Groundwork Business Briefing

Comprehensive smoking regulations published

The government last month published detailed draft regulations for enforcing the smoking ban in enclosed public places and vehicles next summer, as the Health Bill gained royal assent, which would mean that virtually all enclosed public places and work places would become smoke free.

The regulations define enclosed premises as structures with a ceiling or roof, and substantially enclosed premises as structures with openings that are less than half the total area of the walls. The only exceptions to the ban are hotel rooms, some rooms in care homes, hospices, some mental health units and prisons. Managers who fail to prevent smoking indoors could face fines up to £2,500, while individuals who breach the ban could face fixed penalty notices of up to £50 or fines of up to £200.

Vibration and noise focus of HSE campaign

More than two million workers in Great Britain are exposed to either excessive noise or hand-arm vibration, according to the Health and Safety Executive. In response, the HSE this month launched a new programme aimed at protecting workers from permanent damage to their health. It is designed to eliminate new cases of occupational induced hearing damage and control new cases of hand-arm vibration syndrome.

The programme will include a range of activities including stakeholder engagement and inspection activity to promote the use of good practice. Hand-arm vibration exposure is prevalent in foundries, heavy fabrication and construction.

Employers failing to protect employees from heatwave risk breaking the law

Employers are being warned that they could be breaking the law if they fail to protect employees from the effects of this summer’s heatwave. The TUC claims that employers could be held liable if an employee becomes ill as a result of the heat, or has an accident if they faint or become tired. While there is no maximum workplace temperature, employers have a legal responsibility to ensure that the temperature inside the workplace is “reasonable” during working hours, defined by the HSE as between 13°C and 30°C. If the temperature becomes too hot, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require action to be taken to reduce the heat.

Government targets low carbon economy

Environment Secretary David Miliband announced this month the UK's proposal for the next period of the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The proposal outlines the contribution business needs to make to help tackle climate change and save 8 million tonnes of carbon each year. A saving of this amount would equate to the emissions of 4 ½ million households. Emissions trading currently places a cap on carbon dioxide emissions from European industries.

Under the scheme, organisations that emit less carbon dioxide than their allocation are able to sell their unused allowances. These can be bought on the newly established carbon market by organisations that need to buy allowances to cover extra emissions. Charging industry for the amount of carbon it creates acts as an incentive for industry to limit its carbon emissions plus investing in low carbon technology.

Groundwork achieve BS 8555 Phase 3 accreditation

Groundwork Oldham amp; Rochdale, who over the years have assisted local businesses in improving their environmental performance, have achieved registration to the BS8555 phase 3 for their own Environmental Management System (EMS). In gaining ‘phase 3’ accreditation Groundwork have a nationally recognised standard for their EMS which helps to ensure legal compliance and provides a valuable plus point when looking to win contracts with future partners. Groundwork is running a five-day course to assist companies wanting to implement an EMS and achieve BS8555 phase 3 certification. ‘Practical Environmental Management Plus’ starts on 2 November 2006.

Waste for Thought

Food and drink manufacturers and retailers could do more to stop everyone creating so much rubbish and help people change their behaviour and preserve our environment according to the Environment Agency. The call comes as the Environment Agency publishes its annual Spotlight report, which highlights the environmental performance of business in England and Wales over the past year. The Spotlight report also indicates that businesses overall could save £5.8 billion a year through sound environmental operations. For example: cutting waste right down could save UK industry £3 billion in operating costs, better energy efficiency another £1.8 billion and water efficiency could cut bills by 30%.

The report also highlights some big household names from the food and drink sector that are taking steps in the right direction, such as Coca-Cola, who have been working to reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill by investing £100,000 in their infrastructure and equipment for recycling. As a result, their Milton Keynes site saves more than £2,000 each month through sales of recyclable materials and has reduced the amount of waste that is ultimately sent to landfill.

Guides to Fire Safety Law

New fire safety laws affecting all non-domestic premises will come into force on 1st October 2006. The Office for Communities and Local Government (formerly the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister) has published a series of guides to help business understand their obligations.

The guides are available for downloading from www.communities.gov.uk, follow the links to “Fire Safety Law for Business”. Alternatively, copies can be ordered from DCLG Publications, PO Box 236, Wetherby LS23 7NB. Tel: 0870 1226 236

Environment threat costs Wigan man 240 hours community service

A Wigan man has been given 240 hours community service and is subject to a community order for 18 months for keeping controlled waste without the necessary controls to prevent harm to human health and the environment.

John James McGovern was also ordered to pay £2,800 costs to the Environment Agency, which brought the prosecution, after admitting two offences of failing to comply with the conditions of his Waste Management Licence for his business as a scrap car dismantlers at Bickershaw Commercials, Bolton House Road, Wigan.

A Waste Management Licence is needed to dispose of, treat or keep waste on land. Licensed sites are inspected regularly by Environment Agency staff to check that each of the licence conditions is complied with. One of the magistrates told Mr McGovern that there was no evidence of pollution but had there been he would have received a custodial sentence.