Legislation Update - New driving laws

Just a heads up on the new driving offences and increased that have recently come into force. 

"What do the new laws cover?
Many of the offences are covered by laws that already exist, but have been hard to enforce because police had to go through the courts. Now police can issue an on-the-spot fine, handed to you on the road, so it’ll be easier for them to do so.
The standard fine for a number of offences has gone up, including:

• Speeding
• Using a mobile phone while driving
• Driving on the hard shoulder
• Ignoring traffic directions

And 2 new bits of ‘careless driving’ have been made an offence:

• Tailgating
• Lane-hogging, usually in the middle lane

What is tailgating and lane-hogging?
Many drivers might be familiar with these things without necessarily knowing what they’re called.

• Tailgating - This is when someone drives too close to the car in front. It’s usually done by drivers trying to force the car in front to move faster or to change lanes.
• Lane-hogging - Many drivers use the middle lane as a ‘cruising lane’ and drive too slowly. This is dangerous and can force cars to slow down quickly. "

 Source: Post Office web site

Which existing fines are going up?
	Offences include	Was	Now
Source: Department of Transport
Non-endorsable fixed penalty notice (where the driver does not receive points on their licence)	Failing to give way, obscuring registration number, stopping on the hard shoulder, misuse of headlights, sounding horn at night	£30	£50
Endorsable fixed penalty notice (points issued)	Using a mobile while driving, speeding, reversing on a motorway, not stopping at a red light	£60	£100
Non-endorsable fixed penalty notice	Failure to display tax disc, not wearing a seat belt when driving, driving without an MoT certificate	£60	£100
Endorsable fixed penalty notice offence	Failure to identify driver	£120	£200
Endorsable fixed penalty notice offence	Driving without third party insurance	£200	£300

Safety Update - Changes to RIDDOR

We would like to remind you that there is another change to safety legislation that came into effect today - RIDDOR 2013

The principal changes are:

"From 1 October 2013, RIDDOR 2013 comes into force, which introduces significant changes to the existing reporting requirements. 
The main changes are to simplify the reporting requirements in the following areas:

• the classification of ‘major injuries’ to workers is being replaced with a shorter list of ‘specified injuries’;
• the previous list of 47 types of industrial disease is being replaced with eight categories of reportable work-related illness;
• fewer types of dangerous occurrence require reporting.

There are no significant changes to the reporting requirements for:

• fatal accidents;
• accidents to non-workers (members of the public);
• accidents which result in the incapacitation of a worker for more than seven days.

Recording requirements remain broadly unchanged, including the requirement to record accidents resulting in the incapacitation of a worker for more than three days. "*

For more info see "Reporting accidents and incidents at work A brief guide to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR)"

*Source HSE indg 453

New First Aid Rules

Changes to the rules about the HSE approving First Aid training come into force tomorrow. The HSE have issued guidance for employers.

Under the amended regulations the requirement for workplace first aid training providers to be approved by the HSE is removed from 1 October 2013.The amendments cover carrying out a first aid needs assessment and selecting a first aid training provider.

Safety Monday

This morning I was greeted by the sight of  builder backside hanging over the edge of my neighbour's roof parapet, he was manfully wrestling a window frame from his precarious perch, and ………..I did nothing,

spot the safety provision

Although this attitude might just about be acceptable in private life it is not acceptable in a work environment, where we all have a responsibility to prevent (if possible) and report dangerous behaviour.

Holding on with his backside

I am a little ashamed to report that I am a little tired of approaching people in the street and bringing to their attention the risk they are taking.  Surprisingly, not once have my heart felt pleas received grateful thanks.  The usual answer, to my respectful concern for their safety, ends in “….. off!” so today I just walked past - I hope he is OK!

And following up on the subject of our attitude to health and safety, I read an interesting article in the Guardian this morning, I don’t think I have got that paranoid yet.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/may/12/health-and-safety-eh

And finally we have mentioned a number of public consultations on H&S legislation in the past.  If you are interested in what the next step is follow the link to find the Final Impact Assessment from the “CD243 - Public consultation on proposals to simplify and clarify RIDDOR reporting requirements”

http://www.hse.gov.uk/consult/condocs/cd243-update.pdf

It gives some interesting insights into how decisions are made - that is if you can get through the jargon.

I’m off home now, hopefully there won’t be one of those body shapes from the cop shows on my neighbour's front lawn.

Work safely or you may damage a perfectly good lawn

Safety Update - Are Ladders Banned?

Ladders are banned aren't they?!?

Well, actually despite the over riding fear of their use, there are circumstances where they can be the safest means of undertaking a task.  The guidance from the HSE seems to be assess the task and choose the most suitable means of access. So Risk Assessment!

As with all access equipment, selection, storage, inspection and safe disposal are important issues that need to be addressed by a competent person.

Entrainment, our training division, offer courses dealing with a range of work at height issues including safe use of ladders and ladder inspection.  These courses can be offered at our training centre or at your site, subject to suitable training areas being available.

Want more info: Call 01270 589615

Acknowledgement: Contains public sector information published by the Health and Safety Executive and licensed under the Open Government Licence v1.0

Legislation Update - First Aid Training

Following a review of First Aid Training Provision it was determined that the HSE's current approval process goes beyond the minimum requirement laid out in EU legislation.  Therefore it is expected that changes to the current edition of L74, ‘First Aid at Work’ (Approved Code of Practice and Guidance)  are expected in October 2013.

As an interim the HSE have published three draft guidance documents.

The documents deal with assessing First Aid needs in the workplace, the second addresses selection of appropriate training providers, while the third presents a selection of example scenarios to help employers with the assessment of First Aid needs. Full details can be found here

As progress continues with this important change we will keep you informed.  Remember the old regs still apply until the new ones are published.

If you need any health and safety advice please contact us 01270 589615

Safety Training is always available from www.entrainment.co.uk

Legislation Update - The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Repeals, Revocations and Amendments) Regulations 2013

Catchy title eh?  We flagged these revisions up earlier in the year and subject to Parliamentary approval it is now in place.

The full list of measures being removed are:

• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922
• Gasholders (Record of Examinations) Order 1938 
• Shipbuilding and Ship-repairing Regulations 1960
• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 (Repeals and Modifications) Regulations 1974
• Celluloid and Cinematograph Film Act 1922 (Exemptions) Regulations 1980
• Gasholders and Steam Boilers (Metrication) Regulations 1981
• Locomotives etc Regulations 1906 (Metrication) Regulations 1981
• Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances Regulations 1982
• Docks, Shipbuilding etc (Metrication) Regulations 1983
• Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
• Notification of Installations Handling Hazardous Substances (Amendment) Regulations 2002
• Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes Regulations 2010
• Notification of Conventional Tower Cranes (Amendment) Regulations 2010

For more information see - http://www.hse.gov.uk/legislation/repeals-revocations.htm

 

We hope you find these regular safety updates useful.  If you would like any assistance with safety training, auditing or other guidance please contact us 01270 589615

Safety Update - Poor Safety Costs

And they are sending out the bills!

You might remember that a while back we advised you that the HSE would charge for a range of interventions where H&S breaches were found. Well an update on the governments 'Fee for Intervention' taken from the HSE Board meeting on 30 January 2013 revealed that first invoices were sent out the week commencing 21 January.

“The total sum invoiced for the first three months (Oct-Dec 2012) was £727,645 - in respect of 1,419 invoices. The average amount invoiced was £513 with 10% of invoices having a value greater than £1,000 and 70% less than £500. The independent members of the disputes panel have yet to be announced , though the panel is expected to meet for the first time in March.” - source: HSE published data.

You have been warned!  Health and safety Issues? let us help:

Health and Safety Consultancy - Call 01270 589615
Safety Training - www.entrainment.co.uk - we practice what we teach!

Safety Update - European Week for Safety

European Week for Safety and Health at Work, starts TODAY!, use this time to spotlight an issue, or start a new initiative in your business.

The campaign is backed by safety organisations across Europe and focuses on the importance of good leadership and worker involvement in cutting down accidents and ill health.

To order free resources and find out about activities you could do in your organisation during European Week for Safety and Health at Work, visit the 

European campaign webpage.

What are you going to do?

Safety Update - Breaking H&S laws just got costlier

On the 1st October 2012 the HSE’s new cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), came into force.

Under The Health and Safety (Fees) Regulations 2012, those who break health and safety laws are liable for recovery of HSE’s related costs, including inspection, investigation and taking enforcement action.

The many businesses that comply with their legal obligations will continue to pay nothing. However, it looks like the Treasury just found another way to raise revenue.

CPD Feedback

The first CPD event of Andy's 2012/13 tour happened last night and it looks like it got off to a great start.  One person said " This is my first ICE event, I was absolutely blown away by your talk, excellent!"  This made the drive down and back through torrential downpours worthwhile.  There are further events in November and January at various locations around the UK.

Feedback

If you want more information or to book a CPD presentation see this link for details.

Free CPD Seminars

We are once again offering a range of lunch time CPD seminars to professionals and trainees in the construction, maintenance and asset management industries.  If you want us to present at your office or site please contact us.

Some of the subject matter

Those of you who have attended our talks in the past know that they are not thinly veiled sales pitches.  They are packed with useful practical information.  They typically last 30 minutes plus as much time as you need for questions.

Andy in full flow

You want more info click here

Transportation Consultants

Lost amongst all of the Olympics and holidays was the CIHT Consultants Directory where Up and Under found themselves ranked 77th out of 149 consultantants offering transportation related services.  Although we were not able to compete with the Atkins, Arups and WSPs (who were ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively) we were well placed against many other well known names in the industry .

We have continued to grow the range of services to both structure owners and other consultancies.  We carry a range of qualifications and accreditations specific to transport related asset management.

Whether it is conventional inspections or works requiring specialist access we are always happy to help. Give us a call 01270 589615.  We are also interested in export partnership arrangements.

The Construction Act 2009 - useful link

The “Construction Act 2009” came into force on the 1 October 2011 below is a link to a brief outline of some of the more important points as considered by JR Knowles, we have been kept up to date on these matters by the ever helpful, and knowledgeable Geraldine Flemming.

http://www.jrknowles.com/index.php?p=51

We trust that you will find it helpful.