New publications this month:
ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Future of Chemicals Regulation: Introduction of a UK only Equivalent to REACH
In a letter to the Environmental Audit Committee, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Environment and Rural Opportunities has confirmed that the UK will establish its own UK chemicals regulatory regime (UK REACH) at the end of the post-Brexit transition period.
This letter stated that an effective regulator will be in place for the UK REACH regime and that a new chemicals strategy will be applied.
HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE)
Safety Bulletin: Use of face masks designated KN95
KN95 masks must not be used as PPE at work as their effectiveness cannot be assured.
COVID-19 Guidance
A series of guidance documents have been published by the HSE on the management of COVID-19 risks and associated occupational health and safety risks, including where organisations are returning to work.
Using PPE at work during the coronavirus outbreak
Guidance is provided on the use of PPE in non-healthcare, health and social care work during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Social distancing, keeping businesses open and in-work activities during the coronavirus outbreak
Guidance is provided on activities that should be undertaken at work, adherence to social distancing guidance and essential and non-essential work.
Manufacturing: returning to work safely during the coronavirus outbreak
Specific guidance is provided on returning to work at manufacturing sites.
Restarting workplace pressure systems safely during the coronavirus outbreak
This guidance concerns bringing pressure systems back into commission, where these were disabled as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Air conditioning and ventilation during the coronavirus outbreak
The HSE has provided an overview of risks associated with air conditioning and ventilation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gas safety during the coronavirus outbreak
Information is provided on ensuring that gas appliances remain safe.
Face coverings and face masks during the coronavirus outbreak
Face coverings worn during the outbreak do not constitute PPE. Surgical face masks are not generally considered to be PPE in non-healthcare situations.
Commercial divers’ medical fitness and assessment during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Guidance is provided on how COVID-19 risks should be managed for persons undertaking diving work and how restrictions on the availability of medicals should be addressed.
HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE NORTHERN IRELAND (HSENI)
Safety Alert - KN95 Face Masks
Safety Alert - Work near underground cables
Guidance is provided on precautions that must be taken for work near underground electrical installations.
Covid-19 guidance - Advice on preventing dermatitis at work
Guidance is provided on how dermatitis can be prevented, given the increased frequency of hand washing and use of alcohol-based sanitisers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WISHNI COVID-19 Advice
Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum Northern Ireland (WISHNI) has published guidance on the control of COVID-19 risks in the waste management industry.
EUROPEAN CHEMICALS AGENCY (ECHA)
Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) Candidate List Updated
Four new chemicals were added to the SVHC candidate list in June 2020:
Meanwhile, resorcinol was not identified as a SVHC.
DEPARTMENT FOR BUSINESS, ENERGY & INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY (BEIS)
COVID-19 guidance for business sectors
Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sector-by-sector guidance on working safely during the pandemic has been updated during June 2020. This reflects changes to the restrictions in force and businesses that are now, or will be able to, reopen.
OFFICE OF ROAD AND RAIL (ORR)
Coronavirus advice
The ORR has published online guidance on the following topics:
WELSH GOVERNMENT
Building safety: position statement
This document outlines the Welsh Government’s plan to reform regulations and fire safety in high rise buildings.
MARITIME & COASTGUARD AGENCY (MCA)
The following marine guidance notes were published during June 2020:
Updated Guidance and Information to reflect COVID-19
The following marine information notes were been published to address the impacts of COVID-19 on the maritime sector.
School fined after pupil was seriously injured
An Edinburgh school has been fined after a pupil sustained severe cuts to his middle and index finger on his right hand and serious tendon damage.
Between 1 September 2015 and 2 November 2017, pupils made wooden boxes within the construction design and technology workshop at Cargilfield School. These boxes were made using a band saw, which is classified as a dangerous machine. A student was seriously injured using this item of machinery.
An HSE investigation found that Cargilfield School had failed to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks arising out of or in connection with use of the band saw and failed to adequately supervise pupils while they were carrying out tasks using the band saw.
At the time of the accident, the pupil was making a free hand cut on the band saw without adequate workpiece support and was not adequately supervised.
Breach
Cargilfield School pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Penalty
Cargilfield School was fined £3,350.
Construction company fined after employee receives crush injury from roof truss
A construction company from Essex has been fined after a worker was seriously injured while erecting a time frame chalet bungalow.
In July 2017, the worker was seriously injured when roof trusses toppled over when they were being moved by a crate at a site in East Mersea, Essex.
An HSE investigation found that scaffolding was not installed around and within the building to provide a safe area of work. The roof trusses were lifted in packs, which created risks which that not sufficiently managed. The company and company owner had failed to suitably plan, manage and monitor the work under their control.
Breaches
JWB (Mersea) Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 13(1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
The company director and owner pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Penalties
JWB (Mersea) Ltd was fined £1,000.
The company director and owner received a six-month custodial sentence, suspended for 24 months, and was ordered to do 240 hours of unpaid work.
The HSE was awarded full costs of £25,627.32.
Manufacturer fined after worker fatality
A textile manufacturer has been fined after a worker suffered fatal crush injuries whilst working on a machine.
On 24 March 2017, an employee was working on a synthetic fibre manufacturing machine at IFG Drake Ltd’s premises at Victoria Mills, Huddersfield. The worker became entangled in the machine when he was removing a lap from around the rollers. A lap occurs when fibres stick to the rollers of the machine and begin to wrap around them.
An HSE investigation found that the machine was not adequately guarded. It had become custom and practice for employees to reach around the inadequate guarding in place to deal with problems of this nature
IFG Drake Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
IFG Drake Ltd was fined £366,850 and ordered to pay £23,993 in costs.
