From 6 April 2012 [subject to Parliamentary approval] RIDDOR’s over three day injury reporting requirement will change. From then the trigger point will increase from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened).

 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 has to keep an accident book, then this record will be enough.

 The deadline by which the over seven day injury must be reported will increase to 15 days from the day of the accident.

 New guidance that explains the change will be available to download from the HSE website on 16 January 2012 - http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l73.htm

I would just like to thank you for all your hard work that you have done in vastly improving our systems that we had in place

The Health and Safety Policy is now practical, easy to follow and looks fantastic, set out in a professional way

The Staff Handbook you designed and manufactured for us as had fantastic feed back, not only from our employees but our customers who have taken copies to use as a template themselves.

The numerous other systems you have set up for us including Improvement Plans, Health Surveillance, Tool Box Talk recording, Skills Matrix, Reporting Systems, Risk and Method Statement Systems,  the list goes on…

Again, a big tank you for your professional, pleasant and well humoured manner, your “can do” attitude and very flexible approach working around an ever changing working environment.

You’re a joy to work with and I would like you to use this as a reference if required in the future to other potential clients that, we would highly recommend using Spectrum Risk Managements Services

Andrew, many, many thanks for everything you have done and I hope we can keep building on the fantastic foundations you have laid for many years to come

Best Regards

John Hattersley
Director

The Chancellor has promised that 84% per cent of health and safety regulation will be scrapped or improved, according to this year’s Budget. Last year, in its response to the Löfstedt review, the Government said it is committed to reduce health and safety regulation by more than half. The latest figure announced in the Budget takes into account last year’s Red Tape Challenge, which asked the public and business for their suggestions on which laws could be amended, or revoked entirely.

A Treasury spokesperson confirmed that “167 of the 199 health and safety regulations considered as part of the Red Tape Challenge” will either be withdrawn or improved. To help businesses make sense of this huge legislative streamlining exercise, the Budget commits the HSE to redesign information on its website this year to distinguish between regulations that impose specific duties on businesses and those that define ‘administrative requirements’.

RIDDOR

Among the significant legislative changes that had previously been announced by the Government, the Budget highlights amending RIDDOR, by extending to seven days, from three, the period an employee needs to have taken off work before an injury or incident needs to be reported – a change that is due to come into force next month.

FIRST AID

Also highlighted is an amendment to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 to remove the requirement for the HSE to approve the training and qualifications of appointed first-aid personnel.

STRICT LIABILITY

The Budget reaffirms that changes in strict liability will be brought in this year, so that health and safety law will no longer hold employers to be in breach of their duties in civil law where they have done everything that is reasonably practicable and foreseeable to protect their employees. In addition to this measure, the Budget announces that the HSE will provide more help for businesses by this summer on what is ‘reasonably practicable’ in respect of specific activities, where evidence demonstrates that businesses need further advice to comply with the law in a proportionate way.

A new ban on some supply and use of paint strippers containing the hazardous substance ‘dichloromethane’ (DCM, and also known as methylene chloride) is coming into force.

For the purposes of this ban, the term ‘paint stripper’ is taken to mean DCM (or mixtures containing it) intended for stripping paint, varnish or lacquer.

Pure DCM (or mixtures containing it) sold and used for other purposes (e.g. degreasing) aren’t banned and can continue to be sold and used (although not for stripping paint).

The new ban makes a distinction between three types of use:

• ‘Industrial’ use of paint strippers in ‘industrial installations’ (i.e. facilities where paint stripping takes place) – this is allowed to continue as long as certain safe working practices are followed.
• ‘Professional’ use by workers where this takes place away from an industrial installation. This will be banned, but UK can choose to allow continued safe use by specifically trained professionals.
• ‘Consumer’ use by the general public, such as DIY. Supply to consumers is banned.
• Industrial use

Use of DCM-based paint strippers can continue in industrial installations so long as certain safe working practices are followed.

For more information, email Andrew on Andrew@spectrumrisk.co.uk

A manufacturing company has been prosecuted for continually falling below acceptable health and safety standards at its factory.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that skip manufacturer received nine Improvement Notices and a Prohibition Notice for safety failings at its premises

During a visit, a HSE Inspector learned that the company did not have examination certificates for lifting equipment at the factory, which meant the devices, had not been tested & also discovered that staff were operating mobile cranes and forklifts without any training.

The inspector revisited the factory on three separate occasions and during each visit found additional safety deficiencies.

These included flammable substances being stored outside, rather than inside a fire-resistant unit.

There were also inadequate systems in place to ventilate harmful gases, which were created on the production line, and staff were not issued with adequate respiratory protection.

Other dangers included an unguarded dimension saw, and the factory’s electric wiring was in such a bad condition that workers were at risk of coming into contact with exposed electrical wires.

The Company appeared in court on 29 February and pleaded guilty to breaching s2 (1) of the HSWA 1974. It was fined £18,000, plus full costs of £6210.

Don’t be put off clearing paths because you’re afraid someone will get injured. Remember, people walking on snow and ice have a responsibility to be careful themselves. And don’t believe the myths – it’s unlikely you’ll be sued or held legally responsible for any injuries if you have cleared the path carefully.

Follow the advice below to make sure you clear the pathway safely and effectively.

• Clear the snow and ice early in the day
• Pay extra attention to clearing snow and ice from steps and steep pathways – you might need to use more salt on these areas
• Use salt or sand – not water
• Don’t make the pathways more dangerous by causing them to refreeze. If you use water to melt the snow, it may refreeze and turn to black ice. Black ice increases the risk of injuries as it is invisible and very slippery.
• You can melt snow or prevent black ice by spreading some salt on the area you have cleared. You can use ordinary table or dishwasher salt – a tablespoon for each square metre you clear should work. Don’t use the salt found in salting bins – this will be needed to keep the roads clear.
• If you don’t have enough salt, you can also use sand or ash. These won’t stop the path icing over as effectively as salt, but will provide good grip underfoot.
• When you’re shovelling snow, take care where you put it so it doesn’t block people’s paths or drains. Make sure you make a path down the middle of the area to be cleared first, so you have a clear surface to walk on. Then shovel the snow from the centre of the path to the sides.

HSE Construction inspectors will be carrying out an intensive inspection initiative during February and March 2012.

These inspections will focus on the refurbishment/building site risks that make construction one of Britain’s most dangerous industries – working at height safely, good order on site, and the risks associated with the removal of asbestos.

• Falls from height remains one of the most common causes of fatalities and major injuries in the construction industry, with more than five incidents every day.
• 54% of the workers who have died in construction over the last few years were doing refurbishment, repair and maintenance jobs.

HSE will not hesitate to take action if they find poor practice that is putting the lives of workers and the public at risk

Why is HSE interested in COPD

There is increasing research evidence that COPD can be caused or made worse by dusts, fumes and irritating gases at work.

Work related COPD is a priority because of the human costs in terms of suffering, its effects on the quality of life and the financial costs due to working days lost and medical treatment.

Research findings suggest that for Great Britain: –

• Around 15% of COPD may be caused or made worse by work
• 4000 COPD deaths every year may be related to work exposures
• 40% of COPD patients are below retirement age
• A quarter of those below retirement age are unable to work at all

Can COPD be cured?

Once COPD develops the damage to the lungs cannot be reversed. However you can help stop it getting worse by reducing exposure to the dust, fume and irritating gases at work that are causing the problem, and if you do smoke, by stopping.

You should consult your doctor for further medical information and advice on treatments.

What are the causes of COPD?

The main cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. But exposure to dusts in the workplace can also cause COPD, even in people who don’t smoke.

Do you know that thousands of British coalminers recently received compensation for COPD?

But COPD is not just a problem for coalminers, breathing in too much fume and/or dusts in the workplace could put you at risk of developing COPD.

The risk of developing COPD is greatly increased if you breathe in dusts/fumes in the workplace and you smoke.

COPD is a major cause of disability and death. It is the 4th leading cause of death throughout the world.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term illness that makes breathing difficult. The lungs and breathing tubes are damaged making it difficult to get air in and out. Walking up a hill, playing football or even playing with your grandchildren can become difficult because of shortness of breath.

Other common symptoms include;

• a persistent chesty cough and phlegm
• wheeze
• more frequent and troublesome chest infections

COPD is a slow developing condition, the symptoms tend only to start becoming a problem in mid-life, usually in the late forties onwards.

Because COPD creeps up slowly, many people do not realise they have the disease. They think their symptoms are simply due to lack of fitness or getting older. This means that often the disease does not get diagnosed in the early stages.

The sooner you realise you have lung problems, the quicker you can try to stop smoking and reduce harmful exposures to dusts, fumes and gases. Medical treatments may also help.

More to follow tomorrow……………………………………

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