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Government Mesothelioma Compensation Scheme
In the news recently, campaigners have expressed fears that thousands could miss out under a new compensation scheme for those with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of internal organs, notably the lungs, and almost always arises from exposure to asbestos. Asbestos has been used in the past within construction and is within many of our schools and older buildings. For more on this article see Asbestos compensation scheme criticised by campaigners on the BBC News website.
Ai Solutions can support those who have asbestos in their building portfolios. By using Asbestos ToolKit CS you can demonstrate your compliance with the CAR12 Regulations, give a member of the team a call on 01525 85080 or visit www.aisolutions.co.uk for more information.
Source: BBC News
Newsletter - May 2013
The May 2013 edition of the Ai Solutions Newsletter is now available: May Newsletter.
Hard Hats Guidance
The HSE has stated that the Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989 and the Notification of Conventional Tower Crane Regulations 2010 have now been revoked. However they insist that being safe is crucial and the wearing of hats saves lives.
With this in mind they have published some guidance on Hard Hats; for more information visit www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/cis70.pdf
Design Risk Management
Due to the continued success of the Callsafe Services Limited Design Risk Management course, they are presenting the next course on 18th & 19th June at Aston Conferences in Birmingham.
This is the only Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM) designers' course that is accredited by the Association for Project Safety (APS). The course is also recognised as CPD for CDM Co-ordinators, Architects and other designers.
The course tutor has experience in both design and construction, is a fully qualified and experienced construction health and safety professional, has worked on CDM projects as a Planning Supervisor (pre-2007) and a CDM Co-ordinator (post-2007), is Chartered member of IOSH, MIIRSM and RMaPS, and is currently the CDM Co-ordinator on a number of projects.
The course is highly interactive and includes presentations, notes, syndicate exercises, delegate discussions, and an examination to ensure learning outcomes. The course programme can be seen at: www.callsafe-services.co.uk/Training/
An individual who successfully completes this course can claim points allocated in the Qualifications and Experience table towards meeting Full Membership of APS.
An individual who meets the above criteria will also be exempt from sitting the examination for admission to the APS Register of Designers for a period of three months from the date on which APS issues a certificate confirming successful completion of the course.
For further details and to book onto this course, contact Gemma Esprey at: gemma.esprey@callsafe-services.co.uk, or by telephone: 01889 577701.
Source: Callsafe Services
HSE Under Review
Employment minister Mark Hoban has announced a review of the Health and Safety Executive, as part of the Government's commitment to reform the public sector, reports the SHP (Safety & Health Practitioner).
There is a substantive review at least every three years to ensure that their functions remain necessary, and should be delivered independently of the Government. The review will assess whether there is a continuing need for the HSE's functions, as well as whether it is complying with the principles of good governance.
For more on this story visit SHP HSE Review
Source: SHP Online
Basis of new CDM Regulations Explained
On March 13th 2013 the Construction Industry Advisory Committee (CONIAC) received a presentation from HSE on the revision to the CDM 2007 Regulations. The presentation has now been published on the HSE website - CDM Revised Regulatory Package Update.
The declared objectives of the new regulations are:
- Implementation - current law 'under-implements' since there are no duties on 'domestic clients';
- Simplification - the new package must be more user-friendly and less bureaucratic;
- Roles - align roles more accurately with the EU Directive requirements;
- Cost and bureaucracy - aim is to produce cost savings for businesses and less 'bureaucracy';
- SMEs - new regulations should improve compliance of SMEs; and
- Regulatory impact - regulations must meet better regulation principles.
The central principle governing the new CDM Regulations will be meeting the requirements set out by the related EU Directive. To aid readers, the main requirements of the Directive are reproduced below with key definitions and obligations underlined.
So what will this mean to those involved in CDM projects? Until we have the finer detail there doesn't look as though there is anything too complicated; however we need to know what impact the new regulations will have for those of us who are either Clients, CDM-C's, Designers or Contractors.
There were concerns that things would change for the worse; we don't believe this will be the case as the pragmatic approach the HSE is taking means things will be structured; they will only change things that require it (if it isn't broken don't fix it strategy). We look forward to the changes as we believe things will be improved in the long run.
Please leave us your thoughts on the proposed changes in this related forum post.
Main Requirements of EU Directive
Article 2 Definitions
For the purposes of this Directive:
(a) 'temporary or mobile construction sites' (hereinafter referred to as 'construction sites') means any construction site at which building or civil engineering works are carried out; a non-exhaustive list of such works is given in Annex I;
(b) 'client' means any natural or legal person for whom a project is carried out;
(c) 'project supervisor' means any natural or legal person responsible for the design and/or execution and/or supervision of the execution of a project, acting on behalf of the client;
(d) 'self-employed person' means any person other than those referred to in Article 3 (a) and (b) of Directive 89/391/EEC whose professional activity contributes to the completion of a project;
(e) 'coordinator for safety and health matters at the project preparations stage' means any natural or legal person entrusted by the client and/or project supervisor, during preparation of the project design, with performing the duties referred to in Article 5;
(f) 'coordinator for safety and health matters at the project execution stage' means any natural or legal person entrusted by the client and/or project supervisor, during execution of the project, with performing the duties referred to in Article 6.
Article 3 Appointment of coordinators - Safety and health plan - Prior notice
1. The client or the project supervisor shall appoint one or more coordinators for safety and health matters, as defined in Article 2 (e) and (f), for any construction site on which more than one contractor is present.
2. The client or the project supervisor shall ensure that prior to the setting up of a construction site a safety and health plan is drawn up in accordance with Article 5 (b).
The Member States may, after consulting both management and the workforce, allow derogations from the provisions of the first paragraph, except where the work concerned involves particular risks as listed in Annex II.
3. In the case of constructions sites:
-on which work is scheduled to last longer than 30 working days and on which more than 20 workers are occupied simultaneously, or
- on which the volume of work is scheduled to exceed 500 person-days, the client or the project supervisor shall communicate a prior notice drawn up in accordance with Annex III to the competent authorities before work starts.
The prior notice must be clearly displayed on the construction site and, if necessary, periodically updated.
Article 4 - Project preparation stage: general principles
The project supervisor, or where appropriate the client, shall take account of the general principles of prevention concerning safety and health referred to in Directive 89/391/EEC during the various stages of designing and preparing the project, in particular:
- when architectural, technical and/or organizational aspects are being decided, in order to plan the various items or stages of work which are to take place simultaneously or in succession,
- when estimating the period required for completing such work or work stages. Account shall also be taken, each time this appears necessary, of all safety and health plans and of files drawn up in accordance with Article 5 (b) or (c) or adjusted in accordance with Article 6 (c).
Article 5 - Project preparation stage: duties of coordinators
The coordinator(s) for safety and health matters during the project preparation stage appointed in accordance with Article 3 (1) shall:
(a) coordinate implementation of the provisions of Article 4;
(b) draw up, or cause to be draw up, a safety and health plan setting out the rules applicable to the construction site concerned, taking into account where necessary the industrial activities taking place on the site; this plan must also include specific measures concerning work which falls within one or more of the categories of Annex II;
(c) prepare a file appropriate to the characteristics of the project containing relevant safety and health information to be taken into account during any subsequent works.
Article 6 - Project execution stage: duties of coordinators
The coordinator(s) for safety and health matters during the project execution stage appointed in accordance with Article 3 (1) shall:
(a) coordinate implementation of the general principles of prevention and safety:
- when technical and/or organizational aspects are being decided, in order to plan the various items or stages of work which are to take place simultaneously or in succession,
- when estimating the period required for completing such work or work stages;
(b) coordinate implementation of the relevant provisions in order to ensure that employers and, if necessary for the protection of workers, self-employed persons:
- apply the principles referred to in Article 8 in a consistent manner,
- where required, follow the safety and health plan referred to in Article 5 (b);
(c) make, or cause to be made, any adjustments required to the safety and health plan referred to in Article 5 (b) and the file referred to in Article 5 (c) to take account of the progress of the work and any changes which have occurred;
(d) organize cooperation between employers, including successive employers on the same site, coordination of their activities with a view to protecting workers and preventing accidents and occupational health hazards and reciprocal information as provided for in Article 6 (4) of Directive 89/391/EEC, ensuring that self-employed persons are brought into this process where necessary;
(e) coordinate arrangements to check that the working procedures are being implemented correctly;
(f) take the steps necessary to ensure that only authorized person are allowed onto the construction site.
Article 7 - Responsibilities of clients, project supervisors and employers
1. Where a client or project supervisor has appointed a coordinator or coordinators to perform the duties referred to in Articles 5 and 6, this does not relieve the client or project supervisor of his responsibilities in that respect.
2. The implementation of Articles 5 and 6, and of paragraph 1 of this Article shall not affect the principle of employers' responsibility as provided for in Directive 89/391/EEC.
Please leave us your thoughts on the proposed changes in this related forum post.
Source: HSE
Asbestos Management Help
Asbestos is the UK's biggest workplace killer. The three main types of asbestos - blue, brown and white asbestos - can still be found in the workplace. There is no safe level of exposure and all types are dangerous. Around 4,000 people die each year from mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer - 11 people for every day of the year. This is greater than the number of road accident deaths. Before the death rate declines, up to a quarter of a million people in Britain may have died from asbestos exposures.
There are up to six million tonnes of asbestos in schools, hospitals, ships, offices and factories - and the homes we live in. The importation, supply, and use of all asbestos throughout Britain is prohibited. However, it is still very much 'out there' and clients have the duty to manage any risk.
Ai Solutions are the industry experts in CAR 2012 and HSG264 compliant software and services. Our system, ToolKit CS™ with its integrated knowledge base, document templates and competency management, provides a comprehensive solution for all of your projects, properties and structures. It is fully audited & specifically designed to take the worry and stress out of compliance.
Why don't you give a member of the team a call on 01525 850080 or visit our website to book a free demonstration of the software.
PPE & Tower Crane Message From The HSE Forum
You may wish to note that The Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Repeals, Revocations and Amendments) Regulations 2013 came into force on 6 April 2013. These Regulations have removed thirteen measures that have either been overtaken by more up to date Regulations, are redundant or do not deliver the intended benefits. Further information is available on HSE's website. The measures removed include:
Construction (Head Protection) Regulations 1989
The Construction (Head Protection) Regulations have been revoked and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulations 1992 amended so that they apply to the provision and use of head protection on construction sites as well as to other forms of PPE.
Although the regulations have changed, the level of legal protection has not. Hard hats remain vital in protecting construction workers from head injuries. The necessity for hard hats on construction sites remains, and employers do not need to do anything differently to comply with the law. HSE is working with the industry (particularly small contractors) to ensure they understand this.
(Further information can be found at: Construction FAQs: Personal Protective Equipment and Hard hats: what you need to know as a busy builder [PDF]).
Notification of Conventional Tower Crane Regulations 2010
The revocation of the Notification of Conventional Tower Crane Regulations 2010 (including the closure of the Tower Crane Register) will reduce the regulatory burden placed on the construction industry without reducing safety standards for workers and the public.
HSE will continue working with industry to improve tower crane safety standards, including work to find a way in which the industry can continue to reassure the public about tower crane safety.
(Further information can be found at: Construction FAQs: Tower Crane Safety and Safe Crane Campaign.
Ai Solutions Ltd
We are very pleased to announce that both Shirley (Radford) and Theo (Gray) are now Directors and majority shareholders of Ai Solutions Limited. This is the culmination of more than a year of planning and gradual handover and we consider it to be a large milestone in the 18 years the business has been in operation.
This change in circumstances to Ai Solutions does not affect any arrangements we have in place with our customers or suppliers. Both Shirley and Theo have been providing support and stability to Ai Solutions' customers for many years, Theo since the company started, and they will continue to serve the best interests of their customers for many years to come.
We are sure you are aware that David and Anne Marlow have been taking more of a back seat in regard to the business over the last year and they have now decided to retire. However they will still retain an interest in the company and we are sure you will see them from time to time.
If you could please update your internal records accordingly. We are very pleased with this new venture and are looking forward to the continued success and growth of the company over the coming years.
Newsletter - April 2013
The April 2013 edition of the Ai Solutions Newsletter is now available: April Newsletter.
Archived Entries
Please see the Ai Solutions Blog Archive for links to archived entries from Ai Solutions.
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