This report gives an overview of the range of subjects covered by the work of the Pesticides Forum in 2011. It also describes progress under the six action plans of the UK Pesticides Strategy.

The Pesticides Forum has continued to focus on working through the implementation of the directive on sustainable use of pesticides. The Forum also celebrated its 15th Anniversary with a review of developments and achievements since the Forum was created by Ministers in 1996 and by identifying priorities for future work.

Interesting as Beeologics is an international firm and as its website states: dedicated to restoring bee health and protecting the future of insect pollination. Its primary goal is to control the Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus (IAPV) infection crisis.

Who now owns it?

Monsanto!

Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard today (8 May) that routine monitoring by the Pesticides Residue Committee at Elm Farm, in Lower Halstow, on 19 May 2010 found traces of Amitraz on a batch Comice pears recently treated by Mr Stevens.

A subsequent investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed the agricultural pesticide, and others, were inappropriately stored for use. They were stowed in a haphazard and potentially dangerous manner, and many were unapproved and unlicensed.

Mr Stevens, of School Lane, Newington, pleaded guilty to three separate breaches of the Control of Pesticide Regulations 1986 for his failings. He was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £3,500 in costs.

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Natural England and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued the joint alert after Andrew Bray, who carries out rabbit and fox control on farms across West Norfolk, was fined £1,000 over two pesticide offences.

Workers who use pesticides are now being warned they risk being prosecuted if they fail to follow the law for storing them safely.

Norfolk police officers found nine pesticide containers of aluminium phosphide when they searched Mr Bray’s home in Heacham, where he lived with his young son, on 9 January 2012. Aluminium phosphide is a moisture-activated gassing compound, which produces a very toxic gas that can be deadly.

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The Panel is chaired by the HSE Chair Judith Hackitt, with HSE Board member Robin Dahlberg as the Vice-Chair and they are supported by a pool of independent members who represent a wide range of interests. This includes small businesses, public safety, trade union, the insurance industry and many outside interests where day-to-day common sense decisions on risk management are made.

This Panel will look into complaints regarding the advice given by non-regulators such as insurance companies, health and safety consultants and employers and, quickly assess if a sensible and proportionate decision has been made. We want to make clear that “health and safety” is about managing real risks properly, not being risk averse and stopping people getting on with their lives.

If you think a decision or advice that you have been given in the name of health and safety is wrong, or disproportionate to what you are doing, you can complain to the panel. It will investigate and publish its findings on the HSE website.

Contact them: Myth Busters Challenge Panel

Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work.

Employers and others with responsibilities under RIDDOR must still keep a record of all over three day injuries – if the employer keeps an accident book, then this record will be enough.

The deadline by which the over-seven-day injury must be reported has also increased to 15 days from the day of the accident.

A new leaflet Reporting accidents and incidents at work  explains the change.

Agriculture in general represents 1.4% of the GB workforce, accounts for 15-20% of reported work related fatalities each year and is an HSE priority. At 8.0 per 100,000 workers (2009/10) the fatal injury incidence rate is the highest of the main industrial sectors. Forty-five fatal injuries were reported in 2009/10, consistent with an average of 45-50 p.a. over the past 10 years. High fatal injury incidence rates are also reported in arboriculture, forestry and the landscaping and amenity sectors.

There is significant under reporting of non-fatal injuries across the land based industries. Ill health is also a serious problem within the sector: 80% of those working in the industry are believed to suffer some form of MSD during their working lifetime; and 25% of workers suffer from hearing loss.

Forestry and arboriculture

The fatal injury rate within the tree work sector is double that of agriculture generally. Eleven per cent of fatalities in agriculture involve tree work.

HSE Inspectors have been told to focus inspection activity on the following key topics.

• The competence of tree workers
• The management of forestry operations
• The selection and management of arboriculture contractors
• The use of chainsaws
• Harvesting operations – including work near overhead power lines
• Taking down of edge or dangerous trees
• Access into/working in trees and provision for aerial rescue
• Use of machinery e.g. wood chippers and stump grinders
• Noise and vibration

Amenity work (e.g. grounds maintenance and landscaping)

The amenity industry has a fatal accident rate similar to construction. Serious/major incident rates are not falling and the reports of ill health, e.g. HAVS cases are increasing.

HSE Inspectors have been told to focus inspection activity on the following key topics.

• Selection and management of amenity contractors
• Competence of operators and managers/supervisors

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