News and Knowledge

Sheffield company fined £200,000 after failing to protect employees from permanent condition

Sheffield company fined £200,000 after failing to protect employees from permanent condition.   A manufacturing company in Sheffield has been fined £200,000 after two workers suffered the life- changing condition, vibration white finger.     Ross & Catherall Limited is a company which manufactures and supplies metal bars for the aerospace and automotive industries. The…

Are women in certain professions at higher risk of ovarian cancer?

It is said by the Occupational & Environmental Medicine (OEM) that those working as hairdressers, barbers and beauticians are most likely to develop ovarian cancer.   Also, those working in sales, retail, clothing and construction can also be vulnerable, as they can be exposed to agents, including talcum powder, ammonia, propellant gases, petrol and bleach.…

City Council fined £200,000 after failing to protect workers

Plymouth City Council has been fined £200,000 after its failures led to two employees developing hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).   Plymouth City Council failed in its legal duty to comply with legislation even though guidance has been available for employers since 2005. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that between 2005…

Thousands of Group Litigation Order Military Claims suitable for issue using a single claim form

The High Court has ruled that there is no need to issue multiple claim forms in cases brought by over 3,000 ex-service personnel for Noise Induced Hearing Loss against the Ministry of Defence.   The Court held that so long as all Claimants on the claim form had ‘sufficient commonality’ in relation to the issues…

London joinery firm fined £20,000 for failing to control wood dust

F&E Joinery limited, a company in southeast London, was fined £20,000 for failing to control employees’ exposure to wood dust.   In May 2022, F&E limited was inspected as a result of a health and safety executive (HSE) campaign that targeted woodworking businesses due to the significant health risks associated with wood dust. One of…

HSE safety notice: high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in cargo and slop tanks

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has identified high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide in cargo and slop tanks onboard some FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading) and FSUs (Floating Storage Units) operating in UKCS.   The concentration levels are up to 16,000ppm and this is above the measuring limits of the standard portable gas monitoring…

Volkswagen ordered to pay damages of $5.75 million in Mesothelioma case

During the years 1972-75, whilst working at Spokane Volkswagen dealership as an auto mechanic, Mr. Sorrentino, developed malignant mesothelioma which is a rare and fatal asbestos-related disease.   Mesothelioma is a cancer that usually starts in the layers of tissue that cover each lung (the pleura) – this is called pleural mesothelioma. More rarely it can start…

Signs you have a damaged skin barrier, with solutions

The skin is the largest external organ of the human body, which is covered by hair, nails, nerves and glands.   The vital organ acts as a barrier between the inside and outside environment. A damaged skin barrier would lead to implications to your overall health, so it is crucial that a damaged skin barrier…

Hearing loss caused by headphones and loud venues  

One Billion children at risk of hearing loss     Valley Children’s Healthcare has seen an increase in the number of hearing loss in children. Research suggests more than one billion teenagers and children are at risk of hearing loss due to unsafe listening practises.   Sound is measured in decibels (dB). A whisper is 30…

Hearing loss simulator and harmful levels of sound exposure

Everyday, we will experience exposure to different sounds depending on the environment we find ourselves in. Such examples can be from the television, when you are driving or when walking in the park.   These type of sounds that we hear everyday are considered safe levels that don’t cause any long term damage to our…