bhsea k · 2017-01-01 · annual report and accounts 2017 programme. business continuity –...

Birmingham Health, Safety & Environment Association BHSEA http://www.bhsea.org.uk

For further information: Liz Prophett Tel: 07881 290238; Email: [email protected]

Hazard Spotting

Members’ Corner

Main presentation

Other presentation(s)

Toolbox

Poster / Cartoon

Members questions

News / Stop Press

Next event


Transitioning to ISO 14001:2015The Cathedral Hygiene Experience

Dr Anu Spratley

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Annual Report and Accounts 2017 ProgrammeBusiness Continuity – SeminarBHSEA Quinton premises and new registered office

Pollution PreventionThe role and responsibility of business

Alison Whelan, Waste Enforcement Unit, B’ham CC

Environmental Law Update- using case studies

Fiona Ross, Pinsent Masons LLP

December

2016Newsletter

Sharing Learning Improving

Birmingham Health, Safety & Environment Association BHSEA December 2016

Networking before the start of the December event


Special Guest(s) and New Member(s)

Rosi

Edwards – BHSEA President

Karen Everett –

Visiting Officer HSE, (for Geoff Brown, HSE)

Andy Chappell – ex. BHSEA Secretary


What is good or not good?What questions would you ask?

Racking / Storage (1)


To achieve high standards of safety requires use of ‘safety indicators’ – in this case boxes on top of racks. Then need to ask: Who? How? Why? (5 Why) etc

? Availability of safe / suitable equipment

? Has anyone ever asked or observed how job is done?

X

X

Racking / Storage (2)


Transitioning to ISO 14001:2015 - the Cathedral Hygiene ExperienceDr Anu Spratley

Presentation slides on BHSEA website

Anu told us that she has been working for Cathedral Hygiene for 6 years and prior to that, she worked for the Environment Agency for 10 years. Before then, Anu worked for the Ministry of Defence.Cathedral Hygiene (CH) achieved 140001 a few years ago. It was the first Company to achieve 14001 in 2015. CH purposely put in an early application so that there would be time to integrate 14001 with their Health and Safety System. 14001 will dovetail / complement 18001.

CH is a washroom service provider. There are outlets throughout the UK. CH are not involved with the treatment or disposal of waste. They use local organisations for that.A key element of 14001 is the involvement of top level management and CH addressed this by, for example, bringing their Directors into the Safety Committee and by giving their senior managers the task of carrying out site audits and inspections.Anu went on to outline the key changes / differences introduced by the new standard. Generally, the standard is now risk based.CH’s second audit will be in February 2017. Anu reported that one of the key benefits of achieving 14001 is that it has given CH a better appreciation of the risks in the organisation.

http://www.bhsea.org.uk/8presentations.htm



Pollution Prevention - the role and responsibility of businessAlison Whelan, Waste Enforcement Unit, B’ham CC

Waste is a big problem for Birmingham. Not only does Birmingham have a huge problem with fly tipping (12,000 complaints are made to the Council each year and 40,000 tonnes of waste recovered), research has also found that 56% of businesses don’t comply with the legal requirements in relation to waste fully – that’s around 17,000 business in Birmingham alone (of which 94% are SME’s but of which 90% do aspire to comply).

In some cases, there is a lack of understanding as to what waste actually is. Waste is defined as “any substance or object…..which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard’, but this is open to interpretationIn other cases, people aren’t clear what the legal duties are. In relation to general waste, the law imposes a duty of care that requires 1) anyone who imports, produces, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste to take ‘all such measures’ to prevent other persons from making an unauthorised or harmful deposit, treatment or disposal etc. of waste, 2) to prevent the escape of the waste from his control or that of any other person and 3) on the transfer of the waste, to ensure that the transfer is only to an authorised person or to a person for authorised transport purposes (which can easily be checked) and that there is transferred such a written description of the waste as will enable other persons to avoid a contravention of the requirements.

Continued


There is also a legal requirement to keep written records for all types of waste (containing specific information) for two years. There are additional requirements in relation to other specific types of waste, such as hazardous waste and electrical waste.The ‘Waste Hierarchy’ published by DEFRA, encourages people to consider preventing, re-using, recycling or recovering waste before disposing of it, which can make good business sense as these options can be cheaper than disposal. Research has suggested that recycling of waste in the commercial sector (particularly amongst SME’s) is poor and that companies could actually make a profit from selling on much of their waste.

Birmingham City Council will investigate complaints that businesses aren’t complying with their legal duties in relation to waste or about fly tipping and will make random inspections. Those found to be in breach can be issued with a fixed penalty notice or prosecuted, with the average fine for commercial waste dumping being £3,800.

Further information can be found at www.rightwasterightplace.com.


Pollution Prevention - the role and responsibility of businessContinued

http://www.rightwasterightplace.com/




Environmental Law Update - case studiesFiona Ross, Pinsent Masons LLP

A number of developments that business need to be aware of.Environmental Permitting – There are a number of circumstances in which businesses might need an environmental permit, albeit some exemptions do apply. Recent developments have meant that there are now likely to be new circumstances for which permits may be required relating to businesses storing combustible waste and it is anticipated that this may impact upon around 30,000 businesses as it applies to engines, boilers, furnaces and turbines under 50MW. This is currently under consultation.

The EA’s new Fire Prevention Plan (FPP) Guidance, published July 2016, sets out the requirements with which businesses storing combustible waste must meet to be granted an environmental permit.Waste – Whether waste is really waste depends on the intent of the holder as objectively inferred from the circumstances – NOT just the subjective test. By-products and secondary products may not be waste. Waste can also cease to be waste if it has been subject to a complete recovery operation. There are some changes to landfill tax exemptions that are likely to impact on the construction sector.Circular Economy – This EC initiative could provide real opportunities for business. In a circular economy the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible; waste and resource use are minimised, and resources are kept within the economy when a product has reached the end of its life, to be used again & again to create further value”. The first BSI circular economy standard is currently under consultation.

Continued


Nuisance – There are a number of types of nuisance claims which could be brought against businesses, including statutory nuisance, private nuisance and public nuisance. Interestingly, a business can commit a nuisance even if it is complying with planning permission and environmental permits. It is also extremely hard for businesses to demonstrate that they have prescriptive rights to, for example, create a noise or odour simply because they have done so for a number of years during which time residents have moved into the area.ESOS – Businesses above a certain size are legally obliged to audit their energy use and report their findings to the EA. There is strangely no legal obligation to actually implement any recommendations identified but doing so should be an advantage to business in enabling them to cut costs. The EA have said that the plan to increase enforcement in this area through the use of enforcement notices and civil sanctions.REACH – There is an upcoming chemical registration deadline on 1 June 2018. Businesses using chemicals need to ensure that they are registered as they otherwise may no longer be available on the European market.Renewable Heat Initiative - Under this initiative, a tariff can be earned on electricity generated from the biomass element of the feedstock. The take up amongst businesses has however been poor. Sentencing Guidelines – Specific environmental sentencing guidelines have been in place since 1 July 2014. They prescribe that turnover must now be used as a starting point when imposing sentences. Caps on certain environmental offences have also now been removed. As a result, fines for environmental offences have been increasing, with a £1m fine imposed in January 2016. The use of civil sanctions has also been increasing.Brexit – Although no-one really know what impact Brexit will have on environmental regulation, it is possible that some legislation, especially around birds and habitats and EU ETS may be amended. The future of some EU environmental initiatives may also be in doubt.

Environmental Law Update - case studiesContinued





Visual techniques - Environmental applications

Waste segregation

Liquid level indicator Inset is simulating low liquid level


Previous Toolbox Items


Posters / Useful Websites (1)

Singapore Government – National Environment Agency

http://www.nea.gov.sg/training-knowledge/educational-materials-and-exhibits

http://www.nea.gov.sg/training-knowledge/educational-materials-and-exhibits


https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pollution-prevention-for-businessesPosters / Useful Websites (2)

Current Guidance

- Published 12th July

2016

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pollution-prevention-for-businesses


Members Question / Request

We have had an incident with someone stepping out of van , into pothole

covered with leaves and breaking lower leg/fracture and in plaster. She

was wearing safety shoes.

Just wondered how other people manage this type of situation, what type

of safety shoes they use, and if drivers always use the step out

of the van?

Do they step backwards or forwards? Are there handles provided on door

or side of van?

...and what more we could do in this situation, especially as they will all

be remote workers?

I am looking at the various types of vans we have...all Ford...and seeing

what more we could possibly do.

Any ideas?


Annual Report and Accounts

Will be sent to all Members in December prior to AGM on 9th January 2017


2017 Programme of Events

Will be sent electronically to all Members early Jan ‘17.Hard copies available at 9th January 2017 event


Business Continuity Seminar – Wednesday

27th April 2017

To register your interest please contact the Secretary – Liz Prophett.The leaflet / booking form will be available early in the New Year.


Sale of Quinton & new registered office (from 5th January 2017)

• The Quinton premises at 721 Hagley Road West, Quinton, B32 1DJ were purchased in 2001 and housed the then ‘Safety Information Centre’.

• With much information and communication now by electronic means one of the main reasons for acquiring the premises ceased to apply and the ongoing cost and time for upkeep was a concern.

• A sub-committee report and recommendation to sell was unanimously agreed and the sale is due to be completed on 5th January 2017.

• A decision has yet to be made on where to invest the proceeds.

• The new registered office will be:Birmingham Health, Safety and Environment

Association, Church Court, Stourbridge Rd, Halesowen. W.Midlands. B63 3TT

• Rented office accommodation will be used in the future and a number of options – some not immediately available are being considered.The Quinton premises

Birmingham Health, Safety & Environment Association BHSEA http://www.bhsea.org.u k


Sharing Learning Improving9th January 2017 12.45pm for 1.30pm – 3.45pm (ish)

National Metalforming Centre - B70 6PY (1 min from M5 j1)Next

event

Hazard Spotting

Members’ Corner

Main presentation

Other presentation(s)

Toolbox

Poster / Cartoon

Members questions

News / Stop Press

Next event

HSE Annual Progress Report & PlansJane Lassey

HSE Divisional Director, Wales, Midlands & S. West

Annual General MeetingPresentation / approval of Annual Report and Accounts

An opportunity to hear about HSE Strategy etc and what influence this might have on

you and your priorities and plans. And an opportunity to ask questions!

Learning from AccidentsMike Pearson, Site Assessment and

Training Services (SATS) Ltd

http://www.bhsea.org.uk/



Birmingham Health, Safety & Environment Association BHSEANational Metalforming Centre (NMC) - Location & Parking

Birmingham Health, Safety & Environment Association BHSEA

bhsea k · 2017-01-01 · annual report and accounts 2017 programme. business continuity –...

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