Connect Issue 34
19 October 2009
Welcome to latest issue of
connect
Guidance: what you need to know -
Updated asbestos survey guidance
Seriously fun – poles
apart
Quote me: IOSH gets its message
across
Hello and welcome to another issue of Connect.
IOSH held a charity conker challenge in Westminster last week as
part of our ‘Stop taking the myth’ campaign.
More than a dozen MPs and Peers tested their conker skills outside
the Houses of Parliament with Bob Russell, Liberal Democrat MP for
Colchester, running out the eventual winner.
As well as raising money for Guide Dogs for the Blind, the event
helped remind people that health and safety isn’t a killjoy
conspiracy, but a necessary safeguard against injuries and possible
death. You can see some pictures of the event here.
In this issue of Connect, we look at what health and
safety professionals need to know about the updated asbestos survey guidance out
later this year.
We also speak to Rhys Thomas who’s embarking on a 320-mile trek across the North Pole to counter
the bad press surrounding the profession.
IOSH attended the Conservative Party Conference recently where a
number of MPs and high profile celebrities, including Channel 4
News presenter Jon Snow, talked about the experiences they had of
their first ever job.
As well as features, we have a round-up of the latest industry news
including details of a builders’ merchant that’s been ordered to
pay over £12,000 after a worker’s hand was pulled into a machine
and nailed to a pallet.
Remember, Connect carries your Branch and Group
information as well as the latest Skills Development Portfolio
drop-in sessions.
If you want to be featured in one of our interviews, then please
drop me a line.
Thanks for reading.
Shaun Gibbons
e-Editor, IOSH
Guidance: what you need to know
Updated asbestos survey guidance
Headlines
- The Methods for the Determination of Hazardous Substances
series (MDHS 100) – the asbestos surveyor’s guidance – is being
updated
- The new guidance will be published between now and December
2009
- There’s much more guidance aimed at clients of surveys
- Areas of responsibility for surveys are clarified
What is MDHS 100?
The document, ‘Surveying, sampling and assessment of
asbestos-containing materials’,
(http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/mdhs/pdfs/mdhs100.pdf) was published
by the Health and Safety Laboratory in July 2001.
Who was it aimed at?
The guidance was aimed at those who survey workplace premises
for asbestos-containing materials, as well as those who commission
surveys.
Why did it need to be revised?
MDHS 100 was a technical document aimed at surveyors. The HSE
identified that some surveys have been less than adequate,
therefore there was a need for more specific guidance for
surveyors.
Also, if surveys are to be effective, those who commission them
need to make certain the surveyors they use are competent and be
more involved in the specification, setting up and planning of
surveys.
Who is the revised document aimed at?
The new guidance is aimed at both surveyors and those clients
who commission surveys, particularly those who have a duty under
Regulation 4 of
the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 to manage premises or
to provide information about premises under the Construction (Design
and Management) Regulations 2007.
What are the main changes?
The following information is based on the second draft of the
new guidance, dated Wednesday 24 December 2008. It’s understood
that other than any minor changes, following checks for legal and
plain English compliance, the content of the published guidance
will be very similar.
- The part of the document that details the survey process, bulk
sampling strategies, types of asbestos-containing materials and
material assessment are broadly the same as MDHS 100 but builds on,
and updates, the guidance based on practical experience and
information gained since it was published in 2001.
- There’s an expanded overview of legislation. This includes not
just the Control of Asbestos Regulations and CDM, but duties under
the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health
and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Workplace (Health,
Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
- Two types of survey are defined, which replace the three types
of survey in MDHS 100. It’s emphasised to the client that to
arrange a survey is only part of the duty to manage asbestos in
premises.
- The document includes an expanded section aimed at helping the
client to agree with the surveyor the survey’s scope and planning
so that the most appropriate type is conducted. The survey needs to
be as comprehensive as possible and the data must be used
effectively so that asbestos is adequately managed.
In this context, the document provides guidance to clients on
items including:
1. the role of the survey in helping to comply with the ‘duty to
manage’
2. how to select a competent surveyor
3. what the client should expect from a surveyor and what the
client should provide to the surveyor
4. what checks should be made on the surveyor’s report.
- The section on documentation emphasises that the survey report
is not an asbestos register, but there is guidance on what form a
register should take.
Types of survey
Two types of survey are defined in the guidance:
- A management survey (Types 1 and 2 in MDHS 100)
- A refurbishment and demolition survey (Type 3 in MDHS
100).
Management survey: this is a standard survey carried out for the
ongoing management of premises which may contain
asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). It will involve sampling and
making an assessment of the material releasing fibres, if
disturbed. There’s a warning that survey restrictions and caveats
by the client or surveyor can seriously undermine the management of
asbestos in buildings. They should be included only where
absolutely necessary and should be fully justified.
Refurbishment and demolition survey: an intrusive survey to
locate and describe all ACMs in the part of the building being
refurbished, or the whole building if being demolished. The
intention is that all ACMs can be removed before the work begins.
There’s no need for a material assessment to be carried out for
this type of survey.
Assessing the competence of surveyors
The client shouldn’t appoint a surveyor unless they are
competent. The HSE strongly recommends the use of surveyors
accredited by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) to BS EN
ISO 17020, or individuals certificated by ABICS (Asbestos Building
Inspectors Certification Scheme) (http://www.abics.org/). In any
case, the client will need to ask questions as detailed in the
guidance and seek references.
When is the new guidance due?
The HSE expects the new guidance will be published between now
and December 2009, although it may be later.
What will health and safety practitioners need to do?
Check your systems for:
- the assessment and appointment of asbestos surveyors
- the arrangements to agree with surveyors the scope of any
survey to be carried out and provide all relevant information
- the adequacy of existing survey reports and asbestos registers
against the guidance
- making certain that a refurbishment and demolition survey is
carried out when the fabric of the building will be disturbed.
Our thanks to Terry ap Hywel who contributed to this
article.
IOSH events
Asbestos: the hidden killer – IOSH professional development
course Monday 15 March 2010 and Monday 20 September 2010.
Links
Seriously fun – poles apart
British adventurer, Ranulph Fiennes, once described the Polar
Challenge as one of the most difficult races. Competitors endure a
320-nautical mile trek across the Arctic to the North Pole.
Acclimatising to the freezing temperatures, fending off polar bears
and dealing with natural hazards is all part of their race to the
finish. Connect talks to Rhys Thomas, team member of ‘Health and
safety gone mad’, about how far they’re willing to go to put an end
to the bad press surrounding the profession…
In 2011, Rhys will be joined by three of his health and safety
colleagues to complete this challenging trek – which he described
as being the grand finale to a string of traditional, quirky and
eccentric events the team has taken part in.
“We took part in pancake racing, after the
media claimed it was banned because of health and safety, but
taking part in this challenge is a little different!”
Around 10 teams start the race in Canada, navigating their way
across sea ice and islands on a route they choose, to get to the
first of three checkpoints. At these checkpoints they’re allowed 12
hours to refuel and get any problems dealt with before they conquer
another 120 or so miles over the next stage.
“After walking for around 15 hours a day,
sleep and good food will definitely be needed to prepare us for the
next stint. But not only will we need it, it’s one of many “safety”
precautions we have to take.
“Another is the fact we have to carry a
shot-gun to help protect ourselves from polar bears. During our
training in Norway we’re told what to do should we encounter one,
such as making lots of noise if one approaches us. It sounds
terrifying but there are plenty of other risks we’ve got to look
out for.”
The teams are not only contending with polar bears but freezing
cold temperatures, mental isolation, little sleep and thin ice
underfoot. “While there are obviously risks, that could be hard to
overcome, our message is that you can do almost anything as long as
you put in sensible control measures to reduce these risks.
“It may come as a surprise, but the greatest
risk we’ll face is the gun we’re given. Being mentally isolated in
freezing temperatures, or contending with strong winds while trying
to protect ourselves from polar bears is potentially a very
dangerous combination.”
The race, on average, is usually completed in around 21 days,
but Rhys and his team will be looking to complete it in around 25
days. “There are some very fit people who take part, including
athletes. None of us have ever done anything like this before,
we’re just four normal men doing something pretty unique and
adventurous to raise the health and safety profile!
“We know we could never complete it as
quickly as the experienced teams do, so there’s no point in
over-pushing ourselves. Instead we’re looking to work well as a
team and get to the end in one piece.
“It helps that we’re already a good team, but
we’ll still work hard to co-operate and communicate with each
other. During training we get told it’s a good idea to decide
who’ll play certain roles in the team, such as pitching the tent,
collecting water and cooking the food.
“I think the hardest thing for me will be the
mental isolation. Getting by on only a few hours’ sleep will also
be tough, particularly when faced with walking the equivalent of a
marathon the next day.
“I’m looking forward to the training and
generally learning a new set of skills. This is completely taking
me out of my comfort zone but I can’t wait to start it, and
definitely can’t wait until we’ve finished!
“In recent years too many events have been
cancelled, using health and safety as the excuse. We hope to show
that with a sensible approach it’s perfectly possible to
participate in these so-called ‘risky, traditional or eccentric’
events. Health and safety should be seen as grease, not glue –
helping us do things safely, not stopping us.”
Factfile:
- Rhys will be completing the challenge with his colleagues,
Roger Garbett, Keith Leslie and Haydn Brookes
- The team are looking for sponsorship to allow them to take part
in the challenge. See the brochure below for more information about
what this team is trying to achieve or contact Rhys Thomas on:
01594 812412 or click here to email him
- Polar Challenge Limited was founded in 2003
Links:
IOSH gets its message across…
Workplace Law Network
The Health and Safety at Work Act celebrates its 35th birthday
this month. IOSH President Nattasha Freeman spoke to Workplace Law
Network about the Act. She said:
“It’s a truly brilliant piece of legislation
which has contributed to saving many thousands of lives. The clever
thing about the Act has been its ability to adapt to change. The
Britain of 1974 was very different to that of today.
“With all this change, many other pieces of
legislation would have been rewritten several times. But the Act is
the mortar that helps all the bricks stick together – it’s the
framework for all our other health and safety legislation.”
Nattasha added: “Clearly, with an average of
more than 200 workers dying each year in Britain, all is still not
well. With the number of people suffering ill health they attribute
to work standing at more than two million, there are areas where we
have to do better.”
Barnsley Chronicle
Tim Briggs, IOSH Vice President-Elect, spoke to the Barnsley
Chronicle about a conkers match taking place to raise funds for a
local hospice. He said:
“It’s great to see people getting together to
play conkers and raise funds for the hospice. But there’s no need
for any hard hats, goggles or support from St John Ambulance.
“There is no health and safety law that bans
conkers – the very idea is bonkers. So, best of luck with the
fund-raising guys, have fun and there won’t be a so called ‘killjoy
official’ in sight.”
The Star
Michelle Muxworthy, Chair of the Yorkshire Branch, also spoke to
The Star about the conkers match in Barnsley. She said:
“We’re not killjoys. We want people to
realise it’s not bonkers to play conkers.
“In fact, by law of averages, the worst
injury you’re going to get is rapped knuckles.”
BBC Radio Leicester
Jeremy Waterfield, IOSH media manager, spoke to BBC Radio
Leicester about a charity conkers tournament at Westminster’s
Victoria Tower Gardens, where MPs and Peers went head-to-head with
members of the press.
Jeremy said: “We’re not out to stop people
having fun, but there are issues of health and safety that do need
our attention.
“It all went back to a story of a head
teacher who decided he was going to ban conkers in the playground
unless students wore safety goggles, so we thought the best way to
make that point was to sponsor the World Conker Championships.
“Health and safety is the anonymous, faceless
thing that people can have a go at if they are frustrated by
something. Most of the time it’s got nothing to do with health and
safety at all – it’s very often to do with bureaucracy. Health and
safety is there to facilitate, not to ban things.
“Much of our work involves talking to a
growing number of MPs and Peers and they suggested we stage a
conkers challenge between the MPs and the press. It’ll be a bit of
fun and we’ll raise some money for charity.”
Workplace Law Network
Safety innovations in the food and drink manufacturing sector
were rewarded at the National Food and Drink Manufacture Health and
Safety Conference last month. John Nevitt, Chair of the IOSH Food
and Drink Group, told Workplace Law Network:
“Food and drink manufacturing can be a very
dangerous industry to work in, but we’re very good at coming up
with simple, cutting-edge solutions.
“This year’s entries, and in particularly the
winners, are fine examples of this and really do demonstrate the
importance the food and drink industry places on health and safety.
I congratulate the winners on their achievements, and urge others
in our industry to keep striving to improve health and safety. Not
only does it save lives, our award winners have proved it makes
good business sense, which is ever important, particularly in the
current economic climate.”
Process and Control Today
The British Safety Council has expanded its training portfolio
to include the IOSH Managing Safely course. Rob Strange OBE, chief
executive of IOSH, told Process and Control Today:
“Managers are key influencers in creating a
safer world of work and one of the best ways to do this is to
educate them to create a safe working culture in their
workplaces.
“The IOSH Managing Safely training course
delivers this on a practical level and in an interactive way. In a
recent survey of those who’ve been on the course, 100 per cent said
they would recommend others.”