Companies could be open to civil law suits and even criminal prosecutions if researchers' claims that office printers are dangerous prove true, according to a medical legal expert.

A team of Australian scientists says that printers can damage your health in the same way as cigarette smoke. They say that some printers should come with health warnings.

"If this finding is verified, it would open up a Pandora's box of civil claims and criminal liabilities under health and safety laws", says Dr Simon Joyston-Bechal, a doctor and specialist in health and safety law at Pinsent Masons.

The research was conducted by the Queensland University of Technology. It found that 17 of the 62 printers tested emitted tiny particles of a substance like printer toner that were so small that they could penetrate a human lung, causing breathing problems.

Though the team had not conducted a full chemical analysis of all particles, but reports have emerged that some could be carcinogens.

The research linked the particles to printer use by testing the air in an office in and out of working hours. It revealed that the elements were five times denser in office hours than out of them, and even more prevalent when ink-heavy image files were being printed.

The quality of air in offices is already regulated in the UK by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations.

The Health and Safety Executive has published guidance on how to deal with wide format inkjet printing. It says that printers should only be housed in well ventilated rooms, with wall or window-mounted fans to increase the supply of fresh air. It says that sealed replacement cartridges should be used where possible.

"I would advise against panic and knee jerk reaction on this, and in favour of a measured and documented assessment of the risks arising and whether on a precautionary basis certain precautions ought to be undertaken," said Joyston-Bechal. "This could include monitoring the research and taking considered professional advice."

Most health and safety risks with printers are well- known and documented. They range from electrical hazards, noise, dusts and fumes to exposure to hazardous chemicals which can cause respiratory problems, including occupational asthma, and dermatitis

These risks are controlled in the UK through several health and safety regulations, notably the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992; the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005. Primarily aimed at commercial printing organisations, the Health & Safety Executive, in partnership with the Printing Industry Advisory Committee, has published a suite of 50 guidance notes, COSHH essentials for printers.

This latest research comes as part of a long line of increasing evidence of the deleterious effects of inhaled dusts on the human body. "Indeed, many dusts already have EU-wide Workplace Exposure Limits (WELs), which place legally enforceable upper limits on exposure to air-borne dusts.

Employers should review their procedures and COSHH assessments to ensure that they comply with the current regulations and guidance with, as appropriate, specialist advice from a qualified Occupational Hygienist.

Employers with a few small office printers which are routinely maintained and situated in well-ventilated areas should have no reason to panic.

More than 80% of bosses say that managers in their companies are in fact good decision-makers, according to research conducted by YouGov for Investors in People.

The research found that these employees also believe that poor decision-making is detrimental to the performance of the business, 83% claim it damages morale, 51% say it reduces productivity and 19% say it allows competitors to get ahead.

It found that 51% of employees who think their managers are indecisive, point to lack of competence and 34% to lack of confidence. The survey found that 26% say managers are not sufficiently empowered by senior management and 21% believe that they haven't had enough training.

Simon Jones, acting chief executive at Investors in People UK, says: "This is a worrying problem for UK organisations. Effective decision-making is a vital skill for any manager, and critical to the smooth operation of the organisation as a whole. Indecisive managers are a drain on the company and a major frustration for their teams, damaging employee motivation which can in turn undermine productivity and affect the organisation's progress."

According to the research, when managers do make important decisions, employees feel that their views aren't properly considered. Whilst 51% of senior managers surveyed thought that management sought the views of others in their organisation before making a decision, only 22% of employees believe this is true.

It found that sectors in which employees believe their managers are most decisive are retail (58%), finance (59%) and leisure (56%).

We wonder how the construction industry would rate on management competence, confidence and training - what are your views?

Failure to carry out, and act upon, a suitable and sufficient risk assessment could result in prosecution, including a heavy fine.
Following a fatal explosion, two companies have recently been fined a combined total of £400,000 for not adequately acting upon the findings of risk assessments. It was found that £400 of repairs could have averted the disaster.

What you need to do
You must ensure that appropriate risk assessments are carried out and that steps are taken to control the hazards identified.

remunerate (verb)

To pay (a person) a suitable equivalent in return for goods provided, services rendered, or losses incurred.
Synonyms: recompense, compensate
Usage: John carefully weeded his neighbors' gardens, aware that they would remunerate him for a job well done.

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There are lots of ways of being miserable, but there's only one way of being comfortable, and that is to stop running round after happiness. If you make up your mind not to be happy there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time.
- Edith Wharton

Life is a zoo in a jungle.
- Peter De Vries