news

May 19, 2008

BLACKBERRY OFF THE MENU

According to recent research in the UK by American Express, laptops and Blackberrys are the newest poolside accessories. The survey found that 1 in 5 people claimed they were never able to 'switch off ' and a further fifth said that the Blackberry got in the way of their social life.
However the surprising conclusion was that 2 out of 3 people considered the portable technology to be more of a hindrance than a help!

BOUNCY CASTLE RULING MAY HIT HOME POLICIES

Last week a High Court ruled that parents who hired a bouncy castle had not provided enough supervision during its use . The ruling followed an accident which left a teenager brain damaged and resulted in damages of £1m being awarded.
It is reported that the damages will be covered under the homeowners contents insurance policy.
This may result in the tightening of conditions on leisure and home insurance policies.

April 24, 2008

SHATTERED LIVES' CAMPAIGN

Every 25 minutes, someone breaks or fractures a bone at work according to the latest HSE figures.
The HSE have therefore launched the 'Shattered Lives' campaign, to highlight the devastating consequences of simple slips, trips and falls - including falls from height - in the workplace. The campaign will offer guidance to employers in the construction, building and plant maintenance and food manufacturing and retail industries where the incidence of slips, trips and falls is highest.
For more information please visit : www.hse.gov.uk/shatteredlives

April 4, 2008

THINK ABOUT ACTIVITIES BEFORE INSURING

Holidaymakers have been advised to think carefully about the activities they are likely to be taking part in before taking out travel insurance

The British Insurance Brokers Association (Biba) said that it is important for travellers to get cover that suits the specific nature of their holiday.

Graeme Trudgill, technical and corporate affairs executive for Biba, explained that people going on beach holidays may only require basic travel insurance , but those who would consider going paragliding during their trip should get cover for such an activity.

The best approach, according to Mr Trudgill, is for travellers to think about what they want to do and then speak to their insurance provider about their plans.

He added: "Always disclose what you want to do and then your broker can take it from there."

According to research published by Biba last year, less than half (42 per cent) of people who took out travel insurance with their agent or tour operator were advised about hazardous sports, compared to two-thirds (67 per cent) of those who chose specialist providers.

April 3, 2008

WILLIS & COMPANY EMPLOYEE RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD

Willis & Company are pleased to announce that Laura Cuthbertson has been awarded an 'Exceptional Service Award' by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

A past President of the Belfast Insurance Institute, Laura has served the institute for many years in Belfast and is a regular face at meetings in the Institute's Head Office in London.

Willis & Company's Managing Director, Robert Willis said, ''There has only previously been one other recipient in N.I. so you can appreciate the honour being bestowed. We think it is fully deserved & is recognition of Laura's hard work & dedication.''

VAN DRIVERS REMINDED TO WEAR SEATBELTS

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has marked the 25th anniversary of the seatbelt with a reminder to drivers of the importance of wearing one.

Since the first seatbelt law was introduced in 1983, 50,000 lives have been saved through motorists wearing them.

However 370 unnecessary deaths still occur on UK roads every year through motorists not wearing a seatbelt.

The main culprits for driving without a seatbelt are van drivers and their passengers with RoSPA research identifying that only 69% of van drivers and 58% of their passengers regularly wear a seatbelt.

Head of Road Safety at RoSPA, Kevin Clinton, said, "We need to understand why they are still not getting the message and to ensure there are regular targeted campaigns so that deaths and injuries continue to reduce."

"It may be that some people simply forget to wear their belts and need to be encouraged to get into the habit. Others may not feel they are necessary or that it is not 'cool' to wear one. Perhaps it is time to consider giving drivers three penalty points when they fail to wear their belts."

TRAINEES AND YOUNG WORKERS

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently reminded companies to ensure that they pay attention to trainees health and safety needs and that they are supervised properly.

As many Year 10 students embark on their first forage into work experience with companies across the UK, this is a reminder that training and supervision of young workers is of utmost importance.

The warning came after three companies and a manager were fined a total of £217,500 plus £125,000 costs at Manchester Crown Court for breaching health and safety law, following the death of a 17-year-old trainee scaffolder.

The young man died in January 2004 after falling approximately 18 metres whilst working to construct a scaffold within a 20-metre high sewage digester tank.

A young worker is anyone that you employ who is under 18 years of age.
You should note that young people on work experience programmes are regarded in law as the employees of their work placement provider. Therefore if you take work experience students from local schools or colleges then they are regarded in law as your employees.

When hiring a Young Worker (including work experience students), as an employer, you must carry out a risk assessment. Your risk assessment must specifically take into account the young person's possible lack of awareness of existing or potential risks, immaturity and inexperience.

The extent of the risks identified in the risk assessment will also determine whether you should restrict the work of the young person. Generally young people below the age of eighteen years cannot do work which:

Is beyond their physical or psychological capacity
Exposes them to substances chronically harmful to human health e.g. toxic or carcinogenic, or has effects likely to be passed on genetically or likely to harm an unborn child
Exposes them to radiation
Involves risk of accidents which they are unlikely to recognise because of their lack of experience or training or sufficient attention to safety
Involves a risk to their health from: extreme heat, noise or vibration.

Commenting on this tragic case, brought by HSE, Chief Inspector of Construction Stephen Williams said - "All industries, especially the construction sector, rely on keen young people. However, employment opportunities must not come at the expense of young workers' safety. With the number of apprentices in the workplace set to increase, it is critical that the work they are expected to carry out has been properly assessed and suitable controls put in place to ensure their health and safety. Managers and supervisors have to recognise that youngsters fresh to the workplace may well have a limited perception of the risks involved in the work".

"This young man's death, at the very start of his working life was not only a tragedy, it was also entirely preventable. Had those responsible assessed the work properly and ensured that he was supervised at all times by a qualified scaffolder, then he would not have been killed".

Labels: YOUNG EMPLOYEES