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Health and Safety News

Occupational health and safety news and guidance

Blog posts : "chemicals"

COSHH basics

COSHH stands for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health and is a set of regulations implemented by the UK Government that provide guidelines and requirements for work environments that make use of hazardous substances.

The regulations are designed to protect employees and other individuals…

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COSHH safety for chefs

Safety tips when working with chemicals

Maintaining a safe and productive working environment is often challenging whatever the circumstances. When chemicals are involved, that challenge can be significantly increased. Without proper handling, many of the substances on which we rely can be dangerous.

Read more and view the…

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Chemical Safety PPE Top to Toe

Proper safety tips when working with chemicals

chemical safety tips infographic

Maintaining a safe and productive working environment is often challenging whatever the circumstances. When chemicals are involved, that challenge can be significantly increased. Without proper handling, many of the substances on which we rely can be dangerous. Whether they emit noxious fumes, b…

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Chemical Safety in the Hospitality Sector

Photo shows a hotelCleaning products and chemicals are probably one of the most common hazardous substances used in the hospitality sector. Apart from sharp equipment in kitchens that presents a risk, chemicals also present many hazards such as burns, skin irritation and respiratory harm. To minimise these risks, prop…

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Health and safety hazards on a farm

Photo shows cows in a fieldFarming is a risky occupation, it comes with many risks and hazards. The industry accounts for nearly 20% of the reported fatal injuries each year. The most common types of accidents that happen on farms involves heavy machinery and handling and lifting. If due care and attention is paid this can re…

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Eliminate burns in the workplace

Photo shows a chef in a hot kitchenBurns are often overlooked as a workplace-related injury, but occur by the thousands each year and in several occupational fields. While burn injuries are less common than slip and fall injuries or sprains and strains, according to a study conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administrati…

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Chemical firm fined for Burscough explosion

Photo shows the aftermath of the blaze at Burscough Industrial Estate

A chemical firm has been ordered to pay £150,000 in fines and costs over a major explosion at a waste management site in Lancashire that caused three workers to sustain serious burns.

Personnel Hygiene Services (PHS) Ltd. was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) following the blas…

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International chemical firm prosecuted over multiple incidents

The corroded walkway which gave way when a worker stepped onto it

An international chemical firm has been fined more than £100,000 after workers were put in danger in three separate incidents at its Cheshire factory.

One employee at Tata Chemicals Europe Limited’s plant in Northwich suffered severe burns to his right foot which removed a layer of skin and requ…

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Tyneside firm fined after worker suffers toxic chemical burns

A Tyneside firm has been fined after a worker was soaked with a concentrated, corrosive chemical and suffered serious burns.

Michael Reid, 66, of North Shields, was employed as an electroplater at DMI (UK) Ltd. when the incident happened on 30 January 2011.

In a prosecution brought by the Health…

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ECHA have added twenty substances to the list of "Substances of Very High Concern"

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) have added twenty substances to the candidate list. Companies manufacturing or importing these substances, or articles containing the substances, need to check whether they have any obligations which result from the listing.

The list now contains seventy-three s…

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Factory explosion is China kills three workers

Three people were killed and four others injured in a workshop explosion in Zhejiang Province last night.

Initial reports are that a reaction kettle exploded and triggered a fire in a chemical factory.

All seven workers trapped following the explosion were rescued, but two died at the scene, and ano…

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Vegetable supplier fined for chemical incident

Emmett UK Ltd pleaded guilty to contravening Regulation 12 (1) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 and was fined £8,500 at Spalding Magistrates' Court. It was also ordered to pay full costs of £2,478.

In September 2009, an agency worker was cleaning food processing ma…

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Chemical firm sentenced after worker suffers toxic burns

A chemical company has been sentenced after a worker suffered toxic burns to his arms and chest at an Ellesmere Port factory.

The employee at Abacus Chemical Ltd was mixing two chemicals together on 7 May 2009 when they exploded, causing him to be drenched in a hot, toxic chemical solution.

Abacus C…

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Health and Safety News - 2 December 2010

Shropshire health trust fined over patient death

An 89-year-old man died after hospital staff left him with only one rail on his bed to prevent him from falling out.

New European rules on notifying chemical substances

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is supporting the European Chemical Agency's…

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16 Blog Posts