Thousands of employers could be falling short of their legal duty to display a new and updated Health and Safety Law Poster in their workplace, according to the supplier of the product.
Legislative changes introduced earlier in the year compel workplaces to change out their old posters with the Health and Safety Executive’s latest version.
The workplace equipment supplier, Slingsby, began producing the new posters in 2009. Whilst it has received a deluge of orders for the posters since the beginning of the year, it’s managing director Lee Wright believes many businesses still need to make the switch.
“Workplaces have had a five year transition period to update these posters but despite this, you don’t have to look far to find an old style, text heavy, health and safety poster which still adorn the walls of lots of workplaces,” he said.
The Health and Safety Information for Employees Regulations compels employers to display the approved poster in a prominent position in each workplace or to provide workers with a copy of the approved leaflet.
But Mr Wright said many workplaces remained unaware of the changes which were introduced on 5th April 2014.
He commented: “The new poster is designed to be much easier to read and sets out in simple terms, using numbered lists of basic points and pictures, what employers and their employees should know about health and safety and what to do in the event of an accident.
“Each poster also comes with a hologram and serial number to certify that it’s a legitimate product because even health and safety posters can fall victim to criminals who illegally copy and sell them.”
How can I get a copy of the poster?
It’s simple.
You can access further details and download the materials at the HSE’s website.
When it comes to safely fuelling a petrol tanker truck, can you spot the difference? Personal and process safety hazards are always present when carrying out such tasks.
In the case of operator Stan, it would seem he’s more focused on tonight’s football match than ensuring his health and safety levels stay tanked up.
Whilst Stan’s fuelled a hundred petrol tankers before it would seem that this time he’s overlooked a number of personal and process safety hazards.
Can you spot the 6 hazards?
Reveal answers
New guidance has been issued pertaining to the regulation of portable petrol storage containers. It provides practical information on the design, construction, materials and marking or labelling of containers as required by the regulations.
The Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014 came into force on 1st October, 2104.
Download Portable petrol storage containers guidance
The NEBOSH International Technical Certificate in Oil and Gas Operational Safety is being held at CATCH in Stallingborough this November.
Students travel from the surrounding areas of Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Immingham, Hull, Lincoln and the wider UK to partake in NEBOSH oil and gas training at the world-class training centre.
We have a few places still available for November’s NEBOSH course date.
Book your place now:
The US Chemical Safety Board has issued a video which details how the recommendations it formulates after an incident investigation are designed to have a lasting impact on industrial safety.
“Recommendations are the CSB’s primary tool for achieving positive change and preventing future incidents,” explains Dr. Susan Anenberg in the video.
Dr Anenberg, recently appointed as the CSB’s deputy managing director for recommendations, adds: “A recommendation is a specific course of action issued to a specific party, based on the findings of CSB investigations, safety studies, and other products.”
“CSB recommendations are making a difference. CSB recommendations trigger important actions that are making American businesses, communities and the environment safer and healthier.”
The four-minute safety video is available to watch now:
A company which distributes fuel via a national network of pipelines has pleaded guilty to safety breaches after a joint failure caused 35,000 litres of unleaded petrol to burst from its pipework.
The fuel escaped under high pressure and poured down on the site owned by British Pipeline Agency Ltd near Tamworth. A subsequent Health and Safety Executive found that the failure could have resulted in a major fire and possible explosion.
Speaking at Warwick Crown Court, HSE inspector Alex Nayar said: “This was a very serious incident with the potential to be extremely dangerous. It was also one that could have been avoided very simply.”
The leak, which occurred at the Kingsbury fuel terminal operated by BPA, triggered a significant clean-up operation. This included a specialist process to decontaminate the land.
Fuel rained down on the site
Warwick Crown Court heard how BPA is tasked with coordinating the flow of fuel to its customers by way of underground high pressure pipelines.
The incident occurred on 20th October, 2010, when the company commenced the pumping of petrol from a pipeline into a large storage tank on a nearby fuel storage site.
Approximately an hour and a half later alarms sounded. Operatives responded and upon investigating the site, found a fountain of fuel erupting from an overground section of pipe.
The HSE’s investigation revealed that the escape had been caused after a secondary line feeding into the main pipework broke loose.
The pipework involved had been reconfigured and replaced as part of a major engineering project finished only a week prior to the incident. Before being put into operation, the joints and fittings had not undergone a proper process of commissioning and testing.
Mr Nayar commented: “When plant is changed or modified it has to be tested and commissioned before being put into operation. That did not happen. If done properly it could have identified the fault.
“The leak posed two major hazards, a fire or a vapour cloud explosion. It is extremely fortunate that neither happened in this case as the outcome could have been much worse.”
British Pipeline Agency Ltd, of Alexandra Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was fined £30,000 with costs of £58,606 after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The Health and Safety Executive has published revised safety guidance for persons responsible for selling and storing fireworks.
The leaflet, which outlines the risks and the main legal requirements, also includes a helpful list of ‘dos and don’ts’ for duty holders.
The revised publication:
- Updates references to legislation
- Links to further guidance
- Gives a clear explanation of what action to take and why
Download FREE safety advice leaflet
An industry report from Oil & Gas UK has called for tax incentives to fuel the recovery all the remaining oil and gas that is thought to exist offshore in the North Sea.
The industry body believes there might be as much as 24 billion barrels but warns that recovery is unlikely unless a further £1 trillion in investment is piped in to encourage production by UK Continental Shelf drill workers.
Malcolm Webb, chief executive of Oil & Gas UK, said: “Maximising recovery from the UKCS is the collective responsibility of all those who fund, regulate, tax and operate the offshore oil and gas industry and achieving our full potential will require a tremendous effort on the part of everyone involved.”
“Our industry makes far too important a contribution to the economic and energy security of the nation to be allowed to falter at this critical point.”
Michael Tholen, Oil & Gas UK’s economics director, added: “We need a lighter tax burden, a simpler and more predictable system of field allowances and fiscal support for exploration. The outcome of the Fiscal Review, expected to be announced in December this year, must be relevant, radical and robust.”
The report shows that North Sea oil and gas production is set to increase this year for the first time since 1999, but warns that activity will once again decline unless costs are brought under control.
Press release date: 8th october 2014
Reynolds Training Services has added the IOSH Approved Principles of Process Safety Management to its roster of health and safety courses.
The move comes as high hazard companies look towards such qualifications in the drive to improve safety and satisfy tightening regulatory demands.
Reynolds Training Services managing director, John Reynolds, explained: “Incidents such as Buncefield have underscored the increasing importance of effective process safety management.
“The IOSH Certificate in the Principles of Process Safety Management helps delegates gain key insights into the central role leadership plays in the creation of robust prevention and mitigation systems.”
Delivered by IOSH approved instructors, the course considers the implementation of safety management systems in line with the Hazardous Inspectorate Directorate regulatory model.
Students explore the five core elements of major hazard management systems:
- Leadership
- Hazard identification
- Risk assessment and profiling
- Control measures or barriers
- Check, measure and review
There is a written test at the end of the course.
Download IOSH course guide
IOSH Approved Principles of Process Safety Management can be taken at sites’ own premises or at RTS’s training facilities at CATCH in Stallingborough.
Refresher training can also be acquired via online health and safety training.
View course to find out more
The Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014, which govern the safe storage of petrol, came into force on 1st October.
Petrol is a dangerous substance and with it comes the risk of fire and explosion. The regulations combine, update and replace all previous legislation on petrol storage.
The new laws apply to:
- Workplaces that store petrol and where it is dispensed
- Non-workplace premises storing petrol such as private homes, clubs or associations
This applies to the following groups:
- Owners and employees of petrol filling stations
- Those who store petrol at places such as private homes, clubs or associations
- Individuals who design, manufacture or supply portable petrol storage containers
- Workplaces which store but do not dispense petrol
The Petroleum Enforcement Authorities are responsible for enforcing the Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014.
