arrested on Friday following the incident in Wool, Dorset, at the bungalow he and his wife Christine own, the court heard.
Magistrates in Weymouth, Dorset, heard that Mrs Billington was in the bungalow's kitchen when the tanker, loaded with kerosene, crashed through the front of the house.
Mrs Billington, who is understood to run a dog grooming business from the house, was "safe and well" but the bungalow suffered "significant" damage in the blaze, police said at the time.
Bald-headed Billington, who gave his address as "no fixed abode", made no application for bail and was remanded in custody to appear at Dorchester Crown Court on January 31.
The court heard that at the time of the incident he was on bail, having been charged with common assault following allegations of an attack on his wife. He faces a hearing via videolink at Weymouth Magistrates Court on January 31 for that charge.
Around 30 firefighters tackled the blaze at the couple's bungalow, which was brought under control in about an hour in the morning of January 20. Pictures released by the fire service show the tanker crashed into the front of the bungalow, having smashed through the front wall and a set of windows.
The front door of the bungalow has been removed and the blaze can be seen to have ripped through the house out towards the back garden.
Monday 23 January 2012
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) Change - 6 April 2012
From 6 April 2012, subject to Parliamentary approval, RIDDOR’s over three day injury reporting requirement will change. From then the trigger point will increase from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened). The deadline by which the over seven day injury must be reported will increase to 15 days from the day of the accident.
Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work.
Employers and others with responsibilities under RIDDOR must still keep a record of all over three day injuries – if the employer has to keep an accident book, then this record will be enough. Here at CRS, we recommend that employers keep a record of all incidents, regardless how minor.
Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work.
Employers and others with responsibilities under RIDDOR must still keep a record of all over three day injuries – if the employer has to keep an accident book, then this record will be enough. Here at CRS, we recommend that employers keep a record of all incidents, regardless how minor.
1 WEEK TO GO!!!! - JANUARY SALE MUST END 31st JANUARY 2012
Corporate Risk Systems (CRS) would just like to remind everyone you only have one week left to take advantage of our JANUARY SALE it must end 31st January.
Check out our Website: www.crsrisk.com and get your place booked NOW. UP TO £200 OFF our NEBOSH courses, we are also offering 10% off all other courses.
BOOK NOW ONLINE AT www.crsrisk.com
Want more information call Ros Stacey on 01283 509175 or email rs@crsrisk.com
Check out our Website: www.crsrisk.com and get your place booked NOW. UP TO £200 OFF our NEBOSH courses, we are also offering 10% off all other courses.
BOOK NOW ONLINE AT www.crsrisk.com
Want more information call Ros Stacey on 01283 509175 or email rs@crsrisk.com
Sunday 22 January 2012
Man arrested after Dorset bungalow tanker crash
The driver of a fuel tanker which crashed into a bungalow in Dorset, setting it on fire, has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of a woman. Police said the 51-year-old man from Yeovil was believed to be known to the occupant of the property.
The woman is said to be safe and well but her home suffered significant damage.
The tanker ploughed into the property in Folly Lane, Wool, just after 08:40 GMT, causing a fire to start. About 30 firefighters attended the blaze, which was brought under control in about an hour. Pictures released by the fire service show the Watson Fuels tanker crashed into the front of the bungalow, smashing through the front wall and a set of windows. A fire ripped through the house out towards the back garden.
A spokeswoman for the tanker company, based in Brinkworth, Wiltshire said they were unable to comment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-16650234
The woman is said to be safe and well but her home suffered significant damage.
The tanker ploughed into the property in Folly Lane, Wool, just after 08:40 GMT, causing a fire to start. About 30 firefighters attended the blaze, which was brought under control in about an hour. Pictures released by the fire service show the Watson Fuels tanker crashed into the front of the bungalow, smashing through the front wall and a set of windows. A fire ripped through the house out towards the back garden.
A spokeswoman for the tanker company, based in Brinkworth, Wiltshire said they were unable to comment.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-16650234
Bus crashes into Scottish petrol station
A bus driver suffered minor injuries when his bus crashed into a petrol station in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.
Three women working at the Jet petrol station, on Townhead Road, were all unharmed.
There were no passengers on board the bus when the accident happened at about 14:45 on Thursday.
Police closed a number of roads in the area as a precaution as officers from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue made the scene safe.
The driver was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride but his injuries were not serious.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-16636123
Three women working at the Jet petrol station, on Townhead Road, were all unharmed.
There were no passengers on board the bus when the accident happened at about 14:45 on Thursday.
Police closed a number of roads in the area as a precaution as officers from Strathclyde Fire and Rescue made the scene safe.
The driver was taken to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride but his injuries were not serious.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-16636123
Thursday 19 January 2012
Environment Agency use new powers
The Environment Agency has completed its first Enforcement Undertaking from a Derbyshire packaging firm.
An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary offer from a company to make amends for not meeting Environmental Regulations. This can be achieved by compensating communities affected, restoring the environment or donating to a suitable charity.
In 2010, the Environment Agency found that DA Pak Ltd of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, should have been registered for the Producer Responsibility Obligation (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 as amended. These regulations make companies who handle packaging take responsibility for it when it becomes waste.
After an investigation, the company admitted that they had failed to register under the regulations in 2009 and 2010 and hadn’t met their obligations. The company offered £2000 towards our investigation costs and a donation of £1251 to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
Derbyshire wildlife Trust has used the donation to buy a solar powered water pump to help maintain wetland areas in the Trent Valley. These wetland reserves are vitally important for the bird species they support, and water levels at the site are critical in order to provide the ideal habitat for a wide range of species.
Hannah Wooldridge, Environment Officer said: “Enforcement Undertakings are a new tool we can use for certain environmental offences. In this case we got a great outcome for the environment, without going through the courts. These sanctions will not replace prosecuting the worst offenders that damage the environment, but they do allow us to be far more flexible in how we deal with offences. We’re committed to helping businesses stay on the right side of the law, and these new tools help us to save time and money, whilst contributing to a better environment for all.”
For more information about waste packaging and producer responsibilities contact rb@crsrisk.com to see how we can support you.
An Enforcement Undertaking is a voluntary offer from a company to make amends for not meeting Environmental Regulations. This can be achieved by compensating communities affected, restoring the environment or donating to a suitable charity.
In 2010, the Environment Agency found that DA Pak Ltd of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, should have been registered for the Producer Responsibility Obligation (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 as amended. These regulations make companies who handle packaging take responsibility for it when it becomes waste.
After an investigation, the company admitted that they had failed to register under the regulations in 2009 and 2010 and hadn’t met their obligations. The company offered £2000 towards our investigation costs and a donation of £1251 to the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.
Derbyshire wildlife Trust has used the donation to buy a solar powered water pump to help maintain wetland areas in the Trent Valley. These wetland reserves are vitally important for the bird species they support, and water levels at the site are critical in order to provide the ideal habitat for a wide range of species.
Hannah Wooldridge, Environment Officer said: “Enforcement Undertakings are a new tool we can use for certain environmental offences. In this case we got a great outcome for the environment, without going through the courts. These sanctions will not replace prosecuting the worst offenders that damage the environment, but they do allow us to be far more flexible in how we deal with offences. We’re committed to helping businesses stay on the right side of the law, and these new tools help us to save time and money, whilst contributing to a better environment for all.”
For more information about waste packaging and producer responsibilities contact rb@crsrisk.com to see how we can support you.
Italy Cruise Ship - News Update 19 January 2012
Salvage experts are expected to be given the all-clear to start pumping fuel from the luxury cruise liner that capsized off the coast of Italy.
The Captain of the Costa Concordia has been placed under house arrest after a court appearance relating to his role in the disaster that has left 11 dead.
And while the search continues for any bodies that remain in the vessel - with 23 people still missing - hopes of finding any more survivors have disappeared.
Maritime experts have expressed fears that the ship's position could cause "some small spillage" of the 500,000 gallons of fuel in its 17 tanks. Dutch maritime services company SMIT said it was ready to start pumping fuel from the stricken liner once search operations for missing people have ended and they get the go-ahead from local authorities. SMIT has been asked by the ship's owner and insurer to salvage up to 2,300 tonnes of fuel from the 114,500-tonne ship and clean up if fuel on the vessel starts to leak.
It comes after a dramatic recording apparently revealed the ship's captain ignored orders to go back to the ship he had abandoned . Francesco Schettino, who is accused of manslaughter, abandoning his ship and causing a shipwreck, was arrested on Saturday.
He is blamed by his employer for risking the lives of more than 4,200 passengers by sailing too close to the shore so he could "make a salute".
Divers used explosives to blast holes in the vessel on Tuesday, when five more bodies were found inside the half-submerged ship.
Thirteen German tourists, six Italians, four French citizens, two Americans and three people from Peru, India and Hungary are unaccounted for. Four of those missing were crew members and the rest were passengers. The nationalities of the five bodies found on Tuesday were not immediately announced.
The Captain of the Costa Concordia has been placed under house arrest after a court appearance relating to his role in the disaster that has left 11 dead.
And while the search continues for any bodies that remain in the vessel - with 23 people still missing - hopes of finding any more survivors have disappeared.
Maritime experts have expressed fears that the ship's position could cause "some small spillage" of the 500,000 gallons of fuel in its 17 tanks. Dutch maritime services company SMIT said it was ready to start pumping fuel from the stricken liner once search operations for missing people have ended and they get the go-ahead from local authorities. SMIT has been asked by the ship's owner and insurer to salvage up to 2,300 tonnes of fuel from the 114,500-tonne ship and clean up if fuel on the vessel starts to leak.
It comes after a dramatic recording apparently revealed the ship's captain ignored orders to go back to the ship he had abandoned . Francesco Schettino, who is accused of manslaughter, abandoning his ship and causing a shipwreck, was arrested on Saturday.
He is blamed by his employer for risking the lives of more than 4,200 passengers by sailing too close to the shore so he could "make a salute".
Divers used explosives to blast holes in the vessel on Tuesday, when five more bodies were found inside the half-submerged ship.
Thirteen German tourists, six Italians, four French citizens, two Americans and three people from Peru, India and Hungary are unaccounted for. Four of those missing were crew members and the rest were passengers. The nationalities of the five bodies found on Tuesday were not immediately announced.
Wednesday 18 January 2012
Increasing demand for environmental qualifications
Figures show increasing numbers of people are seeking environmental qualifications. Over two years the number registered for Environmental Management qualifications had more than doubled. We offer two such qualifications – the Certificate in Environmental Management In 2009, around 1,100 people registered for a NEBOSH environmental qualification. Last year, the number of registrations rose to almost 2,200. Registrations so far in 2011 indicate a further rise this year to around 2,700, an increase of almost 150% on 2009.
Research among recently qualified NEBOSH students also showed that nearly three quarters (70%) of those taking one of its environmental management qualifications have their course and examination fees paid for by their employer.
"Our figures show that more and more people are seeking a specialist qualification to go with their environmental management responsibilities," said NEBOSH Chief Executive, Teresa Budworth. "And judging by the willingness of employers to fund and support their staff with this, it is clear that more and more employers want them to be qualified in this field."
Around two thirds of those who take a NEBOSH Environmental Management qualification are employed in a health and safety role. The majority of the rest are environmental specialists. Two thirds also already hold another NEBOSH qualification.
CRS currently offers the NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management Further information about our NEBOSH Courses contact Ros Stacey on 01283 509175 or email:rs@crsrisk.com
Research among recently qualified NEBOSH students also showed that nearly three quarters (70%) of those taking one of its environmental management qualifications have their course and examination fees paid for by their employer.
"Our figures show that more and more people are seeking a specialist qualification to go with their environmental management responsibilities," said NEBOSH Chief Executive, Teresa Budworth. "And judging by the willingness of employers to fund and support their staff with this, it is clear that more and more employers want them to be qualified in this field."
Around two thirds of those who take a NEBOSH Environmental Management qualification are employed in a health and safety role. The majority of the rest are environmental specialists. Two thirds also already hold another NEBOSH qualification.
CRS currently offers the NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management Further information about our NEBOSH Courses contact Ros Stacey on 01283 509175 or email:rs@crsrisk.com
Thursday 12 January 2012
More than twenty hospitalised after chemical spill at Livingstone warehouse
MORE than 20 people have been taken to hospital following a chemical spill at a warehouse.
The incident happened at the two-storey Palletways warehouse in Livingston, West Lothian, shortly after 8am yesterday 11 January 2012.
The chemical involved was understood to be denatonium benzoate, which is included in products such as shampoos and liquid soaps.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said 23 people were taken to the town's St John's hospital after complaining of breathlessness and throat irritation.
Firefighters were called to the scene in MacIntosh Road at 8.08am.
The spillage happened as the chemical was being moved on a forklift truck.
Fire crews evacuated the building before making the area safe and clearing the chemical.
About 20 firefighters wearing breathing equipment and chemical suits were involved in the two-hour operation. The fire service said the spill was "small" and that 23 people had complained of breathlessness and throat irritation. The casualties are understood to be workers at the warehouse.
They were checked over by ambulance crews at the scene and taken to St John's casualty department for check-ups.
A fire service spokeswoman said: "More than 20 firefighters were called to a chemical spill at Palletways warehouse in Livingston, West Lothian, shortly after 8am this morning.
"A small spillage of non-toxic chemical occurred at the business in Simpson Parkway, near MacIntosh Road, Kirkton, Livingston. The building was evacuated by fire crews and 23 people were checked over at the scene by ambulance crews before being taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston for a check-up after the incident. The casualties were complaining of throat irritation and mild breathlessness. Firefighters using breathing apparatus and wearing gas-tight chemical suits dealt with the spillage and made the area safe. A total of six fire and specialist appliances were sent out to the scene with the incident concluded just after 10am."
Denatonium benzoate, often known as Bitrex, is a foul-tasting substance used in toxic household products, such as bleach or anti-freeze, to make them taste bitter and prevent accidental ingestion.
Dr Alison McCallum, director of public health and health policy at NHS Lothian, said: "NHS Lothian was alerted to the non-toxic chemical spill and appropriate action plans were immediately activated at St John's Hospital to deal with any casualties. The chemical involved, denatonium benzoate, was quickly identified as non-toxic and, therefore, there was no risk to the wider community. A total of 23 people were identified as having minor symptoms and they were assessed and treated in the accident and emergency department in St John's. There is no impact on the services at St John's, which continue to run normally."
The incident happened at the two-storey Palletways warehouse in Livingston, West Lothian, shortly after 8am yesterday 11 January 2012.
The chemical involved was understood to be denatonium benzoate, which is included in products such as shampoos and liquid soaps.
Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said 23 people were taken to the town's St John's hospital after complaining of breathlessness and throat irritation.
Firefighters were called to the scene in MacIntosh Road at 8.08am.
The spillage happened as the chemical was being moved on a forklift truck.
Fire crews evacuated the building before making the area safe and clearing the chemical.
About 20 firefighters wearing breathing equipment and chemical suits were involved in the two-hour operation. The fire service said the spill was "small" and that 23 people had complained of breathlessness and throat irritation. The casualties are understood to be workers at the warehouse.
They were checked over by ambulance crews at the scene and taken to St John's casualty department for check-ups.
A fire service spokeswoman said: "More than 20 firefighters were called to a chemical spill at Palletways warehouse in Livingston, West Lothian, shortly after 8am this morning.
"A small spillage of non-toxic chemical occurred at the business in Simpson Parkway, near MacIntosh Road, Kirkton, Livingston. The building was evacuated by fire crews and 23 people were checked over at the scene by ambulance crews before being taken to St John's Hospital in Livingston for a check-up after the incident. The casualties were complaining of throat irritation and mild breathlessness. Firefighters using breathing apparatus and wearing gas-tight chemical suits dealt with the spillage and made the area safe. A total of six fire and specialist appliances were sent out to the scene with the incident concluded just after 10am."
Denatonium benzoate, often known as Bitrex, is a foul-tasting substance used in toxic household products, such as bleach or anti-freeze, to make them taste bitter and prevent accidental ingestion.
Dr Alison McCallum, director of public health and health policy at NHS Lothian, said: "NHS Lothian was alerted to the non-toxic chemical spill and appropriate action plans were immediately activated at St John's Hospital to deal with any casualties. The chemical involved, denatonium benzoate, was quickly identified as non-toxic and, therefore, there was no risk to the wider community. A total of 23 people were identified as having minor symptoms and they were assessed and treated in the accident and emergency department in St John's. There is no impact on the services at St John's, which continue to run normally."
Wednesday 11 January 2012
How to create economic incentives in occupational safety and health - a practical guide
This new Guide on Economic Incentives Schemes (see link below) is intended to serve as a practical and user-friendly guide to help employers to create or optimise their own incentive schemes. The guide says that incentives schemes should not only reward past results of good occupational safety and health / OSH management (such as low accident numbers), but should also reward specific prevention efforts that aim to reduce future accidents and ill-health.
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/guide-economic-incentives
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/guide-economic-incentives
Sunday 8 January 2012
Eleven killed in hot air balloon power lines accident, Wellington, New Zealand
Eleven people were killed in a hot air balloon when their aircraft hit power lines, burst into flames and crashed near Wellington in New Zealand. The balloon went down near the small rural town of Carterton, 150 kilometres north of Wellington, on the country's north island. Those on board included five couples and the pilot.
New Zealand police say it appears one of those couples jumped from the basket before it hit the ground, and their bodies were found about 200 metres from the crash site. The victims are yet to be formally identified, and police say the bodies are badly burnt. Investigators have five eye witnesses, three of whom work for the company that owns the balloon, the Early Morning Balloon Company, which is based in Carterton.
"It appears a fire has ignited on board, causing the hot air balloon to crash in farmland. Sadly, the pilot and 10 passengers onboard have not survived," Wellington district police commander Mike Rusbatch said. "This is an absolutely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased." Radio New Zealand reporter Hugh Barlow says he spoke to a cyclist who saw the crash happen from a distance. "He knew the balloon, he had been up with his own family and he feels he probably knows who the pilot is," he said. "He said he looked up and saw flames licking up the side of the big wicker basket. He immediately ran to the first house he could find and rang 111. "When he came out, he said there was about 10 metres of flames trailing and the balloon was descending very quickly. He said he saw it disappear down to ground level."
Local resident Don Cunningham was walking his dog in the area when he realised the balloon was in trouble. "I could then hear the burning but I couldn't see the balloon, so I was looking for the balloon and I could just see the top of it descending," he said. "I thought nothing of it but then I heard some screaming and shouting and saw a large plume of black smoke." Mr Cunningham says the balloon came down in farmland. "The guy who flies the balloon, if it was the normal guy, he's incredibly experienced, " he said. "I've lived here nearly three years and he would fly on average twice a week even during the winter."
David McKinlay was watering his garden when he looked up and saw the balloon in flames. He says it was clear no-one would survive. "Couldn't believe what I was seeing - there were flames leaping up the side of the basket towards the guy ropes of the balloon," he said. "I dropped the hose, ran inside and dialled 111, and eventually by the time I got back the thing had completely disintegrated. "I don't know what height it was but it was coming down at a colossal speed." Jill Stringer from the local area health board says the weather conditions were fine. "It was a perfect morning for ballooning this morning," she said. "Our balloon pilots have such a fantastic safety record and this is just such a bizarre happening." Ms Stringer says the terrain around Carterton is perfect for ballooning. "That's why it's a bit of a centre for ballooning. It's flat and at this time of the morning ... there's minimal breezes and it was a lovely still morning," she said.
New Zealand police say it appears one of those couples jumped from the basket before it hit the ground, and their bodies were found about 200 metres from the crash site. The victims are yet to be formally identified, and police say the bodies are badly burnt. Investigators have five eye witnesses, three of whom work for the company that owns the balloon, the Early Morning Balloon Company, which is based in Carterton.
"It appears a fire has ignited on board, causing the hot air balloon to crash in farmland. Sadly, the pilot and 10 passengers onboard have not survived," Wellington district police commander Mike Rusbatch said. "This is an absolutely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the families of the deceased." Radio New Zealand reporter Hugh Barlow says he spoke to a cyclist who saw the crash happen from a distance. "He knew the balloon, he had been up with his own family and he feels he probably knows who the pilot is," he said. "He said he looked up and saw flames licking up the side of the big wicker basket. He immediately ran to the first house he could find and rang 111. "When he came out, he said there was about 10 metres of flames trailing and the balloon was descending very quickly. He said he saw it disappear down to ground level."
Local resident Don Cunningham was walking his dog in the area when he realised the balloon was in trouble. "I could then hear the burning but I couldn't see the balloon, so I was looking for the balloon and I could just see the top of it descending," he said. "I thought nothing of it but then I heard some screaming and shouting and saw a large plume of black smoke." Mr Cunningham says the balloon came down in farmland. "The guy who flies the balloon, if it was the normal guy, he's incredibly experienced, " he said. "I've lived here nearly three years and he would fly on average twice a week even during the winter."
David McKinlay was watering his garden when he looked up and saw the balloon in flames. He says it was clear no-one would survive. "Couldn't believe what I was seeing - there were flames leaping up the side of the basket towards the guy ropes of the balloon," he said. "I dropped the hose, ran inside and dialled 111, and eventually by the time I got back the thing had completely disintegrated. "I don't know what height it was but it was coming down at a colossal speed." Jill Stringer from the local area health board says the weather conditions were fine. "It was a perfect morning for ballooning this morning," she said. "Our balloon pilots have such a fantastic safety record and this is just such a bizarre happening." Ms Stringer says the terrain around Carterton is perfect for ballooning. "That's why it's a bit of a centre for ballooning. It's flat and at this time of the morning ... there's minimal breezes and it was a lovely still morning," she said.
Friday 6 January 2012
Ecuador Appeals court rules Against Chevron in Pollution Case
An Ecuadorean appeals court has upheld a ruling this week that Chevron should pay damages totalling $18.2bn (£11.5bn) over Amazon oil pollution. Chevron said the judgement was "illegitimate" and "a fraud". Texaco, which merged with Chevron in 2001, was accused of dumping toxic materials in the Ecuadorean Amazon. The original ruling ordered Chevron to pay $8.6bn in damages, which was more than doubled after the company failed to make a public apology. "We ratify the ruling of February 14 2011 in all its parts, including the sentence for moral reparation," the court in the Amazonian city of Lago Agrio said in its ruling, according to Reuters.
In a statement released in response, Chevron said the decision was a "glaring example of the politicization and corruption of Ecuador's judiciary". It said it would continue to seek recourse through proceedings outside Ecuador. The decision is the latest twist in a long-running legal battle between Chevron and the Ecuadorean plaintiffs.
The lawsuit was brought on behalf of 30,000 Ecuadoreans, in a case which has dragged on for years. Ecuadorean indigenous groups said Texaco dumped more than 18bn gallons (68bn litres) of toxic materials into unlined pits and rivers between 1972 and 1992. But Chevron says Texaco spent $40m cleaning up the area during the 1990s, and signed an agreement with Ecuador in 1998 absolving it of any further responsibility.
In September, a US appeals court overturned a decision to block the collection of the fine from the company. Plaintiffs, who had agreed not to attempt to collect the damages until the appeals process was completed in Ecuador, welcomed Tuesday's ruling. "This [ruling] confirms and ratifies that the company polluted and affected the Amazon," they said in a statement. "It is necessary to clarify that no amount will be enough to repair all the crime they did in our area, nor will it be enough to bring the dead back to life."
Ecuador's President Rafael Correa described the dispute as a "David and Goliath" battle. "I think justice has been done," he said after the ruling was announced. "The harm that Chevron caused to the Amazon cannot be denied." Chevron has challenged the fine, arguing that lawyers and supporters of the indigenous groups who brought the case conspired to fabricate evidence. In a previous separate case, international arbitrators ordered the Ecuadorean government to pay $96m to Chevron because Ecuador's courts had violated international law as a result of delays in resolving commercial disputes involving Texaco.
Related Links:
US court upholds Chevron oil fine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14983123
Ecuador's oil battle far from over
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12521702
Chevron hits back in Amazon row
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12464063
Ecuador's Amazon drilling pledge still to take shape
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11818874
Ecuador country profile
http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1212882.stm
Related Stories on Other News sites:
Irish Times Ecuador court upholds Chevron ruling
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5698340919&z=1250248780
Reuters UK UPDATE 3-Ecuador court upholds $18 bln ruling against Chevron
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5697633474&z=1250248784
Yahoo! Ecuador court upholds $18 billion ruling against Chevron
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5696195158&z=1250248780
ONE News Oil giant ordered to pay $18b for polluting Amazon
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5696020586&z=1250248780
On The Web:
Chevron Corporation http://www.chevron.com/
Texaco in Ecuador
http://www.texaco.com/sitelets/ecuador/en/responsetoclaims/default.aspx
Amazon Watch http://amazonwatch.org/
Ecuador presidency (in Spanish) http://www.presidencia.gov.ec/
In a statement released in response, Chevron said the decision was a "glaring example of the politicization and corruption of Ecuador's judiciary". It said it would continue to seek recourse through proceedings outside Ecuador. The decision is the latest twist in a long-running legal battle between Chevron and the Ecuadorean plaintiffs.
The lawsuit was brought on behalf of 30,000 Ecuadoreans, in a case which has dragged on for years. Ecuadorean indigenous groups said Texaco dumped more than 18bn gallons (68bn litres) of toxic materials into unlined pits and rivers between 1972 and 1992. But Chevron says Texaco spent $40m cleaning up the area during the 1990s, and signed an agreement with Ecuador in 1998 absolving it of any further responsibility.
In September, a US appeals court overturned a decision to block the collection of the fine from the company. Plaintiffs, who had agreed not to attempt to collect the damages until the appeals process was completed in Ecuador, welcomed Tuesday's ruling. "This [ruling] confirms and ratifies that the company polluted and affected the Amazon," they said in a statement. "It is necessary to clarify that no amount will be enough to repair all the crime they did in our area, nor will it be enough to bring the dead back to life."
Ecuador's President Rafael Correa described the dispute as a "David and Goliath" battle. "I think justice has been done," he said after the ruling was announced. "The harm that Chevron caused to the Amazon cannot be denied." Chevron has challenged the fine, arguing that lawyers and supporters of the indigenous groups who brought the case conspired to fabricate evidence. In a previous separate case, international arbitrators ordered the Ecuadorean government to pay $96m to Chevron because Ecuador's courts had violated international law as a result of delays in resolving commercial disputes involving Texaco.
Related Links:
US court upholds Chevron oil fine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14983123
Ecuador's oil battle far from over
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12521702
Chevron hits back in Amazon row
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12464063
Ecuador's Amazon drilling pledge still to take shape
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11818874
Ecuador country profile
http://www.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1212882.stm
Related Stories on Other News sites:
Irish Times Ecuador court upholds Chevron ruling
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5698340919&z=1250248780
Reuters UK UPDATE 3-Ecuador court upholds $18 bln ruling against Chevron
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5697633474&z=1250248784
Yahoo! Ecuador court upholds $18 billion ruling against Chevron
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5696195158&z=1250248780
ONE News Oil giant ordered to pay $18b for polluting Amazon
http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5696020586&z=1250248780
On The Web:
Chevron Corporation http://www.chevron.com/
Texaco in Ecuador
http://www.texaco.com/sitelets/ecuador/en/responsetoclaims/default.aspx
Amazon Watch http://amazonwatch.org/
Ecuador presidency (in Spanish) http://www.presidencia.gov.ec/
Response to David Cameron's speech labelling H&S - a monster
Yesterday, the UK Prime Minister David Cameron hit out at health and safety, labelling it a ‘monster’ which was top of his New Year’s resolution list to ‘kill off’. Speaking to an audience of small businesses at a PM Direct event in Maidenhead, he claimed health and safety costs the nation millions of pounds and was the “albatross around the neck of British businesses”.
The IOSH media team first spotted Cameron’s declarations being tweeted by a BBC news reporter on Twitter, and responded quickly in a bid to make sure our voice was heard rebuking the flippant remarks. We worked on a statement to press with IOSH head of policy and public affairs Richard Jones, which said the PM’s comments were appalling and unhelpful, considering regulations exist to prevent death, injury, or illness at work, protecting livelihoods in the process. A full report is available here:
http://www.iosh.co.uk/news_and_events/news/latest_member_news/camerons_monster_attack.aspx
The PM’s remarks were made all the more salient by the fact that yesterday, IOSH CEO Rob Strange met Professor Lofstedt to proceed with the good work already done.
IOSH’s social media channels were busy. It posted the story and quoted its rebuttal statement on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The news obviously struck a chord with people, as there were 25 comments on Facebook, we had dozens of re-tweets and around 30 new followers on Twitter, plus eight comments and five likes on LinkedIn.
Richard Jones was later interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live’s Drive Time show, hitting back at Cameron’s remarks. The interview can be listened to here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b018tz47/5_live_Drive_05_01_2012/?-t=2h39m5s
The response was picked up by numerous national and regional press outlets, including the Press Association, the national newswire, and has appeared in national print outlets today including Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail. So far, nearly 10 regional newspapers have covered the story in print this morning and there have been as many as 100 hits online. These include:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-i-will-kill-off-safety-culture-6285238.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/8994868/Cameron-vows-to-cut-back-health-and-safety-monster.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/05/david-cameron-health-safety-monster?newsfeed=true
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/latestnews/view/228608/PM-I-will-kill-off-safety-culture/
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/2012/01/05/pm-i-will-kill-off-safety-culture-91466-30066252/
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24025511-pm-i-will-kill-off-safety-culture.do
http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/01/05/pm-i-will-kill-off-safety-culture-102039-23681443/
http://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/293702/PM-I-will-kill-off-safety-culture
http://www.scottishsundayexpress.co.uk/posts/view/293702/PM-I-will-kill-off-safety-culture
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/293702/PM-I-will-kill-off-safety-culture
The IOSH media team first spotted Cameron’s declarations being tweeted by a BBC news reporter on Twitter, and responded quickly in a bid to make sure our voice was heard rebuking the flippant remarks. We worked on a statement to press with IOSH head of policy and public affairs Richard Jones, which said the PM’s comments were appalling and unhelpful, considering regulations exist to prevent death, injury, or illness at work, protecting livelihoods in the process. A full report is available here:
http://www.iosh.co.uk/news_and_events/news/latest_member_news/camerons_monster_attack.aspx
The PM’s remarks were made all the more salient by the fact that yesterday, IOSH CEO Rob Strange met Professor Lofstedt to proceed with the good work already done.
IOSH’s social media channels were busy. It posted the story and quoted its rebuttal statement on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. The news obviously struck a chord with people, as there were 25 comments on Facebook, we had dozens of re-tweets and around 30 new followers on Twitter, plus eight comments and five likes on LinkedIn.
Richard Jones was later interviewed by BBC Radio 5 Live’s Drive Time show, hitting back at Cameron’s remarks. The interview can be listened to here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b018tz47/5_live_Drive_05_01_2012/?-t=2h39m5s
The response was picked up by numerous national and regional press outlets, including the Press Association, the national newswire, and has appeared in national print outlets today including Guardian, Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail. So far, nearly 10 regional newspapers have covered the story in print this morning and there have been as many as 100 hits online. These include:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/david-cameron-i-will-kill-off-safety-culture-6285238.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/david-cameron/8994868/Cameron-vows-to-cut-back-health-and-safety-monster.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/jan/05/david-cameron-health-safety-monster?newsfeed=true
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/latestnews/view/228608/PM-I-will-kill-off-safety-culture/
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/2012/01/05/pm-i-will-kill-off-safety-culture-91466-30066252/
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-24025511-pm-i-will-kill-off-safety-culture.do
http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2012/01/05/pm-i-will-kill-off-safety-culture-102039-23681443/
http://www.scottishdailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/293702/PM-I-will-kill-off-safety-culture
http://www.scottishsundayexpress.co.uk/posts/view/293702/PM-I-will-kill-off-safety-culture
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/293702/PM-I-will-kill-off-safety-culture
Scottish Anthrax Outbreak was Worst in UK in 50 Years
An outbreak of anthrax among drug users in Scotland between 2009 and 2010 was the largest in the UK for 50 years, according to an official report.
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said there were 119 cases of anthrax and a total of 14 deaths during the outbreak.
Its report also recorded it as "the first documented outbreak associated with heroin use anywhere in the world".
HPS warned that as long as there was an illegal drug trade there was a risk of a similar outbreak.
The report concluded that the anthrax came from "contaminated heroin imported to Scotland".
This, if found, was from "a single batch contaminated with anthrax spores via contact with a single infected animal or contaminated hide".
The HPS report said this was likely to have happened "somewhere in transit between Afghanistan/Pakistan and Scotland, probably in Turkey".
Health Protection Scotland (HPS) said there were 119 cases of anthrax and a total of 14 deaths during the outbreak.
Its report also recorded it as "the first documented outbreak associated with heroin use anywhere in the world".
HPS warned that as long as there was an illegal drug trade there was a risk of a similar outbreak.
The report concluded that the anthrax came from "contaminated heroin imported to Scotland".
This, if found, was from "a single batch contaminated with anthrax spores via contact with a single infected animal or contaminated hide".
The HPS report said this was likely to have happened "somewhere in transit between Afghanistan/Pakistan and Scotland, probably in Turkey".
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