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Of course it isn’t always possible to do this with just one page covering one topic each month, sometime we need to update stories we’ve already covered, or give a brief account of something that is on the horizon, so a couple of times every year we like to give you a round up of what’s going on.
Working at Heights
Some subjects just refuse to go away and at the moment working at heights would seem to be one of those.
The new working at height regulations were introduced in April. The period leading up to the introduction, while the HSE was consulting industry insiders, resulted in a lot of speculation about what the final rules would be, particularly in relation to ladders.
Now the HSE has published a brief guide that will outline what is required for compliance with the regulations.
Dr Elizabeth Gibby, Director of HSE’s Injuries Reduction Programme, said: “This guidance is aimed principally at small businesses and those not familiar with the Work at Height Regulations. It gives an excellent short introduction to the new Regulations and how to work at height safely.”
“Some in the construction industry are concerned about what the Regulations mean for standards of work above two metres,” She explained: “These Regulations are aimed at maintaining and improving standards for all work at height. Standards for work above two metres will not change, they are simply being extended to work at any height.” To assist the construction industry the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has also published a Question and Answer Brief to explain what the new regulations mean in practice and the standards HSE expects the industry to meet. It is available on the HSE website.
Commenting on the new regulations Kevin Myers, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction, said: ‘‘Falls from height remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and major injuries in the construction industry, responsible for some 40 per cent of fatalities in 2004/05. Preventing falls from height is a key area where the construction industry can take steps to drive down the number of accidents. The regulations give the industry an opportunity to refocus efforts to improve standards for work at height and reduce deaths and injuries.”
It was the speculation about what the new legislation would hold with regard to low falls, as this would have the most effect on the use of ladders, Myers explained why the HSE takes these kind of falls so seriously: “ It’s worth pointing out that there are more major injuries resulting from low falls than from falls above two metres. The new regulations remove the old divison between low and high falls; the ‘two-metre rule’ for high falls has not been retained because dutyholders need to prevent falls from any height. HSE inspectors will ensure that the existing standards are maintained but that greater attention is also paid to the risk from low falls.’’
Whatever your interest or concern with how the new working at heights legislation will affect your business you should be reassured by the information on the HSE website.
Hand Arm Vibration
Another familiar topic is HAV, and it is justly a cause of concern as the results for sufferers are certainly unpleasant. With new regulations about to be introduced and manufacturers constantly developing better equipment to deal with the problem it pays to stay informed.
This is why the HSE and the EEF – the manufacturers’ organisation - will jointly be running a series of noise and vibration roadshows across Great Britain in September and October 2005. At work, over 1.1 million people are at risk from high levels of noise and about 1.7 million people are at risk from Hand Arm Vibration (HAV).
New EU-based regulations for the control of risks in the work place from vibration come into force in Great Britain from July 2005, and noise regulations will be updated in early 2006. The planned roadshows are to advise employers of the changes taking place.
The regional events are aimed at company risk managers, which include, amongst others, managing directors, production managers, health and safety advisors and safety representatives. Those who attend will hear what the new regulations will mean in practice, get an insight into practical risk management, and find out what they need to do to arrange effective health surveillance for exposed employees.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
New rules on Hazardous waste are also coming into force this month but less than a third of small and medium sized businesses are aware of them according to a new figures revealed by the Environment Agency.
The findings, which are the result of a survey of more than 1000 small and medium sized businesses in England and Wales found that only 28 per cent of businesses interviewed knew about new hazardous waste regulations which will take effect from 16 July 2005.
The news comes as the Environment Agency sets out its priorities for enforcing the new rules. Under its enforcement policy, anyone found to be illegally dumping or deliberately trying to pass off hazardous waste as non-hazardous could face prosecution by the Environment Agency.
Under new regulations, most businesses in England and Wales that create waste falling into one of a range of categories designated as ‘hazardous’ need to register with the Environment Agency. Failure to do so could have serious consequences. Waste carriers will not collect waste from an unregistered producer and, ultimately, failing to register is a prosecutable offence.
Dates for Noise and Vibration Road Shows 2005
Glasgow 27 September
Sheffield 28 September
Hook (Near Basingstoke) 29 September
Hadleigh (Near Ipswich) 4 October
Belfast 5 October
Wales (Bridgend) 1 November
London 3 November
Washington (Near Newcastle) 7 October
Birmingham 14 October
Warrington 18 October
Leeds 19 October
Barleythorpe (Near Leicester) 20 October
More Information
‘A guide to the Hazardous Waste Regulations (incorporating the lists of waste regulations - what is hazardous waste?’ and ‘A guide to the Hazardous Waste Regulations - site premises notification’ can be found at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/newrulesonwaste
The Environment Agency’s enforcement and prosecution policy can be found at http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/newrulesonwaste
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 – a brief guide is available on the HSE website at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg401.pdf.
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 (S.I.2005 No 735 ) are accessible via the HMSO website at: http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2005/20050735.htm.
Printed copies are published by The Stationery Office Ltd (TSO).
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