Newsletter September 2002
Construction Industry Seminar - 3 October 2002
Our next seminar is at Bletchley Park, headquarters of Britain’s code breaking in the Second World War. This historic location provides an interesting backdrop for the new asbestos regulations and discussions about CDM. The event includes a presentation about a new refurbishment project on the site and our support of that project through the use of the Asbestos ToolKit CS™.
Speakers include representatives from the HSE, Mouchel and Casella Environmental. Each will support one of the objectives of the seminar to increase awareness of the new regulations. Our agenda for the morning includes;
- Health & Safety Update including 'Revitalising H&S Proposals by HSE'
Mike Stokes, Director of Health & Safety, Mouchel - HSE Awareness Programme Introduction
Anne Marlow, Ai Solutions - Bletchley Park Project
Shaun Armstrong, Operations Director, Bletchley Park - HSE Management Guidance for the Asbestos Regulations
Bob Daunton, Specialist Inspector, HSE - Proposed Asbestos legislation for Clearance Procedures
Bill Sanderson, Casella Environmental - ToolKit CS™ for CDM and Asbestos
Ai Solutions Team
Following lunch, there will be an optional tour of Bletchley Park to learn about the key role that BP played in code breaking, including the famous Enigma machine.
Because of the popularity of the venue, and the increasing cost of administration for our seminars, bookings must be pre-paid, by credit card or by cheque. Proforma Invoices are available for those that need them in advance of payment of the £90 fee, or £75 for existing ToolKit users excluding VAT. The fee includes lunch, refreshments and the optional tour. Places are limited so please book early and note that cancellation conditions apply. Please see here for more details including the booking form.
Asbestos Management Legislation
Latest information from HSE suggests that the long awaited revisions to the asbestos regulations are to be signed about the time we go to press. The amended Regulations will be known as the 'Control of Asbestos At Work Regulation 2002' (CAWR). Although not generally understood, the Regulations will be effective from the date of signing with 2 exceptions which are;
- Regulation 4: the Duty to Manage Asbestos. This has a lead in period until Spring 2004 to allow the estimated 1.5 million duty holders to implement their management procedures.
- Regulation 20: The use of accredited laboratories for the analysis of bulk samples. This has a lead in period until Autumn 2004.
CAWR will be supported by the following Approved Codes of Practice (ACoPs) to be available very soon from HSE Books;
- L127: The Management of Asbestos in Non-Domestic Premises (this supports Regulation 4).
- L27: Work with Asbestos which does not normally require a licence.
- L28: Work with Asbestos Insulation, Asbestos Coating, and Asbestos Insulting Board.
Other Publications;
- HSG 227: A Comprehensive Guide to Managing Asbestos In Premises. This is extended guidance to the new regulation which was formerly described as the management guide to the duty to manage.
- INDG 223 (Rev 3): A Short Guide to Managing Asbestos In Premises. This is a rewrite of Managing Asbestos in Premises and like its predecessor is a free leaflet.
The Asbestos Awareness Campaign which we have supported and promoted for many months now includes a press launch in London on 3 October 2002. The launch is intended for the media and invited guests including ourselves. The HSE will provide some guidance items at the event and we will make them available to our customers as they become available.
Our Seminar on 3 October will include presentations about all of these documents by the HSE and by our partners.
Revitalising Health and Safety in Construction
HSE plans to launch a Discussion Document entitled 'Revitalising Health and Safety in Construction' on 19th September 2002. It is intended to stimulate debate and the development of imaginative proposals to revitalise the industry's approach to the control and management of health and safety risks. It raises many issues, but does not put forward firm proposals. Instead HSE seeks your views and any reliable evidence to support those views.
Copies of the Discussion Document will be available free from HSE Books. Also a new area of HSE's website is being created both to help people respond to the Discussion Document and to host an online discussion forum where people can share and develop their ideas. The web address for this site (from 19th September 2002) will be http://www.hse.gov.uk/disdocs/construction.htm - you can also use it to access the Discussion Document.
HSE is keen to hear the views of people from all parts of the industry, both large or small. The closing date for replies is 31 December 2002.
Software Product Development
We are delighted to report that our product development plans are on track. Our new CDM and Asbestos ToolKit CS™ product is available for new customers. The product comes with a choice of database engines including Microsoft's SQL Server database. Upgrades from CDM ToolKit™ 2000 are now available. Product details are available on our web site.
Other Issues
Asbestos Awareness Training
We have previously announced the availability of the HSE's Asbestos Awareness Training courses. We look forward to requests to deliver this programme. Newsletters from HSE's Brian Trevette are available from our web site.
ESRI
Our June Newsletter asked for contact with your ESRI - CAPS Uniform representative if you have one. We are still trying to contact you if you have not responded!
SHE Exhibition
Please make a note in your diary! We plan to be exhibiting at the SHE Exhibition in Harrogate 15-16 October 2002. We will be delighted to see you and your colleagues at this important Health and Safety show.