Businesses urged to take steps against new computer viruses

The National Crime Agency (NCA) has urged businesses and computer users to take urgent steps to protect themselves from a new wave of powerful computer viruses which have the potential to empty bank accounts and could cost the economy millions of pounds.

Action already taken by the NCA to combat the threat has given the UK public a unique two-week opportunity to safeguard themselves against two distinct but associated forms of malicious software - or malware - known as GOZeuS and CryptoLocker.

Computer users can protect themselves by making sure security software is installed and updated, by running scans and checking that computer operating systems and applications are up to date.

The NCA’s alert is part of one of the largest industry and law enforcement collaborations attempted to date.

Environment Agency forces Dudley company to stop operating

The Planning Inspectorate has dismissed Oakham Environmental Waste & Recycling Centre Ltd’s appeal against the revocation of their Environmental Permit by the Environment Agency.
The company ran a skip business and waste transfer station at Oak Farm, Kingswinford in the West Midlands. The Environmental Permit was transferred to the company in January 2011, but since then they have significantly breached certain permit conditions. The Environment Agency revoked the permit in May 2013 after the company allowed a series of breaches. These breaches included: too much waste on site, no technically competent manager, waste tipped and stored outside the appropriate bunkers and significant amounts of waste tipped outside the permit area. The company failed to comply with a series of enforcement notices and their lack of action resulted in a number of waste fires.
Following rejection of the appeal the company has now been ordered to remove all of the waste from the site within six weeks. The Environment Agency is cracking down on poorly performing waste sites by requiring operators to stop operations if they are not competent to run the sites properly. Revoking the permit takes away the operator’s permission to operate. The Environment Agency is in some cases revoking permits to prevent further waste activities at these sites, even where prosecution may not have begun. This is necessary to tackle these problem sites and their impact on legitimate businesses and the environment.
Speaking about this approach, Jonathan Hall, from the Environment Agency said:
We will not tolerate operators who continually breach the conditions of their permits, or pose unacceptable risks to the environment. We’re taking action against poorly performing waste sites because, in our opinion, these permit holders are not competent to operate in line with their permits and their operations pose a serious risk to the environment. Failure to comply with an environmental permit is an offence and undermines those legitimate businesses which make sure they do comply.
Head of Environment at CRS, Richard Ball commented ‘ It is clear that organisations need to understand that environmental management is no longer a nice to have, all organisations need to understand their legal duties particularly in relation to waste as there is a current period of change’

Quilt and pillow firm in court over worker’s injuries

A Middleton company has been fined after a worker suffered severe injuries when his right hand was trapped in a moving machine. IOSH Working Safely

The 60-year-old, from Rochdale, who does not want to be named, was carrying out maintenance work on a pillow filling machine at Comfy Quilts Ltd in Stakehill when the incident happened on 2 July 2013.

The company, which designs and manufactures pillows, quilts and other bed linen, was prosecuted  by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found it had not provided suitable safe systems of work or adequate training for maintenance workers.

Trafford Magistrates’ Court heard that the worker was attempting to rectify a problem with the pillow filler. The fixed guards had been removed to allow access, but correct procedures to isolate the power supply had not been followed and his right hand was trapped in the machine as a result.

He lost a significant amount of skin and badly fractured his thumb, which had to be pinned following surgery. He was unable to return to work for two months and could then only undertake light duties.

HSE served an Improvement Notice at the Stakehill site in the aftermath of the incident and also carried out an inspection of the company’s other site in Middleton. This resulted in further Improvement Notices being served, all highlighting the general lack of knowledge about the importance of machinery guarding. IOSH Managing Safely

The court was told Comfy Quilts Ltd made several changes to its working practices following the incident, including making and publishing risk assessments for working on each machine at the site, and formally implementing procedures and training for maintenance staff.

Comfy Quilts Ltd, of Stakehill Industrial Estate in Middleton, was fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £718.50 in prosecution costs after pleading guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector Emily Osborne said:

“Comfy Quilts Ltd should have carried out a proper assessment of the risks faced by workers, and then acted to tackle the dangers. If the measures the company implemented following the incident had been in place sooner, then the worker’s injuries could have been avoided.” NEBOSH National General certificate in occupational health & safety

The Mighty Mini has a whole new look

Team CRS Risk have just released new pictures of the Mighty Mini with its new look for the 2014 season. The new graphics now displayed on the Mighty Mini are in line with the complete new look and branding which CRS launched at the being of the year.  A new look  website with fresh, clean and bright new images and a very easy to use online booking system was launched in January. Ian Cliffen  Operations Director at CRS has worked tirelessly on ensuring that the new website was delivered on time and within budget at the beginning of the year. Why not visit our website next time you need to book  Health, Safety or Environmental training and see just how simple it is to book on line. www.crsrisk.com
Come and see the Mighty Mini close up at the next UK race at Oulton Park 5^th July. CRS are giving away two free tickets to Oulton Park just answer the following question: CRS introduced a mission statement two years  ago, what is their mission statement? Please email the answer to rs@crsrisk.com. Closing date for entries is Friday 27^th June 5p.m.

Congratulations Jason Suller you are our Delegate of the Month

Well done Jason you have been chosen as our Delegate of the Month for June. Jason attended our NEBOSH National General Certificate course in Bristol, and  is currently employed in the  armed forces as an OPS Warrant Officer. Jason is undergoing resettlement training in readiness for when he leaves the forces and  decided to take the NEBOSH Full House package of courses specially put together for Armed Forces Service leavers, the package consists of the NEBOSH National General Certificate, the NEBOSH Fire Safety Certificate and the NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management. This pack of courses is an excellent start for anyone wishing to enter the Health, Safety & Environmental Sectors and gives worldwide recognised accredited qualifications. CRS has seen many Service Leavers attending their open courses go on to secure well paid employment and with follow on course packages CRS can continue to support them in their new civilian job roles in the Health, Safety & Environment sectors.
Jason liked the informal relaxed atmosphere. Jason is married with two children and comes from Newport in Gwent, his hobbies are fishing and road cycling. Jason will now be entered into our Delegate of the Month prize draw which will take place in December and has the chance to win a £50 M&S voucher just in time for Christmas shopping.
If you would like to be nominated for our next delegate of the month please contact your tutor or Ros Stacey rs@crsrisk.com . Class picture showing Jason and the other delegates on the course

'Big 10' food and drink companies emit more greenhouse gases than Nordic nations

The 'Big 10’ global food and drink companies together emit more greenhouse gases than the Nordic countries and would rank as the 25th most polluting country in the world if grouped together, the international charity and agency Oxfam claims in a new report on Tuesday. In a highly critical overview of their climate change policies, it warns the companies – which represent the world’s most famous household brands – that they are risking financial ruin if they do not do more to use their clout and size to tackle the climate crisis.

The new report, 'Standing on the Sidelines', says together they churn out more than Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland’s annual total of 250 million tons of greenhouse gases, according to its analysis of the Carbon Disclosure Project for company emissions and the most recent data for country emissions.

Oxfam insists the companies are capable of cutting their combined emissions by 80 million tons by 2020 and says they are not doing enough despite the threat climate change poses to the sustained supply of ingredients needed for their products, their economic might and the need to feed a growing population. Between them, they generate £650 million ($1.1 billion) a day in revenues, equivalent to the total GDP of all the world’s lower income countries.

Oxfam singled out Kellogg and General Mills as two of the worst on climate change policies and is calling on these "clear laggards" to lead the sector towards more responsible policies and practices.

Both have huge UK food businesses – Kellogg best-known for its Corn Flakes and Rice Crispies cereals and General Mills for Haagen-Dazs and Jus-Rol – and Oxfam urges them to disclose their agricultural emissions and biggest polluting suppliers, and set targets to cut emissions from their supply chains.

Climate change is linked to storms, floods, droughts and shifting weather patterns, which affect food supplies and put pressure on prices, causing more hunger and poverty. Oxfam projects that the price of products like corn flakes could spike by up to 44% in 15 years because of climate change.

Oxfam’s director of UK campaigns and policy Sally Copley said: "By failing to cut emissions adequately the 'big 10' are putting short-term profits ahead of the long-term interests of both themselves and the rest of us. Their influence and wealth are the perfect ingredients to stop putting their businesses at risk and making climate change worse."

Kellogg said: "Kellogg is committed to doing what’s right for the environment and society. As part of this commitment, we are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – along with energy use and water use – by 15–20% at our manufacturing facilities by 2015. Oxfam has recognised our commitment to working with global palm oil suppliers to source fully traceable palm oil, produced in a manner that’s environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable."

General Mills said: "Climate Change is a serious issue, and as a food company we are very aware of the impact that climate change could have on agriculture and the world’s food supply. General Mills has been actively engaged in positively influencing climate policy and has been taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in its operations for many years."

CRS’S Head of Environment commented ‘ it is clear that Environmental Management is continuing to be in the public eye and organisations need to maintain high standards. There is usually two sides to each story, and organisations need to keep a clear focus and remain ahead of the competition or risk negative media attention. ‘  Corporate Risk Systems offers a range of environmental management courses form in house workforce and EMS courses to those looking to enter of advance in the Environmental Management Sectors.

Source: Green Wise - Rebecca Smithers, Guardian Sustainable Business

Four tonnes of leaking gas put workers and the public at risk

Fife Council has been fined for serious safety failings after workers struck and ruptured an underground gas pipe releasing almost four tonnes of gas.

One hundred homes and businesses, as well as a primary school, were evacuated following the incident at the council’s Milesmark Depot in Carnock Road, Dunfermline, on 11 June 2010.

Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard  that although there were no casualties as a result of the incident, members of the public were put at risk of injury or death.

The court was told that drainage works were being carried out at the depot by the council’s own employees. On the day of the incident the employees, who were not supervised, decided to excavate a new trench unaware a decision had been taken the day before not to dig in that particular area.

During the excavation, using a hand held power tool and mechanical digger, they exposed and disturbed whinstone dust, which is an indicator of the presence of gas or water pipes. In spite of this, they continued the excavation and the digger struck and ruptured a gas valve on a six-inch pressure main.

They immediately evacuated the area and reported the incident. The emergency services and Scotland Gas Networks were called to the scene and all properties in the area evacuated for five hours while the damage was repaired.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed various failings by the council including:

• failure to assess the risks to members of the public near the depot;

• failure to provide and maintain a safe system of work for the excavation, which included failing to refer to utility plans showing the location of underground services and failing to use devices or hand tools to locate underground services;

• failure to provide the necessary information, instruction and supervision to the excavation works to ensure the health and safety of nearby members of the public.

Fife Council, of Fife House, North Street, Glenrothes, was fined £24,000 after pleading guilty to breaching Sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.

NEBOSH Certificate in Construction Health &  Safety