06/11 Fatal and Major Injuries increase over four years in

Fatal and Major Injuries increase over four years in
Cornwall

The number of people reporting work-related ill-health in the South
West has gone down - according to figures published by the Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) today.

The latest survey of self-reported work-related illness carried out in
2005/06 showed that 164,000 people in the South West suffered from an
illness caused or made worse by work. The prevalence rate of 4.2% was
lower than the national rate of 4.5% and significantly lower than the
rate of 6%for the period 2001/02.

The full statistics area available at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/overall/hssh0506.pdf

The HSE's annual fatal and non-fatal injuries published today show a
slight increase in the number of fatalities in the South West - 30 in
2005/06 compared to 29 in the previous year.

Major injuries at work have decreased slightly - 2,482 major injuries
to employees in 2005/06 compared to 2595 in the previous year and 127
major injuries to the self-employed compared to 130 in the previous year.

However, over a four-year period there has been an increase in the
number of fatal and major injuries. Major injuries to employees have risen
from 2,223 in 2001/02 and major injuries to self-employed have gone up
from 95 in the same year. Fatal injuries to employees, self-employed
and members of the public have gone up from 27 in 2001/02.

In Cornwall in 2005/06, there were four fatalities (the same level as
the previous year) - two to self-employed workers and two to members of
the public. There were 277 major injuries to people in work, compared
to 281 in the previous year and 117 non-fatal injuries to members of
the public compared to 102 in the previous year.

Head of Operations for the HSE, Max Walker, said:

"Whilst we welcome the encouraging drop in work-related ill-health, we
are still concerned at the high levels of work-related injuries.
Although the South West and Cornwall major injury rate is slightly lower
than last year, it is higher than it was four years ago and this is
unacceptable. Protecting the health and safety of employees and members of
the public should be a priority for every employer and HSE will, where
necessary, bring enforcement action to ensure that employers take the
necessary steps to improve health and safety or are held to account if
they don't."

Provisional figures from HSE show that during the period 2005/06 there
were 859 offences prosecuted in the South West, of which 655 led to a
conviction. A total of £5,780,276 was imposed in fines, with an average
fine of £8,825 per conviction.

26/09 Goodbye Mr Blair, Hello Mr Brown? goodbye Labour?

Goodbye Mr Blair, Hello Mr Brown? goodbye Labour?

Have labour shot themselves in the foot. Mr Foot oh no!

They are now looking like a gang of headless chickens without a future leader.

Mr Blair has been the real leader for three terms and has the imagination and flair to create a dynamic party. The policies you might not agree with, you may hate him but Mr Blair has the strength to make his case.

Unfortunately most politicians are out of touch with the real world its part of the job.They are too busy playing politics.In most cases they lack the ability to make themselves popular with the public-Mr Brown?.

Mr Blair is popular and has the abilty to convince you he is in touch.He has mass appeal.He sells the product called New Labour and pushed old labour under the floorboards.He could have done the same with The Conservative Party.

New labour? The public do not see a new leader yet for new labour.What happened to Old Labour will this become new new labour? oh no!

Goodbye.

22/08 Cornish Farm Holds Classes in the Countryside

Cornish Farm Holds Classes in the Countryside

A family farm on Bodmin Moor has been accredited as suitable for public
and school visits under a national scheme to increase access to
farmland and countryside teaching.

Dominic and Cathy Fairman, of South Penquite Farm, near Blisland have
been offering educational visits under the Countryside Stewardship
Scheme since 2000, and now have a certificate of farm premises accreditation
under the Countryside Educational Visits Accreditation Scheme (CEVAS),
supported by Defra.

South Penquite has a herd of 40 cows, 300 ewes, horses, geese and
ducks. The 200 acre organic beef and sheep hill farm is also a
demonstration holding for the Soil Association and the Westcountry Rivers Trust and
has facilities for field studies, educational groups and schools to
learn more about the environment. The holding has a large number of
important archaeological remains.

Dominic said:

"We hold several open days a year and also have between 12 and 20
visits annually for schools and other visitors who want to know more about
the type of farming we do here.

"We also have camping facilities and many of our guests are keen to
find out more about life on a working hill farm.

"We have had several years experience of hosting day trips for local
schools and are able to offer schoolchildren real hands-on experience
with farming, the countryside and practical wildlife conservation."

Past visits have included pond dipping, small mammal trapping,
orienteering, bird boxes and sheep shearing.

Farming Minister, Jeff Rooker, said:

"It is important that children have access to the countryside and have
the opportunity to experience farming at first hand. Farm visits allow
children to learn about where their food comes from, as well as wider
farming and countryside matters, in a fun and stimulating environment.

"CEVAS accreditation ensures a safe and educationally worthwhile farm
visits and gives peace of mind to teachers who are able to choose farms
safe in the knowledge that the farmers have the right skills to give
the children an interesting educational experience in a secure
environment.

"Defra actively encourages farmers who provide educational visits under
the Environmental Stewardship and Countryside Stewardship Schemes to
participate in the CEVAS accreditation."

Details of this and other farms in England offering educational visits
under the schemes can be found under the 'educational opportunities'
section of a website at: http://countrywalks.defra.gov.uk

CEVAS was developed by Farming and Countryside Education (FACE), in
partnership with Defra, the Countryside Agency, and DfES, and is
administered by the Access to Farms partnership.