Groundwork Business Briefing

Safety inspections reach all time low

According to new figures, released by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), safety inspections in the UK have plummeted to a new low, increasing the chances of workers being killed, made ill or injured by their jobs. The report has shown that in the three years from 2002/03, visits to firms by safety inspectors dropped by over a quarter, down from over 74,000 a year to barely 55,000 in 2004/05.

But over the same two-year period, the number of employer convictions for safety crimes fell from 887 to 673, and the number of safety improvement notices issued to companies or organisations by the HSE fell from 11,295 to 8,445.

Greater skin protection required for outdoor workers

Rising skin cancer rates have prompted renewed warnings about reducing work related risks from sunlight exposure. There are 1500 deaths from skin cancer in the UK every year and that number is rising. General Union GMB said up to 90% of these deaths are preventable and many can be dealt with if diagnosed in time. Measures which can be taken include:

• Suggesting that if staff is spending too much time in the sun, they wear long sleeved, loose fitting clothing. Not only will this protect the skin, but help keep body temperature down and minimise the risk of heat stroke.
• Advising that sun protection cream is worn at all times whilst exposed to the sun. Also advise that staff don’t wear any creams with an SPF of less than 15.
• Advising that all breaks are to be taken either inside or in the shade. If the temperatures are particularly hot, you might wish to consider being a bit more flexible with break allowances.

Government to overturn mesothelioma decision

The government has proposed that new legislation will be brought forward to improve the system of making asbestos related mesothelioma claims that involve more than one negligent employer.

The House of Lords decided in the case of Barker v Corus (UK) plc that employers shouldn’t be liable for the full damages awarded to victims of mesothelioma if a worker was exposed to more than one job. The government now proposes to overturn the decision by adding an amendment to the Compensation Bill. The Compensation Bill will provide a legislative framework for the regulation of claims management services and also contains a provision relating to the law on negligence.

Hazardous waste producers urged to re-register sites

The Environment Agency is reminding all businesses in England and Wales that produce hazardous wastes to reregister their sites in the next few weeks. The registration requirement is designed to help the agency monitor the production and movement of hazardous substances. Wastes covered by the term ‘hazardous’ include contaminated soil, ash from incinerators, waste from manufacturing industries and even some electrical items such as televisions.

The online registration system should be available and will provide the cheapest method of registering sites. The website also includes information for those businesses who believe they may be exempt or excluded from the hazardous waste regulations. Failure to register could see companies facing legal action and possible fines.

Regulations that came into force on 1 July 2006

The Department for Trade and Industry has published revised Regulations on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS). These regulations will implement the EU RoHS Directive and came into force on 1 July 2006.

The RoHS Regulations prohibit the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and certain types of brominated flame retardant in new electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), subject to certain exemptions. All relevant EEE placed on the market from 1 July 2006 need to be compliant with the new Regulations. Failure to comply would be a criminal offence. Whilst many businesses have made the required material substitutions in their products in good time, it is likely that significant quantities of products entering the UK market will be neither compliant nor exempt. Great care must therefore be taken across the whole supply chain to ensure compliance of products and materials.

New WEEE day proposed

The department for trade and industry has suggested that the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations will be implemented from 1 January 2007, with full implementation on 1 July 2007. The department has also said that it would like to begin drafting regulations and guidance which will be consulted on in the third period of 2006, while Local Authorities will no longer need to bear the costs of treating WEEE from April next year. The DTI announced in December 2005 that the department would be going back over some of the ground already covered in the WEEE Directive implementation process - the Directive was supposed to come into force on 13 August 2005.

Under the latest proposals, a six month transitional period would run from January 2007 until the end of June 2007, when the regulations will be fully implemented.

Help for businesses to reduce hazardous waste

HAZRED is a three-year EU funded project that will help small businesses prevent and reduce hazardous waste production. The project, which is led by the Environment Agency, aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of a sector led approach to cutting hazardous waste production.

HAZRED will recruit 20 small businesses from each of the following sectors:

• General construction and building
• Treatment and/or coating of metals
• Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles
• Photographic processing
• Manufacture of speciality organic chemicals
• Manufacture of machinery and equipment

Businesses that sign up to the project will benefit from free, ongoing support and guidance from a specialist advisor. The main draw for businesses will be the opportunity to save money through the establishment of a strong and systematic programme of waste prevention.

Fined for burning asbestos

A Southport demolitions company was fined £22,500 at West Cumbria Magistrates Court for burning controlled waste including asbestos at a factory in Cumbria. Metaphase Demolition Limited was also ordered to pay £7,142 costs to the Environment Agency, which brought the prosecution.

District Judge Chalke said that this was a serious case of burning asbestos and Metaphase, being a specialist company, knew asbestos should have been disposed of properly. The investigation showed that controlled waste was burned along with the asbestos. District Judge Chalke also stated that the company was reckless in that not only was it causing harm to the environment but also to human health. It is likely that the public inhaled asbestos fibres, which are dangerous to human health and can lead to an increase in levels of allergies, particularly in children.

Essentials of Health and Safety 07/09/06

Groundwork will be running its popular essentials Of Health and Safety event with speakers from the Local Authority and the HSE. This free event aims to give a basic introduction to the key elements of Health and Safety at work and it’s open to all employers and employees.

Venue: TBA

Cost: Free

Time: 9am until 12pm

 

Contact: Groundwork 0161 624 1444.