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The Occupational Health & Safety Information Service

Health & Safety News Brief with Events and Prosecutions

Issue Number 303 June 2018

The Occupational Health & Safety Information Service

Health & Safety News Brief – Issue No. 303 1

Welcome to this edition of the

Occupational Health & Safety Information Service News Brief This edition of our News Brief continues the inclusion of content from our partners at the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and Sheila Pantry Associates. The CIEH is a registered charity and the professional voice for environmental health. They provide information, training, evidence and policy advice to public health, health and safety, environmental management regulators and practitioners in the public and private sectors. For more information about the CIEH please visit uk.ihs.com/about/cieh.html From Sheila Pantry Associates we have the latest prosecutions, and training and conference events. We are keen to hear your feedback on the content and if you have any suggestions for how we can further enhance the News Brief for you. To provide your feedback please email [email protected] and title your email ‘OHSIS News Brief’. Please share this newsletter with your colleagues and keep them up-to-date with the latest news.

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The Occupational Health & Safety Information Service Health & Safety News Brief – Issue No. 303

CONTENTS About This Edition This publication is produced by IHS Markit. If you have any comments or queries about the service, please contact Customer Services at [email protected], or visit our website at uk.ihs.com Welcome to this edition of the Occupational Health & Safety Information Service News Brief .............. 1

CONTENTS............................................................................................................................................. 2

PROSECUTIONS ................................................................................................................................... 4

Company Fined £120,000 After Admitting Safety Failures ................................................................. 4

An Inverurie company has been fined after a teenage worker was seriously injured. .................... 4

BUPA Fined £3m After Death Of Elderly Resident ............................................................................. 4

A care provider has been fined following the death of a resident at an Essex nursing home after he contracted Legionnaires’ disease. .............................................................................................. 4

Maidstone Company Fined Following Death Of Worker ..................................................................... 5

A Maidstone company has been sentenced after a maintenance worker fell five metres through a roof and died. ................................................................................................................................... 5

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Pleads Guilty Following Investigation ................................................ 6

Before Woolwich Crown Court, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust today pleaded guilty to charges under Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974 ................................ 6

Company Fined For Poor Condition Of Asbestos Containing Materials ............................................. 6

A company which manufactures and distributes furniture was fined £6,000 for failing to properly assess the risk from exposure to asbestos containing materials. ................................................... 6

Construction Firm And Director Fined For Failure To Comply With Prohibition Notices..................... 6

D & S Building Solutions Ltd and its director Daniel Schipor have been fined after failing to comply with prohibition notices. ....................................................................................................... 6

Two Companies Fined After Worker Fell From Height ....................................................................... 7

A contractor and scaffolding company were sentenced today for safety breaches after a worker fell five metres from a roof. .............................................................................................................. 7

Company Fined After Worker Trapped By Falling Scrap Lead ........................................................... 8

A lead recycling company was sentenced after a worker was trapped under a load of falling scrap lead. ................................................................................................................................................. 8

Contractor Fined After Employee Run Over By Road Roller .............................................................. 8

A road resurfacing company was fined £15,400 after an employee was run over by a road roller. 8

Property Management Consultancy And Asbestos Surveying Company Fined After Inadequate Refurbishment ..................................................................................................................................... 9

A property management consultancy and an asbestos surveying company have been fined after an inadequate refurbishment and demolition survey was provided for a major refurbishment project including partial demolition. .................................................................................................. 9

Luxury Yacht Building Company Fined £167,000 And Ordered To Pay Costs Of £7,000 After Engineer Injured .................................................................................................................................. 9

A luxury yacht building company has been fined following an engineer losing consciousness after being struck on the back of the head by a solid metal bracket weighing 147kg.............................. 9

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Two Companies Fined For Serious Breaches Involving The Removal Of Asbestos ........................ 10

A residential property management company and a specialist installation contractor have been fined after a resident raised concerns about soffit replacement work carried out on the guttering on three blocks of flats in London. ................................................................................................. 10

Company Fined After Worker Injured By Wall Collapse ................................................................... 10

A landscaping services company was sentenced today after a worker was seriously injured when a retaining wall collapsed into a trench. ......................................................................................... 10

Exmouth Building Companies Fined After Disregarding Health And Safety Regulations ................. 11

Coast & Country Construction Limited and Paul Humphries Architects Ltd have both been sentenced today after serious breaches of their health and safety duties. ................................... 11

Partners Fined After Farm Worker Injured ........................................................................................ 12

Two partners in a farming company have been fined after an employee received serious injuries when his arm was drawn into the rollers of a potato grading machine. ......................................... 12

Company Fined After Employee Suffers Serious Burns ................................................................... 12

A company that produces metal sheet components has been fined after a worker suffered burns to his, face, ears and head. ........................................................................................................... 12

Company Fined After Worker Suffers Life Changing Injuries ........................................................... 13

A construction company has today been fined after a worker fell through a roof and suffered life changing injuries. ........................................................................................................................... 13

EVENTS ................................................................................................................................................ 14

EVENTS TIMETABLE: July 2018 – August 2018 ................................................................................. 27

Welcome to the second part of the Occupational Health & Safety Information Service News Brief .... 31

CIEH CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................. 31

Editorial Advisory Board Sheila Pantry OBE - OSH Consultant Strategic Editor [email protected]

Acoura, Health and Safety Consultancy Support [email protected]



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PROSECUTIONS

Company Fined £120,000 After Admitting Safety Failures An Inverurie company has been fined after a teenage worker was seriously injured.

Aberdeen Sherriff Court heard that 17-year-old Michael Paul Mark Mclean was found seriously injured

at the premises of Denholm MacNamee Limited on 14 August 2015.

The Inverurie company, which provides support services to the oil, gas and utilities industries,

admitted safety failings.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified failings by Denholm MacNamee

Limited in relation to the risks to the health and safety of Michael in his special capacity as a young

person at work and in relation to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of all the employees who

were engaged in the task of ultra-high pressure blasting and painting of a cable spooler machine.

Denholm MacNamee Limited of Souterford Avenue, Inverurie Business Park, Inverurie pleaded guilty

to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £120,000 on 4

December 2017.

Speaking after the hearing HSE principal inspector, Niall Miller said:

‘The failures of Denholm MacNamee Limited put Michael McLean and other employees at a greater

risk of injury.

‘This conviction highlights the need for effective risk management particularly when those involved in

the work activity are young or otherwise vulnerable. Employers must ensure that they consider the

capacity of their workforce and provide appropriate levels of control to prevent risk occurring’

BUPA Fined £3m After Death Of Elderly Resident A care provider has been fined following the death of a resident at an Essex nursing home after he contracted Legionnaires’ disease.

Kenneth Ibbetson, 86, died three months after moving into Hutton Village Nursing Home, which is

operated by BUPA Care Homes (BNH) Ltd.

Ipswich Crown Court heard that Mr Ibbetson had moved into the care home in March 2015 when he

was no longer able to cope at home. In June 2015 Mr Ibbetson contracted Legionnaires’ disease, a

serious waterborne form of pneumonia, and later died in Basildon Hospital on 23 June 2015.

An investigation into Mr Ibbetson’s death was carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The investigation found that for more than a year, during which time major refurbishment works were

carried out, BUPA Care Homes (BNH) Ltd failed to implement the necessary control and monitoring

measures required to safely manage their hot and cold water system. It also found those responsible

for overseeing legionella controls and for taking crucial water temperature measurements had not

been trained to the required standard.

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BUPA Care Homes (BNH) Ltd of Bridge House, Outwood Lane, Leeds, pleaded to breaching Section

3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company has today been fined £3m and ordered

to pay costs of £151,482.

Mr Ibbetson’s daughter Caroline Peters told the court: ‘Our father’s tragic and untimely death was a

terrible shock to me and my two sisters. We had carefully selected Bupa Nursing Home at Hutton

Village, expecting that a leading health care company could be trusted with our father’s health and

safety. (His death) shouldn’t have happened.

‘The evidence (of)…non-conformities and lack of managerial training was shocking and depressing

and brought on feelings of utter despair for our family.’

Speaking after the hearing, HSE principal inspector Vicky Fletcher said: ‘It is heart-breaking to think

Kenneth contracted Legionnaires’ a matter of weeks after moving into the Hutton Village Care Home.

His family have been left devastated by his sudden death.

‘Mr Ibbetson and other residents were exposed to the risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease

because adequate controls were not in place. The risk is more acute in care home settings because

residents are more susceptible due to their underlying health conditions. We would expect those who

have a duty of care to understand this and have the necessary controls in place to manage the risk.’

Maidstone Company Fined Following Death Of Worker A Maidstone company has been sentenced after a maintenance worker fell five metres through a roof and died.

Folkstone Magistrates’ Court heard that on, 23 September 2015, Justin Hewitt fell through an opening

that was being created on the roof of the premises of Maidstone Studios Ltd.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the tower scaffold used to access

the roof was damaged, had not been correctly erected and had been purchased second hand by

Maidstone Studios Limited with no manufacturer’s instructions. No formal planning had been recorded

for the work, which was outside the scope of the general maintenance duties of the team.

The work had been discussed, and planned to be carried out from below, but no-one identified the

errors with the towers, ladder sections being the wrong way round, damaged bracing or the

inadequate guardrails.

The towers were erected by Mr Hewitt, but he had been given no formal training on how they should

be erected safely. Although he was supervising the work, no checks were made of how it was actually

being carried out.

Maidstone Studios Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at

Work Act 1974. The company has been fined £30,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,487.76.

HSE inspector Stephen Green said: ‘Had the work been properly planned with suitable access

equipment, correctly placed and erected, by those with adequate training, the work could have been

done safely and this tragedy could have been averted.

‘Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and

the risks associated with working at height are well known.’

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Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust Pleads Guilty Following Investigation Before Woolwich Crown Court, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust today pleaded guilty to charges under Sections 2(1) and 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Etc Act 1974. This follows a HSE investigation into serious injuries to two members of staff at the Bracton Centre on Bracton Lane, Dartford on 17 July 2016.

This prosecution has been brought by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The case is next due to be heard at Woolwich Crown Court on 17 August 2018.

A HSE spokesperson said: ‘HSE acknowledges the defendant’s guilty plea but will not make a further

comment until after sentencing.’

Company Fined For Poor Condition Of Asbestos Containing Materials A company which manufactures and distributes furniture was fined £6,000 for failing to properly assess the risk from exposure to asbestos containing materials.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that, during an inspection on 6 August 2014, concerns were raised by a

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector about significant damage to what appeared to be

asbestos containing materials which were encasing the structural columns and beams of the

premises.

An investigation by HSE found that Aquapac Limited failed to properly assess the risks to employees’

exposure to asbestos containing materials and failed to take measures necessary to protect

employees from exposure to asbestos. The investigation also found that the company failed to ensure

that anyone working on the premises was aware of the presence of the material (to make sure that it

was not disturbed and to deal with any inadvertent disturbance to prevent the spread of asbestos

fibres).

Aquapac Limited of The Quadrangle, 59 Ruchill Street, Glasgow G20 9PX pleaded guilty to breaching

of Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £6,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Russell Berry said: ‘This incident could so easily have

been avoided had the company simply monitored the condition of the asbestos containing materials

(ACMs) at their premises and had in place robust procedures to deal with any deterioration or

damage to those ACMs.

‘Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate action against those that

fall below the required standards.’

Construction Firm And Director Fined For Failure To Comply With Prohibition Notices D & S Building Solutions Ltd and its director Daniel Schipor have been fined after failing to comply with prohibition notices.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how D & S Solutions Ltd, under the control of its director Daniel

Schipor, was issued with two prohibition notices on site. It was found that persons were at serious risk

of fall and injury from the unprotected edges of an excavation and at immediate risk of injury from

potential collapse of the unsupported excavation.

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An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that D & S Building Solutions Ltd

and Daniel Schipor had not taken any steps to comply with the prohibition notices prohibiting any

work near the open edge of the excavation, and had not taken measures to prevent dislodgement of

material and collapse of the excavation.

D & S Building Solutions Ltd of George V Avenue, Pinner, Middlesex pleaded guilty to two counts of

breaching Section 22 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £2,000

and ordered to pay costs of £2,000

Daniel Schipor pleaded guilty to breaching two counts of Section 37 by virtue of Section 22 of the

Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Saif Deen said: ‘The risks associated with work related to

excavations are well known throughout the construction industry. ‘D & S Building Solutions Ltd and

Daniel Schipor failed to comply with prohibition notices and continued to put persons at risk of serious

injury.’

Two Companies Fined After Worker Fell From Height A contractor and scaffolding company were sentenced today for safety breaches after a worker fell five metres from a roof.

Leeds Magistrates’ Court heard how in December 2015 Jhanade Ryan, a sub-contractor working for

Centreco (UK) Ltd, was installing solar panels to the roof of Firth Steels, Brighouse.

Mr Ryan suffered life changing injuries. He slipped on the roof, sliding down to the edge protection.

The toe board of the edge protection snapped and he fell through the scaffold, landing on a sub-

station flat roof. He sustained a fracture to his spine, a broken coccyx and nerve damage. Mr Ryan

was in hospital for almost three months and is now unable to work due to ongoing mobility issues.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the scaffolding company had not

erected the scaffold to a known industry standard or design.

The investigation also found roof lights were present on the roof and that the contractor had failed to

take effective measures to prevent workers falling through these fragile surfaces.

Oswestry Shropshire Scaffold Ltd of Pool Cottage, Oswestry, Shropshire pleaded guilty to breaching

Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and has been fined £28,800 and ordered to

pay £945.20 in costs.

Centreco (UK) Ltd of Hearle House, Chorley, Lancs pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and has been fined £33,500 and ordered to pay £945.20 in costs.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Jayne Towey commented: ‘Falls from height often result in life

changing or fatal injuries. In most cases these accidents are needless and could be prevented by

properly planning to ensure that effective preventative and protective measures are in place such as

edge protection or barriers built to the correct standard.’

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Company Fined After Worker Trapped By Falling Scrap Lead A lead recycling company was sentenced after a worker was trapped under a load of falling scrap lead.

Luton Magistrates’ Court heard how on 5 May 2016 an employee of H J Enthoven Ltd was operating

the overhead crane, lifting a bin containing scrap lead when the bin slipped, emptying its contents

onto the crane operator, trapping and injuring him.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the work was not suitably

planned and supervised by a competent person or carried out in a safe manner.

H J Enthoven Ltd of South Darley, Matlock pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and

Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and has been fined £200,000 and ordered to pay costs of £ 6509.69.

Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Rubeena Surnam said: ‘This incident could so easily have

been avoided if the company had properly planned the work and implemented the control measures

identified.

‘Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action

against those that fall below the required standards.’

Contractor Fined After Employee Run Over By Road Roller A road resurfacing company was fined £15,400 after an employee was run over by a road roller.

Ayr Sherriff Court heard that on 3 November 2015 an employee of Newlay Civil Engineering Ltd

reversed a road roller over the leg of fellow employee, Thomas Shaw. The incident happened at

Knockbreck Road, Straiton in South Ayrshire, when the road was undergoing re-surfacing work.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the vehicle in question was

operating without a flashing beacon and the reversing alarm was not working.

Newlay Civil Engineering Ltd pled guilty to breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Provision and Use of

Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and was fined £15,400.

Speaking after the hearing HSE principal inspector, Graeme McMinn said:

‘This case highlights the importance of regular pro-active maintenance and pre-use inspection of work

equipment, including flashing beacons and reversing alarms.

‘In this case, Newlay Civil Engineering Ltd failed to effectively maintain their road roller and it could

easily have resulted in a fatality.’

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Property Management Consultancy And Asbestos Surveying Company Fined After Inadequate Refurbishment A property management consultancy and an asbestos surveying company have been fined after an inadequate refurbishment and demolition survey was provided for a major refurbishment project including partial demolition.

Dudley Magistrates’ Court heard how the survey undertaken by Home Inspectors Southern Limited

failed to identify asbestos cement and asbestos insulating board (AIB) containing Chrysotile and

Amosite asbestos.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the surveyor had no training in

asbestos surveying or previous work experience with a suitably qualified person or accredited

organisation. The survey also incorrectly advised that a non-licensed contractor could be engaged to

remove the large quantity of AIB identified. Home Inspectors Southern Limited were not asked for any

information by Vital Property Solutions Limited to demonstrate their skills, knowledge, experience and

training relating to asbestos surveying.

Vital Property Solutions Limited of Desborough Street, High Wycombe pleaded guilty to breaching

Section 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company has been fined £8,400 and

ordered to pay costs of £929.67.

Home Inspectors Southern Limited of Hawthorn Close, Brighton pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3

(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The company has been fined £4,800 and ordered to

pay costs of £929.67.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Edward Fryer said: ‘Asbestos surveyors have a duty of

care to those persons who use the information they provide. The survey missed a significant amount

of asbestos contaminated materials (ACM’s) thus increasing the risk to workers, who would be

disturbing the fabric of the buildings during the refurbishment/demolition project. The risk arises from

workers unknowingly working on ACM, and not taking effective precautions to prevent exposure and

spread of asbestos fibres. Where surveyors fall well short of the standard then HSE will take robust

action.

Luxury Yacht Building Company Fined £167,000 And Ordered To Pay Costs Of £7,000 After Engineer Injured A luxury yacht building company has been fined following an engineer losing consciousness after being struck on the back of the head by a solid metal bracket weighing 147kg.

Poole Magistrates’ Court heard how the employee of Sunseeker International Limited was working

under the hull of an 86-foot yacht adjusting the height of a prop when the bracket came free. The

worker suffered a large laceration to the top of his head and lost consciousness. He suffered

concussion for several weeks and pain in his neck from a torn muscle. He was off work for six weeks

and received physiotherapy for 15 months.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 28

January 2016, found that the company failed to provide a safe system of work to ensure safety during

the task of realigning the brackets on the hull of the yacht.

Sunseeker International Limited pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 2 (1) of the Health and Safety

at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined £167,000 and ordered to pay costs of £7,000 and a victim

surcharge of £120.

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Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Victoria Bailey said: ‘Those in control of work have a

responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to inform, instruct and train their workers in the

safe system of working.

‘If a suitable, safe system of work had been implemented prior to the incident, the serious injuries

sustained by the employee could have been prevented.’

Two Companies Fined For Serious Breaches Involving The Removal Of Asbestos A residential property management company and a specialist installation contractor have been fined after a resident raised concerns about soffit replacement work carried out on the guttering on three blocks of flats in London.

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard that in July 2016, Squaredeal UPVC & Renewables Limited of

Rustington, West Sussex (‘Squaredeal) had been contracted by Wildheart Residential Management

Limited of Ewell, Epsom, Surrey (‘Wildheart’) to replace the soffits on the blocks in a housing estate at

Sutton Grove, Sutton, London.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Wildheart instructed

Squaredeal to carry out the work, but failed to check whether the soffits contained asbestos.

Squaredeal had the soffits analysed and became aware they contained asbestos but started to

remove the soffits without adequate precautions to ensure workers and residents were protected.

Squaredeal UPVC & Renewables Limited was fined a total of £18,500, and ordered to pay £5,607.90

in costs after pleading guilty to offences under Regulations 5, 8(1) and 11(1) of the Control of

Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Wildheart Residential Management Limited was fined £8,000, and ordered to pay £3000 in costs after

pleading guilty to an offence under Regulation 4(3) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

HSE inspector Fu Lee commented after the hearing:

‘The work risked not only the workers, but also the residents of the flats being exposed to disturbed

asbestos. Exposure to asbestos can lead to a number of diseases, including asbestosis or fibrosis

(scarring) of the lungs; lung cancer and mesothelioma. These diseases are irreversible, disabling and

in most cases eventually fatal.

‘The latest statistics show that asbestos related disease cause approximately 5000 deaths a year. All

asbestos-related diseases typically take many years to develop after exposure.

‘This incident could have been avoided if the companies had taken appropriate action to identify the

type of asbestos and engage an appropriately qualified contractor to carry out the work safely.’

Company Fined After Worker Injured By Wall Collapse A landscaping services company was sentenced today after a worker was seriously injured when a retaining wall collapsed into a trench.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 7 November 2016, an employee of Award Winning

Greenfingers Limited was undertaking groundworks to install a new timber retaining structure in the

rear garden of a property at Beamish, County Durham.

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While excavating a trench in front of an existing blockwork wall, a section of the wall collapsed and fell

onto the worker, trapping him underneath. As a result, he sustained a complex fracture to his pelvis

which required surgery and he has not been able to return to work since the incident.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the company failed to properly

plan and manage the installation of the timber structure, and had not put sufficient control measures

in place to prevent the collapse of the existing blockwork wall.

Award Winning Greenfingers Limited of Saltwell View, Gateshead pleaded guilty to breaching

Regulation 19 (1) of The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and was fined

£20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £1048.86 and a victim surcharge of £220.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Cain Mitchell said: ‘This case highlights the dangers of

undermining a freestanding wall by excavating alongside the structure without appropriate planning

and the necessary precautions in place.

‘If the company had implemented reasonably practicable measures that minimised the risk to persons

working next to such structures this incident could easily have been avoided’’

Exmouth Building Companies Fined After Disregarding Health And Safety Regulations Coast & Country Construction Limited and Paul Humphries Architects Ltd have both been sentenced today after serious breaches of their health and safety duties.

Exeter Magistrates’ Court heard that, in early 2016, a concern was raised about the lack of health and

safety controls at a large timber frame extension being built onto Manor Lodge Residential Home in

Exmouth. On 1 March 2016, inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) visited the site

and found numerous health and safety breaches.

During the site inspection, uncontrolled high-risk activities were witnessed that put workers at risk of

death, serious injuries or ill health. The risks included falls from height, fire, slips and trips and poorly

controlled wood dust. The inspection found there was a total disregard for health and safety and site

management. In particular, the risk of fire spread associated with the construction of a timber frame

extension adjoining an existing building. 80 physically and/or mentally impaired residents of the home

were put at risk of injury or death due to the possibility of fire spreading into the home.

The subsequent investigation by the HSE found that the work was not properly planned, nor

appropriately supervised or carried out in a safe manner. Coast & Country Construction Limited

(formerly known as Make a Loft a Home) as the principal contractor, had a duty to control how the

work was carried out and to ensure that the work would be completed safely. The timber frame

extension work was designed by Paul Humphries Architects Ltd who failed to perform their duties as

the principal designer and failed to consider the risk of fire spread to the vulnerable residents.

Coast & Country Construction Limited of Concord Road, Exmouth did not attend court but were found

guilty in their absence to breaching Section 2 (1) and 3 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act

1974, and have been fined £150,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,039.

Paul Humphries Architects Ltd of Salterton Road, Exmouth pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11

(1) and 11 (3) of the Construction (Design and Management) Regs 2015, and have been fined

£20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,039.

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Speaking after the hearing HSE inspector Nicole Buchanan said ‘Those in control of work have a

responsibility to devise safe methods of working and to provide the necessary information, instruction

and training to their workers in the safe system of working.’

‘Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those that

fail to control workplace risks appropriately.’

Partners Fined After Farm Worker Injured Two partners in a farming company have been fined after an employee received serious injuries when his arm was drawn into the rollers of a potato grading machine.

Lincoln Magistrates Court heard today how, on 21 October 2016, an employee of Leverton Brothers

was cleaning and emptying a potato grading machine when his right arm was drawn into the

unguarded contra-rotating haulm rollers. In order to check that the grader was emptying, he climbed

onto the side of the grader and reached across in an attempt to move the remaining potatoes. His

glove was caught by the rollers, drawing his arm in and it took 45 minutes to release him.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) identified that a safe stop procedure could

have been followed, and that the contra-rotating rollers should have been guarded.

David and Philip Leverton pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 3 (1) of the Management of Health

and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and Regulation 11 of the Provision and Use of Work

Equipment Regulations 1998. They were each fined £5,000 and each ordered to pay costs of £892.10

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Martin Giles said:

‘This injury could have been easily prevented and the risk should have been identified. Employers

should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from

dangerous parts of machinery.’

Company Fined After Employee Suffers Serious Burns A company that produces metal sheet components has been fined after a worker suffered burns to his, face, ears and head.

Hereford Magistrates’ Court heard how, on 12 September 2016, an employee of Mettech (Hereford)

Limited sustained burns when attempting to light a gas burner present within a powder coating oven.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found the gas oven involved did not meet

current health and safety standards in that it did not have a flame failure device to prevent the

accumulation of unlit gas within the oven. And the gas oven had not been adequately maintained or

inspected by a person competent in gas safety. The company also failed to ensure that their

employees followed a safe system of work.

Mettech (Hereford) Limited of Folbigg Court, Rotherwas Industrial Estate, Hereford has pleaded guilty

to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and has been fined £20,000 and

ordered to pay costs of £2685.45.

After the hearing HSE inspector Sarah Reilly commented: ‘This incident could so easily have been

avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.

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‘Companies need to be made aware that they employ people who are competent in gas safety

matters to inspect and maintain their gas oven appliances and to ensure that employees are properly

trained to light gas ovens.’

Company Fined After Worker Suffers Life Changing Injuries A construction company has today been fined after a worker fell through a roof and suffered life changing injuries.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard how, on 22 October 2015, the self-employed joiner was working on the

construction site at Claremont Terrace, Glasgow, when he fell approximately 3.6 metres onto a pile of

timber cut-offs. The employee sustained multiple fractures to his ribs and to his spine.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that although the company had a

risk assessment in place, there were no sufficient measures in place to prevent falls through a void in

the roof of the building.

Fleming Buildings Limited of Auchinloch Road, Lenzie, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 6(3) of

the Work at Height Regulations 2005, and Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act

1974. The company was fined £9,335.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector Graham Mitchell said: ‘Falls from height remain one of the

most common causes of work related fatalities in this country and the risks associated with working at

height are well known. This incident might have been prevented if suitable and sufficient measures

had been in place such as a crash desk or safety net.

‘Companies should be aware that HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action

against those that fall below the standards required.’

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EVENTS

3 July 2018, Air Conditioning Inspection for Buildings London, UK This one-day training course will provide you with the understanding of how to undertake required inspections of simple and complex air conditioning systems, according to the Energy Performance of Buildings Regulations 2007. This course will cover the requirements set out within CIBSE’s Technical Memorandum: Inspection of Air Conditioning Systems (TM44) and the National Occupational Standards for Air Conditioning. Further details are available here: https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNfYrUAL

3 July 2018, Site And Transport Safety Buxton, UK Vehicle movements and loading and unloading vehicles can be some of the most dangerous work activities organisations carry out. This course will help you understand the legal requirements of both road traffic law and workplace safety law, how and why things go wrong, and how you can take practicable steps to reduce risk in your business. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/site-and-transport-safety

4 July 2018, Emergency Lighting To Comply With Fire Safety Requirements London, UK This course is based on the British Standard: BS 5266-1 2016, the code of practice for emergency lighting. It will explain the recommendations of the code and how it should be applied to assist compliance with Fire Safety legislation. This intensive course is run over one day and will provide you with the knowledge to be able to advise on and design emergency lighting schemes. Throughout the course you will be able to assist the person responsible in ensuring that their emergency lighting meets the needs of the fire risk assessment and is fit for purpose in the event of an emergency. Further details are available here: https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001SIES1UAP

4 July 2018, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Refresher Buxton, UK This one day refresher course is designed for doctors and nurses who would like to update their knowledge and clinical skills to assess workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration. HAVS is a complex condition that requires practitioners to have a good understanding of the anatomy and neurology of the hands. Examination skills are difficult to maintain if they are not regularly practised. The implications of poor practice or misdiagnosis are significant for both the employer and the employee.

https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNfYrUAL

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/site-and-transport-safety

https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001SIES1UAP

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Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hand-arm-vibration-syndrome-(havs)-refresher

4 July 2018, Occupational Noise Control Workshop Manchester, UK The increasing burden of hearing damage on individuals and businesses through insurance claims shows that the current approach to noise management is failing. HSE research has shown that hearing protection is very often ineffective and we have developed this workshop to showcase more practical engineering solutions. The workshop includes detailed, easily installed solutions to the top 10 most common noise problems that can actually enhance productivity and reduce operating costs. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/noise-control-workshop

5 July 2018, Hazardous Area Classification Buxton, UK The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) require that areas where accidental releases of dangerous substances could occur are identified and classified according to the likelihood of the formation of a flammable atmosphere. Within classified areas sources of ignition should be controlled. This course is designed to provide delegates with the knowledge to carry out straightforward hazardous area classification in accordance with commonly used standards or to act as an intelligent customer when contracting others to deliver this role. This course is suitable for all those who may be asked to carry out hazardous area classification as part of a DSEAR assessment including process safety and electrical engineers and health and safety practitioners. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hazardous-area-classification

6 July 2018, Gas Safety Regulations (Designing For Compliance) London, UK This training course will cover the background and stated requirements of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations (1998). As well as a thorough overview the trainer will cover the interpretation and application of the Regulations, as detailed in the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Approved Code of Practice Document L56, as well as the function of HSE and the Gas Safe Register. Further details are available here: https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNfqQUAT

9-13 July 2018, Ergonomics Buxton, UK Every year, 35 million days are lost to British industry as a result of accidents and ill health caused by work activities. A large number of these accidents are due to a lack of thought and planning concerning the use of our everyday systems.

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hand-arm-vibration-syndrome-(havs)-refresher

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/noise-control-workshop

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hazardous-area-classification

https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNfqQUAT

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The course provides the ergonomics theory and techniques used to maximize the design of the tools, tasks and workplaces for improved comfort, safety and performance of the workforce. The techniques cover both the physical and psychosocial aspects of a workplace design, following relevant HSE guidance and approaches to assess and reduce risks. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/ergonomics

10-11 July 2018, Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Buxton, UK Research commissioned by HSE suggests over 1 million people continue to be exposed to high levels of vibration in the workplace. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations came into force in the UK in 2005. HSE's Guidance on the Regulations requires all occupational health professionals to undergo training in the recognition and management of workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome. The syllabus for the training and the quality of training is overseen by the Faculty of Occupational Medicine. This comprehensive and highly rated course is designed for occupational health nurses, occupational physicians, GPs with an interest in occupational health and hand surgeons. It will set out the key areas of HAVS assessment and provide guidance on how to examine and manage cases of HAVS. Time has been set aside for question and answer sessions. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hand-arm-vibration-syndrome-(havs)

10 July 2018, Next Steps For Food Packaging And Waste In The UK London, UK This seminar will discuss priorities and next steps for food packaging and waste management in the UK. It is bringing together key policymakers and stakeholders as officials at Defra prepare to finalise the wide-ranging Resources and Waste Strategy expected later this year - and takes place in the context of the waste reduction targets set out in the 25-Year Environment Plan. Further details are available here: www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/food-packaging-waste-18

10 July 2018, Non Dietary Human Exposure Assessment Of Biocide Products York, UK HSE's Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) will be holding a one day workshop on technical aspects of the human health non dietary exposure assessment of biocide products. The course will present attendees with an overview of the key issues they must take into account when preparing product submissions with particular emphasis on three representative product types, these being PT19 (Insect repellents for topical application), PT21 (Antifouling products) and PT2 (Surface Disinfectants not for use in direct contact with food or feeding stuffs - usage areas to include walls and floors in private, public, and industrial areas). The workshop will cover the different types of user, primary and secondary exposure scenarios, tiered approach, product family concept, use of appropriate models and guidance, sources of information, EU groups and processes and recent developments in the area of human health risk assessment. By the end of the day, participants will have a better appreciation of this area of risk assessment and be better able to prepare regulatory submissions for biocide products.

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/ergonomics

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hand-arm-vibration-syndrome-(havs)

http://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/food-packaging-waste-18

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Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/crd---one-day-workshop-non-dietary-human-exposure-assessment-of-biocide-products

12 July 2018, Identifying, Disrupting, And Preventing Food Crime: Working In Partnership To Build The Best Food Future Possible London, UK According to the National Food Crime Unit (NFCU), the food, drink and catering sector counts for 11 per cent of UK economic activity, accounting to approximately £196bn per year. However, the size and diversity of this industry inevitably presents opportunities for criminal interests to commit instances of ‘food crime’, characterised as, “dishonesty relating to the production or supply of food, (...) seriously detrimental to consumers, businesses, or the overall public interest.” It is estimated that European Distribution Fraud alone cost UK businesses approximately £17 million between 2009 and 2014, with an average loss of £85,000 per incident. This timely symposium will therefore provide a timely opportunity for local authorities, government agencies, food industry representatives, environmental health experts, and other key stakeholders with the opportunity to develop strategies to minimise food crime incidents and assess the next steps required to enhance UK consumer confidence. Further details are available here: www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/events/IG12-PPE

12 July 2018, Next Steps For Cyber Security In The UK London, UK This seminar will be a timely opportunity to discuss next steps for cyber security in the UK - including key issues around preparedness, international cooperation and how the response is organised. It takes place following the Attorney General’s recent speech setting out the UK’s position on the application of international law with respect to cyberspace, and is timed as implementation begins of the EU directive on the security of Networks and Information Systems (NIS Directive). Further details are available here: www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/cyber-security-in-the-UK-18

12 July 2018, Next Steps For UK Wind Energy London, UK This timely seminar will bring together policymakers and key stakeholders to discuss the future role for wind energy in the UK’s energy mix. Following the latest Contracts for Difference auction allocations, sessions will assess the opportunities created by the reduced generation costs for offshore wind, as well as how best to encourage innovation and attract investment in the sector. Further details are available here: www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/offshore-energy-2018

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/crd---one-day-workshop-non-dietary-human-exposure-assessment-of-biocide-products


http://www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/events/IG12-PPE

http://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/cyber-security-in-the-UK-18

http://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/offshore-energy-2018

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12 July 2018, Protecting Welders’ Health Barrow-in-Furness, UK BOHS, in collaboration with EEF, the manufacturer’s organisation, and EUOSHA, would like to invite you to a series of morning seminars that focus on the prevention of lung disease amongst welders in the manufacturing industry, and introduce you to the Europe-wide Health Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances campaign launched by EUOSHA in April this year. These FREE-to-attend events provide important information for anyone who has a Health & Safety role in the manufacturing industry, and especially those who are responsible for the protection of workers’ health. Further details are available here: www.breathefreely.org.uk/breathe-freely-in-manufacturing-roadshow-2018.html

13 July 2018, Overview Of Current Fire Legislation And Guidance London, UK This course examines and interprets the current Fire Legislation in the UK and explores its impact on employers and those in charge of premises. The implication of building regulations on fire precautions is examined and there will also be a discussion on the fundamental pre-requisites for a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment. Further details are available here: https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001SIFidUAH

16 July 2018, Machinery Series: Provision And Use Of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) Buxton, UK Machinery is used in many sectors to fabricate, handle and package industrial and consumer products. Everyone who works with machinery, whether directly or indirectly, need to understand the basics of machinery safety but not everyone needs to know all the details relating to the design. This course covers those activities regulated by the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) and provides delegates with a thorough knowledge of this legislation. The course will also give practical advice on how to evaluate the safety of existing machines and how to measure and evaluate noise and vibration risks. This course can be taken in combination with the machinery risk assessment essentials course that takes place on the following day. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---puwer

17-19 July 2018, Building Services Explained London, UK This three-day course covers building services found in commercial buildings. The course looks at heating and cooling systems, how to use them efficiently and how they fit within a building. Electrical and renewable systems are also covered allowing the delegate to understand how they can have a considerable impact on the buildings energy use. Further details are available here: https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNg5ZUAT

http://www.breathefreely.org.uk/breathe-freely-in-manufacturing-roadshow-2018.html

https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001SIFidUAH

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---puwer

https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNg5ZUAT

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17 July 2018, Energy Efficiency Building Regulations: Part L London, UK This course will give a comprehensive overview of Part L2 of the Building Regulations (Conservation of fuel and power in buildings other than dwellings) and introduce the changes that came into force in 2014. Further details are available here: https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001SIC0sUAH

17 July 2018, Machinery Series: Machinery Risk Assessment Essentials Buxton, UK This training course gives delegates practical hands-on experience of conducting a machinery risk assessment using structured techniques which demystify the process given in BS EN ISO 12100: 2010. This course assumes a basic level of understanding of machinery safety such as that given in the machinery safety basics course that takes place on the previous day. Anyone who also needs a thorough understanding of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regs should take this course in combination with the Machinery Safety Basics course held on the previous day. Anyone who needs a thorough understanding of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regs, should take this course in combination with the designing and selecting safe machinery course held on the following day. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---machinery-risk-assessment-essentials

17-19 July 2018, Noise At Work Training: Competent Persons Course Scarborough, UK Any organisation where noise is an issue should have a competent person for Noise at Work Risk Assessments. This person may be a professional safety officer, a works manager or simply someone who has been given the responsibility for it. The course forms an ideal follow up to a NEBOSH diploma or can be simply stand-alone. The course is designed to meet the requirements of the Noise at Work Regulations, giving you the knowledge and skills to be classed as "competent" to carry out Noise at Work Risk Assessments. The subjects covered vary from the principles of acoustics to the identification and management of noise problems. Practical elements are included to help you with the task of reducing noise exposure in the workplace. Further details are available here: www.castletrainingacademy.com/noise-at-work-training.php

18 July 2018, Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Risk Management London, UK This course, delivered by experienced HSL ergonomists, will provide you with an understanding of DSE risks and approach to risk management and with the documentation to provide your employer with risk assessments. The course covers the key elements for office DSE risk assessment and management and provides the information and techniques required to enable anyone to become a DSE assessor. We also discuss risk management for less common DSE issues such as hot-desking and dual screens, and

https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001SIC0sUAH

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---machinery-risk-assessment-essentials


http://www.castletrainingacademy.com/noise-at-work-training.php

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mobile technology such as tablet pcs, smartphones and laptops. Guidance on how to set up a computer workstation in the office is mirrored for home activity or when you are on the move with DSE. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/display-screen-equipment-(dse)-risk-management---london

18 July 2018, Machinery Series: Machinery Directive Buxton, UK The design, supply and incorporation of machinery into assemblies within the European Economic area is governed by the European Machinery Directive that was significantly amended in 2006. In the UK this directive has been transposed into the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations that came into force at the end of December 2009. This course gives delegates a thorough understanding of this legislation, as revised, as well as the key current European and International safety standards that support the Regulations. This course is intended primarily for people who design and supply machines and create assemblies of machines. It is also relevant for people who specify and install new machines or assemblies or make significant modifications to existing machines. The course will also be helpful to anyone who is interested in a detailed understanding of the safety of industrial machinery, the supply of machinery safety regulations as amended. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---machinery-directive

18 July 2018, The Way Forward: Excelling In Health And Safety Culture And Leadership London, UK What sort of leader are you? A variety of terms are used to describe the best leadership style: transactional, transformational, authentic, and resonant, to name a few. But what do these terms mean and which is the best? HSL have undertaken research in the field of health and safety leadership, which identifies it as requiring a distinct set of competencies. Drawing on HSL's expertise as psychologists and human factors experts, this event will help you develop your understanding of these competencies. Coupled with an understanding of what excellent health and safety culture looks like, this event will help you in driving a consistent approach to health and safety leadership within your business. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/excelling-in-health-and-safety-culture-and-leadership-the-way-forward

19 July 2018, Dangerous Substances And Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR): Compliance For Managers And Supervisors Buxton, UK The regulations place duties on employers and the self-employed to protect employees, contractors and others from the risks from fires and explosions related to dangerous substances stored and used in the workplace. This course explains the duties that DSEAR places on employers and the actions needed to comply with them. It focuses particularly on the assessment of risks and the application of controls to both minimise and mitigate those risks.’

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/display-screen-equipment-(dse)-risk-management---london


http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---machinery-directive

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/excelling-in-health-and-safety-culture-and-leadership-the-way-forward


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Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/dsear---compliance-for-managers-and-supervisors

19 July 2018, Machinery Series: Designing And Specifying Safety Related Control Systems Buxton, UK Control systems for machinery, whether electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or combinations there-of, are often required to perform safety-related functions. There are regulatory requirements for these control systems and established approaches for dealing with their design, which are laid out in European Standards. This course will help delegates understand how to specify and design safety related control circuits which comply with the requirements of both the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations. It explains how these, and other regulations and standards are applied to real-life situations, through the use of examples of how to and how not to do it. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---designing--specifying-safety-related-control-systems

19 July 2018, Manual Handling For Assessors Buxton, UK Prevention and control of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) is a major priority and as such HSE have published a simple but effective risk assessment method called the MAC tool. This enables risk identification of key manual handling risk factors so that these can be eliminated or managed in the most cost effective way. This course will equip you with the knowledge to help recognise, assess and reduce manual handling risks in your organisation. It is suited to employers and employee representatives who intend to begin the process of manual handling risk assessment and control within their companies. It will also benefit those already involved in manual handling risk reduction who require more formal or in-depth training in this subject, including training in the use of specific manual handling assessment tools. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/manual-handling-for-assessors

19 July 2018, Next Steps For Improving Air Quality The UK London, UK This seminar will bring out the latest thinking and options for policy on improving air quality in the UK. It will be an opportunity to assess key measures from the Government’s draft Clean Air Strategy - which seeks to protect the environment, improve public health by reducing pollution from domestic fuels and provide local government with further powers to lower emissions - during its open consultation. Further details are available here: www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/UK-air-quality-18

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/dsear---compliance-for-managers-and-supervisors

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---designing--specifying-safety-related-control-systems


http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/manual-handling-for-assessors

http://www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/UK-air-quality-18

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19 July 2018, Workshop On The Physicochemical Properties And Storage Stability Requirements For Pesticide Products Under Regulation EC 1107/2009 York, UK Registration Deadline: 10 July 2018 HSE’s Chemicals Regulation Division (CRD) is running a one day workshop aimed at providing training on data requirements for the EU authorisation of plant protection products regarding the identity, the physicochemical properties, and methods of analysis under Regulation EC 1107/2009. The event will include an update on the latest version of the guidance document, and further progress towards production of a harmonised European document. The event will cover legislation and data requirements supporting Regulation EC 1107/2009, with a discussion of the revised guidance document produced by CRD for the generation of data on the physical, chemical and technical properties of plant protection products under Regulation EC 1107/2009. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/crd

24 July 2018, Control Of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Compliance For Lower Tier Establishments Buxton, UK The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 2015 (COMAH) impose duties on establishments holding in storage or process quantities of hazardous materials above thresholds defined for each substance. Those establishments where the quantities exceed the lower of the thresholds are known as Lower Tier Establishments. This course identifies the COMAH duties for Lower Tier establishments and what needs to be done to comply with them. It also explains the duties that fall to the Competent Authority (CA) and Local Government. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/comah-compliance-for-lower-tier-establishments

26 July 2018, Managing Ageing Assets: Creeping Changes, Data Trending And Experience From Incidents Buxton, UK Managing ageing assets is becoming an ever more important issue as the UK's industrial base ages; this has been highlighted by HSE's inspection programmes of ageing plant both onshore and offshore. This course addresses managing ageing assets in the high hazard industries, and any other industry that relies on equipment or technology. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/managing-ageing-assets-%E2%80%93-creeping-changes-data-trending-and-experience-from-incidents

31 July 2018, Practical Management Of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Controls Buxton, UK Poorly controlled exposure to dust and fumes causes a lot of work-related ill-health each year. Local exhaust ventilation (LEV) is the most common method of controlling workers' exposure to such

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/crd

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/comah-compliance-for-lower-tier-establishments

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/managing-ageing-assets-%E2%80%93-creeping-changes-data-trending-and-experience-from-incidents


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airborne contaminants. Unfortunately it is often not effective enough. Employers are regularly misled by suppliers and select and install LEV controls that don't work and/or cost too much. Once installed, LEV controls are often poorly checked, maintained and examined. The course will demonstrate how to successfully manage LEV controls in order to get effective, efficient, and reliable control of airborne contaminants, at least cost. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/lev---practical-management-of-local-exhaust-ventilation-controls

1 August 2018, Dangerous Substances And Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR): Controlling Dust Explosion Risks Buxton, UK The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) regulate the presence and use of flammable substances in the workplace. The list of potential dangerous substances includes gases, liquids and flammable solids in the form of a finely divided dust which, if dispersed in the air, could lead to a serious fire or an explosion. However, flammable dusts pose their own unique risks that differ from those posed by flammable gases and liquids. This course provides advice on how to understand the hazards from flammable dusts and how the risks from storing and using the dusts can be managed so as to comply with DSEAR. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/dsear-%E2%80%93-controlling-dust-explosion-risks

2 August 2018, HSE Inspectors’ Guide To Risk Assessment Buxton, UK This workshop will be delivered by a senior HSE inspector with more than 25 years of experience, and is a rare opportunity to understand your regulator by seeing the world through an inspector's eyes. You will learn: how HSE examines and uses employers' risk assessments; the common errors that HSE finds in the risk assessment process; and how to use this information to manage risks more effectively and avoid enforcement action. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hse-inspectors%E2%80%99-guide-to-risk-assessment

14-15 August 2018, Control Of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Onshore Major Hazards: Predictive Aspects Of COMAH Buxton, UK This course is intended for risk assessment specialists and 'intelligent customers' who buy in risk assessment services. It gives an overview of the requirements for the predictive (risk assessment) aspects of a safety report under the Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations (COMAH) from the point of view of safety. Information assessed, during both the early predictive assessment and the full assessment, are explained. Common pitfalls and ways to avoid them will be identified. The course gives an overview of different risk assessment approaches, and explains how the approach needs to be selected to be proportionate to the risk.

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/lev---practical-management-of-local-exhaust-ventilation-controls


http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/dsear-%E2%80%93-controlling-dust-explosion-risks


http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hse-inspectors%E2%80%99-guide-to-risk-assessment


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It is delivered by experienced safety report assessors, and from the point of view of the requirements of the regulator. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/comah-onshore-major-hazards-predictive-aspects-of-comah

21 August 2018, Pressure Systems Awareness Buxton, UK Pressure systems have been synonymous with industry since the age of steam. Today it is almost impossible to name an industry sector that does not make substantial use of pressure systems in some way or other. From tyre inflators through refrigerators to full blown industrial processes, pressure systems have become as indispensable to industry as the electricity that powers them. This informative and experiential course is aimed at raising awareness of the hazards associated with pressure systems as well as the relevant regulatory frame work. This course will offer delegates the unique opportunity to learn from real life case studies and forensic investigations into pressure systems failures, providing a first hand perspective of what can go wrong and why. Delegates will also benefit from a substantial afternoon session with the HSE Inspector responsible for the current revision of the Safety of Pressure Systems Regulations, during in which delegates will be able to discuss both general and specific issues directly with the regulator in an open forum setting. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/pressure-systems-awareness

22-23 August 2018, Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health (COSHH) Training: Practical Assessment And Control Buxton, UK Many people tasked with COSHH assessments are unsure what is required or where to get information. Once the initial assessment is complete, they are often uncertain on how to approach control, and how to judge when control is adequate. This course aims to give that knowledge and those skills. Day one covers assessing exposure and risk and includes case studies and the chance to work through examples. Day two moves on to implementing exposure controls that are effective and reliable, and includes practical demonstrations. The focus for both days is on practicality and effectiveness. Further details are available here: www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/coshh-training---practical-assessment-and-control

27-29 August 2018, From Research To Practice In Occupational Health And Safety (OHS) Kongens Lyngby, Denmark Registration Deadline: 1 August 2018 This international course focuses on new approaches for knowledge transfer, exchange and dissemination between researchers and practitioners in OSH. The course will introduce new methods and approaches on how to increase the value and use of occupational health and safety research for end users. In addition, the course will discuss how to engage practitioners in the research process to adopt research to local conditions, and make research more relevant to problems in practice.

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/comah-onshore-major-hazards-predictive-aspects-of-comah


http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/pressure-systems-awareness

http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/coshh-training---practical-assessment-and-control

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The course covers a wide variety of occupational sectors and types of OHS problems. Participants with different disciplinary and professional backgrounds will be given the opportunity to share their experiences in an interactive way. The course endeavors to integrate a mixture of researchers and professionals. Further details are available here: https://niva.org/course/research-practice-occupational-health-safety

18-20 September 2018, eHealth Revolution And Changing Work Espoo, Finland Registration Deadline: 10 August 2018 The way we think about work, organize work and communicate with each other is changing rapidly. The Internet and personal technologies create new health and safety service cultures and platform economies. During this course we will study current trends, developments and future perspectives. Further details are available here: https://niva.org/course/ehealth-revolution-changing-work

2-4 October 2018, Safety Promotion: Research And Good Practice Oslo, Norway Registration Deadline: 14 August 2018 This international course focuses on new approaches in safety research and practice, and covers a wide variety of occupational sectors, as well as home, leisure and traffic accidents. The course is planned for people who either aim to become researchers or who use research results in their work. Further details are available here: https://niva.org/course/safety-promotion-research-good-practice

23-24 October 2018, Safety And Risks Of Engineered Nanomaterials Malmö, Sweden Registration Deadline: 6 August 2018 Engineered nanomaterials (ENM) offer enormous potential in many areas of technology. The safety of ENM is the key to the success of several industrial sectors including electronics industry, consumer products, drug industry, food industry, paper industry, construction industry, aviation and space industry, and agriculture. However, without end users and customers’ confidence, nanotechnology has no future. There is need for additional research and knowledge on ENM that would enable setting of occupational exposure limits for these materials. The main goal of the course is to provide the participants with information that allows them to understand key-issues related to ENM. More specifically, the purpose is to introduce the current knowledge about the characteristics of ENM, exposure to the materials and their health effects and also about the challenges of risk assessment and risk management concerning ENM at workplaces. One of the goals of the course is also to provide information on how to carry out predictive assessment of safety of ENM. The course will also provide information on the current hot topics in especially European approaches to promote safety of ENM.

https://niva.org/course/research-practice-occupational-health-safety

https://niva.org/course/ehealth-revolution-changing-work

https://niva.org/course/safety-promotion-research-good-practice

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Further details are available here: https://niva.org/course/safety-risks-engineered-nanomaterials

https://niva.org/course/safety-risks-engineered-nanomaterials

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EVENTS TIMETABLE: July 2018 – August 2018

Date Event Place Website

July 2018

3rd Air Conditioning Inspection for Buildings London, UK https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNfYrUAL

3rd Site And Transport Safety Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/site-and-transport-safety

4th Emergency Lighting To Comply With Fire Safety Requirements

London, UK https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001SIES1UAP

4th Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Refresher

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hand-arm-vibration-syndrome-(havs)-refresher

4th Occupational Noise Control Workshop Manchester, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/noise-control-workshop

5th Hazardous Area Classification Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hazardous-area-classification

6th Gas Safety Regulations (Designing For Compliance)

London, UK https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNfqQUAT

9th - 13th Ergonomics Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/ergonomics

10th - 11th Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hand-arm-vibration-syndrome-(havs)

10th Next Steps For Food Packaging And Waste In The UK

London, UK www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/food-packaging-waste-18

10th Non Dietary Human Exposure Assessment Of Biocide Products

York, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/crd---one-day-workshop-non-dietary-human-exposure-assessment-of-biocide-products

12th Identifying, Disrupting, And Preventing Food Crime: Working In Partnership To Build The Best Food Future Possible

London, UK www.publicpolicyexchange.co.uk/events/IG12-PPE

12th Next Steps For Cyber Security In The UK London, UK www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/cyber-security-in-the-UK-18

12th Next Steps For UK Wind Energy London, UK www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/offshore-energy-2018

12th Protecting Welders’ Health Barrow-in-Furness, UK

www.breathefreely.org.uk/breathe-freely-in-manufacturing-roadshow-2018.html

16th Machinery Series: Provision And Use Of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER)

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---puwer

17th - 19th Building Services Explained London, UK https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNg63UAD

17th Energy Efficiency Building Regulations: Part L

London, UK https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001SIC0sUAH













































https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNg63UAD

https://cibse.force.com/s/lt-event?id=a1E0O00001YNg63UAD



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17th HSE Inspectors' Guide To Risk Assessment Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hse-inspectors%E2%80%99-guide-to-risk-assessment

17th Machinery Series: Machinery Risk Assessment Essentials

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---machinery-risk-assessment-essentials

17th - 19th Noise At Work Training: Competent Persons Course

Scarborough, UK www.castletrainingacademy.com/noise-at-work-training.php

18th Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Risk Management

London, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/display-screen-equipment-(dse)-risk-management---london

18th Machinery Series: Machinery Directive Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---machinery-directive

18th The Way Forward: Excelling In Health And Safety Culture And Leadership

London, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/excelling-in-health-and-safety-culture-and-leadership-the-way-forward

19th Dangerous Substances And Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR): Compliance For Managers And Supervisors

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/dsear---compliance-for-managers-and-supervisors

19th Machinery Series: Designing And Specifying Safety Related Control Systems

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/machinery-series---designing--specifying-safety-related-control-systems

19th Manual Handling For Assessors London, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/manual-handling-for-assessors---london--

19th Next Steps For Improving Air Quality The UK London, UK www.westminsterforumprojects.co.uk/conference/UK-air-quality-18

19th Workshop On The Physicochemical Properties And Storage Stability Requirements For Pesticide Products Under Regulation EC 1107/2009

York, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/crd

24th Control Of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Compliance For Lower Tier Establishments

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/comah-compliance-for-lower-tier-establishments

26th Managing Ageing Assets: Creeping Changes Data Trending And Experience From Incidents

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/managing-ageing-assets-%E2%80%93-creeping-changes-data-trending-and-experience-from-incidents

31st Practical Management Of Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) Controls

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/lev---practical-management-of-local-exhaust-ventilation-controls

August 2018

1st Dangerous Substances And Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR): Controlling Dust Explosion Risks

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/dsear-%E2%80%93-controlling-dust-explosion-risks



























http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/manual-handling-for-assessors---london--





http://www.hsl.gov.uk/crd

















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2nd HSE Inspectors' Guide To Risk Assessment London, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hse-inspectors%E2%80%99-guide-to-risk-assessment---london

14th - 15th Control Of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Onshore Major Hazards: Predictive Aspects Of COMAH

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/comah-onshore-major-hazards-predictive-aspects-of-comah

21st Pressure Systems Awareness Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/pressure-systems-awareness

22nd - 23rd Control Of Substances Hazardous To Health (COSHH) Training: Practical Assessment And Control

Buxton, UK www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/coshh-training---practical-assessment-and-control

27th - 29th From Research To Practice In Occupational Health And Safety (OHS)

Kongens Lyngby, Denmark


http://www.hsl.gov.uk/health-and-safety-training-courses/hse-inspectors%E2%80%99-guide-to-risk-assessment---london
















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Sheila Pantry OBE Strategic Editor - The Occupational Health & Safety Information Service

This publication is produced, distributed and published by IHS Global Ltd, The Capitol Building, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 8FZ Tel: +44(0)1344 328000 Fax: +44(0)1344 328008 Web: uk.ihs.com Email: [email protected] Copyright © 2018 IHS Global Ltd All rights reserved. Great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of IHS Occupational Health & Safety Information Service Health & Safety News Brief to ensure accuracy, however, the publishers cannot in any circumstances accept responsibility for errors or omissions or advice given in this publication. Subscribers should be aware that only Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments have the force of law and that only the courts can authoritatively interpret the law. Crown copyright material is reproduced with the permission of the Controller of HMSO and the Queen's Printer for Scotland.

For more information please contact Customer Services at [email protected] Content Editors Sheila Pantry Associates Ltd 85 The Meadows, Todwick, Sheffield, Yorkshire S26 1JG Tel: +44(0)1909 771024 [email protected]

Acoura 2 Arlington Court, Whittle Way, Arlington Business Park, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 2FS Tel: +44(0)1438 745771 [email protected]

http://uk.ihs.com/





http://uk.ihs.com/standards/ohsis-quote.jsp

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Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH)

NEWS

Welcome to the second part of the

Occupational Health & Safety Information Service News Brief This part of the News Brief contains news articles and prosecution summaries in the field of environmental health and health & safety from the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH). Areas that they will be focusing on include; noise pollution, food safety, air quality, occupational health issues and relevant industry prosecutions.

CIEH CONTENTS Welcome to this edition of the Occupational Health & Safety Information Service News Brief .............. 1

CONTENTS............................................................................................................................................. 2

Welcome to the second part of the Occupational Health & Safety Information Service News Brief .... 31

CIEH CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................. 31

Display Of Food Hygiene Ratings ..................................................................................................... 34

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) was launched in 2010 and is run in partnership between the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and local authorities. This audit set out to determine how many food businesses with a food hygiene rating were displaying this at their premises and where the rating was displayed. .................................................................................................... 34

Ritual Slaughter Can Only Take Place In Approved Abattoirs .......................................................... 34

The European Court of Justice has confirmed that ritual slaughter without stunning may take place only in an approved slaughterhouse, in a case referred by Belgium's Flemish region. ....... 34

Economic Impact Of Reducing Avoidable Food Waste .................................................................... 36

A new study has quantified the economic impact of reducing avoidable food waste in Germany, Poland and Spain. It describes the potential monetary savings that could result from reducing food waste and is one of the first to assess the economic impact of reducing waste in terms of production, GDP and employment. ................................................................................................ 36

Progress Report On Welsh Climate Change Mitigation .................................................................... 37

In its Climate Change Strategy - published in 2010 - the Welsh Government set out its target of reducing greenhouse gases in Wales by 3% year-on-year, and at least a 40% reduction by 2020. The Strategy also included a target to reduce emissions in areas within devolved competence by 3% each year from 2011, relative to a baseline of average emissions during 2006-2010. ........... 37

Supporting Cancer Survivors at Work ............................................................................................... 38

Through its project ‘Rehabilitation and return to work after cancer — instruments and practices’, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) aims to raise awareness of the problems faced by workers affected by cancer, and develop guidance for employers on how to support them in returning to work. ................................................................................................. 38

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Pedestrians And Cyclists Are At Highest Risk From Air Pollution..................................................... 39

Cyclists and pedestrians are twice as likely to keep dangerous particles in their respiratory systems than car drivers, a new study by researchers at the University of Surrey suggests. ...... 39

Scotland Passes 60% Recycling Milestone ...................................................................................... 39

Scottish recycling, composting and re-use of waste from all sources has rocketed past the 60% milestone for the first time. That was the key finding of Official Statistics published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). ...................................................................................... 39

Decrease In EU Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 2016 ............................................................. 39

Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) decreased by 0.4% in 2016, according to latest official data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). ............ 39

Irish Mining Industry Regulations Now In Force ................................................................................ 40

The Irish Government has launched new health and safety regulations for the mining industry by streamlining 21 different pieces of legislation into a single document. .......................................... 40

How Farm Animals Contribute To Spreading Drug-Resistant Bacteria ............................................ 41

Scientists are calling for new research combining genome analysis with studies that map the spread of infections to reveal how cows, pigs and chickens might play a role in helping drug-resistant bacteria to thrive. ............................................................................................................. 41

UK Poultry Sector Significantly Reduces Antibiotic Use ................................................................... 41

British poultry producers have cut antibiotic use by 82% over the last six years and by nearly 40% in the last year alone. ..................................................................................................................... 41

Proposed Increased Funding To Support Environment And Climate Action .................................... 42

For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Commission is proposing to increase funding by almost 60% for LIFE, the EU programme for the environment and climate action...... 42

Waste Paper Company Prosecuted and Fined for Health and Safety Offences .............................. 42

Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how a RRS London Waste Papers Ltd worker was found dead inside the compaction chamber of a baling machine. The worker had suffered fatal crush injuries. ........................................................................................................................................... 42

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Incidents: Clinical Management and Health Protection........................................................................................................................................... 43

This revised Public Health England Guidance is primarily intended for first responders and front-line healthcare professionals in emergency departments, and also for those in other specialties, including primary care and public health, emergency planners, trainers, and emergency service personnel. ...................................................................................................................................... 43

Fracking Planning Laws Should be Relaxed? ................................................................................... 43

The Government has proposed a relaxation in the planning laws which apply to fracking. .......... 43

Measures To Tackle Misuse Of Lasers Receive Royal Assent ........................................................ 44

Welcoming the new rules, given Royal Assent on 10 May, pilots’ union BALPA said the law came after its lengthy campaign to tackle laser misuse. Police forces will now have more powers to catch those who shine lasers at aircraft, road vehicles and boats and tougher punishments will be imposed on those found guilty. ...................................................................................................... 44

Fire Industry Association Responds To Hackitt Report ..................................................................... 44

The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has welcomed Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety............................................................................................. 44

BSI Revises Standard For Competency Of Testing And Calibration Laboratories ........................... 45

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has revised its standard for competency of testing and calibration laboratories: ISO 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. .................................................................................................................. 45

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Decrease In Average CO2 Emissions From New Vans Sold In 2017 .............................................. 45

Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new vans registered in the EU in 2017 were 4.7% lower than in 2016, according to preliminary data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). This is the highest annual reduction reported since the regulation to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles came into force in 2011. ......................................................... 45

Infants’ Exposure to Air Pollution Linked To Risk of Higher Blood Pressure in Childhood ............... 46

This new study is one of the first to show breathing polluted air during pregnancy may have a direct negative influence on the cardiovascular health of the offspring during childhood. The study established an association, but did not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. .................. 46

Think Tank Calls For Redevelopment Of ‘Boxland’ Into Mixed Neighbourhoods ............................. 47

The Mayor’s new draft London Plan has set ambitious targets for councils to fulfil their part in providing 66,000 new homes needed each year. This is roughly double the current rate of homebuilding and a near 35% increase on the previous aim to build at least 49,000 homes a year. ....................................................................................................................................................... 47

EU Court Upholds Ban On Bee-Killing Neonicotinoid Pesticides...................................................... 49

The EU's General Court has ruled the European Commission was right to impose restrictions on the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. The court upheld the 2013 restrictions on the three pesticides, rejecting two separate legal challenges by Bayer and Syngenta, makers of imidacloprid and clothianidin, and thiamethoxam respectively. . 49

Funding To Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines In USA ............................................................ 50

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of grant funding to modernize the nation’s diesel fleet by retrofitting or replacing vehicles with cleaner, more efficient diesel engines. ............................................................................................................................... 50

TUC Publishes New Analysis For National Homeworking Day ......................................................... 50

1.6 million employees regularly worked from home last year, according to new analysis published by the TUC to mark National Work from Home Day. ..................................................................... 50

Designers Create Safer Machines Using Novel ‘Safety Map’ ........................................................... 51

With partial support from two EU grants for the projects ILIAD and SoftPro, researchers from the German Aerospace Centre and Leibniz Universität Hannover teamed up to create a novel tool that helps robot developers analyse the safety performance of their robot designs. .................... 51

EFSA Reviews Maximum Levels Of Glyphosate In Food ................................................................. 52

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has completed its review of the maximum levels of glyphosate that are legally permitted to be present in food. The review is based on data on glyphosate residues in food submitted to EFSA by all EU Member States. .................................. 52

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Display Of Food Hygiene Ratings The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) was launched in 2010 and is run in partnership between the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and local authorities. This audit set out to determine how many food businesses with a food hygiene rating were displaying this at their premises and where the rating was displayed. Auditors visited a representative mix of 500 establishments in each of the three countries, and also sought to assess how display rates have changed over time compared with previous audits and the impact of compulsory display of ratings in Wales and Northern Ireland. The vast majority of businesses (95% in Northern Ireland and 98% in Wales) are aware that display is mandatory in those territories. Most are positive about the scheme, with 80% in Wales and 79% in Northern Ireland saying it is a good idea or they understand why it is necessary. In England, business attitudes towards compulsory display are also positive, with over three-quarters (77%) saying the introduction of compulsory display would be a good thing. In line with its discretionary status, the findings show that England remains behind Wales and Northern Ireland in terms of display rates. Rates of display of stickers visible from outside the premises were:

49% in England

84% in Wales

82% in Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of establishments that are displaying their rating so that it is visible from the outside (82% compared to 48% in 2016). In Wales, there has also been a significant increase in outside display of ratings (84% compared to 68% in 2016). In England, businesses with a higher rating continue to be more likely to display than those with a lower rating. Over two-thirds (67%) of those with a rating of 5 are displaying their rating compared to 28% of those that have a rating of 0-3. Customer assurance (53%) continues to be the main motivation for display in England followed by being proud of their rating (36%). Around a third of establishments in each country say that displaying their rating has had a positive impact upon their business (31% in England, 39% in Northern Ireland and 35% in Wales). The majority of establishments that receive a rating of 4 or below continue to take action to improve their rating (86% in England, 81% in Wales and 80% in Northern Ireland). The audit results of: Display of Food Hygiene Ratings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is free to download at: www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Display%20of%20Food%20Hygiene%20Ratings%20in%20England%2C%20Wales%20%26%20Northern%20Ireland_0.pdf

Ritual Slaughter Can Only Take Place In Approved Abattoirs The European Court of Justice has confirmed that ritual slaughter without stunning may take place only in an approved slaughterhouse, in a case referred by Belgium's Flemish region. The ruling makes clear that the obligation does not infringe freedom of religion as it is only intended to organise and manage the freedom to practise ritual slaughter, 'taking into account the fundamental rules on the protection of animal welfare and the health of consumers of meat'.

http://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Display%20of%20Food%20Hygiene%20Ratings%20in%20England%2C%20Wales%20%26%20Northern%20Ireland_0.pdf

http://www.food.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/document/Display%20of%20Food%20Hygiene%20Ratings%20in%20England%2C%20Wales%20%26%20Northern%20Ireland_0.pdf

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The Muslim Feast of Sacrifice is celebrated each year for three days. Many practising Muslims consider it is their religious duty to slaughter an animal or have an animal slaughtered, preferably on the first day of that feast. The meat is then eaten by the family, with the remainder being given to the poor and needy and to neighbours and more distant family relatives. Among the majority of Muslims in Belgium, there is a consensus that that slaughter must be carried out without first stunning the animals and in observance of other ritual requirements attached to that slaughter. Under Belgian law, slaughter prescribed by a religious rite can be carried out only in approved or temporary slaughterhouses. Therefore, each year the minister responsible approved temporary slaughter houses which, together with approved slaughter houses, were permitted to carry out ritual slaughter during the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice, thereby making up for the lack of capacity of approved slaughterhouses related to the increase in demand during that period. In 2014, the Minister for the Flemish Region responsible for animal welfare announced that he would no longer give approval for temporary slaughter houses on the ground that such approval is contrary to EU law, specifically the provisions of a 2009 regulation on the protection of animals at the time of killing. From 2015 all slaughter of animals without stunning had to be carried out exclusively in approved slaughter houses. It was in that context, in 2016, various Muslim associations brought an action against the Flemish Region, challenging the validity of certain provisions of the regulation with regard, in particular, to the freedom of religion. This was then referred to the Court of Justice for a preliminary ruling. The Court of Justice states, first of all, that ritual slaughter comes within the definition of 'religious rite' within the meaning of that regulation. Therefore, it falls within the scope of the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Possible theological differences on that subject cannot in themselves invalidate that classification as a 'religious rite'. Next, the Court examines whether the regulation constitutes a restriction on the freedom of religion. The Court points out that in the EU, as a general rule, animals are killed only after stunning. By way of derogation, the practice of ritual slaughter without prior stunning is authorised, so long as it is carried out in slaughterhouses approved by the competent national authorities which comply with the technical requirements relating to construction, layout and equipment. The Court makes clear that that derogation does not in any way prohibit the practice of ritual slaughter in the EU, but, to the contrary, it gives expression to the positive commitment of the EU legislature to allow the slaughter of animals without prior stunning in order to ensure effective observance of the freedom of religion, in particular with regard to practising Muslims during the Feast of Sacrifice. Therefore, the obligation to carry out ritual slaughter in an approved slaughterhouse simply aims to organise and manage the freedom to carry out slaughter without prior stunning for religious purposes. Such a technical framework is not in itself of such a nature as to restrict the right to freedom of religion of practising Muslims. Ritual slaughter is subject to the same technical conditions as those which apply, in principle, to any slaughter of animals within the EU, regardless of the method used. Furthermore, the EU legislature has reconciled the observance of the specific methods of slaughter prescribed by religious rites with those of the fundamental rules laid down by the regulations of the EU regarding the protection of the welfare of animals at the time of killing and that of the health of consumers of meat. Lastly, the Court examines the considerations related to the fact that the approved slaughterhouses situated in the Flemish Region which comply with the requirements of the regulation do not provide

36


sufficient capacity to meet the increase in demand for halal meat recorded during the Feast of Sacrifice. The Court states that the validity of an EU measure must be assessed on the basis of the facts and the law as they stood at the time when the measure was adopted and cannot depend on the specific circumstances of a particular case. The issue highlighted by the Belgian court simply concerns a limited number of municipalities in the Flemish Region. Therefore, that issue cannot be regarded as inherently linked to application on an established rule throughout the EU. An occasional problem of lack of slaughter capacity in one region of a Member State, related to the increase in demand for ritual slaughter in the space of several days on the occasion of the Feast of Sacrifice, is the result of a combination of domestic circumstances which cannot affect the validity of the regulation. The Court concludes that its examination has not disclosed any factor able to affect the validity of the regulation with regard to the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Charter. Liga van Moskeeën en Islamitische Organisaties Provincie Antwerpen VZW and Others V Vlaams Gewest. Intervening parties: Global Action in the Interest of Animals (GAIA) VZW: http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=202301&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=389312

Economic Impact Of Reducing Avoidable Food Waste A new study has quantified the economic impact of reducing avoidable food waste in Germany, Poland and Spain. It describes the potential monetary savings that could result from reducing food waste and is one of the first to assess the economic impact of reducing waste in terms of production, GDP and employment. A third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, with consumers in the EU alone wasting an estimated 88 billion tonnes of food every single year – an equivalent to 76 kilograms per person per year. This is an unsustainable level of waste which threatens food supply and the environment. The EU is taking several actions against food waste, as a critical part of efforts to achieve a circular economy, where resources are used more sustainably. In order to achieve policy change on food waste, it is important to understand both the monetary value of food waste and its social and environmental impacts. While most previous studies have assessed the amount of food wasted by households, this study evaluated the impact of food waste on national economies. Researchers assessed three EU Member States with different economic structures: Germany, Poland and Spain. They evaluated the effect of reducing food waste on three economic factors: total output, gross domestic product (GDP) and employment. Using a novel modelling approach, which considers demand and supply interactions, connections between sectors, substitution effects and price mechanisms, they applied the model, based on data for the year 2007, to identify the most significant economic impacts of food waste. They considered different scenarios, including reduction of food waste by the wholesale/retail sector, food service/catering sector and households. The model estimated the impact of reducing avoidable food waste - food that is thrown away but was edible ‘at some point prior to disposal’, which was valued in monetary terms. The researchers found that households waste the most food, followed by the manufacturing sector, the food service/catering sector and finally the wholesale/retail sector. The researchers describe the impact of reducing avoidable food waste in terms of ‘shock’, which describes the monetary value of avoidable food waste - the amount of money that each part of the

http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=202301&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=389312


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food chain is saving due to unnecessary purchases. They also describe the impact on GDP, which represents the value of economic resources - such as the land or labour needed to produce food -saved by reducing waste. The economic impact of reducing food waste was greatest in Germany (a ‘shock’ of €29,968 million), followed by Spain (€12,742 million) and Poland (€6,868 million). However, employment would suffer. The predicted job losses resulting from reducing food production in Germany amounted to around 600,000 - roughly double that of Spain and Poland. Although the percentage of food waste that could be avoided was the same across sectors (6.3%), the financial impact varied by sector. For example, the impact of reducing food waste on the wholesale and retail sector would be smaller than on catering. Poland was most affected by reducing food waste within the wholesale and retail sectors, leading to an economic ‘shock’ of €246 million, but a loss of production and GDP of 0.33% and labour reductions of over 36,000. In Spain, the economic shock amounted to €108 million, a decrease in production and GDP of 0.07% and a fall in labour of over 11,000. Germany was the least affected, experiencing a shock of €73 million, a minimal effect on production and GDP (-0.02%) and a reduction in employment of just 6,400. Households generate the most food waste of all sectors and reducing this was predicted to have the greatest impact in Germany (€28.293 million saved due to unnecessary purchases), followed by Spain (€11.468 million) and Poland (€634 million). Campoy - Muñoz, P., Cardenete, M. A. & Delgado, M. C. (2017) Economic impact assessment of food waste reduction on European countries through social accounting matrices Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 122: 202 – 209

Progress Report On Welsh Climate Change Mitigation In its Climate Change Strategy - published in 2010 - the Welsh Government set out its target of reducing greenhouse gases in Wales by 3% year-on-year, and at least a 40% reduction by 2020. The Strategy also included a target to reduce emissions in areas within devolved competence by 3% each year from 2011, relative to a baseline of average emissions during 2006-2010. However, the latest emissions statistics published by the Welsh Government show that in 2015, Welsh emissions were 19% below 1990 levels. Over the same period, emissions across the UK fell by 27%. Progress has been slower in Wales than the UK as a whole, partly as a result of Wales having a much larger share of industry emissions. The Committee was given three reasons for the relative failure - the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, the economic make-up of Wales and weather patterns, but the Committee concluded that these variables should have been taken into account when the policies were developed and targets set. The Welsh Government is being advised on its new approach, framed by the Environment (Wales) Act 2016, by the UK Committee on Climate Change, which has recommended it set new, lower targets in the short term. The Assembly committee believes this is regrettable but necessary given the lack of progress by the Welsh Government. Members also learned that the level of engagement in the Welsh Government’s Cabinet on climate change was insufficient, with a lack of joint-working across different departments. Even though the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme may be a reason for missing emissions targets, the Committee notes there is still no sign of a new scheme to take its place after the UK

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leaves the EU. The Committee concludes there needs to be a greater sense of urgency on addressing this matter. The Welsh Government’s progress on climate change mitigation: Annual Report of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee: www.assembly.wales/laid%20documents/cr-ld11567/cr-ld11567-e.pdf

Supporting Cancer Survivors at Work Through its project ‘Rehabilitation and return to work after cancer — instruments and practices’, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) aims to raise awareness of the problems faced by workers affected by cancer, and develop guidance for employers on how to support them in returning to work. About 1.4 million people in the EU of working age are diagnosed with cancer each year. Although many of these people are able to continue working, the average return to work rate is only 64% after 18 months, and those surviving cancer are 1.4 times more likely to be unemployed and three times more likely to receive disability benefits. Cancer survivors often experience psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, as well as physical problems, particularly fatigue. These health issues can reduce their ability to work and may be associated with negative attitudes among colleagues. Scientific evidence suggests that multidisciplinary interventions involving, for instance, a combination of physical and vocational rehabilitation measures and counselling can help in achieving a successful return to work. As part of the project, seven good practice examples from five EU Member States were identified and analysed in depth. They demonstrate a range of approaches to helping survivors get back to work. In the UK, the ‘Working through cancer’ programme run by Macmillan Cancer Support is an example of a particularly innovative intervention. This comprehensive programme offers a range of resources — from online information and e-learning modules to telephone support and in-company training courses — specifically tailored to the needs of workers and their families, employers, HR managers and healthcare providers. One of the programme’s aims is to ensure that employers understand the benefits of actively helping workers to get back to work after treatment. Several recommendations are made as a result of the success factors identified in this project:

Legislation should be developed making it mandatory for all businesses to offer return-to-work programmes for workers, and support for this should be provided, particularly for SMEs.

Early implementation and good communication between all relevant stakeholders is essential for effective return-to-work interventions, and programmes should be tailored to workers’ needs.

Return-to-work programmes should be integrated into company policies, and sufficient time and resources should be allocated to providing information on cancer and return to work.

Efforts should be made to encourage positive workplace attitudes towards people returning to work after cancer.

Further information is available at: https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/publications/rehabilitation-and-return-work-after-cancer-instruments-and/view

http://www.assembly.wales/laid%20documents/cr-ld11567/cr-ld11567-e.pdf

https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/publications/rehabilitation-and-return-work-after-cancer-instruments-and/view

https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/publications/rehabilitation-and-return-work-after-cancer-instruments-and/view

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Pedestrians And Cyclists Are At Highest Risk From Air Pollution Cyclists and pedestrians are twice as likely to keep dangerous particles in their respiratory systems than car drivers, a new study by researchers at the University of Surrey suggests. The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Surrey’s Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE) in partnership with North Carolina State University (NCSU) and conducted in Guildford, Surrey, during peak commuting hours in the morning and evening, and during off-peak hours in the afternoon. Researchers used respiratory deposition doses (RDD) — a method that predicts the amount of pollutant particles left in someone’s respiratory system — to measure the impact on each of the four groups. According to the study, the incidence of finer particles was 20% higher in pedestrians and cyclists than bus passengers, and 2.5 times higher than car drivers if they had windows closed and air conditioning systems on. The researchers conclude that the management of commuting exposures should consider potential dose and not just exposure concentration. Opportunities such an increased distance between the heavily trafficked roadways and pedestrians/cyclists should be considered in urban planning to reduce potential doses Prashant Kumar et al: Dynamics of coarse and fine particle exposure in transport micro-environments npj Climate and Atmospheric Science volume 1, Article number: 11 (2018) doi:10.1038/s41612-018-0023-y

Scotland Passes 60% Recycling Milestone Scottish recycling, composting and re-use of waste from all sources has rocketed past the 60% milestone for the first time. That was the key finding of Official Statistics published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). In 2016, 6.96 million tonnes (61%) of waste was recycled, composted or prepared for re-use, over half a million tonnes more than in 2015. Scotland has set a 70% recycling target by 2025. 2016 also saw more households and businesses recycle food waste as 605,614 tonnes of organic wastes was recycled in composting or anaerobic digestion facilities - an increase of 102,580 tonnes (20.4%) from 2015 statistics and a 78.1% boost since 2011. Total waste generated in Scotland fell by over half a million tonnes (0.53m tonnes) since 2015, with Scotland achieving the lowest quantity of waste being landfilled since 2011 – a 10.3% decrease from 2015. http://media.sepa.org.uk/media-releases/2018/scottish-recycling-composting-and-re-use-rockets-past-60-milestone

Decrease In EU Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions In 2016 Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) decreased by 0.4% in 2016, according to latest official data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The EEA's 'Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990-2016 and inventory report 2018' shows a 0.4% decrease in the total EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2016, compared with 2015. From 1990 to 2016, the EU has reduced its net greenhouse gas emissions by 22.4 %, surpassing its 20 % reduction target by 2020. These figures include emissions from international aviation, which are covered by EU targets but not accounted in national totals under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

http://media.sepa.org.uk/media-releases/2018/scottish-recycling-composting-and-re-use-rockets-past-60-milestone

http://media.sepa.org.uk/media-releases/2018/scottish-recycling-composting-and-re-use-rockets-past-60-milestone

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The Agency's Briefing 'Trends and drivers in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU in 2016', also published recently, shows that decreases in emissions in 2016 was mainly due to using less coal to produce heat and electricity. Greenhouse gas emissions from road transport increased for the third year in a row. Emissions in the residential and commercial sector also increased because the winter of 2016 was slightly colder than the winter of 2015. EU greenhouse gas emissions have decreased since 1990 as a combined result of policies, economic factors and, on average, milder winters, the EEA analysis shows. The largest emission cuts have been made in the energy sector, due to energy efficiency improvements, an increased use of renewables and a less carbon intensive mix of fossil fuels – more gas, less coal and oil. Although the 2016 developments are positive, there are already indications that EU greenhouse gas emissions increased in 2017, the EEA analysis warns. The EEA will publish preliminary estimates of 2017 emissions in the autumn. Other key findings indicate that:

the 0.4% decrease in EU greenhouse gas emissions in 2016 occurred while the EU's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 2.0%. Emissions are expected to decrease further as GDP per capita increases, showing that a growing economy and addressing climate change can go hand in hand;

the United Kingdom and Spain accounted for the largest decreases in GHG emissions in absolute terms in the EU in 2016. Reductions in those countries were largely because of lower consumption of solid fuels (mainly coal) in the power sector;

there was a relatively large increase in emissions in Poland, particularly in the road transport sector;

emissions covered by the EU emissions trading system (ETS) decreased in 2016, in particular for the energy supply sector (mostly electricity and heat production) and the industry sector (mostly iron and steel). The decrease in the power sector was the result of a sharp decline in coal consumption;

based on Eurostat data, there was a decline in nuclear electricity generation. This was more than offset by the increase in the use of renewable energy sources;

compared with 1990, the EU economy uses less energy, and does so more efficiently, and with lower greenhouse gas emissions. Improved energy efficiency will continue to play a key role in cutting future emissions but further efforts will also be needed to achieve the EU's joint 40 % reduction target by 2030.

Annual European Union greenhouse gas inventory 1990-2016 and inventory report 2018: www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-union-greenhouse-gas-inventory-2018 Trends and drivers in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU in 2016: www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/eu-greenhouse-gas-inventory/eu-greenhouse-gas-inventory-2016

Irish Mining Industry Regulations Now In Force The Irish Government has launched new health and safety regulations for the mining industry by streamlining 21 different pieces of legislation into a single document. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Mines) Regulations 2018 came into force on 30 April 2018 and cover a range of topics from ventilation and vehicle rules to training and rescue initiatives. The legislation also places greater responsibility for the safety of a mine on its operator, in addition to its manager.

http://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/european-union-greenhouse-gas-inventory-2018

http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/eu-greenhouse-gas-inventory/eu-greenhouse-gas-inventory-2016

http://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/climate/eu-greenhouse-gas-inventory/eu-greenhouse-gas-inventory-2016

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The regulations allow the operator of the mine to develop, rules, schemes and safe working practices specific to the operation of a particular mine without unnecessary prescription and also to develop a management structure that reflects the operation of a particular mine. Over 1000 people are currently employed in the Irish mining industry. However, non-fatal injuries in Irish mines have increased in recent years, from 41 in 2015, a total of 0.6% of the total miner population, to 55 the following year, a total of 0.7% of all miners. Conversely, fatalities fell from two to one over the same period, although a total of nine people have died in Irish mines between 2009 and 2016. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Mines) Regulations 2018 (SI 2018/133): www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/133/made/en/pdf

How Farm Animals Contribute To Spreading Drug-Resistant Bacteria Scientists are calling for new research combining genome analysis with studies that map the spread of infections to reveal how cows, pigs and chickens might play a role in helping drug-resistant bacteria to thrive. Determining if livestock are the source of such bacteria could inform measures to combat the rise of drug-resistant infections with no effective treatments, according to researchers. Previous research suggests resistant E. coli bacteria - recently classified as a major health threat by the World Health Organization - can be passed directly to humans by livestock. A team led by scientists at the University of Edinburgh thus carried out a systematic review of current evidence examining the transfer of resistant E. coli between farm animals and people. The study, published in the journal Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, involved researchers at the universities of Liverpool and Oxford, and the International Livestock Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya. Their findings highlight a need for more robust data and state-of-the-art genome analysis to shed light on how drug-resistant bacteria arise and spread in human and animal populations. The study suggests that the current evidence regarding transmission of drug resistance between food animals and humans is limited. Combining state-of-the-art genomic data analysis with epidemiological evidence would help researchers to better understand the direction and frequency of transmission between the two populations. According to the researchers, the role of farm animals in the emergence and spread of drug-resistant bacteria to humans is poorly understood and controversial. Similarity or identity of drug-resistant bacteria in the two populations does not, by itself, provide information on the direction of transfer. There is a need to integrate novel methods on whole genome analysis and epidemiological approaches to better understand the direction and frequency of transmission between these populations to combat antibiotic resistance. Dishon Muloi, Melissa J. Ward, Amy B. Pedersen, Eric M. Fèvre, Mark E.J. Woolhouse, Bram A.D. van Bunnik. Are Food Animals Responsible for Transfer of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli or Their Resistance Determinants to Human Populations? A Systematic Review Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 2018; DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2017.2411

UK Poultry Sector Significantly Reduces Antibiotic Use British poultry producers have cut antibiotic use by 82% over the last six years and by nearly 40% in the last year alone. The British Poultry Council’s (BPC) 2018 Antibiotic Stewardship Report showed the industry had also reduced its use of fluoroquinolones, a critically important antibiotic, in the years between 2012 and

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/133/made/en/pdf

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2017. The poultry figures follow news of the pig sector reducing antibiotic usage in the UK by 28% in 2017, bringing the total reduction in two years to more than 50%. BPC Antibiotic Stewardship Report: www.britishpoultry.org.uk/identity-cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/BPC-2018-Antibiotic-Stewardship-Web.pdf

Proposed Increased Funding To Support Environment And Climate Action For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the European Commission is proposing to increase funding by almost 60% for LIFE, the EU programme for the environment and climate action. Launched in 1992, the LIFE Programme is one of the spearheads of EU environmental and climate funding. The present LIFE programme started in 2014 and runs until 2020, with a budget of €3.5 billion. To implement the Paris Agreement and the commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the Commission proposes to raise the level of ambition for climate financing across all EU programmes, with at least 25% of EU expenditure contributing to climate objectives. The main features of the new LIFE programme are:

An increased focus on clean energy: One of the main aims of the new LIFE programme is to stimulate investment and support activities focused on energy efficiency, especially in European regions lagging behind in the transition towards clean energy;

An increased focus on nature and biodiversity: The new LIFE programme will support projects that promote best practices in relation to nature and biodiversity, as well as new, dedicated 'Strategic Nature Projects' for all Member States to help mainstream nature and biodiversity policy objectives into other policies and financing programmes, such as agriculture and rural development, ensuring a more coherent approach across sectors;

Continued support of the circular economy and climate change mitigation: The new programme will continue to support important EU policy objectives such as the transition to a circular economy, protecting and improving the quality of the EU's air and water, implementing the 2030 energy and climate policy framework and meeting the Union's commitments under the Paris Agreement on Climate Change;

A simple and flexible approach: The new programme has been designed to be simpler, more flexible and to facilitate a broader geographical access. It will focus on developing and implementing innovative ways to respond to environment and climate challenges. It will also ensure sufficient flexibility to address new and critical priorities as they emerge during the programme's duration.

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/natural-resources-and-environment_en

Waste Paper Company Prosecuted and Fined for Health and Safety Offences Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard how a RRS London Waste Papers Ltd worker was found dead inside the compaction chamber of a baling machine. The worker had suffered fatal crush injuries. An investigation carried out by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 27 March 2017, found the worker had fallen down the loading hopper into the compaction chamber of a baling machine. The investigation found that this could have been prevented had RRS London Waste Papers Ltd devised and instructed workers on a safe method for clearing machine blockages. Climbing up the

http://www.britishpoultry.org.uk/identity-cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/BPC-2018-Antibiotic-Stewardship-Web.pdf

http://www.britishpoultry.org.uk/identity-cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/BPC-2018-Antibiotic-Stewardship-Web.pdf

https://ec.europa.eu/commission/publications/natural-resources-and-environment_en

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baler to clear machine blockages exposed workers to the risk of falling a significant distance either into the compaction chamber or the surrounding concrete floor. RRS London Waste Papers Ltd of Manor Road, Erith was found guilty of breaching Section 2 (1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £250,000 and ordered to pay costs of £6,639.77 and a victim surcharge of £170. www.hse.gov.uk

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Incidents: Clinical Management and Health Protection This revised Public Health England Guidance is primarily intended for first responders and front-line healthcare professionals in emergency departments, and also for those in other specialties, including primary care and public health, emergency planners, trainers, and emergency service personnel. It comprises five sections covering:

generic incident management principles

chemical, biological and radiation threats, respectively, and

a new, final section covering health protection considerations applicable to mass casualty situations, such as following bomb blasts (eg, appropriate management of blood-borne virus transmission risk, antibiotic prophylaxis for bomb injury wounds and following biological agents release, etc)

Guidance on chemical and biological threats given in the 2006 edition has been updated with additional material on a range of new and emerging threats. These 2 sections include disease, syndrome or agent-specific advice sheets that can be used as stand-alone items, to be printed out and used by those responding to identified deliberate-release threats (overt or covert). The radiation incident response section has been completely re-written to integrate the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation’s rapid clinical assessment tool with care pathways derived from the WHO global consensus guidelines on radiation injury. The revised documents can be freely downloaded from: www.gov.uk/government/publications/chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-incidents-recognise-and-respond

Fracking Planning Laws Should be Relaxed? The Government has proposed a relaxation in the planning laws which apply to fracking. A written ministerial statement said the Government would consult during the summer on whether non-fracking shale gas exploration should be treated as permitted development. This would mean operators would avoid the need to go through the usual local planning processes. The statement, issued by the Energy and Local Government Secretaries, also said there would be a consultation on treating fracking applications as National Significant Infrastructure Projects. This would mean planning applications for fracking schemes would be decided by a government-appointed inspector, rather than local planning authorities. In another development, the ministers, Greg Clark and James Brokenshire, said the government was setting up a single shale gas environmental regulator. This would bring together the Environment Agency, HSE, and Oil and Gas Authority, they said.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-incidents-recognise-and-respond

http://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chemical-biological-radiological-and-nuclear-incidents-recognise-and-respond

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The statement was welcomed by the shale gas industry. Opponents said it would pervert the planning process and represented an assault on the ability of communities to influence decisions. This is the second ministerial statement which has aimed to smooth the way for shale gas through the planning system. A statement in 2015 gave ministers the chance to intervene in planning appeals and to monitor the performance of local authorities in dealing with onshore oil and gas applications. Ministers said mineral planning authorities – usually county councils or unitary authorities – should give great weight to the benefits of shale gas extraction. The authorities should take the statement into account when considering shale gas planning applications. www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-05-17/HCWS689

Measures To Tackle Misuse Of Lasers Receive Royal Assent Welcoming the new rules, given Royal Assent on 10 May, pilots’ union BALPA said the law came after its lengthy campaign to tackle laser misuse. Police forces will now have more powers to catch those who shine lasers at aircraft, road vehicles and boats and tougher punishments will be imposed on those found guilty. In 2017, UK airports reported 989 laser incidents to the Civil Aviation Authority. The most affected airport was Heathrow with 107 incidents, followed by Gatwick (70), Manchester (63) and Birmingham (59). Under the new law, it is a crime to shine or direct a laser beam that dazzles or distracts, or is likely to dazzle or distract, air traffic controllers, pilots, captains of boats and drivers of road vehicles. As well as widening the list to include air traffic facilities, offenders face much tougher penalties of up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. As well as widening the list to include air traffic facilities, offenders face much tougher penalties of up to 5 years in prison, an unlimited fine or both. Prosecution is now made easier by removing the need to prove there was an intention to endanger a vehicle. www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-tackle-the-misuse-of-lasers-gain-royal-assent

Fire Industry Association Responds To Hackitt Report The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has welcomed Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. The Hackitt Report reviews the current processes to ensure high standards of fire safety within the design, construction and end use of buildings. It also includes recommendations of major changes of those processes when used on High Risk Residential Buildings (HRRBs) and also recommends that the Government consider implementing those changes to other high risk buildings, such as hospitals and care homes. The FIA agrees with this and encourages the Government to implement improvements to fire safety standards more widely, rather than just for HRRBs. Areas such as competency checks of people and companies operating in key fire safety areas, and the quality control of fire safety installations need to be improved throughout the industry. The Hackitt Report includes a variety of other recommendations, such as the introduction of the new Joint Competent Authority for HRRBs. That would be a very major change to the approval procedure and the staged process could potentially cause delays to the construction programme. The FIA

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-05-17/HCWS689

http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-statement/Commons/2018-05-17/HCWS689

http://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-measures-to-tackle-the-misuse-of-lasers-gain-royal-assent

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questions whether the process would result in the envisaged improvement to standards of fire safety although they would welcome more engagement on this issue. The FIA will respond to the call for the various organisations within the fire safety industry to take a lead in resolving the problems that clearly exist between fire safety professionals and the construction industry. www.fia.uk.com

BSI Revises Standard For Competency Of Testing And Calibration Laboratories The British Standards Institution (BSI) has revised its standard for competency of testing and calibration laboratories: ISO 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. The standard was developed with the objective of promoting confidence in the operation of laboratories. It specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of laboratories, including requirements for laboratories to demonstrate that they operate competently and are able to generate valid results. Regulatory authorities, laboratory customers, organisations and schemes using peer-assessment, accreditation bodies, and others will use ISO 17025 in confirming or recognising the competence of laboratories. The previous version of this standard ISO 17025:2005 has been withdrawn and is now superseded. The main changes compared to the previous edition of this standard are:

An adoption of risk-based thinking applied in this edition, which has enabled some reduction in prescriptive requirements, and their replacement by performance-based requirements

There is greater flexibility than in the previous edition in the requirements for processes, procedures, documented information and organisational responsibilities

A definition of laboratory is now included. The standard addresses both risks and opportunities, establishing a basis for increasing the effectiveness of the management system, achieving improved results and preventing negative effects. The laboratory is responsible for deciding which risks and opportunities need to be addressed. There is a section in the standard for ‘process requirements,’ which covers common and specific requirements for reports (test, calibration or sampling); requirements for calibration certificates; and reporting statements of conformity. Laboratories that conform to this document will also operate generally in accordance with the principles in ISO 9001. BS EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

Decrease In Average CO2 Emissions From New Vans Sold In 2017 Average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of new vans registered in the EU in 2017 were 4.7% lower than in 2016, according to preliminary data published by the European Environment Agency (EEA). This is the highest annual reduction reported since the regulation to reduce CO2 emissions from light-duty vehicles came into force in 2011. The average van registered in the EU in 2017 emitted 156.0 grams of CO2 per kilometre (g CO2/km), which is 7.7 grams less than in 2016. This reduction brings the EU average emissions 10.9% below the 2017 target of 175 g CO2/km. This target was already met in 2013. Further efficiency

http://www.fia.uk.com/

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improvements of 6% are still needed to reach the EU's more stringent target of 147 g CO2/km set for 2020. Key findings

In 2017, almost 1.6 million new vans were registered in the EU as in 2016. Higher sales in Sweden (+48%), Czech Republic (+26%) and Slovenia (+20%) were balanced by lower sales in Croatia (-27%), Hungary (-16%), Ireland (-13%), Poland (-12%) and United Kingdom (-10%).

Two out of three new vans (64%) registered in the EU were sold in just four Member States: the United Kingdom (20%), France (19%), Germany (15%) and Italy (10%).

The average fuel-efficiency of new vans varied widely across Member States due to the different models and sizes of vehicles sold in each country. As last year, average emissions were lowest in Portugal (133.2 g CO2/km), Cyprus (133.4 g CO2/km) and Bulgaria (134.9 g CO2/km) and highest in the Czech Republic (173.6 g CO2/km), Slovakia (170.1 g CO2/km) and Germany (169.2 g CO2/km).

The average weight of new vans sold in 2017 also varied across countries. Smaller vehicles were sold in Malta, Cyprus and Portugal (< 1 570 kg); larger vehicles (>1 950 kg) in Slovakia, Czech Republic and Finland.

There is now an increasing number of electric and plug-in hybrid van models available on the EU market. Registrations of such vehicles increased by 32% in 2017, compared with previous year, representing 0.8% of the total EU van sales. However, this is significantly lower than electric and plug-in hybrid passenger cars' 1.5 % share of total car sales in the same year.

Diesel vehicles continue to make up the vast majority of the new van fleet, constituting 96% of sales.

www.eea.europa.eu

Infants’ Exposure to Air Pollution Linked To Risk of Higher Blood Pressure in Childhood This new study is one of the first to show breathing polluted air during pregnancy may have a direct negative influence on the cardiovascular health of the offspring during childhood. The study established an association, but did not prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Fine particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less (PM2.5) is a form of air pollution produced by motor vehicles and the burning of oil and coal, and has been shown to enter the circulatory system and negatively affect human health. Previous studies found that direct exposure to fine air pollution was associated with high blood pressure in both children and adults and is a major contributor to illness and premature death worldwide. High blood pressure during childhood often leads to high blood pressure in adulthood and hypertension is the leading cause of cardiovascular disease. Researchers examined 1,293 mothers and their children who were part of the large, ongoing Boston Birth Cohort study. Blood pressure was measured at each childhood physical examination at 3- to 9- years old. A systolic blood pressure was considered elevated if it was in the highest 10% for children the same age on national data. Researchers also adjusted for other factors known to influence childhood blood pressure, such as birthweight and maternal smoking.

http://www.eea.europa.eu/

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Results Children exposed to higher levels (the top third) of ambient fine-particulate pollution in the womb during the third trimester were 61% more likely to have elevated systolic blood pressure in childhood compared to those exposed to the lowest level (the bottom third). Higher exposure to air pollution in the third trimester, when fetal weight gain is the most rapid, was already known to influence (lower) birthweight, but this study found the association with elevated blood pressure regardless of whether a child was of low, normal or high birthweight. A woman's fine-particulate matter exposure before pregnancy was not associated with blood pressure in her offspring, thus providing evidence of the significant impact of in-utero exposure. According to the researchers, these results reinforce the importance of reducing emissions of PM2.5 in the environment. Not only does exposure increase the risk of illness and death in those directly exposed, but it may also cross the placental barrier in pregnancy and effect fetal growth and increase future risks for high blood pressure. Researchers used each woman's residential address and information from the nearest US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) air quality monitor to estimate exposure to air pollution in each trimester of pregnancy. The concentrations of PM2.5 in the highest category in this study (11.8 micrograms per cubic meter or higher) were slightly lower than the EPA's National Air Quality Standard (12 micrograms per cubic meter). The science on the health effects of air pollution is under review by the EPA. The findings of this study provide additional support for maintaining, if not lowering, the standard of 12 micrograms of PM2.5 per cubic meter set in 2012 by the National Ambient Air Quality Standards under the Clean Air Act. Mingyu Zhang, Noel T. Mueller, Hongjian Wang, Xiumei Hong, Lawrence J. Appel, Xiaobin Wang. Maternal Exposure to Ambient Particulate Matter ≤2.5 µm During Pregnancy and the Risk for High Blood Pressure in Childhood Hypertension, 2018

Think Tank Calls For Redevelopment Of ‘Boxland’ Into Mixed Neighbourhoods The Mayor’s new draft London Plan has set ambitious targets for councils to fulfil their part in providing 66,000 new homes needed each year. This is roughly double the current rate of homebuilding and a near 35% increase on the previous aim to build at least 49,000 homes a year. As well as building more homes, London also needs to support employment growth by providing the right kind of space for businesses to flourish. London’s population is projected to grow by up to 10.5 million before 2041, and schools, shops, amenities and space for tens of thousands of new jobs is also required. To prepare for and accommodate such levels of growth, developers must make the best use of land in the capital. However, despite the Mayoral drive to increase densities in London, a think tank believes too much space is wasted across the city on land currently occupied by single-story big-box retail and industrial sheds. Produced by Think Tank Policy Exchange, this report argues for the redevelopment of ‘Boxland’ into genuinely mixed-use neighbourhoods where people want to live. These new spaces must reflect the changing nature of retail, industrial work, technological advances and falling car use in the city. It is therefore essential to maximise the use of valuable land in London and to combine uses within neighbourhoods. This means not only developing sites at higher residential densities but also delivering the shops, services, community amenities and workplaces that make neighbourhoods thrive.

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Intensifying land use inevitably means not only building at higher housing density but also retaining or expanding non-residential uses on the same land to make the best use of space. As the new draft London Plan drives forward that aim, it is essential that good design is placed to the forefront of planning decisions rather than numbers alone. There are many different ways to measure density and stark numbers do not necessarily reflect the look and feel of a place. If done well, high densities can not only make the best use of land but also encourage people to walk, thereby delivering public health benefits, by boosting local authority revenues (through more council tax and business rates) and by delivering greater incentives to developers. Higher densities must be delivered in the shape of well-designed quality buildings that reflect London’s character. A combination of terraced housing, mansion blocks and mid-rise apartments built along traditional street patterns in mixed-use neighbourhoods can deliver high densities in a form that is recognisably part of London and highly sought after by residents. This is evident in the high density borough of Kensington and Chelsea, for example, where high house prices reflect high demand. The authors say there is great opportunity to build new but authentic ‘London-like neighbourhoods’ using the same sort of typologies but in more affordable parts of the city, hence pricing people in rather than out. This would mean thinking differently about land use on existing brownfield sites. ‘Boxland’ could be used more efficiently by combining commercial and residential uses in a more efficient manner in traditional street patterns. By using OpenStreetMap, it is estimated that there are 1,220 relevant sites with a total area of 6,122 hectares on which there are single storey big box sheds accommodating a range of commercial uses. These could be redeveloped as mixed use, retaining all existing commercial uses, whilst accommodating between 250,000 to 300,000 new homes, forming an urban pattern of largely medium-rise ‘London-like neighbourhoods’. The authors tested the theory by redesigning a real site currently occupied by a single ‘big box’ retailer in an otherwise traditional, mixed-use, neighbourhood in zone 2. The case study sets out how ‘big box’ retail sites can deliver high densities in a tight urban form while preserving all the existing jobs and shops within a popular street-based and high-density framework. Using land for housing does not have to mean the loss of shops or jobs. Streets can, with elegance and beauty, accommodate high household densities as well as commercial properties. With the right investment model, analysis also shows how this approach can create value. However, there are technical, cultural and political barriers that make Boxland sites harder to develop. First, there have been few examples of this type of development historically so investors and developers lack experience. That is now changing. Second, current planning guidance and building rules make it hard to build traditional London-like neighbourhoods. Third, plans for any kind of new development must be accompanied by improved local infrastructure to support higher numbers of residents and workers. A series of changes and additions to policies in the new draft London Plan, borough plans and building rules are thus recommended. Recommendations The Mayor should champion the need for mixed-use ‘London-like neighbourhoods’ on brownfield sites. The importance of re-developing sites dominated by Big Box single storey retail and industrial sheds into London-like neighbourhoods where different uses are integrated should be specifically defined in the new London Plan, if we are to make best possible use of land in the capital.

The new London Plan should put even greater emphasis on bringing sites forward with ongoing industrial or retail use by mixing commercial and residential uses. It should make clear that uses should be as integrated as possible within the fabric of the city.

Instead of the current emphasis on building up, the new London Plan should also seek to intensify land use by looking to accommodate homes, shops and workplaces along traditional street patterns.

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The draft new London Plan already emphasises the need for the drive towards greater density to be design-led. But to win public support, new development must reflect the design, style and character of buildings that are popular. The GLA should extend the requirement for borough-wide design codes for small sites to development on Boxland sites. Such codes should be worked up with local residents as ‘Community Codes’.

Government must support good density not just high density. Planning guidance must change to enable the kind of terraced housing and mansion blocks built by Victorian and Edwardian builders to be built again. Currently, national guidelines published by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) make high density but low-to-medium rise development difficult, particularly if you are mixing in shops and workplaces. The guidelines must be altered to distinguish between urban and suburban areas and encourage finer grain, mixed use and flexible buildings in close proximity along traditional street patterns. Developing specific guidance more suitable to urban areas would help local authorities support London-like neighbourhoods rather than car-orientated Boxland which will be ill suited to later 21st century living.

Elizabeth Towns: a popular programme for medium-rise, high density traditional mixed-use town centres on former Boxland should be considered along the new Elizabeth Line;

Thames Towns: a popular programme for a series of low-rise, high density traditional mixed-use towns or neighbourhoods should be considered along the banks of the Thames Estuary; and

Create Boulevards: a partially community-led programme for the popular beautification and intensification of London’s arterial roads with more trees and a range of attractive medium-rise new buildings

Better Brownfield: How we can banish Boxland and create popular, mixed-use neighbourhoods and streets without losing jobs https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Better-Brownfield-LL.pdf

EU Court Upholds Ban On Bee-Killing Neonicotinoid Pesticides The EU's General Court has ruled the European Commission was right to impose restrictions on the use of three neonicotinoid pesticides, imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxam. The court upheld the 2013 restrictions on the three pesticides, rejecting two separate legal challenges by Bayer and Syngenta, makers of imidacloprid and clothianidin, and thiamethoxam respectively. In its press statement, the Court asserted that the European Union's precautionary principle ‘gives precedence to the requirements relating to the protection of public health, safety and the environment over economic interests.’ The Commission banned the use of the pesticides in 2013, as a result of a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) risk assessment of those substances as regards bee health. The Bayer group, which produces and markets imidacloprid and clothianidin in the EU, the Syngenta group, which produces and markets thiamethoxam (and treated seeds), and the BASF group, which produces and markets fipronil, had brought proceedings before the General Court for annulment of those prohibitions and restrictions. Syngenta had also sought payment of compensation of at least EUR 367.9 million. The Court has dismissed in their entirety the actions brought by Bayer and Syngenta in relation to the neonicotinoids clothianidin, thiamethoxam and imidacloprid. However, the Court largely upheld the action brought by BASF and annulled the measures restricting the use of the pesticide fipronil, since it says they were imposed without a prior impact assessment.

https://policyexchange.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Better-Brownfield-LL.pdf

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The pesticide producers are expected to appeal the ruling. Judgment of the General Court in joined cases T-429/13, T-4251/13 – Bayer CropScience v Commission http://curia.europa.eu/juris/document/document.jsf?text=&docid=202052&pageIndex=0&doclang=EN&mode=req&dir=&occ=first&part=1&cid=529754

Funding To Reduce Emissions from Diesel Engines In USA The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of grant funding to modernize the nation’s diesel fleet by retrofitting or replacing vehicles with cleaner, more efficient diesel engines. EPA anticipates awarding approximately $40 million in Diesel Emission Reduction Program (DERA) grant funding to eligible applicants, subject to the availability of funds. Diesel-powered engines move approximately 90 percent of the nation’s freight tonnage, and today nearly all highway freight trucks, locomotives, and commercial marine vessels are powered by diesel engines. EPA is soliciting proposals nationwide for projects that significantly reduce diesel emissions and exposure, especially from fleets operating at goods movements facilities in areas designated as having poor air quality. Priority for funding will be given to projects that engage and benefit local communities and applicants that demonstrate their ability to promote and continue efforts to reduce emissions after the project has ended. Eligible applicants include regional, state, local or tribal agencies, or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. Nonprofit organizations may apply if they provide pollution reduction or educational services to diesel fleet owners or have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality. All those eligible may apply until Tuesday, June 12, 2018. Under this competition, EPA anticipates awarding between 20 and 80 assistance agreements. Applicants must request funding from the EPA regional office that covers their geographic project location. The maximum amount of federal funding that may be requested by an applicant varies by Region. Since the first year of the DERA program in 2008, EPA has awarded funds to more than 730 projects across the US Many of these grants funded cleaner diesel engines that operate in economically disadvantaged communities whose residents suffer from higher-than-average instances of asthma, heart and lung disease. Further information on the scheme is available at: www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grantshttps://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grants

TUC Publishes New Analysis For National Homeworking Day 1.6 million employees regularly worked from home last year, according to new analysis published by the TUC to mark National Work from Home Day. The analysis shows that 1 in 16 (6.1% of the workforce) worked from home in 2017 – unchanged from the year before, but up from 1 in 20 (5.1%) in 2005. The analysis reveals that:

Gender: 4 out of 10 homeworkers are women (41%). The gap with male workers has reduced somewhat since 2005 when women made up 35% of homeworkers.

Age: The proportions of homeworkers increases with age, with 16-19 years olds least likely to home work (2%) and over 60s most likely (11%).



http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grantshttps:/www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grants

http://www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grantshttps:/www.epa.gov/cleandiesel/clean-diesel-national-grants

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Region/nation: The South West has the highest percentage of employees working from home (9%), and Northern Ireland the lowest (2%).

Industry: Agriculture has the biggest share of employees (23%), followed by the information and communication sector, where nearly one in five works from home (18%). Accommodation and food services is the lowest (1%).

Occupation: Managers are most likely to work from home (12%) followed by ‘Associate Professionals’ (9%) such as architects, engineers and designers. In contrast, the lowest rate of homeworking is ‘Elementary Occupations’ (2%) such as cleaners, unskilled manufacturing labourers and street vendors.

While some work can only be done on work premises, the TUC believes that there is still greater opportunity for home working in most employment. There are around 4 million more UK workers who say they would like to work from home for at least some of their working week but are not given the chance. For employers, homeworking makes recruitment easier, can increase productivity, and reduce workplace costs. For workers, homeworking can save time and money on travelling, give more flexibility over working time, and make it easier for carers and parents doing the school run. Home working is also an important way for some disabled people to access the labour market. Around 200,000 disabled people currently work from home regularly, and the TUC believes that homeworking could play an even larger role in helping to close the employment gap with non-disabled workers. The TUC believes that there is still employer resistance to home working from many, despite the benefits that it brings. Further, lack of access to fast and reliable internet may be a constraint in some parts of the UK. www.tuc.org.uk More information on National Work from Home Day is available at: www.workwiseuk.org

Designers Create Safer Machines Using Novel ‘Safety Map’ With partial support from two EU grants for the projects ILIAD and SoftPro, researchers from the German Aerospace Centre and Leibniz Universität Hannover teamed up to create a novel tool that helps robot developers analyse the safety performance of their robot designs. Interaction between humans and robots has attracted attention over the past few years, as technology advances and people become more exposed to robots in their daily lives. Further increasing the frequency of human-robot interaction (HRI), robots are now being developed for use in areas such as education, the hospitality industry, care of the elderly, rehabilitation and robot-assisted therapy. Human safety is a primary concern in HRI. When there is physical contact between humans and robots, the risk of collisions increases. In previous work analysing robot safety, the research team had linked a robot’s collision behaviour to human injury data. Having advanced this idea, they compared entire robot designs (ie. the mass and velocity range of the robot’s entire workspace or task-dependent subspaces) to human injury data, which may come from different types of experiments and disciplines and can take into account different body parts.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/

http://www.workwiseuk.org/

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It also considered whether the impact surface in a collision is blunt, sharp or edged, and whether the collision itself was constrained or unconstrained. This information is represented in a unified manner, referred to as a ‘safety map’. The ‘safety map’ helps users to determine if the robot they are designing is capable of inflicting specific injuries during unexpected collisions. They can also pinpoint the most dangerous areas in the robot’s workspace and compare their robot with others in terms of safety characteristics. As a result, designers now have clear information at their fingertips about the injuries most likely to occur during operation. This helps to guide the hardware design process, and also contributes to safe control and motion planning for the robot being designed. The researchers tested their map with two robots, the PUMA 560 and the KUKA Lightweight Robot IV+. The injury data they used for the experiment originated from 50 years of biomechanics injury research. The map is likely the first global dynamic and exact safety analysis tool for robot manipulators. It has the potential to trigger significant changes in the way human-friendly robots are designed in the future. Mansfield et al: Safety Map: A Unified Representation for Biomechanics Impact Data and Robot Instantaneous Dynamic Properties https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8279455

EFSA Reviews Maximum Levels Of Glyphosate In Food The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has completed its review of the maximum levels of glyphosate that are legally permitted to be present in food. The review is based on data on glyphosate residues in food submitted to EFSA by all EU Member States. The maximum residue levels (MRLs) are set to ensure that consumers continue to be protected against excessive quantities of glyphosate in their diet. They are based on an analysis of all existing authorised uses of the herbicide in the EU. Uncertainties resulting from gaps in the data submitted are indicated in the assessment. The review, which covers all crops treated with glyphosate, includes a risk assessment which shows that current exposure levels are not expected to pose a risk to human health. For this assessment EFSA compared the diets of adults and children in the EU with the safe intake values that EFSA recommended in 2015. Data from the MRL review formed part of the evidence used in a second report, also published, which assesses the potential impact on animal health of glyphosate residues in feed. MRLs are the upper levels of pesticide residues that are legally permissible in or on food or animal feed, based on good agricultural practice and the lowest consumer exposure necessary to protect vulnerable consumers. They are derived after a comprehensive assessment of the properties of the active substance and the intended use of the pesticide. These legal limits also apply to imported food and feed. The assessment looked at all available information on the presence of glyphosate in feed, including imported feed. It concludes that glyphosate is not expected to have an impact on the health of cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and chickens. Review of the existing maximum residue levels for glyphosate according to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5263

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8279455

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5263

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Evaluation of the impact of glyphosate and its residues in feed on animal health: https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5283

https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5283

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