Newsletter December 2013
We are having a remarkably mild December with a few stormy days here and there - a bit like the last year of news. 2013 has been positive with the recovery in the construction sector but on the other hand uncertainty about the ACOPs, particularly the CDM and other Health and Safety arenas.
In this month's newsletter we have an update from Judith Hackitt and an important date for your 2014 diary, along with some other interesting news from the past few weeks.
Social media has helped us keep in touch in real time with events and changes. If you are not already in touch on Twitter or other social media platforms - make it your New Year's Resolution. In 2014, social media will be more of a tool than ever before making it a must for everyone.
Have a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.
From the Ai Solutions Team
2014: Change in Regulations, Behaviour, Culture
Having recently visited the IIRSM Conference in Birmingham we were very pleased with the conference as a whole but particularly interested in the update from Judith Hackitt, the Chair of the HSE.
Judith stated that much about the implementation of the regulations is misrepresentation and as health and safety professionals we are all guilty of adding fuel to the flames. She went on to say that "Myths were not invented by the media"; there are too many stories about what you cannot do because of the various regulations, to the point of madness sometimes. We need to create the right culture and change the behaviour of the people around us.
Continue reading '2014: Change in Regulations, Behaviour, Culture' and add your comments.
Save the Date for 2014!
Once again we will be holding our Health and Safety Conference in April 2014. We will be sending out more information in January about this exciting event including details of how you can register and pay for the event directly from our website.
Date: 30th April, 2014 @ the RAF Club, Piccadilly, London.
Will will also be holding a Product Workshop on 29th January, 2014 at our offices in Leighton Buzzard. This will cover product updates from the last 12 months.
Our Partner Needs You!
Our partner Waste Plan Solutions is currently doing some market research to see how they can extend their range of services. Can you help?
Waste Plan have created a 2 minute survey that needs filling out.
>> Click here to take the survey now...
The Truth About the Dangers of Asbestos
David Cant has written about asbestos before, including cases where companies have ended up in court through negligence or ignorance. Recently, another company has been served a huge fine after putting people's lives at risk at a former factory in Poole. Here David reveals a few unpleasant truths about asbestos, and exposes some common myths.
It's too easy to go along with commonly held myths. We encounter these on a regular basis within the world of health and safety. People who not only ought to know better, but need to know better, are still peddling tired old 'truths' which are in fact nothing of the sort.
Asbestos Myth: 1
The first myth I tend to come across is the belief that only older buildings are likely to have asbestos in them. Not true. In fact asbestos was still regularly being used in the construction and insulation of buildings up to 1999. In the year 2000 it was banned as a building and insulation material, but any property, building or extension built prior to 2000 could very well contain asbestos.
Continue reading 'The Truth About the Dangers of Asbestos' and add your comments.
Source: David Cant, Veritas Consulting. Originally Posted on Veritas Consulting Blog September 19, 2013.
Charity Christmas Puzzle
We are delighted to continue our support of an outstanding Christmas Puzzle organised locally to raise money for charities around the country.
This year's puzzle (the 23rd) is available to download now from the Christmas Puzzle website - www.ChristmasPuzzle.co.uk
So far, the puzzle has raised over £51,500 for various good causes. The puzzle should appeal to people who enjoy solving (former) broadsheet crossword puzzles. You have plenty of time to work on it so don't expect every answer to be obvious; however, unlike many puzzles that come out around this time of year, this one is designed to help you finish!
All Work and No Play? Staff Favorite
If you have five minutes then have a look at NASAs website!
Amazing pictures and videos. http://www.nasa.gov/