Plant safety at any cost?
Don't get me wrong: it's hard to argue with current moves to streamline health and safety legislation, in line with Lord Young's 'Common Sense, Common Safety' report – especially given that chief among the aims is to reduce the bureaucratic burden on small companies. If that makes the UK a more attractive place for employers to set up plants, resulting in increased employment, more tax revenue, and a stimulated and revitalised economy, that's good news.
Pollution Solution
Whether you look at the heavy engineering manufacturers, pharmaceutical, petro-chemical, or continuous process industries, copious volumes of dust and fumes are generated. These fumes and dusts have to be processed before they can be vented to atmosphere, or disposed of by waste disposal. Similarly, the refurbishment, renewal, upgrade or decontamination of surplus plant and machinery require equally careful handling.
Hidden assassins
Every year, thousands of people in Great Britain develop occupational asthma or die of lung diseases, because of airborne contaminants they inhale at work. Brian Wall reports
Good for everyone
Workplace regulations may not be facing radical change, but their implementation and policing certainly are. Brian Tinham reports on the price of the cuts
Absorbing practice
Staying on the right side of the law might mean paying more attention to absorbents, spill kits and the professional services around them to prevent problems. Brian Wall reports
Chemicals Legislation - A regulatory route map
There is an abundance of regulatory requirements for the safe use of chemicals within factories, warehouses and other facilities, most important of which are the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002. Substances not included within COSHH, but requiring safe handling, are covered by the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSW) - the overarching legislation.
The wrong mix
Since The Control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations 2001 came into effect, much debate has ensued regarding oil storage, and the challenges of avoiding water contamination in particular. But what are the real ins and outs of oil storage? Firstly, let us examine the Regulations. These apply to all commercial, industrial and institutional installations where more than 200 litres of oil are stored above ground (in one or more containers) as well as larger domestic installations. All types of oil are covered by these regulations, including petrol, diesel, vegetable, synthetic and mineral oil. The exception is waste oil, which is covered by the Waste Management Licensing Regulations. Storage tanks have to be bunded, plus there are also specific requirements for fitting additional equipment - especially where diesel is being used in vehicles and plants.