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News Archive

March 2006

New research confirms low risk of exposure from asbestos containing textured coatings

New research on asbestos confirms that risks from asbestos containing textured coatings (TCs) are much lower than previously thought. The new research published today supports the proposal that work with textured coatings will no longer require a licence.

The UK Health and Safety Commission's (HSC) draft amendments to asbestos regulations, which have recently been the subject of consultation, aim to tighten overall controls. The proposed changes include a lower single control limit of 0.1 fibres per cm³ for work with all types of asbestos.

Textured coatings contain only small amounts of asbestos and this is bound in a matrix that does not readily release asbestos fibres when removed. In response to early comments received during consultation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) commissioned the Health and Safety Laboratory (HSL) to carry out further research into work with TCs.

Kevin Walkin, Head of Asbestos Policy at HSE, said:

"The research shows that the risk from asbestos-containing textured coatings is comparable to the risks from work with asbestos cement, which does not require a licence.

"We're not saying this work is no-risk - it still needs to be carried out by trained workers using appropriate controls. Licensing is an additional check on high-risk work and should reflect changing knowledge about risks to remain credible."

In the original research where standard controlled removal (wetting, air extraction) techniques were employed, the mean airborne asbestos fibre concentration was 0.08 f/cm³, which is below the proposed control limit of 0.1 f/cm³.

In the new research issues of removal from a wider range of surfaces, the effect of working with no air extraction and the effectiveness of the clearance based on a visual assessment alone, were addressed. The fibre concentrations were less than 0.1 f/cm³ when using the control removal techniques required in the draft Approved Code of Practice (AcoP),

HSL also tested clearance strategies inside enclosures during the new research. Measurements demonstrated that a fibre concentration of around 0.01 f/cm³ would be produced from disturbance required for clearance testing sampling. A simulation exercise at HSL showed that even if large amounts of debris remained after a removal, the airborne concentration would be very low and that visual assessment would be an effective method of assessing that the area was safe for reoccupation.

Measurements made just outside removal enclosures whilst textured decorative coatings were being removed indicated that it is unlikely that fibre releases would exceed 0.01 f/cm³ in the immediate area.

Kevin Walkin said: This new research shows that the level of asbestos fibres in the air from work with textured coatings will not exceed the proposed new control limit when carried out using good practice and that clearing up all the visible debris will be sufficient to ensure that premises are safe for reoccupation."

HSE will be presenting the findings of the new research to the HSC at its meeting on 14 March. No decisions will be taken at this meeting on any changes to the asbestos regulations.

HSE will be discussing the results of the new research with stakeholder representatives in April. HSE plans to make final recommendations to the HSC in May, with a view to introducing the revised Regulations on 1 October 2006. HSE will also publish a single ACoP, which will include requirements for work with TCs.

Summary Report On Additional Work Carried Out On The Monitoring Of Chrysotile Containing Textured Decorative Coatings, by Garry Burdett and Graham Revell: www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2006/hsl0619.pdf

The regulations will implement the 2003/18/EC amendment to the Asbestos Worker Protection Directive 83/477/EEC in Great Britain. They will also repeal and replace with a single set of regulations The Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, The Asbestos (Licensing) Regulations 1983, as amended and The Asbestos (Prohibitions) Regulations 1992 (Prohibitions Regulations), as amended.

The proposed regulations suggest a single, lower 'Control Limit' of 0.1 fibres per cm³ of air for all types of asbestos, measured over four hours and the Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) recommends a maximum peak level exposure of 0.6f/cm³ over ten minutes. This tightens the current limits.

A key element of HSE's work to reduce asbestos exposure is the 'duty to manage' that came into force on 21 May 2004 as part of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002 (CAWR). The duty is based on the principles of assessing and managing risk to protect workers and members of the public. It requires duty holders to find out whether their premises contain or may contain asbestos, to assess the risk from such materials, and take action to manage that risk.

Kansas State University Offers Free Library of Downloadable Safety Training Materials

Kansas State University has developed a free library of downloadable safety training materials in cooperation with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The training materials are suitable for self-study or as a component of traditional instructor-led training. The student workbooks and instructor´s guides are available as PDF files in English and Spanish at www.ksre.ksu.edu/agsafe.

All safety training materials may be downloaded free of charge and reproduced as needed for training. The training materials were developed for the landscaping and horticultural services industry, and current titles include: Mowing and Trimming Safety, Motor Vehicle Safety, Tractor Safety, Skid Steer Loader Safety, Chipper/Shredder Safety, Tree Trimming Safety, Aerial Lift Safety, Supervisor Manual, and Instructor Manual.

In addition, the same Web site provides links to pilot-test versions of training materials that are being developed for the food processing industry. These titles include Back Injury Prevention, Lift Truck Safety, Machine Hazards, Fall Prevention, and Working Safely Around Hazardous Substances. Spanish versions and additional titles will be available in the near future.

All safety training materials were developed through OSHA´s Susan Harwood Training Grant program, and all have been reviewed by OSHA personnel for accuracy.

Mitch Ricketts, CSP Health, Safety, and Environmental Coordinator, K-State Research & Extension 144 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-4008, USA | Tel: +1 785-532-7068 | Fax: +1 785-532-6563 | Email: mrickett@oznet.ksu.edu

PAS 56 to become a British Standard Business Continuity Management

Recognized by industry as the best practice guidance for business continuity planning, PAS 56:2003 has set the benchmark for Business Continuity Management (BCM) worldwide.

The emergence of PAS 56 was the first step in the process towards developing a standard for BCM following a number of drivers demanding a consistent approach to this hot topic. As it currently stands, the guidelines set out in PAS 56 continue to point organizations in the right direction with regard to their business continuity programmes but its status is that of an informal standard. However, that is set to change.

NEW Business Continuity Management Standards

BSI Business Information is pleased to announce that PAS 56 is to become a British Standard and will achieve formal standard status to be known as the BS 25999 series. This progression has received the full backing of interested parties including government, businesses and trade associations.

Coming End 2006

BS 25999-1:2006 Code of practice for business continuity management

The first part in the new BS 25999 series will establish the process, principles and terminology of BCM. It will provide a basis for understanding, developing and implementing business continuity within an organization to provide confidence in business-to-business and business-to-customer dealings. In addition, it will also provide a comprehensive set of controls based on BCM best practice and covers the whole BCM lifecycle.

BS 25999-1 Draft for Public Comment (DPC)

Due for publication in late spring 2006, the DPC for BS 25999-1 will be available to download for FREE at www.bsi-global.com/en/sectorsandservices/Disciplines/Risk-management
This will give the general public the opportunity to provide their comments and feedback on the DPC.

Coming Early 2007

BS 25999-2:2006 Specification for business continuity management

The second part of the new BS 25999 series will specify the requirements for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining and improving a documented business continuity management system within the context of an organization's overall business risks. It will also specify the requirements for the implementation of business continuity controls customized to the needs of individual organizations.

To keep up-to-date with the latest BS 25999 developments, sign up to receive BSI FREE Risk Management, CSR and Corporate Governance newsletter at www.bsi-uk.com/ecampaign

For orders, contact: BSI Customer Services quoting marketing reference code BCM-PR | Tel +44 (0)20 8996 9001 | Fax +44 (0)20 8996 7001 | Email: orders@bsi-global.com | www.bsi-global.com

Technology Provides Basis for Approved Mine System

A US National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH) developed technology provided a basis for a warning system approved by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) on February 6, 2006, for preventing miners from being crushed or pinned by continuous mining machines.

Some 29 such fatal incidents have occurred since 1984. The warning system approved by MSHA, TramGuard™, is based on technology developed by NIOSH under the HASARD research initiative. A transmitter on a continuous mining machine sends a signal to a receiver worn by a miner, prompting an alarm if the miner approaches too closely to the machine in the busy confines of a mine.

The MSHA notice is available at www.msha.gov/regs/complian/PIB/2006/pib06-03.asp.

More information: www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/topics/ProximityDetection.html

NIOSH Posts Nanotechnology Web Library for Use, Comment

US National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers a new, Web-based Nanoparticle Information Library (NIL), http://nanoparticlelibrary.net, for public use and comment. The new, interactive database responds to the needs of scientists, business leaders, and others for information on different types of nanoparticles in current use, their physical and chemical characteristics, and their occupational health and safety implications.

By providing the database, NIOSH hopes to further the ability of researchers and decision-makers to address the question of whether work-related exposures to nanomaterials may have unintended health consequences. The Library is part of NIOSH's strategic program for conducting advanced research on the occupational health and safety implications of nanotechnology, providing interim guidance on occupational health practices, and stimulating new partnerships.

Further information on this strategic program is available at www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/nanotech.

EurOHSE Masterclass on Training of business continuity management teams will be presented by Eve Coles and Les Moseley on 23rd May 2006, at the Royal National Hotel, Russell Square, London

The Masterclass aims to show what is needed to train Business Continuity Management Teams. It builds on existing knowledge and skills in Business Continuity Management that should be in place within the framework of managing health and safety at work.

Learning Objectives

At the completion of the Masterclass participants will have:

• increased their own knowledge of current practice in Business Continuity Management
• know-how to consult and train staff in establishing and communicating a clear policy throughout the organisation
• the knowledge /ability to be able to incorporate in the appropriate management structures and reporting the objectives to be achieved
• developed a planned approach Business Continuity informed by risk assessment and supported by standards, targets and knowledge of available tools to assist
• know-how to be able to periodically review performance against policy objectives and targets to ensure lessons learned are fed back into the risk management system and communicated to all staff

The Masterclass is aimed at:

OSH managers, directors and others responsible for Business Continuity Management Teams, risk managers and emergency and business continuity planners in industry, commerce and local and central government.

Presenters

Eve Coles is module leader at the University of Coventry for a level 2 module in Crisis Management, level 3 modules in Organisational Management in Disaster Relief and Disaster Studies, and a postgraduate level module in Emergency Management Studies. She is also responsible for the Diploma in Business Continuity Management and modules in Risk Assessment for Emergency Planners and Business Continuity for the Public Sector on the Diploma in Emergency Planning. She also contributes to a module at level 1 in Disaster theory, Research methods at level 3 and other postgraduate modules.

Eve originally trained as a teacher at Margaret McMillian College of Education, Bradford gaining a Certificate of Education. She is a graduate in Social Studies from the University of Bradford and is registered for her Ph.D at the University of Durham. Eve has presented papers at many conferences and written books, reports and articles.

Les is Director of the Coventry Centre for Disaster Management and Course Leader for the professional diploma course in Emergency Planning. Before joining Coventry University, Les spent 16 years in the British Fire Service 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 to this, County Emergency Planning Officer for Warwickshire County Council. Les 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' recent research contracts have included Emergency Preparedness in Qatar and an assessment of the Swedish Rescue Service Agency's response during the Asian Tsunami. He is also an advisor to the International Civil Defence Organisation and the World Health Organisation and regularly supports 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.

Les is Director of the Coventry Centre for Disaster Management and Programme Manager for the professional diploma courses including the Diploma in Business Continuity Management. 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. He is an advisor to the International Civil Defence Organisation and the World Health Organisation and regularly supports them in education initiatives worldwide as well as carrying out worldwide consultancies. Les is also a regular contributor to the local and national media.

EurOhse 2006 Masterclasses 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.

The Trainers are all very experienced and the first three Masterclasses will be held in May 2006 in the Edward V11 Suite, Royal National Hotel, Russell Square London, details as follows:

Tuesday, 23 May 2006
MASTERCLASS - Training of business continuity management teams
Trainers - Eve Coles and Les Moseley, University of Coventry, Centre for Disaster Management.

Wednesday, 24 May 2006
MASTERCLASS - Training of emergency planning teams
Trainers - Les Moseley and Eve Coles, University of Coventry, Centre for Disaster Management.

Thursday, 25 May 2006
MASTERCLASS - Active Monitoring
Trainer - Dr Tim Marsh, Managing Director, Ryder-Marsh (Safety) Ltd

The second group of three Masterclasses will be held in November 2006 in the Tudor Room, Imperial Hotel, Russell Square, London

Tuesday 7 November 2006
MASTERCLASS - Training in management of road risk (MORR)
Trainers - Roger Bibbings, RoSPA and others

Wednesday 8 November 2006
MASTERCLASS - How to implement drinks and drugs policies in the workplace
Trainers - Ava Fine and John Griffiths, Work2 Health

Thursday 9 November 2006
MASTERCLASS - Working at Heights
Trainers - Geoff Hornby, Alex Sammut and Paul Ramsden, ISAC UK Ltd

Places will be limited for these interactive Masterclasses ... Bookings have already started - make sure that you book early.

SPECIAL REGISTRATION OFFER

The cost per Masterclass is £295.

If you register for 2 Masterclass events you will receive a 10% discount.
If you register for 4 or more Masterclass events you will receive a 20% discount

Payment must be received prior to the event. Delegates are responsible for making hotel bookings. The organisers reserve the right to alter the content of the programme. Payment can be made online via our secure World Pay system, payment can be made by cheque or you can request an invoice to be sent to you. This booking includes admission to the Masterclass and lunch/coffee for the day.

For further details regarding the content of the Masterclasses contact the programme organiser Sheila Pantry | Tel: +44 (0)1909 771024 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com

For further details regarding booking a place contact: EurOhse 2006, Office and Logistics Manager, European Occupational Health and Safety Magazine (EurOhs), Angel Business Communications Ltd, 34 Warwick Road, Kenilworth CV8 1HE, Warwickshire, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1926 512424 | Fax: +44 (0) 1926 512948 | Email: jesse@angelbc.co.uk

3-8 December 2006 Nanotechnology Conference in the USA

NIOSH and the University of Cincinnati will cosponsor the International Conference on Nanotechnology Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety: Research to Practice on December 3-8, 2006 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The conference is centered on the impact of nanotechnology on occupational and environmental health and safety from two perspectives: promotion and protection of individual safety and health along the life cycle of nano-based products, and the use of emerging technology in prevention, detection and treatment of occupational and environmental diseases. The deadline for receipt of abstracts for paper presentations and workshops is May 31, 2006. Abstracts for poster presentations will be accepted until June 30, 2006.

OSH UPDATE keeps everyone informed and healthily and safe

Keeping up-to-date in worldwide occupational health, safety, hygiene, road safety, water safety, environment trends and the latest information can be time consuming. Do budget constraints not allow you to buy all the latest journals, newsletters and documents that contain the latest information? Can't afford the time to search for the latest information, legislation and standards? No staff to search for this information? And no time yourself to spend hours searching for information?

Then do what many organisations and individuals have done recently and take out a subscription to OSH UPDATE!

This newly launched, very affordable Internet based service OSH UPDATE, from Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd is the answer for you. Powered by Head Software International's Headfast/Discovery Internet publishing software, OSH UPDATE containing over 540,000 references is now available and is updated monthly see www.oshupdate.com

OSH UPDATE records has links to the full text where possible - this is all done for you!

It currently contains ten bibliographic databases from worldwide authoritative sources:

• UK legislation database - links all the references dated from 1987 direct to the full text - i.e. majority of content of this database
• UK Health and Safety Executive HSELINE - we have added over 1700 full text links to HSE's own documents
• UK Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
• Publications from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work we have made all the references link direct to full text
• NIOSHTICS US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), strong on full text links - to their own documents and also to some journals
• Canada Ryerson University RILOSH
• CISDOC the International Labour Office CIS Health and Safety Centre database has many full text links especially to ILO documents and in the last couple of years
• ILO Recommendations, Protocols and Conventions has all links to the full text
• European Union legislation has links to full text for the majority of the references
• OSH standards specifications including those from the British Standards Institution.

OSH UPDATE will expand - we are continuing to make agreements with other well-known information producers around the world and these databases will also be included. As well as the latest information, many reference sources go back 80 or more years and so a valuable tool for researchers, trainers and practitioners.

This new aggregation of databases contains thousands of relevant references with abstracts or keywords and will keep you and your colleagues alerted to hot topics such as the health risks of nanotechnology, corporate killing and corporate social responsibility, bio-terrorism, management of road risks, preparedness and business continuity and risk assessment.

The title price for a single user via the Internet is GBP250.00/Euros 360.00 /US$ 450.00 per year - less than 68 pence/1 Euro /1.2 dollars per day

The price* (see below for further details) reflects our aim to bring health and safety guidance, Advice, research, journal articles, papers, standards to the attention of health and safety practitioners and managers, researchers, trade union safety representatives, occupational physicians, information specialists in industry, colleges and universities, government staff, inspectors, university and college safety directors, university and college lecturers and those in training - at a cost that is affordable and a service that is time efficient.

A user in Finland says "OSH UPDATE it is excellent and easy to use".
A Hong Kong multi user group says "it is what we need to keep us up-to-date".
A busy UK consultant says "it is very useful, and saves me a lot of time from having to search many sources elsewhere".

Why not take a 30-DAY FREE TRIAL of OSH UPDATE and see for yourself.

If you are interested in taking up this service on trial please email/fax with your details, or contact us to ask further questions.

Sheila Pantry OBE BA FCLIP, Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 Email: sp@sheilapantry.com | www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com | www.oshupdate.com
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Environment and Waste Plus

At a time when environment and waste information is ever more increasing and the legislation is more complex help is needed to guide busy managers and practitioners quickly and easily to the data they need for compliance with the law.

Up-to-date information from a wide variety of sources - the European Commission, the UK Government and the devolved Parliaments, the agencies and other organisations is needed on environment and integrated pollution prevention control (IPPC) and waste that also meet your ISO 14001 information needs for accreditation requirements. Guidance, advice and technical details are covered.

The answer for busy people at affordable costs - for less than GBP2 / US$3 a day is the newly launched ENVIRONMENT and WASTE PLUS published by Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd which contains a number of Full text databases and a Bibliographic database that may be searched either separately or together. These databases offer extensive coverage of FULL TEXT information on the topics of integrated pollution and prevention control, environment protection and waste.

Constantly updated and enlarged, Environment and Waste Plus, previously established some seven years ago as Environment Plus is re-launched to reflect the ever-increasing topic of waste and related information.

Easy to use software ensures that words and phrases that can be used to retrieve the required paragraph or instructions in a document is also a necessity when time is short and the information is needed quickly. Downloading or printing out the information or transferring to an individual's own document is also another facility. A major consideration is the price to have such a collection available to use whenever and wherever the busy practitioner requires it.

Thousands of full text pages of text are instantly accessible in ENVIRONMENT and WASTE PLUS which contains the following information:

• appropriate European Commission Directives, Regulations and Decisions, UK Acts of Parliament and appropriate Statutory Instruments from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Various Series from the Environment Agency and DEFRA
• Planning Policy Guidance Series (PPGs)
• Process Guidance Notes Series (PGs)
• Technical Guidance Notes (TGs)
• Chief Inspector Guidance Series 1 (IPRs)
• Chief Inspector Guidance Series 2 (S 2)
• Pollution Prevention Guidelines (PPG)
• Plus other relevant documents.

In addition, Environment and Waste Plus contains:

• UK Government Department DEFRA's Information Service extensive bibliographic database of over 150,000 references to worldwide sources of information.

Environment and Waste Plus is based on SilverPlatter's WinSPIRS software which will give the user quick and easy access to a wealth of important publications. The user can download data and print out required documents as well as cross search the database with other titles that use the WinSPIRS software such as the FIRE, EMERGENCY AND PREPAREDNESS WORLDWIDE and OSH-IRELAND. Available via the Internet or on CD-ROM It is also possible to network to enable simultaneous access by multiple users in an organisation. Users will be able to use their own personal computers to give authoritative and validated answers to questions on all aspects of environment and waste concerns.

30 Day FREE TRIAL

Why not try ENVIRONMENT and WASTE PLUS for yourself and check out the contents of these exciting sources of information against your own workplace or academic needs.

Send your request for either an Internet or CD-ROM trial now.

• A 30-day trial free of charge means that, in the case of CD-ROMs, you will be sent the database you have requested for evaluation over a period of 30 days. If you decide to keep the database, Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd will invoice you.
• If you decide that you do not wish to purchase the database, simply return it to Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd and there will be no charge.

In the case of Internet trials, access will be timed out after 30 days.

Contact: Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd, 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield S26 1JG, UK | Tel: +44 (0) 1909 771024 | Fax: +44 (0) 1909 772829 | Email: sp@sheilapantry.com | www.sheilapantry.com | www.oshworld.com | www.shebuyersguide.com | www.oshupdate.com NEW
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