Health And Safety
Health and Safety. FBU safety representatives continue to play a major role in workplace safety. 2007 was a busy year for the FBU in the area of Health and Safety. The following is an extract from the union’s 2007 annual report and reflect the work being carried out in order to make the work of our members safer.
John McGhee
National Officer.
excerpts from the annual report 
3 Sep 2008: All Members Warwickshire Circular: Atherstone on Stour fire investigation
Death of member John Noble
Fatal incident at Atherstone-on-Stour, Warwickshire
Marlie Farm
Death of member John Noble
FBU member John Noble died 23 January 2008.
The fire appliance John was travelling in whilst attending an emergency call at Strathdevon Primary School, Dollar in Central Scotland was involved in a fatal collision outside Tillicoultry.
John, a Watch Manager from Alloa Fire Station, was 46 years old and had more than 20 years experience as a Firefighter. He leaves a wife and two children, and our thoughts are obviously with them, and other members of John’s family, his friends and colleagues at this very difficult time.
Three other firefighters were injured in the incident, one remains in a serious condition.
This is an extremely difficult time for everyone concerned, and the FBU Region 1 (Scotland) have asked if all enquiries regarding this incident can be forwarded to either the Executive Council Member, Roddy Robertson or the Regional Secretary, Ken Ross until further notice.
Members will be kept informed of any further developments
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Fatal incident at Atherstone-on-Stour, Warwickshire
The Union will conduct a thorough investigation into the fatal fire at the warehouse at Atherstone-on-Stour in Warwickshire. Similarly, investigations will be conducted by the Health and Safety Executive, police and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. Discussions have already taken place with the HSE, police and WFRS to ensure openness and transparency.
An investigation team led by FBU National Officer John McGhee has been established. It will include regional safety co-ordinator Pete Goulden, brigade safety rep Marcus Giles, Executive Council member Dave Whatton and regional officials from region 7 (West Midlands).
Support from the FBU’s Officers' National Committee (ONC) may be called upon to give expert advice and the FBU investigation team will also seek external expertise as and when needed.
The key objective of the investigation is to learn the lessons of the fire and action any recommendations as soon as possible to help prevent a similar tragedy occurring again.
Members will be kept informed of progress.
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Marlie Farm
On Sunday 3 December 2006 an explosion at Marlie Farm, Ringmer, near Lewes, killed Brian Wembridge and Geoff Wicker of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service (ESFRS), and injured a further nine firefighters, a police officer and two members of the public. Following the tragic incident, a working group from FBU region 11 was established to identify good practice and bad practice for monitoring and regulating activities at Marlie Farm, as well as for the safe management of ESFRS operational activities at the farm. The group will also make recommendations to improve the health, safety and welfare of FBU members and the communities they serve, identifying areas of weakness within the UK’s systems for regulating, monitoring and classifying fireworks. We will present findings on a regular basis through National Officer John McGhee to the Executive Council and may also present them to East Sussex Fire Authority.
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Related links:
One year on from Marlie farm explosion deaths: no government action on firework container “bombs”. Read more
Container “bombs” warning as firework ship set to dock in Felixstowe. Read more
We Remember (Firefighter magazine). Read the article |
