Image source, bbc

That's all from Holyrood Live on Tuesday 8 October 2019.

The Scottish government has published its overview of no-deal preparations today, external.

The report outlines detailed steps to protect food and medicine supplies, support businesses and safeguard vulnerable citizens.

Specific initiatives have included the establishment of a Scottish Medicines Shortage Response Group and a commitment to create a £7 million Rapid Poverty Mitigation Fund in the event of a no-deal.

Plans have been prepared for the old port in Stranraer to be used to hold up to 300 HGVs if traffic flows between Northern Ireland and Scotland increase.

Farmers and crofters are receiving 95% of their Common Agricultural Policy payments early to shield them from the immediate effects of a no-deal and consideration is being given to increasing Marine Scotland’s surveillance capabilities.

Public Health Minister Joe Fitzpatrick says the IOM has a proud record of improving the lives of many people and congratulates it for reaching this milestone.

Since it was established, the work landscape has changed and with it so have the risks to workers he says.

He highlights the ageing workforce and the increasing pressures work can place on mental health.

We take worker protection very seriously in Scotland, the minister states, before pivoting to the importance of STEM and the contribution the IOM makes to this.

Image source, TOTAL

Workers on a North Sea platform were exposed to a hazardous gas, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has said.

The HSE said Total failed to prevent the exposure on Alwyn North in the East Shetland basin in June, external.

It involved hydrogen sulphide gas, the level of which could cause eye damage.

Read more.

Image source, Getty Images

The use of asbestos in Scottish schools has created a health "time bomb", medical and legal experts have claimed back in 2017.

An increasing number of people are coming forward with asbestos-related conditions they claim are associated with working in affected buildings.

Exposure to asbestos dust can cause a deadly cancer called mesothelioma.

Scotland had the highest global incidence of the condition, with 175 cases diagnosed in 2014, according to the University of Glasgow.

Read more.

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SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald welcomes several members of the Institute of Occupational Medicine to the gallery.

Mr MacDonald highlights the crucial role of IOM in allowing nano technology to be used and in eradicating asbestos in the workplace.

He says unfortunately their guidance came too late for his father who died of lung cancer, which he thought was due to lagging pipes with asbestos.

Image source, bbc

The SNP MSP goes on to highlight the work of the IOM in terms of air quality and he points they spotted the problem with the new Edinburgh Sick Kid's ventilation.

He concludes thanking everyone who has worked with IOM over the last 50 years, praising them for improving the health and safety of people at home, work and in the environment.

To celebrate 50 years since it was established, the Institute of Occupational Medicine has commissioned a series of posters to commemorate landmark moments.

CEO Rob Aitken said: "We have been instrumental in identifying workplace and environmental health risks, and will continue to work together with industry and governments to protect and minimise the risk to people in Scotland and across the world."

Image source, IOM

IOM created a guide on how to eradicate exposure to asbestos in the workplace in 2006. A large proportion of the 47,000 deaths of EU citizens dying from asbestos cancer were workers in the UK.

Image source, IOM

IOM funded research to look into risk of breast cancer among women that worked night shifts. It found a slight increased risk, attributed to difficulties shift workers face in maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Image source, IOM

IOM published one of the largest ever studies in the impact of lead exposure in 2015, evidencing the increased risk of death from ischaemic heart diseases and lung cancer.

Click here to have a look at more of IOM's posters., external

SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald is highlighting the 50th anniversary of the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM).

Here is his motion:

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, Scottish Parliament

The Scottish government motion from the supporting innovation debate has been agreed to unanimously.

MSPs rejected both amendments.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Innovation Minister Ivan McKee says there are challenges but the Scottish government is working on addressing them.

The public sector can set an example by leading on innovation which can spread good approaches, he says.

Mr McKee points to the innovation centres, city deals and other tactics through which the Scottish government is promoting innovation.

Image source, bbc

Tory MSP Dean Lockhart argues too little attention has been given to innovation, the biggest driver of productivity.

Mr Lockhart welcomes the Scottish government proposals, but not the patchwork of proposals.

"We need to do more to realise Scotland's potential to become a key leader in innovation," he says.

Closing the supporting innovation debate for Labour, Alex Rowley highlights the importance of having a strong education system and suggests the curriculum for excellence is not going to deliver the innovators of tomorrow.

He calls for education "from the cradle to the grave" to be looked at, pointing out there must also be adult education, training and skills must be supported.

Innovation Minister Ivan McKee is leading today's debate on 'supporting innovation'.

The motion highlights the importance of research and development to the Scottish economy.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, bbc

New Shetland MSP Beatrice Wishart called for full and fair funding for ferries to fulfill the basic needs of islanders.

In reply to the Lib Dem MSP, the islands minister reiterated his pledge to engage with island councils to address the need for capital costs to upgrade the ferry service.

Green MSP John Finnie called for the investment being made in to A9 to be redirected towards the Northern Isles ferry services.

Mr Wheelhouse said the A9 is important for seafood sectors and is therefore a key arterial route for the islands.