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News from around the WorldJune 2005 Date set for introduction of revised Major Accident Hazards Regulations in the UKAmendments to the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999 (COMAH) will come into force on 30 June 2005, the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) announced on the 13 June 2005. The Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations 2005 broaden the scope of COMAH to take into account recent industrial accidents and the results of research on carcinogens and substances dangerous for the environment. They implement Directive 2003/105/EC that amends Directive 96/82/EC (known as the Seveso II Directive). Seveso II aims to prevent major accidents, or limit the consequences for people and environment near establishments that hold or use specific substances. The key revision to the regulations 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:
The amended regulations also broaden the application of COMAH at mines, quarries, boreholes and waste landfill sites, and clarify some requirements in the original regulations. Other amendments are largely administrative, including compliance timescales for establishments affected by the changes, and notification arrangements for petroleum products. Dr Mike Tonge, Head of the Health and Safety Executive's (HSE's) Major Hazards Policy Group, said: "The changes to COMAH brought about by these amendments reflect the lessons learned from accidents in France, the Netherlands and Romania, and EC recommendations about the major accident potential of high and medium-potency carcinogens and substances dangerous for the environment. "The amendments ensure that COMAH continues to provide a high level of protection by placing appropriate controls on substances with the potential to cause significant damage to human health and the environment. HSE advises all operators of existing COMAH establishments and other businesses that use or handle dangerous chemicals to check whether they will be affected by the changes." The full text of the Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (SI 2005 No. 1088) is available on the HMSO website at: www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2005/20051088.htm Additional information about chemicals and COMAH in www.hse.gov.uk/chemicals/index.htm The amendment regulations implement Directive 2003/105/EC and are a broadening of the scope of COMAH rather than a major revision. The most significant amendment regards changes to the thresholds in Parts 2 and 3 of Schedule 1 of COMAH. These take into account:
In particular:
Check out your quality of life!The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Dublin-based EU agency, launches EurLIFE, an interactive database of quality of life indicators. Results from the Foundation's European Quality of Life Survey and other statistical resources will be made available online as part of the new online searchable database EurLIFE. The new instrument, which will allow users to create graphs and tables on the basis of their own requirements, is the most recent information resource to be created by the Foundation and the first such interactive tool to assist the user in charting trends and developments in the quality of life sphere. 'EurLIFE is an easy-access interactive information tool accessible to everyone interested in gathering data on European quality of life.' commented Willy Buschak, Acting Director of the European Foundation. 'For the first time, policymakers, researchers and journalists will be able to access and manipulate this data in an easy and timely manner, contributing significantly to filling the information gap which has existed in this area to date.' The unique database was developed from comparable EU-wide data sources and includes the most up-to-date information from the Foundation's own monitoring tools on quality of life and working conditions. The data cover the 25 Member States and three candidate countries, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey and covers a broad spectrum of social indicators in a set of 12 life domains with approximately 15 indicators for each domain. It provides easy access to a large amount of empirical data to generate user-oriented tables and diagrams for selected countries and time periods ranging from 1990 to 2003. The core types of differentiation are by gender, country, age and income quartile. It is planned to update the database every two years, from 2006. The launching of the new tool coincides with the architectural overhaul of the Foundation's portal, Eurofound which will further facilitate access to the Foundation's research findings and data, with different access-points for the same information. Most notably, the information will be accessible by subject, sector or areas of expertise. Access the EurLIFE database on www.eurofound.europa.eu For further information, contact Måns Mårtensson, Press Officer, The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Dublin, Ireland on Tel: +353-1-204 3124, mobile +353-876-593 507, or Email mma@eurofound.eu.int Work safely in an enlarged Europe - European Agency for Safety and Health at WorkThe Bilbao-based European Agency for Safety and Health at Work launches its annual report, summarising the Agency's activities in a year which saw the EU's membership grow from 15 to 25 Member States. 'The enlargement has provided us with a much larger pool of experience and expertise to share among Member States', say Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, the Agency's Director, and Luis Lopes, the Chairperson of the Agency's Administrative Board, in the report's opening statement. The Agency capitalised on this by intensifying its pan-European programmes, including the European Week 2004 on construction. The campaign culminated in bringing together top representative bodies in Europe's EUR 900 billion construction industry and of the Dutch EU presidency to sign a landmark declaration committing its signatories to improve the industry's safety and health standards. Other 2004 highlights include:
In 2004 the Agency produced and distributed more than 4 million copies of publications in up to 20 languages. The number of visitors on the Agency's website doubled to nearly 3 million. The Annual report in EN and summaries in the 20 EU languages can be downloaded from: http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/annual_report. European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao - Spain | Tel: + 34 94 479 4360 | Fax: + 34 94 479 4383 | Email: information@osha.eu.int | http://osha.europa.eu IOSH President-Elect speaks out about The Corporate Manslaughter BillNeil Budworth, president-elect of IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety and Health), spoke about corporate manslaughter and the government's draft bill at a major conference, organised by the Centre for Corporate Accountability (CCA), held in London today. Fiona MacTaggart MP, Minister for Law Reform in the Home Office, also spoke at the conference - making it the first time that a government minister has spoken about the bill outside of Parliament. The conference brought together trade unions, employer organisations from both the private and public sectors, bereaved families, the police, lawyers and other experts to discuss the government's long-awaited draft bill on corporate manslaughter. IOSH has long lobbied for the introduction of a new offence of corporate manslaughter for a multitude of reasons. The Institution welcomes the inclusion of many of the elements contained in the bill, and while being broadly supportive, would like to see less crown immunity, the removal of profit from the definition of gross breach, as well as clear duties for directors and senior managers incorporated in the draft bill. Neil Budworth spoke about the need for the new bill to give "some sense of justice for the families of workers killed by the negligence of their employer, regardless of the employers size." "At present, many larger organisations get away with causing fatalities in their workplaces because you cannot prove 'a directing mind'. The new bill will remove this obstacle and hit home that serious corporate failures are unacceptable in the modern working world." Neil added that IOSH also welcomed new court powers to require remedial action, within a specified timeframe, addressing failures that led to death. Following the conference, Neil said: "The Corporate Manslaughter Bill has to be given some teeth - it will not be effective half-baked. It's bad enough that people do die in the workplace, but allowing those responsible to get away with, in many cases, just a fine is like a slap in the face to the victims." Further details of IOSH's position on the proposed corporate manslaughter bill can be found at www.iosh.co.uk/index.cfm?go=news.release&id=193 Paul Marston, Media Officer, IOSH, The Grange, Highfield Drive, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 1NN, UK | Tel: +44 (0)116 257 3100 | Fax: +44 (0)116 257 3101 | www.iosh.co.uk JISHA's New PresidentMr. Yotaro Sawada took over as President of the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association (JISHA) on June 1, 2005. Mr. Sawada graduated from Keio University in the Faculty of Economics in 1968. In the same year, he joined the Ministry of Labour, and held prominent positions including Director General of the Industrial Safety and Health Department, Director General of the Labour Relations Bureau, Director General of the Employment Security Bureau, and Administrative Vice-Minister for Health, Labour and Welfare. He retired from the civil service in 2003, and assumed the position of President of the Employment and Human Resources Development Organization of Japan before he took office as President of JISHA. Mr Sawada takes over from Mr. Kazuo Hiromi who was President of JISHA from 1 June 2002 to 31 May 2005. Further details contact: Hirotoshi Goto, Senior Director for International Affairs, JISHA, 5-35-1 Shiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0014 Japan | Email: kokusai@jisha.or.jp | Tel & Fax: +81-3-3454-4596 Worldwide interest as RoSPA Training Videos go on-lineCustomers from around the world are signing up for a new RoSPA service, which allows its popular occupational health and safety training videos to be viewed on-line without the need to buy a tape. RoSPA E-Videos has attracted interest from as far afield as Australia and Kuwait, and is particularly beneficial for multi-site organisations where co-ordinating training proves difficult. Staff can be trained at their own desks and there is an interactive element, helping managers to check how well the messages have been understood. The system was developed with The Einstein Network and features videos from such well-regarded producers as Out Takes Video Communications and Safety Media. RoSPA will also be looking for partnerships with more health and safety video production companies to expand its on-line service. Customers licensed by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents buy a number of credits that they can use to watch any of the on-line videos available. Programmes cover a range of topics, including: the office, the construction industry, driver safety, COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health), personal protective equipment and manual handling. RoSPA E-Videos was launched at the recent Safety and Health Expo 2005 at the NEC, Birmingham, and immediately attracted more than 200 trialists. Companies wanting to test the new system can have a seven-day free trial and will qualify for a 25 per cent bonus of viewings if they join the scheme before the end of July. Users will have their own password to access the internet service. Rebecca Fletcher, RoSPA Product Manager, said: "We have been delighted with the response to our new service. Organisations are realising how convenient and cost effective it is, because any member of staff can watch a video on their own PC at work or home, at the time that is most suitable for them. "The wide range of programmes allows organisations to select titles that meet the varying needs of their employees. The management tool lets supervisors check that the employee has watched the selected programme and see what score has been achieved." European Week 2005 - UK Web pages now up and running!European Week 2005 will run from the 24th - 28th October 2005 and will focus on noise in the workplace. For the 2005 campaign, the UK Health & Safety Executive is working in partnership with the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) on the campaign's flagship event, the Sound Off - Noise Reduction at Work Conference. This will take place in the run-up to European Week, on the 11th and 12th October at Earls Court. For more information on this year's European Week, the Sound Off conference and how you can order an Action Pack, visit HSE's campaign's webpages: www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/euroweek. Also... European Good Practice Awards 2005!It's not too late to submit an entry for the European Good Practice Awards! The closing date for entries is the 1st July 2005. Only electronic entries are acceptable. If you have any queries surrounding this year's campaign, please contact the UK Focal Point. Eleanor Keech, UK Focal Point, Health & Safety Executive, 9SW Rose Court, 2 Southwark Bridge, London SE1 9HS, UK | www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/index.htm | http://uk.osha.europa.eu US NIOSH Nanotechnology FAQsThe US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has developed a new topic page addressing frequently asked questions regarding nanotechnology. The topic page answers basic questions, defines nanotechnology, identifies nanomaterials, addresses the worker health effects, and outlines the NIOSH research program. The topic page can be accessed at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech/faq.html. US Institute of MedicineThe US Institute of Medicine serves as adviser to the nation to improve health. As an independent, scientific adviser, the Institute of Medicine strives to provide advice that is unbiased, based on evidence, and grounded in science. The mission of the Institute of Medicine embraces the health of people everywhere. www.iom.edu US NIOSH Control Banding Topic pageThe US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) The purpose, elements, current and potential applications, and other features of control banding are described in a new NIOSH Web topic page introduced on May 26. The page is available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ctrlbanding. Control banding is a process in which a single control technology (such as general ventilation or containment) is applied to one range or band of exposures to a chemical (such as exposures in the range of 1-;10 milligrams per cubic meter of air) that falls within a given hazard group (such as skin and eye irritants or severely irritating and corrosive materials). The most developed model for control banding has been established by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) of the United Kingdom. NIOSH is currently evaluating its utility for the United States. EurOhse2005 One-day Masterclass on Fire Risk Assessment and Business Continuity Planning and Management, 29 November 2005, Stratford-on-AvonThis One-day Masterclass on Fire Risk Assessment and Business Continuity Planning and Management is to be presented on 29 November 2005 at the Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, UK by Les Moseley - Director of the Coventry Centre for Disaster Management and Programme Manager - University of Coventry, UK and Dennis Davies CBE, OStJ, QFSM, CEng, CCMI, FIFireE(Life), MEI - Independent Fire Adviser - International Committee for the Prevention and Extinction of Fire (CTIF) and formerly HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services, Scotland. The Masterclass aims to build on existing knowledge and skills in Risk and Hazard Analysis for Fire Risk Assessment and develop further knowledge in Continuity Planning. Learning ObjectivesAt the completion of the workshop participants will have:
The Masterclass is aimed at: Content of the day:
Les Moseley - is Director of the Coventry Centre for Disaster Management and Programme Manager for the professional diploma courses including the Diploma in Business Continuity Management. Before joining Coventry University, Les spent 16 years in the British Fire Service as a Senior Officer and 14 years working in Emergency Planning. Immediately before joining the University he was Chief Emergency Planning Officer and Principal Officer with the West Midlands Fire & Civil Defence Authority and prior tothis, County Emergency Planning Officer for Warwickshire County Council. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Civil Defence and Disaster Studies, a Graduate Member of the Institution of Fire Engineers and a Member of the Emergency Planning Society. Les' research interests include vulnerability assessment, preparedness planning and the management of disasters. Les is also an advisor to the International Civil Defence Organisation and the World Health Organisation and regularly support them in education initiatives worldwide. Les is also a regular contributor to the local and national media and recently appeared on BBC2's 'If ...the lights go out' and 'Terror Alert' on Sky One. Dennis Davies became an independent fire adviser, working with government and commercial clients in 2004 after 39 years active involvement in the fire service. As HM Chief Inspector of Fire Services for Scotland he was responsible for assessing the performance of all Scotland's' brigades and advising Ministers and the Scottish Executive on fire matters. Between 1986 and 1999 he was the Chief Fire Officer for Cheshire Fire Brigade. Dennis joined the fire service in 1965 in his hometown Walsall. He subsequently transferred on promotion to Cheshire 1971 and, having served in a very wide range of safety, technical and operational posts became the Brigade's Chief Fire Officer. The area has a significant petrochemical industry and his experience includes command management at and contingency planning for major incidents. The Brigade was also extremely active and innovative in the promotion of community safety. The Chairman for the day is Professor Peter Waterhouse, the Honorary Visiting Professor of Occupational Safety in the Robens Centre of the European Institute of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Surrey, UK. This is a unique opportunity to attend this Masterclass to be given by two international experts... make sure that you have a place and make your reservation now! Organised by Angel Business Publications and Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, the Masterclass will be followed by the EurOhse2005 conference that will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, 30 November 2005 - 1 December 2005 at the Stratford Manor Hotel, Stratford-on-Avon, Warwickshire, UK. This is the third year for this very popular, informative conference that keeps you up-to-date and provides excellent networking opportunities and will provide key points for future activities for all those responsible for securing good standards of health and safety in the workplace, and excellent networking opportunities.14 eminent speakers with backgrounds in government, inspectorates, industry, research and education will discuss a range of topics. Chairmen for the two days will be John Howard OBE, CEO RoSPA and Dr Peter Waterhouse, Robens Institute. Why not book both the Masterclass and the EurOhse2005 conference? For further details contact the programme organiser Sheila Pantry | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com Work, Stress and Health 2006 ConferenceThe American Psychological Association, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the National Institute of Justice, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, and the U.S. Department of Labor, will convene the sixth international conference on occupational stress and health entitled "Work, Stress, and Health 2006: Making a Difference in the Workplace" in Miami, Florida, on March 2-4, 2006, at the Hyatt Regency Miami Hotel. Continuing Education Workshops will be held on March 1, 2006. The Work, Stress, and Health conference series is designed to address the constantly changing nature of work, and the implications of these changes for the health, safety, and well-being of workers. Numerous topics of interest to industry, employees, and researchers are covered in the series including:
In keeping with the conference theme of "making a difference in the workplace," there will be a particular focus on the translation of research to practice and workplace programs, policies, practices, case experiences, and other efforts to prevent stress in today's workplace. More information about the conference can be found at: www.apa.org/pi/work/wsh2006.html. FIRE WORLDWIDE... information, guidance and advice - all in one place!Aimed at everyone in the fire industry internationally with the emphasis on all aspects of fire management principles, practices and research, Fire Worldwide is easy to use - so technophobia is eliminated... and contains thousands of pages of validated and authoritative information. It contains:: The Full text Collection has 4 major databases containing the full text documents that are continually being added to this wide-ranging source of critical fire information. The collection contains all appropriate European and UK legislation for fire and fire related industry - some hundreds of documents. In addition a range of fire and fire related documents from organisations such as: The UK Fire Protection Association, World Fire Statistics Bureau, CTIF - The International Committee for the Prevention and Extinction of Fire, UK Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, US National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health, UK Health and Safety Executive, Ireland Department of the Environment Fire Safety. The Bibliographic Collection has 7 databases from Fire Service College, UK, LPC Centre for Risk Sciences, UK, Forensic Science Service, UK, Fire Research Institute, USA, Association nationale pour la protection contre l'incendie et l'intrusion (ANPI), Belgium, and the Department of Transport and the Regions (DETR), UK. These databases contain over 245,000 records to journal articles, guidance and advice, circulars, reports, conference proceedings, research reports, statistics and codes of practice from worldwide sources. There is information on every subject from airport fire safety, to the use of abandoned buildings for fire training, facemasks, forest fires, loss prevention, sprinklers, and wildland fires. One of the databases - from the British Standards Institution contains references to over 3000 fire and fire related standards. To see for yourself how easy it is to get up-to-date information and for a 30-day free trial contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com | www.sheilapantry.com OSH UPDATE: New Internet-based service is
available and already being used worldwide
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