London Hazards Centre

Home Page submitted by WHIG Administrator — last modified 2005-10-04 16:29

London Hazards Centre web site

LHC - Stress at Work submitted by WHIG Administrator — last modified 2005-10-04 16:29

Workers in the UK don't need to be told that work has got harder and become a pressure cooker for stress over recent years. Longer hours of work, low hourly rates of pay, under-staffing, bullying and job insecurity currently have some effect on most people's health. People at the lower end of the job hierarchy are, as ever, disproportionately affected. Insurers and solicitors are regularly holding seminars for employers on how to sack stressed workers before they become a financial burden or take out compensation claims. In this vicious climate Safety Representatives and trade unions must develop strategies to tackle this issue as members' health, jobs and careers are on the line. Stress is a health and safety issue not least because there is relevant legislation and case law, but it also involves broader employment, representational and collective bargaining issues.

LHC - Bullying at Work submitted by WHIG Administrator — last modified 2005-10-04 16:29

Bullying at work is any form of behaviour which is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting or is an abuse or misuse of power intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure individuals or groups. Bullying leads to stress and then to illness and behavioural problems if prolonged. A very high proportion of people subjected to bullying change their job as a result. Bullying is widespread at work. A survey by UNISON revealed that 66 per cent of the respondents had experienced or witnessed bullying. 34 per cent of those bullied reported that it had gone on for more than three years. In over 80 per cent of cases, the bully was a manager. In almost all cases the higher management knew what was going on but did nothing about it.

LHC - Lone Working submitted by WHIG Administrator — last modified 2005-10-04 16:29

Lone working may be defined as any work activity which is intended to be carried out in isolation from other workers by an individual or a small team of people. The work activity should normally last for some time.

LHC - Formaldehyde submitted by WHIG Administrator — last modified 2005-10-04 16:29

This factsheet looks at formaldehyde. It is a colourless gas with a strong and pungent odour which is known to cause skin, eye and respiratory damage, and which, in sufficient doses, affects the heart and lung function and the menstrual cycle. It causes allergic reactions and mental disturbances and is a known cause of several types of cancer.

LHC - Alternatives to asbestos submitted by WHIG Administrator — last modified 2005-10-04 16:29

A factsheet detailing alternatives to asbestos. There is no single product in day to day use at work or at home that needs to be made from or contain deadly asbestos - yet over 3000 workplace and home based products contain this poison. It is possible to eliminate the use of asbestos by redesigning the job or product, or by using another, safer material. Manufacturers make safer alternative fibre products and can control the fibre size so they cannot be breathed in and do harm.

LHC - Call centres submitted by WHIG Administrator — last modified 2005-10-04 16:29

Sometimes referred to as the modern equivalent of the industrial revolution's "dark satanic mills", many call centres aren't dark and don't look very menacing. But there are a whole range of occupational health and safety issues that need addressing in them to ensure the safety and health of those working there.

LHC - Dermatitis In The Workplace submitted by WHIG Administrator — last modified 2005-10-04 16:29

Dermatitis is inflammation of the skin. It affects about one in five people at some time in their lives. It can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term and persistent). Dermatitis is not a minor complaint: chronic dermatitis can make work impossible. It is one of the most widespread causes of ill-health at work, affecting people in many industry sectors. In Great Britain 0.65 million days are lost per year for men and 0.2 million days per year for women due to occupational dermatitis.