Safety Matters

HSE Fee for Intervention Scheme Now Live

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:47:00 +0000

The HSE’s new Fee for Intervention (FFI) cost recovery scheme came into force on 1 October 2012.

The HSE now has a duty under regulations 23 to 25 of the Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012 to recover its costs for carrying out its regulatory functions from businesses and organisations found to be in material breach of health and safety law.

Squatter Alert

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Commercial property owners need to be on the alert, as new legislation could potentially make empty commercial properties a target for squatters. From 1st September 2012 squatting in residential buildings became a criminal offence in England and Wales.

Metro Safety Sponsors Property Week Fire Safety Compliance CPD

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:47:00 +0000

As part of our on-going commitment to learning, Metro Safety are pleased to announce sponsorship of a new CPD module “Fire Safety Compliance” offered in association with Property Week.

Asbestos Management Plans

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Do you measure up when it comes to Asbestos Management Plans?

The Great British Asbestos Survey, published earlier this year, highlighted an alarming lack of awareness of asbestos management responsibilities amongst duty holders. An asbestos management plan is a legal requirement for all workplaces liable to contain asbestos yet according to the results not only did a disturbing 37% of duty holders not have a plan in place but 74% of those with an asbestos management plan, reviewed the plan outside the 6 month guidelines detailed in the ACoP.

HSE Safety Notice - Management of the Risks From Legionella Within Water Systems

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:47:00 +0000

The HSE has issued a Safety Notice targeting companies and organisations that use hot and cold water systems for bathing and washing or in manufacturing processes. It follows a separate notice published in July this year which was aimed at companies with cooling towers and evaporative condensers.

Keep Safe at Height

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:47:00 +0000

Falls from height remain one of the major causes of serous injuries and fatalities in work-related accidents. The latest figures show that 38 people died as a result of a fall in a workplace in Great Britain in 2010/11, and more than 4,000 suffered a major injury.

HSE Publishes New Health & Safety Statistics

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 16:47:00 +0000

On 31st October the HSE published its new Annual Statistics Report 2011/12. The key highlights of the report are summarised in the following article.

New Properties in Wales to have Sprinklers from September 2013

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:22:48 +0000

John Griffiths the Welsh Environment Minister recently announced that lifesaving sprinklers would be installed in all new build and converted properties in Wales from 2013.

A spokesman for the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) said “The progress made in Wales on this very important issue is to be applauded and we congratulate all those who have committed so much time and effort to this cause.”

HSE Issues New PAT Testing Guidance

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:11:03 +0000

The HSE has published new revised guidance on portable appliance testing (PAT) in an effort to stamp out the confusion which currently exists over testing requirements.

It is estimated that office based businesses are currently wasting around £30 million per year on unnecessary testing often due to misleading advice provided by companies offering testing.

Legionella Alert

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:19:40 +0000

News of the recent outbreak of Legionnaires disease has caused concern throughout Edinburgh and the surrounding areas.

At the time of writing the total number of suspected or confirmed cases of Legionnaires’ disease within the area stands at 95, consisting of 48 confirmed and 47 suspected cases. Two people, both with underlying health problems, have died from the disease.

HSE Safety Notice Regarding Vertical Lifting Platforms

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 14:18:40 +0000

The HSE has issued a safety notice to alert organisations with vertical lifting platforms for people with impaired mobility, or passenger lifts installed at their premises as to the potential risks from over-riding safety devices at landing doors designed to prevent access to lifting platforms/lift wells or shafts.

Fire Safety Tips for the Games

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:46:23 +0000

It’s going to get rather busy in London over the next few months. With road closures and additional responsibilities, it may take the emergency services longer to respond to urgent calls. You may also be considering changing the way your business or staff operate during the Games.

Parent Companies Liable for Subsidiaries

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 13:03:23 +0000

The Court of Appeal’s recent decision in the case of Chandler v Cape has far reaching consequences in terms of imposing a “Duty of Care” on a parent company for the health and safety of its subsidiaries employees.

The ruling involved the case of asbestosis sufferer David Chandler who successfully sued Cape plc. the parent company of his former employer, Cape Building Products Ltd, which manufactured asbestos products.

Survey Demonstrates Asbestos Management Gaps

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:52:34 +0000

The Great British Asbestos Survey 2011 is now published.

The survey is sponsored by UKAS accredited organisations who have the necessary training and experience in all aspects of survey work, including survey planning, resources, technical specification, quality control and ACM assessment criteria.

Essex Firefighters Plan Strike Action

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 12:47:29 +0000

The Fire Brigades Union has confirmed that Essex fire crews are set to strike on five days over summer in response to a dispute over frontline cuts.

The Fire Brigades Union said that if the current planned cuts go ahead Essex will have lost as many as a fifth of its frontline fighters since 2008 in addition to key pieces of fire-fighting equipment, with response times to fires taking longer as a result.

A Fresh New Look for Metro SRM

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:32:39 +0000

As many of you will be aware, last year Strategic Risk Management and Metro Safety joined forces to create Metro SRM LLP. The new partnership now represents the consultancy and training services division of the Metro Safety Group.

RIDDOR Changes from 6th April 2012

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:17:03 +0000

Just a reminder of the changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), which come into effect next month.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:11:25 +0000

The revised Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 were laid before Parliament on Monday 5th March. Subject to Parliamentary approval these will come into force on 6 April 2012.

Considering Refurbishing? Don’t Forget Asbestos

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 09:14:40 +0000

If you are thinking of refurbishing any of your properties then you need to make sure you have fulfilled your legal asbestos responsibilities before you start any work at the property.

Free Seminars

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 08:56:16 +0000

Each year we provide a programme of free seminars to help responsible persons fulfil their key compliance obligations and understand the relevant legislation.

HSE Delays Start Date of Health and Safety Cost Recovery Scheme

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:33:37 +0000

The HSE has announced that the implementation of its cost recovery scheme “Fee for Intervention” has been delayed and will not start in April 2012 as planned.

First RRO 2005 Trial by Jury Results in Fines of £260K

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 14:26:26 +0000

In February this year a London hotel and its sole Director were ordered to pay more than £260,000 after being found guilty of multiple breaches of the Fire Safety Order in what is believed to be the first trial by jury of a case under the 2005 legislation.

Is it Time to Review Your Emergency Plans?

krystle.cook@metrosafety.co.uk (Super User) — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:46:53 +0000

Given the significant press coverage most of you are no doubt already aware of the current controversy surrounding some fire and rescue services’ change in policy regarding the response to automatic fire alarms. According to Martin Harvey Chairman of the FIA there are now 29 different response policies in operation across 43 fire and rescue services.

Poor Asbestos Management Could Increase Risk to Teachers and Pupils

utopica@gmail.com (Yisela Alvarez) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:58:20 +0000

Michael Lees of the Asbestos in Schools (AiS) campaign has warned that the growth and popularity of free schools could expose teachers and pupils to health risks from poor asbestos management, unless the Government provides better asbestos training for governors and teachers.