June 2005

3 CONTRACTORS FINED FOR FAILURES THAT PERMITTED AVOIDABLE DEATH
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Londonderry Crown Court has fined contractors McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd, Foylespan Floors Ltd and Mr ___ ____, the employer of a 23-year old workman who died in a September 2002 construction accident for their part in his demise.
The accident victim was working on the assembly of a stairwell in a retail unit at Foyleside Shopping Centre, Londonderry, using precast concrete staircases and prestressed hollow-core floor slabs. One of the floor slabs failed to bear the weight of the staircase, precipitating the collapse of 8 staircases and the 17.5- metre fall of the deceased worker.
McLaughlin & Harvey Ltd pleaded guilty to two charges of not implementing a risk assessment and not implementing the Construction Phase Health and Safety Plan, for which it was fined £10,000.
Foylespan Floors Ltd pleaded guilty to not preparing a risk assessment and failing to adequately design the pre-stressed concrete hollow-core floor slabs, for which it was fined £10,000.
Mr ___ ____, the deceased's employer, pleaded guilty to not preparing a risk assessment, for which he was fined £2,500.

Comment:
“The man's death could easily have been avoided had a safe system of work been followed such as securing a safety harness to the steel frame of the building. However, the collapse of the staircases clearly point to a much more fundamental flaw in the contractors’ approach to the design and execution of this project. The absence of a detailed risk assessment and method statement indicated that health and safety was not being adequately managed”.
The testing carried out for HSENI by Queens University of Belfast on the pre-stressed hollow-core floor slabs highlighted the danger associated with cutting notches out of hollow-core floor slabs which are then subjected to loading along the edge of the slab. This loading can take the form of providing support to staircases as in this case or to walls etc. Now that this investigation and court proceedings are complete the Precast Concrete Industry must learn lessons in relation to the design issues involved in this failure. Discussions have been initiated with the Quarry Products Association who represent the Precast Concrete Industry.
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland would encourage all employers to avail of its information and advisory services. You can telephone HSENI’s One 2 One Advisory Service on 0800 0320 121, in confidence if needs be, or call in and speak to an Inspector at the Information and Advice Centre at 83, Ladas Drive, Belfast." - Principal Inspector HSENI.

DATES FOR NOISE AND VIBRATION ROAD SHOWS 2005
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The dates for regional road show events organised by HSE and manufacturers' organisation, EEF, to take information to employers on legislative change on noise and vibration, have been announced. New legislation on the control of risks in the workplace from vibration will come into force in Great Britain from July 2005, with noise regulations being updated in early 2006.
The events are directed at company risk managers, managing directors, production managers, health and safety advisors and safety representatives, delegates will get an insight into practical risk management, and the steps required for effective health surveillance for exposed employees.

ROADSHOW DATES ARE:
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.

COMMENT
"Noise and vibration are major health risks for millions of workers throughout Great Britain, and the new regulations provide a sound framework for tackling these problems effectively.
The aim of the road shows is to show employers that these new regulations are quite straightforward and workable. They will provide us with the chance to explain the new regulations in more depth, to demonstrate practical solutions and to answer questions employers and others may have." - HSE's Noise and Vibration Programme Manager.
"We plan to make the road shows informative and engaging. It is important that employers get the opportunity to talk to experts in HSE and ask questions about issues that concern them. The issues on vibration are very topical at the moment and we want a real dialogue and exchange between the audience and the experts to take place. We welcome our member companies but also other employers, members of trade associations and safety representatives." - EEF's health and safety policy adviser.

SAFETY AND HEALTH AWARENESS DAY FOR ASIAN AND AFRO-CARIBBEAN BUSINESSES
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSE, Birmingham City Council and Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council are holding a free Health and Safety Awareness Day at Birmingham City's St Andrews Football Ground on Wednesday 22nd June which is aimed at Asian and Afro-Caribbean businesses in Birmingham and Walsall.
Business advisors will be available, exhibitions staged and presentation subject matter has been selected to help employers gain awareness of health and safety within their businesses and these include: accidents; risk assessment; injuries at work; the work of inspectors and inspections; and health and safety law.

COMMENT
"Businesses which are owned by Members of the Asian and Afro-Caribbean communities are now thriving and a growing part of the West Midlands Business Community. This will be an ideal opportunity to receive free advice and information and in turn reduce the cost of accidents to industry as a whole." - David Price HSE Principal Inspector.

HSE PROPOSES FOLLOW-UP CANCER STUDY AT NSUK GREENOCK
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Following what it deems to be an inconclusive outcome, the HSE has announced proposals for a follow-up study of its initial investigation of cancer risks at National Semiconductor's Greenock facility (NSUK), with the consent of the employer and employees. The findings raised the possibility of a work-related cause but the 2001 report failed to establish proof that working at NSUK has caused any increased risk of employees developing cancer.
With the consent and co-operation of the local NHS Research Ethics Committee, HSE and its study partner, the Institute of Occupational Medicine, will approach individuals and ask them to participate in the study itself.
HSE expects at best to be able to say that there is information that adds significant weight to, or significantly detracts from, the possibility of such a link. It believes that, at the very least, the information it obtains will help to understand the relevance to NSUK of similar research that is being done elsewhere in the semiconductor industry.
The follow-up study HSE is proposing will evaluate lung, breast and stomach cancer in females, and brain cancer in males (reflecting the initial findings).

COMMENT
"This has been a difficult decision for HSE as to whether a further study could be justified. Very few single workplace studies of this sort lead to absolutely clear-cut answers but on the other hand we do think the earlier findings should be followed-up. Further investigation should provide useful information even if the findings are inconclusive. At the very least information obtained will be useful in assessing for NSUK the implications of larger investigations now underway or planned in other parts of the semiconductor industry.
We will continue to work closely with NSUK to ensure that members of the workforce, their families and the local community understand what any further findings actually mean. We certainly do not want to perpetuate or raise concerns where there is no evidence.
Some of the individuals we would like to ask for help will have left the workforce or will be relatives of people who have worked at NSUK in the past. If these people or any current or ex-members of the workforce want to contact me for advice or further information they can ring our freephone helpline on 0800 592450." - Head of HSE's Epidemiology and Medical Statistics Unit.

INCIDENT-REPORTING IN SCHOOLS (ACCIDENTS, DISEASES AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCES)
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A revised version (06/05) of the HSE leaflet EDIS1 (rev1), Incident-reporting in schools (accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences) - revised, has been published on its website.
Under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) employers and other people should report accidents and some diseases that arise out of or in connection with work, the above Education Information Sheet gives practical advice (for example, on playground accidents, sports activities, etc) to schools on what they need to report and how to do it.

'BETTER BACKS' CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A variety of activities involving various industries and sectors feature in the 'Better backs' campaign.

WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING INDUSTRIES
Back injuries accounted for nearly 1 in 4 of all injuries sustained in the waste and recycling industry but reductions in this number are possible through the use of lifting and handling aids. HSE is appealing to these organisations to visit its Better backs for practical advice on how to avoid back-related injuries in the workplace.
Additionally, HSE's Waste Management and Recycling team will be manning stand 102 at this week's Chartered Institute of Wastes Management annual conference and exhibition in Paignton, Devon.
Conveying equipment and sorting work is commonplace in waste and recycling activity and HSE's manufacturing sector has published conveyor belt sorting guidance on its website at Ergonomic Considerations for Designing and Selecting Conveyor Belt Systems. This advises on the design of conveyor belt workstations to prevent the risk of musculoskeletal injury by avoiding the need for seated or standing operators to stoop excessively, twist, or over-reach whilst working.

CELLAR SAFETY
Following the success of an earlier HSE Cellar Safety Seminar, another is to take place for Dorset landlords, managers and employees on Tuesday 28th June at the Hall and Woodhouse Brewery in Blandford where the dangers posed by handling drinks in their cellars and storerooms, stacking crates, making drinks deliveries, unloading lorries and unpacking boxes of bottles and cans will be highlighted. Manual handling, slips and trips and working in confined spaces will be covered, and the speakers include an ergonomic expert from the HSE as will trade suppliers of cellar safety equipment.

COMMENT
"Handling activities are the single largest cause of injuries and ill health in the food and drinks industries. The most common cause is stacking and de-stacking containers and this accounts for 53% of manual handling accidents. The majority of these are preventable if you take precautions. I would urge pub landlords - or a member of staff who is responsible for drinks delivery - to attend this seminar. Those that attended our first event in March found it extremely worthwhile. It can only help them to avoid hurting themselves or others. Manual handling injuries are often caused by lack of information or training, so this is an ideal opportunity for them to brush up their working practices and find out how to maintain a safe workplace." - HSE Inspector.

AGRICULTURE
HSE is hosting a 'Better backs' stand and competition at the Kingston Maurward College open day on Saturday 18th June near Dorchester where it will highlight the dangers posed by incorrect manual handling in the industry using demonstrations carried out by HSE inspectors and qualified LANTRA trainers (many of whom are farmers themselves). After each demonstration there will be a short quiz and a chance to assess the lifting and carrying using the manual handling assessment charts.

COMMENT
"This event is a great opportunity to promote the Better Backs! initiative. HSE have published an excellent booklet showing the best manual handling techniques to use and though the competition is a bit of fun, we really hope that it highlights the seriousness of back injuries." - HSE Inspector.

BACKS BLITZ!
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE, with local authority colleagues, is this week commencing a 'Backs Blitz' which will run from June 13th to July 8th.
Nationally, almost 5 million working days are lost each year due to back problems, as many as 1 in 6 work-related sickness absences are due to bad backs, and visiting inspectors will be working with employers and employees to tackle the causes of back problems and injuries in the workplace as part of this major national initiative.
In addition to workplace visits, a series of educational events including seminars and awareness days for employers and employees whose jobs involve continuous lifting and moving have been set up, as has a dedicated microsite http://www.betterbacks.hse.gov.uk/ and helpline (0845 9450055) for advice and guidance.

COMMENT
"Healthy backs means healthy people and healthy business. This campaign is important as most of us will suffer from back pain during our working lives. Musculo-skeletal disorders and back pain can affect anyone, with high costs to society, companies and individuals concerned. This campaign is seen as the opportunity to hit back pain and injury harder and more effectively than ever before. Only by working together will we make a real difference to reduce the incidence and effects of back pain.

Top tips for individuals - raise concerns with your employer, suggest improvements, use the equipment provided, keep fit and don't ignore symptoms.
Top tips for employers - assess the risks - sorting out high risk operations first, choose sensible, workable solutions, involve staff and train them in safe handling and use of equipment." - Lead backs inspector for West Sussex.

SUITABLE RISK ASSESSMENT KEY TO SAFE GLASS HANDLING ON SITE
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
In the light of a recent accident and following an HSE review of the activity of delivering, unloading and moving of glass, and discussions with the Glass and Glazing Federation, HSE says duty holders should consider more closely the risks involved in releasing single sheets of glass, taking into account specific circumstances of: site conditions; storage arrangements; and ground and weather conditions, in which glass sheets are liable to become unstable when held vertically on steel stillages. This is the only sure way of arriving at safe systems of work for packing and unpacking large sheets of glass.

POOR PRACTICE OBSERVED
The recent incident involved injury, someone was struck by sheets of glass falling from a crate held on a metal stillage, and HSE says poor practice has been observed by officials during routine visits, the dangers being most acute when packing and unpacking wooden crates containing large sheets of glass on steeply inclined stillages (stacking platforms), such crates are commonly used to import large pieces of specialist glass from the Continent.
HSE advises that 'by conducting a suitable risk assessment duty holders will be able to identify circumstances where glass could become unstable and make arrangements to eliminate the risk of the glass falling onto workers.
If this is not reasonably practicable, control measures should be considered, taking into account the sequence of work to reduce, or control the risk. This may include a positive system of excluding workers from any area where they may be struck by falling sheets. If reliance must be placed on a safe system of work, care must be taken to ensure those following it are adequately trained and supervised.'
For more information read the HSE publication, Workplace health and safety: Glazing and Glass handling, storage and transport. Further specialist information is available from the Glass and Glazing Federation.

NORTHERN IRISH BUILDING SITES TWICE AS DANGEROUS
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSENI says construction sites in Northern Ireland and the Republic are, proportionally, the scene of twice the rate of fatal accidents than in Great Britain.
This year alone 5 construction workers in Northern Ireland and 7 south of the border have lost their lives as a result of workplace accidents.
HSENI is now embarking on an intensive inspection blitz to reduce the unacceptable rate of fatal and serious injuries in the industry. Priority will be given to finding out how well the risk of falls from height are being controlled, more than half the deaths are due to falls.
The focused inspection campaign, which is being undertaken on an all-island basis, will also be targeting overloading of structures and work-related dermatitis.

COMMENT
“Many construction companies here are working to the proper standards when carrying out work at heights. These companies have nothing to fear from this initiative, but those companies who are working with a reckless disregard for safety will be stopped and may be prosecuted. Inspectors will be issuing Prohibition Notices – so be warned.” - HSENI.

RABBITS POSE E-COLI THREAT TO HUMANS ON RECREATIONAL LAND
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A study conducted by the Health and Safety Laboratory and reported in HSL/2005/12, Wild Rabbits as potential carriers of E. coli VTEC – Final Report, has confirmed that in areas where wild rabbit populations are resident and in close proximity to cattle, their faeces should be treated as being potentially infected with E. coli 0157 or other Vero-cytotoxigenic (VTEC), these being capable of causing severe human infection following ingestion.

The report makes these recommendations: agricultural and rural leisure industry workers should be made aware of the risks of aquiring VTEC infection by the faecal-oral route from rabbit faeces and the need for good personal hygiene, especially hand washing; where land in close proximity to cattle is used for recreational purposes, such as camping and caravanning or picnicking, preventive measures to deter rabbits entering the land should be considered; precautions should also be taken to prevent locally resident rabbits entering land which has been cleared of cattle for subsequent recreational use. Although a 3-week time period between cattle grazing and public admission to the land has been stipulated by HSE, if a local rabbit population is present, there is a risk these animals will excrete E. coli 0157 and continue contaminating the land.

SWEEPING FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATIVE CHANGE FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Office of The Deputy Prime Minister has announced an April 2006 date for the introduction of new fire safety legislation¹ intended to simplify the law for organisations.
The simplification effectively: consolidates existing fire legislation which presently resides in more than 70 pieces of legislation²; improves fire safety by placing the responsibility for it on the employer or 'responsible person' for that building or premises; he or she will be required to assess the risks of fire and take steps to reduce or remove them; and means that businesses will no longer need a fire certificate - though fire and rescue authorities will still inspect premises and ensure adequate fire precautions are in place.
Associated guidance will precede the coming into force.

¹ The Regulatory Reform Fire Safety Order was brought forward under the Regulatory Reform Act and has passed through both Houses.
² The reform repeals the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and amends or removes wherever possible the many other provisions dealing with fire safety contained in other legislation.

AMMONIUM NITRATE NOTIFICATION CHANGE
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
HSE is publicising a change in respect of ammonium nitrate notifications - these should now be made to it as below: electronically to ANNIHHS.Notifications@hse.gsi.gov.uk; or
in writing to Agriculture and Food Sector, National Agricultural Centre, Stoneleigh, Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 2LG; or
by telephone on 02476 698350; or by fax on 02476 696542.
The Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982 (as amended) (NIHHS) require that anyone who handles or stores (or intends to handle or store) 150 tonnes or more of ammonium nitrate, or of mixtures containing ammonium nitrate where the nitrogen content exceeds 15.75% of the mixture by weight, should notify the HSE.
For more information read HSE's free leaflet, Storing and Handling Ammonium Nitrate.

DEFRA SUPPORT FOR RURAL STRESSED
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Defra's 5th Rural Stress Action Plan is providing £500,000 over 3 years to voluntary and community sector organisations capable of implementing projects to provide support to people in rural areas affected by stress, who can suffer poor mental health through social and psychological isolation.
The fund is being co-ordinated jointly by Defra and the Rural Stress Information Network (RSIN) on behalf of the Rural Stress Action Plan (RSAP) Working Group.
Targeted recipients of support are: owners, occupiers and workers on the land; people who run small rural businesses and their employees; and high-risk occupational groups at risk of suicide - i.e. farmers and agricultural workers.

Expressions of interest are invited from relevant bodies for work within rural England, proposals may start from November 2005 onwards and run up to no later than March 2008. The closing date for expressions of interest is 12 noon on 15th July, 2005. Forms and guidance notes can be downloaded from: http://www.rsin.org.uk/

SEMINAR ON NEW VIBRATION AND NOISE LEGISLATION
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Health and Safety Laboratory is hosting a one-day seminar marking the arrival next month of the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations, and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations next year.
On the 13th July the delegates attending the Institute of Acoustics' Measurement and Instrument Group-organised Let's Get Physical event can benefit from the views of HSE and Insurance industry speakers on the implications of the new regulations for employers and industry, and learn about the practical aspects of hand-arm and whole-body vibration exposure, including measurement, control and health surveillance.

MANAGING OLDER WORKERS
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Acas has published Employing Older Workers, an advisory leaflet to help employers recruit, plan for and manage older workers, a move becoming increasingly recognised as a possible, if only partial, solution to widespread skill shortages developing in many industries.

COMMENT
"The working population is getting older and employers may face skills shortages when existing workers retire if they fail to ensure they don't discriminate against older workers when recruiting. There are currently 20 million people aged 50 and over in the UK and by 2030 this is expected to reach 27 million.
Of course, the best way to do that is to ensure that they have systems in place to make sure they are fair to all their workers, regardless of age. This is particularly important with the legislation banning age discrimination coming into force in October next year.
Our advice is easy to understand and practical. We aim to be the first port of call for employers who need advice on these sorts of issues. This booklet gives employers useful and straightforward information on what they need to consider to help them recruit and retain older workers." - Acas North East Director.

ROSPA RECOGNISES HIGH STANDARDS IN MANAGING PLAY EQUIPMENT
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has announced the winners of its new awards scheme for operators of play equipment who are deemed to have demonstrated significant commitment to the principles of stimulating play, competence of staff, maintenance and inspection procedures and provision for disabled people.
The awards have been made as follows:
Gold: Telford and Wrekin Borough Council, Shropshire; Vale of White Horse District Council, Oxfordshire; Portsmouth City Council; Elmbridge Borough Council, Surrey; Crawley Borough Council, West Sussex; Bicester Town Council, Oxfordshire; Wolverhampton-based Pathfinder Pubs; Manchester City Council; Cardiff School Services; Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council; Manchester Young Lives (a registered charity that works with children and young people in disadvantaged areas); Southwark Council, London; Dun Laoghaire Play Centre, Ireland.
Silver: Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity; Reading Borough Council; London Borough of Hackney Council Housing Department.
Merit: Kidsport Woodside Centre,Watford; Birmingham City Council.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY IN QUARRIES
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The HSE has published Electricity Safety in Quarries for persons involved in managing quarry sites, this replaces the existing Approved Code of Practice COP 35, 'The use of electricity in quarries', which has been withdrawn with immediate effect.
The web-based guidance explains the risks posed by electricity in quarries and gives practical guidance on: equipment suitability; installation; cable management; isolating equipment; inspections; and test and examination frequency.

The guidance is aimed at quarry managers, rather than electrical experts, and reflects the requirements of applicable health and safety legislation, particularly the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Quarries Regulations 1999.
HSE points out the guidance does not cover offices or other lower risk parts of quarries where hazards are comparable to other workplaces.

COMMENT
"Electrical power supply is vulnerable in quarries due to the exposed conditions and heavy work being carried out. Ten people have suffered electric shocks in the quarry industry since April 1998 and, though none of these were fatal, they could have been avoided. Common causes of electric shock and burns include buried cables being struck during excavation work, plant vehicles damaging overhead power cables and equipment becoming exposed to the elements. By following the often simple procedures detailed in the guidance the risks associated with electricity in quarries can be managed." - HSE's Quarries Group.

ASBESTOS NOT BEING AFFORDED DUE RESPECT
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The regularity of prosecutions of businesses, arising from a failure to manage the risks from asbestos-containing materials, makes it evident that the enforcing authorities will require a sustained effort to bring into line those exposing their employees and the public to an unacceptable danger to their health.
At Rugby Magistrates' Court Jewson Ltd was fined £40,000, with £6,181 costs, after pleading guilty to 4 charges of illegally depositing, keeping and treating controlled waste on land without a waste management licence, contrary to s33. of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
The prosecution was instigated by the Environment Agency following investigation of the February 2004 incident at the Jewson Leamington Spa branch, that was brought to its attention by nearby residents. A former storage compound at the rear of the site was being used to stockpile wastes including soil, subsoil, concrete, metal, and asbestos cement.

COMMENT
"Companies must be aware of, and comply with their responsibilities under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They must ensure that they manage their wastes so that they do not pose a risk to the environment or human health.
The actions of Jewson Ltd were illegal resulting in this fine which the Agency hopes will act as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to dispose of their waste illegally.
Companies who produce waste have a Duty of Care to ensure that it is passed on to a registered waste carrier and is disposed or treated at a suitably licensed waste management facility. Anyone who is unsure about meeting their Duty of Care should contact the Environment Agency for advice or look at our website.
The illegal operations continued over 4 months and were of great concern to local residents as the compound containing the waste was surrounded by housing on 3 sides. Both brown and white fragments of asbestos cement were found to be on site that could have posed a potential risk to human health." - Environment Agency Officer.

DAMAGED INSULATION
At Wrexham Magistrates' Court the directors of Morris, Marshall & Poole, of Newtown, Powys, were fined a total of £21,000, with £4,500 costs, for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 having inadvertently exposed employees to an asbestos contaminated storeroom, the substance emanating from damaged insulating material.
The prosecution was instigated by Powys County Council, management knew of the presence of asbestos but failed to subject the situation to risk assessment or act to remove the threat it posed to persons using the room.

MANAGING YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Guidance is in the pipeline, courtesy of British Standards Institution (BSI) in collaboration with Partnership Sourcing Limited (PSL), on the subject of managing relationships both internal and external within the supply chain.
This new relationship management standard should be an asset in an age of outsourcing and off-shoring, providing a structure for managing these effectively, covering the relationship management topics of: the importance of relationships; awareness; knowledge; internal assessment; partner selection; value creation and innovation; staying together; working; and the exit strategy.

COMMENT
“A business is built on the strength of its relationships and BSI is providing a code of practice that will set the standard for companies worldwide. By being the first country to develop a standard for relationship management we are helping to give UK plc an advantage in global business. The standard will address the most challenging aspect of relationship management by providing a strategic framework to facilitate cooperation and integration. It will have wide applications for Government, Industry and Societal organisations on how to collaborate and manage valuable business relationships." - Marketing Director of British Standards.

BETTER BACKS CAMPAIGN
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Around 1 in every 100 UK employed persons is affected by a work-related back condition.
In terms of losses - personal, and financial to business and the taxpayer, this is a significant matter according to HSE, the charity BackCare and the 2003/4 Labour Force Survey: as many as 1 in 6 work-related sickness absences are due to bad backs; each affected employee requires an average of 19 days off work; British business loses an estimated annual 4.9 million days to absenteeism caused by work-related back conditions; with an estimated overall cost to the NHS, business and the economy of £5 billion per annum.
HSE next week launches its campaign to make bad backs Better Backs, offering concise, practical tips on how to avoid back-related injuries in the workplace to both businesses and employees via the above microsite and by helpline tel 0845 345 0055.
The main phase of the Backs! 2005 campaign will involve a nationally co-ordinated publicity, education and HSE inspection programme over a 4-week period from 13 June to 8 July in partnership with Local Authorities.

Comment:
"Occupational ill health and injury accounts for 40 million working days lost with back pain alone accounting for 4.9 million. The effects on those business and individuals is almost incalculable. Its not only impacting on business' profits its affecting productivity and stopping employees' enjoying their social life. Everyone needs to take responsibility for tackling this issue - and by taking simple, sensible precautions in work and at home we can collectively work to reduce the misery of back pain.
The financial impact of back pain is enormous so our message to everyone is clear - A bad back could cost you more than you think.
There is a misconception that preventative health and safety initiatives are costly and difficult to implement, but in fact many are extremely cost effective and will save businesses from losing revenue through staff absenteeism, as well as increasing productivity." - Work and Pensions.

OVERHEAD POWER LINE PROXIMITY AND CHILDHOOD CANCER
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A BMJ published report prepared by the Childhood Cancer Research Group at the University of Oxford, and contributed to by a scientific adviser from National Grid Transco plc, has laid down evidence for an association between childhood leukaemia and proximity of home address at birth to high voltage overhead power lines. The study is for England and Wales and based upon the Cancer registry and National Grid records, it considered the records of around 30,000 children who had cancer.
Furthermore, the work appears to suggest any possible risk extends to a greater distance to power lines than would have previously suspected by earlier studies.
In conclusion the authors say 'there is no accepted biological mechanism to explain the epidemiological results; indeed, the relation may be due to chance or confounding.'
Previous studies searching for a causal link between power lines and human health focussed on the physical effects of electric fields near transmission lines, the increased deposition of natural radionuclides in their vicinity resulting from the electrical breakdown of the surrounding air known as corona discharge, and the subsequent inhalation of charged pollutant particles by those living nearby.

RECOVERY FROM RADIATION INCIDENTS
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has published a 'recovery handbook for radiation incidents' eg. at a nuclear site or a weapons transport accident, to help UK decision-makers implement recovery following a release of radioactive material into the environment at a time when a coherent framework for the restoration of safe living conditions in contaminated areas is essential.
HPA says it has two main purposes: to help those organisations that would be part of the Recovery Working Group (RWG) to plan their response to an incident; and to aid the RWG in making decisions on recovery options in the first few months after such an incident.
UK Recovery Handbook for Radiation Incidents: 2005. HPA-RPD-002, ISBN 0-85951-559-1.

HSE WARNS OF DANGERS OF BIODIESEL 'HOMEBREW'
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Biodiesel, a relatively new synthetic fuel made from vegetable oils, is normally produced commercially and retailed through licensed petrol stations, but the availability of internet 'recipes' has made the fuel's domestic production possible. This is obviously of concern to the HSE, given the necessary handling of hazardous chemicals¹ and the risk of fire and explosion involved in the process, and consequently it says that production should only be carried out in controlled conditions by people with the proper training and experience.
Violent chemical reaction could occur by getting the quantities wrong, adding them in the wrong order, poor mixing, or making too much at once, any of these could result in the mixture splashing or boiling over, causing serious burns.
With methanol there is a serious risk of fire and explosion, potential domestic sources of ignition include normal electrical equipment, plugs and switches, gas burners and smoking materials.
HSE also points out that duty must be paid on all vehicle fuel for use by the general public, whatever its origins, and also the potential of a poorly made product to seriously damage a vehicle engine.

¹ Sodium hydroxide - extremely corrosive; can cause burning to unprotected skin and is particularly damaging to the eyes; stirring the liquid can often produce a fine mist of liquid droplets which, if inhaled, can result in severe irritation of the respiratory tract and breathlessness can occur; accidental swallowing can cause major damage to the throat lining and digestive system.
Methanol - is a toxic chemical, it can enter the body through breathing in the vapour, direct skin contact or by accidental swallowing; it can cause nausea, dizziness and visual disturbances that can result in blindness; swallowing small quantities could pose a significant health threat to the central nervous system and could also affect other vital organs; it is a cumulative poison and repeated exposure to relatively low concentrations could cause harm in the longer term.

CONSEQUENCES OF FATIGUE AT SEA CONCERNS MAIB CHIEF INSPECTOR
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) annual report for 2004 states that the number of accidents and incidents reported to it remained broadly constant at about 1500, of which 697 were the subject of administrative enquiries, 34 had preliminary examinations conducted, and 31 led to full investigations.
Of concern to the Chief Inspector is the loss of 24 fishing vessels during that period, a figure that has remained fairly constant over the past 10 years, as was the issue of fatigue/safe manning, results showing conclusively that poor manning levels and fatigue were major causal factors in collisions and groundings.
The 2004 report is available at http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources/Annual%20Report%202004b.pdf

TRAGEDY
The MAIB has this week issued a special safety bulletin alerting boat owners to the tragic circumstances of the loss of life of a man and his teenage daughter, who died during a day trip on inland waters in Scotland on their rigid inflatable boat (RIB). The investigation revealed the hydraulic steering system of the RIB was in poor condition and the boat carried no basic safety provisions.
If it is deemed to be in the public interest, under The Merchant Shipping (Accident Reporting and Investigation) Regulations 2005, the Chief Inspector of Marine Accidents can make recommendations at any time during the course of an investigation.
The MAIB makes the following interim recommendations, all powerboat users are strongly urged to ensure that: steering systems are fully operational before using a boat; kill-cords, where fitted, are used correctly; all crew and passengers are wearing suitable clothing and lifejackets; they have the means to summon assistance, ideally a VHF radio or, at the very least, distress flares.

The full interim recommendations can be read at http://www.maib.gov.uk/cms_resources/Safety%20Bulletin1-2005.pdf

NATIONAL ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Training Foundation has announced its initiative, Ready for Work, a national online learning programme for young people entering the workplace, which is free to all in full-time education or who recently finished it, and those in modern apprenticeships.
The award winning Foundation says it focuses on building awareness of employment issues, subjects covered include managing workplace stress and health & safety among others.

SAVE OUR SKINS TOOLKIT
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Skin cancer, in terms of incidence, was the most common form of cancer during 2003 in the UK says the Department of Health, official figures show that in 2001 there were 70,038 cases of skin cancer recorded, making the issue of awareness of the risk factors of contracting the disease increasingly relevant in the workplace, schools, the general community, recreation and tourism.
The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has produced a Skin Cancer Toolkit - Raising Awareness of the risk of skin cancer, aimed at those professionals working in local authorities, primary care trusts, local health boards, cancer networks and their partner agencies.
It will assist with developing strategies and campaign programmes to tackle the increasing incidence of skin cancer.
The toolkit offers: an evidence base to support action; signposts where information and promotional materials can be obtained; information and advice on running successful campaigns; and includes a comprehensive listing of local interventions across a range of community settings.

IR OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURES CONTINUE TO BE LOW
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Health Protection Agency (HPA) reports that occupational exposures to ionising radiation (IR) in most areas of work continue to be low, with a generally decreasing trend, especially in the nuclear industry, with most of the elevated individual annual doses derived from radon exposure at work, this representing the largest contribution to overall occupational exposure.
The HPA report, Ionising Radiation Exposure of the UK Population: 2005 Review, explains that the rise in average IR annual dose from all sources from 2.6 (1999) to 2.7 millisieverts (mSv) is attributable to medical diagnostic techniques, and that: more than 50% of natural radiation exposure is caused by radon accumulation within buildings; cosmic radiation at ground level remains unchanged but increased air travel by UK residents resulted in a slight increase in the average annual dose from all cosmic radiation;
annual doses from 2 other sources of artificial radiation, nuclear fallout and consumer products, are very low and have remained at about the same level as found in the previous review; and medical uses of radiation account for the largest man-made contribution to the overall average annual dose, currently comprising around 15%.

COMMENT
“We welcome this report. It is a thorough investigation into the radiation doses we all receive from ionising radiation. For most of us, about 99% of our dose comes from natural and medical sources. People need to know these facts.” - Chairman of the Health Protection Agency
“Examining sources of radiation exposure is an important part of our work. We have assessed the doses people receive from all sources of ionising radiation. There is a slight increase compared to earlier reports, but this is not significant. What is more important are the large variations in exposures in different parts of the country, due almost entirely to radon exposures. We welcome the measures being taken to reduce exposures in high radon areas.” - Director of the HPA Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards.

CHANCELLOR SPARKS 'RED TAPE' DISCORDANCE
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Chancellor's recent expression of intent on bringing about further deregulation of UK businesses has met with the approval of some and the alarm of others.
To learn more about what the Chancellor has in mind visit Better Regulation Action Plan to boost flexibility and enterprise.

COMMENT
"In a risk based approach there is no inspection without justification, no form filling without justification, and no information requirements without justification. Not just a light touch but a limited touch." - Chancellor.
“We have an example of a Government which, 2 weeks ago, said it was now prepared to listen to the people, now sending a message that clearly demonstrates, as far as regulation is concerned, they will listen only to the business community.
It is not just trade unions and workers the Government are turning a deaf ear to in their moves to deregulate our workplaces. Recently in Parliament, the Department of Work and Pensions Select Committee on the Work of the HSE took the view that, despite pressure from business leaders, it did not support the concept of 'earned autonomy'.
We would urge the Chancellor and the Labour Government to concentrate on delivering its previous commitment to protect workers before subscribing to business leaders red tape myths”. - Scottish Trades Union Congress.
"The Government must stem the red tape tide and make the regulatory environment more business-friendly. There is a pressing need for regulations to be cut-back and simplified.
A risk-based approach to regulation is sound and would benefit well-run companies. The key is getting the detail right and it is important to maintain the momentum behind the Government's better regulation drive kick-started by the Hampton and Arculus reports. But Government delivery of its deregulatory promises has been poor.
Business supports the streamlining of regulators to achieve greater consistency but will judge its success on the quality of future dealings with the new 'improved' version. This must be about more than just rearranging the Whitehall deckchairs.
The 'one-in-one-out' proposal should force politicians and their officials to prioritise and only bring forward new legislation when the wider case has been made and justified fully." - CBI Deputy Director-General.
“If the threat of inspection is removed, what incentive have companies got to maintain best practice, and without inspection, how will government know that a company is failing to meet standards? It is our members’ experience that only inspection and real enforcement can protect citizens, whether as employees, consumers, patients, environmentalists, motorists, travellers, homeowners or farmers.” - Prospect (public service professionals union) assistant general secretary.

BUT DOES IT WORK? - CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE 3RD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE WORKING ON SAFETY 2006
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The call has gone out for papers for the 3rd International Conference Working on Safety, 12-15 September 2006, in the Netherlands.
Does it work? This is the theme, contributors should provide insight into the quality and effectiveness of the analysis of safety and risk problems. The Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and the Safety Science Group of the Delft University of Technology are organising it, with the support of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the International Labour Organisation.

BRITISH SUGAR'S £0.25M FINE
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
British Sugar plc, who earlier admitted breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of a serious industrial accident at its Cantley, Norfolk, premises, has been fined £250,000, with £95,200 costs, at Norwich Crown Court.
During July 2003 an electrician contracted for work sustained very serious injuries when he was struck by a door blown against him when workmen elsewhere inadvertently instigated a dust explosion in an elevator tower undergoing maintenance work. It is believed that their activity provided the ignition energy sufficient to cause the sugar dust to explode with catastrophic consequences for the accident victim, who has been unable to work since the event.
The presiding judge noted that British Sugar had been making fairly regular appearances before the courts for breaches of health and safety law, however, its legal representative reported that the company had invested heavily on measures to improve safety performance.

HOTEL FIRE SAFETY - GUIDANCE
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
BRE has just published Fire Safety in Hotels, ISBN 0955009405, a guide aimed at those responsible for the fire safety management of hotels and a resource on the subject for hotel managers and staff.
It covers: how fires start and spread; how they can be prevented;
building a fire safety culture; and fire risk assessments.
The publishers say it provides a basic understanding of hotel fire safety features, includes a fire safety checklist, and is designed to complement the more detailed guidance expected from the ODPM this year.

AUTHORITY FINED OVER FATAL TREE-FELLING ACCIDENT
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Essex County Council has been fined £200,000 for a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of a March 2003 accident during the felling of a 10-metre-tall tree at the Council's Chalkney Woods in Flitch Way Country Park, Earls Colne, which crushed a workman using a chainsaw who could not escape from the tree's path as it came down.
At the earlier inquest, an expert witness explained that the only escape route was blocked by a fence and how the operation to fell the tree was a challenging one for anyone not experienced in directional felling.
The deceased, who worked with two colleagues, was not fully qualified for the difficult task, it was established by HSE investigation, and the 3 worked without the benefit of controls developed from a completed risk assessment, pointing to management failures within the Council which was fined £200,000, with £15,000 costs.
It was reported that strenuous steps to prevent recurrence have been taken by the Council since the tragic event.

METAL FATIGUE IN PIPE IMMEDIATE CAUSE OF NUCLEAR INCIDENT AT SELLAFIELD
Posted Saturday, June 18, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
A report by the British Nuclear Group (BNG), established by BNFL to bring specialist focus to nuclear clean-up and operations, has given information on last month's incident at the Thorp Head End plant in Sellafield in which 83m³ of dissolved nuclear fuel was released into a sealed secondary containment area after it escaped from a fractured pipe feeding a tank. This secondary containment was specifically designed for failure of the primary containment.
The report, published ahead of the NII investigative report, states that the fracture was caused by stresses arising from the fact that the pipe was attached to a suspended tank designed this way for the purposes of weighing its contents. Furthermore, BNG states the cause of the failure dates back to a change in design intent, when changes to the restraint mechanisms on these suspended tanks were introduced that allowed greater stresses to be exerted on associated pipework than had been anticipated.
Investigators found some evidence to suggest that the pipe may have started to fail, undetected the previous year.
The investigators made recommendations: Ensuring that a detailed engineering review is conducted to confirm that the potential for stress-induced fatigue is adequately addressed across Sellafield;
Improving the maintenance, testing and reliability of cell instrumentation and other systems that give indications of plant abnormality; Reviewing operating practices throughout the plant to ensure that lessons learned are implemented and embedded.

COMMENT
"We are now returning the liquid to primary containment. From the information we have available at this stage we are confident that we have the capability of returning Thorp to service.
The investigation has been extremely thorough and has identified the root causes of the event. I will personally be ensuring that recommendations are implemented not just in Thorp but across Sellafield. I am disappointed that plant indicators were not acted upon as quickly as they should have been and I shall be taking action to ensure that any complacency with respect to acting upon plant information is addressed. The maintenance of safety and environmental integrity remain our absolute priority during both the ongoing recovery of the liquor and the subsequent return of the plant to service". - Managing Director at Sellafield.

'CSR FOR SMES' CAMPAIGN GATHERS PACE ACROSS EU
Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not only for large organisations.
Today's EU Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry organised CSR conference entitled - Competitive, Small, Responsible (How Europe’s SMEs are changing the face of responsible business) is a culmination of a year-long EUROCHAMBRES and UEAPME (Union Européenne de l’Artisanat et des Petites and Moyennes Entreprises) campaign comprising 65 events throughout member states at which 150 SMEs have related their inspirational CSR practices and experiences for the benefit of others.
A special CSR-for-SMEs toolkit is now available to help identify ways you can add value to your business by taking a closer look at some of the social and environmental aspects of your operations.
The European Commission defines CSR as 'a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interactions with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.'

COMAH AMENDMENTS EFFECTIVE THIS MONTH
Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
The Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005 No. 1088) come into force on 30th June 2005 broadening, more than revising, the scope of COMAH in response to recent industrial accidents¹ and research on carcinogens and substances dangerous for the environment.
The most significant amendment regards changes to the thresholds in Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 1 of COMAH. The key revisions regard changes to the lists of named dangerous substances or generic categories of substances that are used to determine whether the regulations apply and to what extent.
These changes involve: a redefinition of ammonium nitrate to cover lower percentage composition, and new classes covering self-sustaining decomposition and reject material; a new named category for potassium nitrate fertilisers; the specification of 7 new carcinogens, and raised threshold limits for all carcinogens;
a new category for petroleum products to include gas oils such as diesel, naphtha, and kerosene including jet fuels, with thresholds that are half those of the previous automotive petrol category;
the redefinition of the classes for explosives; lower qualifying thresholds for substances dangerous for the environment; and
a change to the aggregation rule that is applied to all substances classified as toxic, dangerous for the environment, flammable or oxidising.
The amended regulations also broaden the application of COMAH at mines, quarries, boreholes and waste landfill sites. Some amendments clarify or make explicit existing requirements in COMAH, others are largely administrative, including compliance timescales for establishments affected by the changes, and notification arrangements for petroleum products.

¹ - a spill of cyanide that entered the Tisza river in Baia Mare, Romania, in 2000, killing thousands of tonnes of fish following the dam burst of a tailings pond at a gold mine; a similar accident had occurred 2 years earlier in Aznacollar, Spain, when a dam burst poisoned the environment in a national park;
- a series of explosions at a fireworks factory in Enschede in the Netherlands in 2000 that killed 20 people, injured almost 1,000 more, and caused extensive damage to a large area; and
- an explosion involving granular ammonium nitrate at a chemicals complex in Toulouse, France, 2001, in which 30 people died with damage to premises up to 3km from the site.

FARM WORKER PROSECUTED FOR CARELESSNESS WITH PESTICIDE
Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
At Chelmsford Magistrates' Court a farm worker has been fined £500 and ordered to pay a compensation order of £429 in respect of veterinary fees over a November 2004 incident in which a walker's dog ingested a quantity of slug pellets and became seriously ill. The dog, which has now recovered, was being walked off the lead on land at Purleigh, Essex, and ran ahead of its owner during which time it was observed eating something in a field.
The farmer had charges against him dropped after he agreed to be bound over in the sum of £500 for 12 months.
The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (as amended) make it an offence to fail to follow the statutory conditions for use of a pesticide product and to fail to take all reasonable precautions to protect the health of human beings, creatures and plants, safeguard the environment and, in particular, avoid the pollution of water.

COMMENTS:
"We found that the dog involved had eaten from a pile of slug pellets which had been spilt on the ground. The pile was quite large and other smaller piles were found close by. Although there had been some attempt to clear up the spillages following the incident being reported to the farmer by the dog owner, these were inadequate. During interview with the farmer and one of his workers, we established that the field had been subjected to an application of slug pellets." - Wildlife Crime Officer for Essex Police.
"This case underlines the importance on all users of pesticides to read the label very carefully and follow all instructions given. In this particular case, the product's label required by law that all spillages be cleared up and this failed to be carried out. Although the dog was not on a public right of way when eating from the spillages, the pellet's could still be accessed by other non-target species such as badgers and birds." - Wildlife Management Adviser Rural Development Service, part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

SEAT BELT/RESTRAINT PLANS WILL SAVE CHILDREN'S LIVES
Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
Seat belt wearing has been compulsory in cars and light vans, since 1983 in the front, and in the rear since 1989 for children and 1991 for adults. In other vehicles it has been compulsory in the front seats since 1993. The outcome has been a large reduction in child injury and death.
Further reduction, estimated at over 2,000 deaths and injuries, will accrue when new plans to improve road safety through increased wearing of seatbelts and more appropriate use of child seats are implemented, the changes being a requirement set out in EC Directive 2003/20/EC.
A consultation document seeking views on these proposed changes to regulations on the compulsory use of child restraints and seat belts in cars and goods vehicles has been published. Comments should be made by 5th September 2005.

PROPOSALS
The consultation seeks views on proposals that:
all children under 3 years old must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in a car or goods vehicle (except in a taxi if a child seat is not available); children aged 3 or more years old and up to 135cm (approx 4' 5") in height must use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in cars or goods vehicles fitted with seat belts (few exceptions are permitted);
rear-facing baby seats must not be used in seats with active frontal air-bag; all child restraints must conform to modern safety standards (to apply from May 2008); and where seat belts are provided, the number of people carried in the rear of vehicles may not exceed the number of seats available fitted with seat belts or child restraints (to apply from May 2009).

COMMENT:
"We are determined to make our roads as safe as possible for all road users and the correct use of seat belts and child seats is an important part of this. Over 2000 deaths or injuries a year to children could be prevented with these new changes. Making sure that children keep using booster seats until they are about 4' 5" will bring real improvements to their safety. Seat belts are designed for adults and making sure our children are boosted to the right height will make them safer in the event of an accident." - Road Safety Minister.

COWS TRAMPLE WALKER IN WARWICKSHIRE
Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
It is reported that a woman, 66, walking her dog on farmland in Atherstone would appear to have been trampled to death by cows.
The incident occurred at the weekend, it is speculated that the cows, which were with or in-calf, acted instinctively and were probably especially alarmed by the presence of the dog.

NORTH WEST ENGLAND ASBESTOS REMOVAL INDUSTRY SUMMIT ON STANDARDS
Posted Wednesday, June 15, 2005 by Ahmed Khan
This Thursday, 16th June, an invitation-only summit meeting called by HSE takes place at JJB Stadium, Wigan, to be attended by leading figures in the North West asbestos removal industry for the purpose of determining ways in which individual organisations can reduce exposure to asbestos reducing ill-health caused by work with the substance.
The Licence Holder Leadership Summit 2005 follows an HSE review of the industry's recent performance, which considered whether adequate precautions were being taken to prevent ill health from work with asbestos. HSE says that despite recent collective significant improvements there is still room for further progress.
Delegates will attend sessions on: management responsibility;
organisational improvement; problems of complacency; and organisational / individual vulnerability.

HSE says other regions may also hold such summits.

COMMENT:
"We are determined to work with the industry, and our objective is to convince them that higher standards to protect health are achievable and needed. We will explore how individual licence holders can make those necessary improvements and hence reduce the number of deaths from asbestos related diseases." - Head of Operations in HSE's Field Operations Directorate.
"The main aim of the Asbestos Liaison Group (ALG) has always been to improve standards within the asbestos removal industry. ARCA's Site Audit Accreditation Scheme has also highlighted the need for greater management awareness in this respect. ARCA are therefore delighted that the HSE has taken this initiative." - Chief Executive of The Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA).

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