In short: GPs will flag unfit drivers

Open-access content Friday 8th January 2016

From the archive: Just so you know, this article is more than 3 years old.

New draft guidance from the General Medical Council (GMC) states that a GP should report those who continue to drive against their advice. It is currently the driver's responsibility to notify the DVLA of any medical condition that might leave someone at risk of death or serious harm.

The strengthened guidance is part of a public consultation on the GMC's core guidance on confidentiality.

"We are clear that doctors carrying out their duty will not face any sanction," highlights Niall Dickson, the GMC's chief executive, "and this new guidance makes clear that we will support those who are faced with these difficult decisions."

Freight co knew of poor risk assessment prior to worker’s death

Tuesday 2nd February 2016

Freight First must pay £90,000 in fines after a runaway lorry ploughed into employee Tony Schulze on 22 January 2011, crushing him to death. Schulze, who was not normally tasked with driving articulated vehicles and had no training for coupling lorries, was working at the weekend parking trailers in the yard so they would be ready for pick-ups and deliveries on Monday morning.

Open-access content

Irish workplace deaths stay level

Friday 8th January 2016

Two-thirds (37) of last year’s workplace deaths occurred in businesses with less than ten employees, mainly in agriculture, construction and fishing.The primary cause of fatal accidents in 2015 was vehicles in the workplace, accounting for 21 deaths, followed by falls from height, which killed 15.

Open-access content

High-risk business trips up 52% last year

Tuesday 12th January 2016

Travel insurer Collinson Group’s analysis of Office for National Statistics Travelpac data reveals that nearly 2.5 million business trips were made to destinations where level three security incidents, including terrorist attacks and attempted coups, took place.In the first half of 2015, a total of 41 countries registered level three incidents. The majority of these were made up by countries in the Middle East, North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.

Open-access content

Wilko receives £400,000 penalty for death of forklift driver

Monday 25th January 2016

George Hancock was working at Wilko’s Worksop distribution centre when the incident happened in December 2011. After an inquest at Nottingham Coroner’s Court in December 2013, when the jury recorded a verdict of accidental death, Bassetlaw District Council prosecuted Wilko following an investigation into what happened.

Open-access content

ISO 45001 draft issued for comment

Friday 8th January 2016

It will be the first internationally agreed health and safety management systems standard to apply to organisations across the world.Standards like ISO 45001 are developed to help organisations manage their processes and risks in a systematic and consistent way.Reaching the DIS stage means the general public are being consulted about the standard for the first time. It is also the final opportunity for OSH professionals to comment on it.

Open-access content

An X-ray of the young worker’s damaged left hand | Image credit: ©HSE

Housing trust fined after worker sustains life-changing injuries

Monday 11th January 2016

The 24-year-old from Stockport also sustained several broken bones in the accident on 28 March 2014.On 7 January, Manchester Crown Court was told that the worker was driving a ride-on mower with a grass box attached. When the chute to the grass box became blocked with long, wet grass – as often happened – the employee reached in to clear it. His hand came into contact with the rotating metal fan and was seriously injured. He is now unable to grip with his left hand or use his remaining fingers.

Open-access content

Topics

Road safety

Workplace transport

Transport and logistics

News