25 June 2009
Unsafe Reel Handling - could your company be open to prosecution?
Following the prosecution of a West Yorkshire printer after a visiting driver suffered serious injuries when he was struck by a moving reel of paper whilst helping to unload a delivery to a print company in June 2008, the BPIF and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are reminding the print industry of the dangers of loading and unloading reels of paper from delivery vehicles.
The driver was removing securing chocks to large paper reels to allow them to be rolled to the back of a trailer for unloading when a large reel, nearly a metre wide and weighing around 1.5tonnes, rolled from the back towards the front of the trailer crushing the driver between two other reels.
The company concerned was fined £14,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,205.10 and a £15 victim surcharge at Halifax Magistrates Court in May after pleading guilty to a breach of Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Following the incident, an Improvement Notice was served requiring the devising of a safe system of work for unloading paper reels from delivery vehicles on the premises that avoided dangerous and uncontrolled movements of heavy reels.
Companies are advised to review their procedures for the loading and unloading of vehicles and ensure where possible that paper reels are no longer handled manually but unloaded mechanically from the sides of trailers with a clamp truck in accordance with a safe system of work. Drivers should no longer assist but asked to wait in a safe area until the loading/unloading is complete. Suppliers should be made aware of any changes that will affect their operations.
Pay Review Data, Wage Benchmarking and Cost of Living – FEB 2024 UPDATE
14 February 2024
We have collated data from multiple sources that should be useful for BPIF members that are approaching internal pay reviews, and/or are having a closer look at their pay and benefits structure. The datafile, first published in February 2023, has been updated with the latest available data - and additional content on factors exerting pressure on pay settlements in 2024.
Slight recovery of output and orders falls short of expectations in Q4 - confidence concerns mount in 2024
22 February 2024
Performance in the UK's printing and printed packaging industry did improve in Q4, as far as output and orders are concerned. However, it didn't come close to what would historically be considered the seasonal norm, nor quite match the subdued expectations for Q4.
The BPIF is the printing industries champion. By becoming a member you join a diverse and influential community. We help you solve business problems, connect you to new customers and suppliers and make your voice heard in government.
Call 01676 526030