HSE Public Consultation Document (CD285) on Proposed Amendments to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) – CWU Response & HSE Decision & Results of The Consultation

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Background:

As advised to Branches, Safety Forums and Safety Reps in LTB 574/17, the HSE conducted a public consultation on a proposal to amend the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012).

The CWU responded strongly to the consultation on the proposed amendment to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) as did the TUC and other Trade Unions.

In respect of the specific proposal to align the different frequencies for medical examinations for those doing licensable work and those doing notifiable work, the Unions rejected the proposal and stated that the HSE should be considering the option of harmonising UP rather than DOWN, lowering the frequency of medical examinations and so not reducing the amount of protection afforded to workers in the industry.

The CWU view was that reducing the frequency of tests would be totally irresponsible. The review, and consultation documents, stated that the aim of the tests is to “detect disease early and allow removal from further harm”. Although that’s one reason for the tests, it is not the only one. The tests also can also identify any other conditions that may put them at additional risk, or identify any problems with their PPE that prevents them wearing it properly. A medical test should also record any accidental exposure that may have happened. Frequent interaction with a medical practitioner reinforces the serious dangers to health that asbestos poses and also allows the doctor to highlight the need to change lifestyle if the person smokes. That was recognised in paragraph 57 of the consultation document, but it ignored this benefit.

Given the inability of the HSE to accept the health benefits of the tests, it’s hardly surprising that they came up with no health and safety aspects. This was rejected by the CWU, TUC and Unions that responded as we did.

CWU did not accept that giving a medical examination every two years is an onerous “burden” on business. The cost of exposure of asbestos lies with the workers and they should be given every support, including regular health surveillance to ensure that they are protected.

Consultation Results:

The HSE has published a summary of the consultation results which have been considered by the HSE Board. In total, 38 responses to the consultation were received. Of these 23 (61%) did not agree with the substantive amendment to change the period between medical examinations for those undertaking licensable work with asbestos from two to three years on the basis that the proposal reduced protection for workers carrying out the most hazardous types of work involving asbestos (although HSE believes – and independent expert advice confirms – that there is no reduction in protection), and that asbestos medicals can be (and are) used as an opportunity to undertake ‘fitness for work’ medicals, giving opportunities for wider health issues (and impact on wearing PPE, etc.) to be considered which may be missed if the interval between examinations is increased.

HSE Board Conclusion:

As a result of the consultation HSE officials concluded that the overall response to the consultation means that HSE should not proceed with the proposed amendments to CAR 2012. However, the consultation responses have raised an issue regarding the wider opportunities and benefits of asbestos medicals which was not raised during the Post Implementation Review (PIR). It is therefore important to consider this further alongside HSE’s wider review of the occupational health surveillance system as part of the Health and Work Strategy.

Based on the results of the consultation, the HSE Board decided not to proceed with the proposed amendment to Regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012 at this time. Therefore, the period between medical examinations for asbestos workers who undertake licensed asbestos work remains at two years and will not be reduced to three years. Additionally, Asbestos medical examinations will in due course be considered further alongside HSE’s wider review of the occupational health surveillance system as part of the Health and Work Strategy.

This news will be welcomed by Branches, Regional Health and Safety Forums and Health and Safety Reps.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB120 HSE Public Consultation Document (CD285) on Proposed Amendments to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) – CWU Response & HSE Decision & Results of The Consultation

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New CWU membership forms – political fund and data protection opt-ins

As set out in LTB 94/18, under the Trade Union Act we are now required to include an ‘opt-in’ to the political fund on our membership forms. This changes the current system whereby members automatically pay the political levy unless they opt out of doing so.

Alongside this, under new General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), we will be required to include an ‘opt-in’ on our membership form, with new members needing to opt-in in order to receive any form of communication from the union.

We have added tick-boxes and text to give effect to both of these requirements on the membership forms. The political fund opt-in is at the start of section 4, titled ‘Declaration’; and the data protection opt-in is at the bottom of the form.

As you will appreciate, these are two very significant changes that impact on what we do. We rely on members paying the political levy in order to carry out political work on their behalf and we need to be able to communicate with our members about what we are doing in order to function as a trade union.

It is therefore extremely important that the new membership forms are being used and that we maximise the number of new members opting-in to paying the political levy and to receiving communications about the union’s work. A briefing paper with a Q&A to explain our political work to new members and to persuade them to opt-in is attached to this LTB.

All of our membership forms have been amended to reflect these two changes and you can continue to receive the new forms via the website, contacting membership records lwright@cwu.org, T&FS rwalsh@cwu.org or Postal zmussa@cwu.org at CWU HQ. The revised forms are now available on the website at the www.cwu.org/join-us/postal-applications/.

It is of the upmost importance that from 1st March 2018 only the new forms are utilised and all old forms should be discarded, otherwise the union will be outside of the new legislation.

Any queries on the contents of this LTB should be directed to sdgs@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward – General Secretary

Tony Kearns – Senior Deputy General Secretary

LTB 115.18 – new CWU membership forms – political fund and data protection opt-ins

The CWUs political work – QAs

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The Health & Safety Event – Expo & Educational Programme – 10-12 April 2018 at The NEC, Birmingham. (This is a Free Event.)

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

The Health and Safety Event has been developed to suit anyone responsible for health and safety at work. Uniquely co-located with The Fire Safety Event and The Facilities Event, The Health & Safety Event is an Exhibition plus an educational and networking opportunity for anyone responsible for or involved in the running of a safe and efficient workplace, anywhere in the UK. You can keep up-to-date with changes in legislation, join debates, hear from safety experts, receive 1-to-1 practical advice from suppliers and experience the very latest in safety equipment and technology.

The Health and Safety Event is a combination of a Health and Safety Expo plus Health and Safety Educational Seminars on a range of Health and Safety Subjects with various experts and specialists involved. It has been developed to suit anyone responsible for health and safety at work.

The event is FREE to attend and top Health and Safety manufacturers and suppliers take part in the Expo offering products and advice.

The organisers working with the British Safety Council create the educational part of the event for visitors. Alongside the Free Conference content and access to over 300 respected vendors and suppliers across three shows, there are further features: The Safety Dialogue Theatre, The Safer Logistics Theatre, NEBOSH Education Pavilion and The Safety & Health Excellence Awards.

Educational Programme & Event Features 2018

The Health & Safety Event 2018 features a whole new range of educational content, legislation updates and interactive sessions from leading experts in the industry including the brand new Lone Worker Theatre. Your free visitor badge gives you access to all CPD qualifying educational content, delivered in partnership with the UK’s safety professional organisations.

Tuesday 10th April

Conference Theatre:

Educational content for The Health & Safety Event is curated by the organiser’s Educational Partner, The British Safety Council (BSC).

• Case Law Update

• Thriving!

• Preparing for ISO45001

Safety Dialogue:

The Safety Dialogue Theatre offers the opportunity to ‘Join the Debate’ and contribute directly to discussing the topic of the day. Visitors can use this chance to share experiences with their peers and network with a panel of recognised authorities on each topic. Partners NEBOSH, IOSH, BOHS, AIF.

• Working at Height & preventing falls

• Working in confined spaces

• Using Respiratory Protective Equipment

• Training & competence

Safer Logistics:

The Safer Logistics Seminar Theatre and Feature Area promises a wealth of education and advice tackling safety hot spots in warehousing and logistics. Content curated in partnership with H&SS magazine. Sponsors/Partners CILT, A-SAFE, FLTA, RTITB.

• Building a Safer Environment – PAS 13:2017 Code of Practice for Safety Barriers within Workplace Environments

• Managing driver risk, not drivers at risk! How aware are you?

• We’ve got your back!

Lone Worker Theatre:

This year the Lone Worker Feature Theatre is being hosted by the Lone Worker Safety Expo team. Speakers representing many industries will explore the challenges faced by lone workers and share best practice on assessing and managing the specific risks faced by lone workers.

• Creating a personal safety culture in the workplace

• Considerations when Using Bodyworn Video for Lone Working

• Practical Strategies & Technology – how do we combine the two?

• The impact of Lone Working on Stress and Wellbeing

• Best Practice on Implementation of Lone Worker Solutions & Devices

Wednesday 11th April

Conference Theatre:

• Changing Face of Regulation

• Challenges in Modern Manufacturing Panel Discussion

• Establishing and Engaged Culture

Safety Dialogue:

• Managing noise & vibration

• Working at Height & preventing falls

• Using Respiratory Protective Equipment

• Working with asbestos

Safer Logistics:

• We’ve got your back!

• Forklift training essentials and practical segregation

• Building a Safer Environment – PAS 13:2017 Code of Practice for Safety Barriers within Workplace Environments

• Racking Safety

Lone Worker Theatre:

• Lone Working & Legalities – Staying Ahead of the Game

• Lone Working -Practical Solutions and Personal safety tips

• The business efficiencies of lone working

• Lone working; balancing the risks versus the benefits

• Managing Violence & Aggression against Lone Workers

• Contingency planning and practical advice for major incidents & terrorist attacks when travelling in the UK and abroad

Thursday 12th April

Conference Theatre:

• Residents Safety – Lessons from Grenfell Tower

• A Good Day at Work

• When the Worst Happens – Managing a Fatal Accident and Dealing with an Inquest

Safety Dialogue:

• Using Respiratory Protective Equipment

• Managing noise & vibration

• Training & competence

• Working at Height & preventing falls

Safer Logistics:

• Training & Forklift Safety

• Improving health & safety in materials handling operations

• Building a Safer Environment – PAS 13:2017 Code of Practice for Safety Barriers within Workplace Environments

Lone Worker Theatre:

• Stalking in the workplace

• Personal Safety Advice When Visiting Clients

• What does the future of Lone Working look like?

FREE REGISTRATION AT:- https://registration.n200.com/survey/0xqcxtfgemwk8

Upcoming Events:

The Health and Safety Event 10-12 April 2018 | NEC, Birmingham

Health and Safety Scotland 12-13 September 2018 | SEC, Glasgow

Health and Safety North 9-10 October 2018 |EventCity, Manchester

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB119 The Health & Safety Event – Expo & Educational Programme – 10-12 April 2018 at The NEC, Birmingham. (This is a Free Event.)

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CWU Submission on Defined Ambition Pensions

The CWU has made the attached submission to the Work and Pensions Committee Inquiry on Defined Ambition (DA) pension schemes. The inquiry focuses in particular on Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) schemes, which represent one form of DA scheme.

The purpose of the inquiry is to investigate the role that Defined Ambition CDC schemes could play in the pension landscape, the potential benefits to savers and the wider economy, and the legislative and regulatory framework that would be required to make it work.

The CWU’s submission argues for the need to protect and promote Defined Benefit pension schemes which offer the most secure, predictable outcomes for savers. It also calls for the Government to enact the regulations needed to facilitate shared risk/Defined Ambition schemes, as intended under the UK Pensions Act 2015. This is necessary to establish the CDC pension scheme recently agreed by the CWU and Royal Mail.

Any enquiries in relation to the content of this LTB should be addressed to the Head of Research.

Yours sincerely

Bill Taylor

Head of Research

CWU Submission Defined Ambition Pensions

LTB116-18 – Attachment

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RMG Charity Update — Youth Homelessness – Action for Children – CEO/Director SHE Sleep Out

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

As part of Royal Mail’s ‘Action for Children’ Charity campaign, Dr. Shaun Davis Royal Mail Group Global Director of Safety, Health, Wellbeing & Sustainability will be taking part in this year’s CEO/Directors ‘Sleep Out’ being held in Paternoster Square, London on Thursday 22nd March 2018 to support the Charity Action For Children.

The ‘Sleep Out’ is a unique event, and Shaun will be joining fellow business leaders in sleeping rough on the streets of London for one night, to raise money and build awareness of youth homelessness.

There are 83,000 homeless young people in the UK. One in four homeless young people (27%) have been diagnosed with a mental health problem. One in five homeless young people (21%) have self-harmed.

Around 150,000 young people ask their local authorities for help each year because they are homeless or at risk of homelessness. It is crucial to step in early to prevent youth homelessness; it ends a cycle before it starts.

The money raised will be directly invested into the charity ‘Action for Children’s preventative Mental Health Programme, the ‘Blues Programme’, funded by Royal Mail Group. The Blues Programme aims to support the mental health of thousands of young people aged 15-18. Please help raise awareness by sponsoring Shaun and supporting these young people in their work to do what is needed, to intervene and change lives.

I’m pleased to support this worthy effort with sponsorship and would request your consideration for supporting this worthy cause.

Click on the link below to make a sponsorship donation: – https://www.sponsorme.co.uk/royalmail/sleepout-fundraisier.aspx

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB118 RMG Charity Update – Youth Homelessness – Action for Children – CEO Director SHE Sleep Out

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2018 National Young Workers’ Education Event, 12 – 14 October, Peterborough

This is to inform branches that this year’s National Young Workers’ Education Event has been confirmed to take place over the weekend of Friday, 12 October through to Sunday, 14 October and will take place at The Bull Hotel, Westgate, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 1RB.

The event brings together young (under the age of 30) activists over the course of a weekend in which they gain knowledge, skills and confidence about their role in the union and the union’s work in general.

The event will start at 6pm on Friday 12 October and will end at lunchtime on Sunday 14 October. A timetable will be issued nearer the time.

The cost to send a delegate will be £270. This cost, will include two nights’ accommodation and all meals. This figure, of course, excludes travelling and for further information relating to expenses please find attached LTB 787/15.

It should be noted that late cancellations will have to be covered by the branch – so if a delegate is not able to attend and has to cancel we would appreciate at least 1 weeks’ notice. Exceptional circumstances will be considered on an individual basis.

This is an important event and Branches are encouraged to consider sending delegates.

Please find attached an application form that participants should complete and get signed off by the branch; this should then be sent to Jo Thair at CWU Head Office either by post or by email to jthair@cwu.org.

Branches are thanked in anticipation of their assistance and any queries on this LTB should be directed to jthair@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward

General Secretary

LTB 114-18 – 2018 National Young Workers’ Education Event, 12 – 14 October, Peterborough

NYWEE18 Application Form

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Processing Report February 2018

National Issues

You will be aware the National CWU and Royal Mail have reached an agreement to present to the membership after our Four Pillars Campaign. The 39-page Agreement is on display on the union board. A National Briefing was held in London on the 7th February. Where the National Officers who negotiated the agreement presented it to CWU Area Representatives and Branch Officials. A full Branch report of this meeting is on the union board. There is also a report of the meeting on the delivery union board. A CWU Divisional Briefing was held in Royston on 21st February. where the National Officers who negotiated the agreement presented it to all CWU shift and unit reps in the division.

The Branch will be addressing staff at the Work Time Listening and Learning (WTLL) sessions in processing during the week commencing 26th February and the WTLL sessions in the delivery offices during the week commencing 5th March about the agreement and a recommendation on how to vote in the ballot which opens on Monday 12th March and closes on Wednesday 28th March.

Work Time listening and Learning Sessions (WTLL)

It has been agreed the processing WTLL sessions for week commencing 26th February will be used to allow the CWU to present the National Agreement to staff. Night shift will be on Monday at 22.30 and 23.30. Late shift will be 15.30 and 18.00 on both Wednesday and Thursday. Early shift and DSA staff will be Friday 09.30. The Weekend shift will be Saturday at 1400. PE Deliveries will be at 0700 and 0730 Friday.

Traffic Transformation

The business will be changing the way they record traffic coming into the mail centre. Currently we are using the mist system where traffic is recorded at WLA points throughout the building. They are changing to a PDA manual recording at the primary sort point only. However, both systems will run together for about a year whilst data is collated before changing to the PDA system.

There are 107 members of staff across all four shifts going to be trained on the manual recording with the PDA’s. Training is due to start in a couple of weeks’ time after it has been agreed at national level to go ahead now the trials have been completed in the four trial mail centres.

Processing Week Start Change

We have been in discussion with management about the advantages of changing the start day of the processing week. Therefore, from the start of the new financial year the processing function week with change from what it is currently a Sunday to Saturday to a Monday to Sunday

The reason for this is the processing function needs to fall in line with the PSP system which is Monday to Sunday, all the other functions within the MC and the other mail centres in the region are all on Monday to Sunday weeks.

Staff who hold processing scheduled attendances on a Sunday will be written to by the book room to explain how the change will affect them. SA length and start and finish times will not be affected only the week numbers.

Staff who have booked annual leave based on a Sunday to Saturday week will have their leave and SA’s honoured for the year.

Gravity Rollers

We have started a new trial on the gravity rollers. This is for the processing of standard packets. CWU Nationally are now aware of the trial. CWU Health and Safety Reps are aware and monitoring along with shift reps who are giving us members feedback. Royal Mail Industrial engineers will also be observing.  

Spalding CSS work

Two duties were advertised and have been allocated.

WhatsApp Broadcast Group

We have set up a CWU Eastern No5 members WhatsApp Broadcast Group where we can forward CWU Communications onto members.

A Broadcast Group is where members receive WhatsApp messages from my phone, you will not be able to see who is in the group, you will not be able to message each other either. No phone numbers are shared.

If you want to be in this group then you will need the WhatsApp App on your phone.

Save my number Ernie Orviss 07887985430 Then send me a message me with your name requesting to be put in the group. I will forward you some of the previous messages and put you in the group so you will receive all future messages.

EJ Orviss

Area Processing Representative

Area.processing@cwue5.org

Date 23rd February 2018

Dog Attacks on Postal Workers are Appalling, Cardiff Conference Told. – Report on Event Held at Wales Government Offices

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Calls for the use of dog licenses have been renewed by the CWU with attacks on postal staff reaching “epidemic proportions”.

Opening the Conference Welsh Assembly Member Julie Morgan said postal staff were “most vulnerable” to such attacks with children also “badly affected”.

Royal Mail reported 843 attacks on staff in Wales in the last five years. BT have reported attacks on field engineers also.

Cardiff councillors, Welsh Assembly Members and Ministers, CWU Union Representatives and parents of injured children gathered in Cardiff’s Pierhead Hall, near the Wales Parliament to debate the ongoing problem of dog attacks and what can be done by the Wales Government to help reduces attacks.

The CWU suggested that the re-introduction of dog licenses may help encourage more responsible ownership but would generate funding for Policing and enforcement at a time when central government funding for the Police was being cut back.

CWU National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce said “There were now 22,000 less Police officers in the UK than there were ten years ago and the concern is that dog control was slipping down the priority agenda.”

Stuart Hughes, who was a postman in Gwynedd, almost lost an earlobe in 2010 after an Alsatian bit his ear, jaw and throat while he was working.

“I had to see a facial injuries specialist and they managed to stitch up my ear and throat with about 20 stitches,” he said.

“I’m back on normal duties now, but there are still scars, some tendons were damaged and I get ongoing problems with my neck. Dog attacks are no joke.”

Cardiff councillor Dilwar Ali, whose six-year-old son was mauled by a neighbour’s Rhodesian Ridgeback dog in 2011 after it escaped from the next door’s garden, said “There is currently a

“loophole” in tracking dog owners through microchip databases because owners who sell dogs on do not always update the database. ”

He added “There were a lot of grey areas as dog owners should automatically be banned from owning a dog for 10 years after a serious offence under the Dangerous Dogs Act, but this was sometimes not happening”.

Ms. Morgan has campaigned alongside Mr. Ali and the CWU for ‘Dog Control Notices’ that would allow early intervention by local authorities or Police if they had concerns about a particular dog owner, such as enforcing owner and dog training or compulsory muzzles in public. ”

Ms. Morgan said “dog owners needed much greater education and to be forward thinking about the responsibility of owning a dog”.

The pair are supporting the Communication Workers Union’s Biteback campaign which brought about strengthening the UK’s Dangerous Dog Act, extending the law to private property, tougher penalties and introducing mandatory micro-chipping of dogs to identify and control dangerous dogs and irresponsible owners.”

CWU health and safety officer Dave Joyce said “Though the Dangerous Dogs Act was extended to cover dogs on private property in 2014, more rigorous enforcement of the law was needed. The Police need to use their extended powers and the Courts need to use the full extent of the sentences available to them.”

“It’s a problem that still seems to keep going under the radar yet it has reached epidemic proportions he added. Our postal worker members are in the frontline and first to be confronted with irresponsible owners and dangerous dogs because postmen and women visit the nation’s 29 million addresses with the mail and parcels daily”.

“There are still cases where offences are committed but the Police are not prosecuting owners when they should be. There have been 15 private prosecutions that Royal Mail has had to pursue, all ending in successful convictions in recent times. Cases the Police should have prosecuted.”

Mr. Joyce added “The Royal Mail and CWU were currently pursuing two private prosecutions for offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act that Police in Wales had not prosecuted.”

He has asked the Welsh Government to consider more investment for dog legislation officers trained to deal with dog cases and the introduction of dog licenses similar to those in Northern Ireland to generate resources for enforcement and for the introduction of Dog Control Notices (DCNs).

Welsh Government Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “I have held meetings with the CWU and others to consider concerns. Our recent public consultation on a revised code of practice for the welfare of dogs reminds owners of their obligations relating to controlling their pets and the Governing legislation. The consultation closed earlier this week and we will look at the responses in detail shortly”.

“We are also investigating the feasibility of establishing an animal offender register and looking at reintroducing dog licensing. Both are complex proposals but worth investigating.”

“Embedding a culture of responsible ownership cannot be achieved in isolation. We will continue to work across government and with a range of organisations to achieve lasting improvements but owners must take the lead responsibility by ensuring their dogs’ needs are met.”

Report Ends

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB112 Dog Attacks on Postal Workers are Appalling, Cardiff Conference Told. – Report on Event Held at Wales Government Offices

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Tata Steel Fined £1.4m after Health and Safety Failings Lead to Death of Worker

To: All Branches

Dear Colleagues,

Hull Crown Court heard how, on 23 April 2010, Thomas Standerline, 26, an employee of Tata Steel, was examining a crane as part of his inspection duties as a maintenance electrician. Whilst carrying out this work, an overhead crane travelled over the cage he was in, trapping and then crushing him. Mr Standerline died instantly.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Tata Steel had failed to enforce its own safety procedures, despite having two previous incidents before Mr Standerline’s death. The HSE investigation also found Tata Steel failed to put in place essential control measures which would have prevented the overhead crane that killed Mr Standerline from even being in operation.

Tata Steel UK Limited of Millbank, London, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2 and Section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was fined £1.4 million with costs.

On the day of the accident Standerline was inspecting the semi-goliath’s collector shoes, which ran along a live busbar to power it. The power for both the cranes was supplied this way and, though the electricity feed to the semi-goliath had been isolated, it had not been shut off for the overhead crane.

Standerline walked through a broken gate that should have been locked and climbed up a stepladder into the collector inspection cage, which was not fully enclosed and had only a waist-high railing. At the same time the Harsco employee began to move the overhead crane, which had not been fitted with flashing warning lights or stop-blocks. Its collector cage travelled over that of the semi-goliath, where Standerline was standing, and crushed him. Had the overhead crane been isolated, this would not have happened.

He HSE said that there had been two previous incidents in September 2008 and in February 2010 that shared features with the one that cost Standerline his life but the lessons from these accidents weren’t properly learned and they should have acted as a warning that this could have happened.

Sentencing, His Honour Judge Richardson said: “A range of failings of the defendant were found in respect of the maintenance and safety procedures after the first incident and there appears to have been an absence of awareness of safety procedures in respect of the second

incident. These two incidents serve to illustrate that there was a potential problem in the slab yard in terms of safety by reference to (a) the need for isolation of power supply to the cranes when maintenance work was being undertaken so that the cranes could not move and thereby preventing crushing between the two and (b) ensuring everyone was familiar with safety procedures.” He added that “Tata Steel has a far from exemplary health and safety record. It conducts many operations which are hazardous, but the volume of convictions of the defendant company reveals to me a situation of concern in relation to health and safety.”

Tata Steel had previously been fined £1.9m in July 2016 after two workers were seriously injured in separate incidents at its Northamptonshire plant. This was later reduced to £1.5m. Last August Tata Steel was fined £930,000 after five plant workers were exposed to toxic and flammable vapour.

Tata took steps to remedy shortcomings at the slab yard after Thomas Standerline was killed. A roof was added to the semi-goliath collector cage, and both cages were redesigned so there was clearance when they passed each other. Tata provided refresher training for its maintenance staff, and communication between both companies’ employees was improved.

This is an example of the new Fine Levels under the revised Sentencing Council Guidelines being applied to a major company that fails to implement, communicate and enforce its own safety procedures and had no fail safe design arrangements in place at the time.

Yours sincerely

Dave Joyce

National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

18LTB110 Tata Steel Fined £1.4m after Health and Safety Failings Lead to Death of Worker

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