Cardinus

NEW Safety for Line Managers (UK course only)

The best safety policies and procedures in the world can be seriously undermined if managers do not understand what you are trying to achieve and the part they need to play.

A new online course will soon be available from Cardinus to help managers understand their safety responsibilities. 'Safety for Line Managers' is designed to:

  • Introduce line managers to your Health & Safety policies and procedures
  • Outline key responsibilities in managing the health and safety of your staff
  • Tell managers where to find further information and where to get help.

The course consists of a number of modules that can be turned on or off to suit an organisation's individual requirements. The course can also be customised to hold specific information, e.g. evacuation and company car procedures.

More...
Email to request an early preview.

New guidance on using computers

In the UK, new Display Screen Equipment (DSE) guidance has been published to coincide with International RSI day. The guidance includes small changes to the regulations and takes into account increased knowledge of the subject and changes in working practices.

To accompany the guidance, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a workstation checklist. This can be used as an aid to risk assessment and includes six areas of risk:

  • Display screen
  • Keyboard
  • Mouse/trackball
  • Software
  • Furniture
  • Work environment

Cardinus office ergonomics software 'Workstation Safety Plus' will soon be shipped with the option of a pre-configured version of the HSE checklist.

Copies of 'Work with display screen equipment' L26, ISBN 0-7176-2582-6, price £8.95, and 'The law on VDUs: an easy guide' HSG90, ISBN 0-7176-2602-4, price £8.50, are available from HSE Books, tel: 01787 881165. Both publications include the checklist.

Copies of 'Aching arms (or RSI) in small businesses' INDG171(rev1), ISBN 0-7176-2600-8, are available in priced packs of 15 or individual copies free from HSE Books.

Effect of stress on musculoskeletal disorders

New data suggests that both ergonomic and psychosocial factors can influence lost time, symptoms, and other critical work and health outcomes in workers with occupational upper extremity disorders. The issue is currently being studied at Georgetown University Medical Center. The specific objectives are to study the effects of interventions on lost workdays, symptoms, functional limitation, mental health, job stress, and problem solving skills immediately following treatment and at six and twelve months post treatment.

More organizations choose
Workstation Safety Plus
Workstation Safety Plus training and risk assessment software is available for intranet or web delivery.

Among many new customers, we are delighted to welcome: De La Rue, The London Institute, BDO Stoy Hayward, Teacher Training Agency, AIG, Chaucer Insurance and many more.

To discuss your requirements please email us letting us know the number of computer users at your organization.

Safety and Health Week to focus on dangerous substances

This year's European Week for Safety and Health, starting on 13 October 2003, will focus on dangerous substances in the workplace.

This annual initiative has become the largest workplace health and safety event in Europe. Thousands of businesses use the week to look at ways of making their working environment a safer and healthier place.

John Thompson, head of HSE's chemicals policy division, said:"Our best estimates suggest that each year about 6,000 people die from cancer due to occupational causes; and up to 7,000 new cases of asthma are occupationally caused or have work as a significant contributing factor. In addition, 66,000 people suffer from new or existing skin disease caused by work - around two thirds have dermatitis or eczema.

All this is preventable. Employers, workers and stakeholders can use the week to start to make an impact."

For more information call HSE's InfoLine, tel: 08701 545500, or write to: HSE Information Services, Caerphilly Business Park, Caerphilly CF83 3GG.


Contact details:
UK Tel: (0)1342 301639, US Tel: (610) 768 8018
info@cardinus.com
www.cardinus.com

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