Newsletter | July 2016

Carney Consultancy Limited Newsletter from July 2016

Safety information sheets are available for this document - Please see the Safety Information Sheet page

Unable to see the pictures? Try clicking the download / see images button above Carney Consultancy Limited Newsletter | July 2016 Health Effects Of Exposure To Diesel Particles The International Agency for Research for Cancer changed its classification of diesel exhaust from Class 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) to Class 1 (carcinogenic to humans) This classification was based on sufficient evidence that exposure is associated with an increased risk for lung cancer.   We have produced a safety information sheet on the short and long term effects of exposure to diesel fumes. The long term chronic effects include cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, emphysema, lung and bladder cancer.   Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) the employer must make suitable and sufficient assessment to the risks to the employees if they are exposed to diesel fumes. Steps should be taken to prevent and control exposure in the workplace. This is also included in the health and safety information sheet available on the members section of our website.   For the safety information bulletin on the health effects of exposure to diesel particles click here     Bird Fouling, Clearance and Sanitation Following several enquiries as to whether people are allowed to clear up bird fouling as part of their job we have created a further safety information sheet.  However in summary, this should be completed by trained and experienced workers who understand the risks and dangers of bird fouling to themselves and third parties. They should also be equipped with the correct PPE.   Some bird diseases can be passed from birds to humans. Newcastle disease is a viral disease that can infect all birds and is reportable. All dead birds should be assumed as infected and when working (or attempting to work) in an area where dead birds are present every precaution should be taken to ensure that the works are completed safely.   Finally, the area should be sanitised and treated with biocide to ensure that it is safe to be used by the subsequent users and contractors.   For the safety information bulletin on Bird fouling, clearance and sanitation click here     Grow your business with NBSL   Who are they?   They have been supporting enterprise since 2007 and in that time they have helped over 1,700 people to start their own business in Northumberland. They’ve also helped existing businesses across the North East to create over 1,000 jobs with their funding and support programmes.   How can they help?   Get up to £2800 of funding towards business improvement projects. Carney Consultancy has accessed funding for 45 of our clients. The funding received by each client has been between £500 and £2800. Their funding support programmes can cover up to 35% of the cost of work by external suppliers that could transform your business.   Contact [email protected] for further information.     Carney Consultancy Website News The members section of our website is now live; please look out for your invitation to join. This allows our clients to Log In to a members’ area. Our clients may now access their own Health and Safety Policy & standard forms. Also they will be able to access safety memos, our newsletters, safety information sheets and all tool box talks.   Each company also has access to their individual page containing their personalised documents.   This area of the website is new and a work in progress, we would be very grateful of any feedback that you have regarding accessing and using the members section. If you have any comments or queries please don’t hesitate to contact us.     Balfour Beatty fined £2.6 Million Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd was fined £2.6m after a fatal trench collapse. In April 2010 a 32 year old subcontractor was working in a trench that had been dug to a depth of 2.4 metres without any shoring, the trench collapsed trapping and killing the man. Balfour Beatty pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court after being investigated by the HSE. The HSE stated that Balfour Beatty failed to adequately assess, plan and supervise the works being undertaken. The £2.6 Million fine comes after a change in sentencing guidelines in February. The new guidance will extend to all health and safety offences, where current guidance covers just fatalities. It is modelled on the sentencing guideline for environmental offences, which was introduced in July 2014. Offending companies will be placed in one of four bands depending on turnover: Micro (with a turnover of up to £2m) Small (a turnover of between £2 million and £10 million); Medium (up to £50 million) Large (more than £50 million) A medium sized company convicted of the more serious of two severity levels of Corporate Manslaughter Act breaches can expect a fine of between £1.8 million and £7.5 million, with a benchmark of £3 million. The benchmark for the lower corporate killing offence would be £2 million, ranging up to £5 million.     Coloured Hard Hats To Make Sites Safer Build UK contractors are introducing different colour hard hats in a bid to make sites safer.     The colour coding will be introduced on all member sites in order to instantly identify workers by their safety qualifications. Trained first aiders and fire marshals will also have stickers on their helmets. Build UK have stated that the initiative will “help contractors assess the competence of construction workers, along with their eligibility to work on site”.   The coloured hard hats will be gradually rolled out to Build UK member sites in the near future.   Changes to CSCS cards If an operative applies for a trainee card from the 1st August 2016 the following will apply:   Only one Trainee card (irrespective of occupation) will be available The card will be red in colour and clearly marked “Trainee” The occupation will not be displayed on the reverse of the card. It will simply say Trainee The card will be valid for 5 years and will be non-renewable Prior to applying for a card an applicant must register for a CSCS recognised construction related qualification SSSTS, SMSTS and NEBOSH General will not be accepted as routes to a Trainee card Applicants for a Trainee Card must have completed the appropriate CITB Health, Safety and Environment Test within the last 2 years. Applicants must complete their qualification before the Trainee card expires On completion of their qualification applicants can move onto a skilled CSCS card     There is also a flyer that is being sent out with this newsletter with details of CITB funding available.    Join us on Facebook       Follow us on Twitter       Send us an Email   Upcoming Training Courses   Asbestos Awareness Refresher 26th August 14th October 25th November   Asbestos Awareness 16th September 14th October 25th November   Manual Handling 26th July 16th September 14th October 25th November   Abrasive Wheels 23rd September 10th November   Safe Working at Height 23rd September 10th November   CITB Site Managers Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) September 14th, 21st, 22nd, October 5th & 12th   CITB Site Managers Safety Training Refresher (SMSTS Ref) 29th & 30th September   CITB Site Supervisors Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) 12th & 13th September 27th & 28th October   CITB Site Supervisor Safety Training Refresher (SSSTS Ref) 25th August 26th September   Health & Safety Awareness 25th August 15th September   Directors Role for Health & Safety 27th September   Site Environmental Awareness Training 22nd September   Face Fit Train the Tester 12th August   Emergency First Aid at Work 2nd August 6th October   Please note that if you have sufficient numbers, then a dedicated training course can be arranged for your company at a reduced rate. For more information and to check availability please contact us.