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Neal's Notes For April 2009
Employee Factsheet: EU CLP Regulation
What is the EU CLP Regulation?
CLP is used to describe a directly acting Regulation of the European Commission for a new system for the classification, labeling and packaging of hazardous chemicals which will be phased in alongside the current system over a number of years, with full changeover being required at the latest by 1 June 2015.
What does CLP stand for?
It stands for Classification, Labeling and Packaging of hazardous substances and mixtures (formerly known as preparations) - though it also covers hazard communication issues of advertisements and Poison Centre notifications.
What is the aim?
The aim is to replace the current classification and labeling system for supply of hazardous chemicals (substances and mixtures) by one that is harmonised with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) that has been recommended by the United Nations for use around the world and in different areas (supply, transport, use, storage and disposal) in order to replace the many different systems with a single scheme that can be harmonised by all countries, including those without any current system, and international and regional legislators. Such harmonisation will reduce the problems and costs of international trade. There will initially be higher costs as transition is made to the new system before the longer
When will it come into force?
The CLP Regulation came into force in January 2009, initially as an option to compliance with the current provisions.
What does it mean for my company?
The EU CLP Regulation should eventually simplify the classification systems that companies have to deal with, as international, regional and national competent authorities harmonise their provisions with those of the GHS. However, in the shorter term (5-10 years) the transitional provisions are liable to create extra regulatory affairs demands on companies.
Reduce stress
If only reducing stress was as simple as popping bubble wrap, or spotting it as easy as studying someone's doodles or handwriting. However, there are effective ways to spot and reduce stress in the workplace.
Tackling workplace stress can help increase productivity
The tools and guides provided on this site can help you see the signs of stress, help safeguard people's health and enhance your company's performance.
The next step is to choose the section that relates to you:
HR Managers
As an HR professional you're often at the sharp end of work related stress. For tools and ways to help counter stress, visit the HSE workplace stress pages[1].CEOs and Board Directors
As a Senior Director you need to promote the well-being of their company by ensuring individuals are safeguarded against the effects of stress. For management guidance, visit the Board Directors/Chief Executive Officers stress page[2].Employees
If you think you are suffering from workplace stress, there are good resources available to you. Visit the employee stress page[3].
HSE tells Directors "to lead by actions, not words"
Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has called on Directors to demonstrate personal commitment and spend more time outside the boardroom to show they really care about health and safety. Judith Hackitt, Chair of the HSE, in the annual Rivers Lecture, told the audience last night (18 March) of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in London: "Personal responsibility is fundamental to credibility and strong leadership. The first requirement is to get outside of the Boardroom - visit workstations and talk to staff. Ask them what their health and safety concerns are and show genuine interest in and consideration for their response." In the speech Ms Hackitt challenged the growth of a 'box-ticking' and 'do as I say, not as I do' culture, among managers. She said Board Leadership in Health and Safety is "about common sense, personal responsibility and integrity." She added: "If the actions of the Board are inconsistent with the directions given to staff, this creates a huge integrity gap." Ms Hackitt concluded that Chartered Secretaries and Administrators were uniquely able to influence and steer the behaviours of their own boards and to extend that influence throughout the supply chains of their organisations.Prestigious health and safety event
Liverpool's BT Convention Centre will be this year's venue for the 60th annual conference and exhibition organised by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), and hosted in part by the Health and Safety Executive which is largely based on Merseyside. The event will be chaired by Channel 4 News presenter, Krishnan Guru-Murthy who will grill HSE's Chief Executive, Geoffrey Podger in front of more than 700 delegates, with a 45-minute Q&A. Lord McKenzie, Department of Work and Pension's (DWP) Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, will also give a keynote speech about emerging risks and future priorities in health and safety particularly given the current economic challenges. HSE's Director of Policy, Jane Willis and Health and Safety Laboratory's Chief Executive, Eddie Morland will also take part, chairing sessions on legal and regulatory issues and emerging health and safety risks. "We are delighted that IOSH organised their annual conference in the North-West. Merseyside is now home to HSE's unified headquarters in Bootle where we employ about 1500 people," said Geoffrey Podger, HSE's Chief Executive. One of HSE's key messages is directed firmly at business and their health and safety professionals: "Given the turbulent economy, we hope that Great Britain's businesses keep especially vigilant about maintaining their health and safety requirements. "At its worst, taking short cuts can endanger lives but it can also cost business a lot of money in the long run. Now, more than ever, business owners cannot afford to face penalties or prosecutions or risk their good reputation by reneging on these essential responsibilities, so we encourage informed, sensible decision-making." The two-day event generates opportunities to debate and learn about ongoing and contemporary issues keeping Great Britain at the very forefront of health and safety. Exhibitors from the health and safety industry will take products and messages to the exhibition hall in the BT Convention Centre. As well as the multi-disciplinary seminars, HSE's evening reception - hosted by Judith Donovan, HSE's Board champion for its latest 'Come Home Safe' agriculture campaign - provides a perfect opportunity for industry networking.Dangers of poor safety precautions after worker falls into pit
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is reminding businesses of the importance of implementing safe systems of work and ensuring that plant is maintained. This warning follows the prosecution of a dairy products company after an incident, in Telford, Shropshire, which left a worker seriously injured. Dairy Crest Limited of Esher, Surrey was (on Monday 2nd March 2009) ordered, by Telford Magistrates, to pay £18,000 in fines, with £ 2,675 costs after pleading guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The court heard that, on 17th June, 2007, a milk by-product effluent pit was being emptied and the contents drawn, via a three-inch (75mm) diameter hose, into a tanker. Employee John Webberley was using the water from a hot water hose to melt solidifying milk by-products in the pit and thereby prevent the formation of a thick crust. As the ill-fitting metal grating, meant to cover the pit, was not secured in place 57-year-old Mr Webberley slipped and fell into the six foot (1.9m) deep pit. He sustained substantial injuries to his groin, later necessitating surgery. No measures had been taken to secure the grating or protect anyone from falling into the pit and the company had not provided and maintained a safe system of work. It was customary practice to remove the gratings while emptying the pit but no adequate safety precautions were in place during this procedure. Plant had not been adequately maintained so the gratings could have given way at any time. HSE inspector David Kivlin said: "Regulations require employers to not only ensure that a safe system of work is followed but also that plant and equipment is safe to use. It is essential that covers and gratings of pits, containing free-flowing solids and liquids, are of a suitable and sufficient construction and well-maintained. This should minimise the risk of them giving way and ensure that employees working in and around them are not exposed to unnecessary risk. "In this case the employer failed to adequately assess the risks associated with the task of emptying the pit. If a suitable risk assessment had been undertaken it should have identified the poor systems of work being used and this accident could have been easily avoided. The employee who fell received substantial injuries, which will have a lasting effect on his quality of life and as a result he will not be able to return to work. "Employers should remember that falls remain one of the biggest killers of workers and in most cases the precautions needed are simple. There is ample free guidance readily available from HSE to help companies take the right action1500 Refurbishment sites targeted
Last year (2007/08p) over half (52%) of the workers who died on construction sites worked in refurbishment, repair and maintenance, in line with a similar shocking statistic the previous year (2006/07). Today, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) announced that throughout March it again aims to inspect 1500 refurbishment sites across Great Britain, to tackle poor health and safety standards. In support of its Shattered Lives and Hidden Killer campaigns, HSE's inspectors will be targeting principal contactors to see how they are managing:- Working at height safely;
- Good order on site; and
- The risks associated with exposure to asbestos
- Jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions are in place
- Equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly
- Sites are well organised, to avoid trips and falls
- Walkways and stairs are free from obstructions
- Work areas are clear of unnecessary materials and waste
- The risks associated with exposure to asbestos are managed correctly and carried out in accordance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 where applicable
- The work force is made aware of risk control measures
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