November 2006

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 came into force on 13 November 2006.  These Regulations bring together the three previous sets of Regulations covering the prohibition of asbestos, the control of asbestos at work and asbestos licensing.  They also  include the 'duty to manage asbestos' in non-domestic premises.

There are 3 essential steps the duty holder must take:

• Find out whether the premises contain asbestos and if so, where it is and what condition it is in.  If in doubt, materials must be presumed to contain asbestos

• Assess the risk; and

• Make a plan to manage that risk and act on it.

The duty to manage is all about putting in place the practical steps necessary to protect maintenance workers and others from the risk of exposure to asbestos fibres.  It is not about removing all asbestos.

More information about the duty to manage asbestos can be found on the Health & Safety Executive website.

Refix are fully aware of the dangers of working with asbestos and can arrange for suspect materials to be surveyed and tested..

Call Refix now on 023 8045 5250 or click here.

back to top

October 2006

Is Your Lighting Energy Efficient?

Energy efficient lighting not only imrpoves the working environment and reduces carbon dioxide emissions; it also saves your business money!

Indoor and outdoor lighting installations that are more than 10 years old are likely to contain types of lamps and lighting fittings that can be replaced by more efficient alternatives.  Newer installations may also offer savings on energy and money.  Having timeclocls and/or PIR detectors installed will ensure lighting is only on when needed.

The following are examples of how you can improve your energy efficienty by making a few simple changes to your lighting:

• Replace the ordinary filament light bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps in the same fittings or if necessary, new fittings - energy savigns of 75% and reduced maintenance costs beuuase of longer lamp life

• Replace T12 fluorescent tubes in switch start fittings with equivalant T8 fluorescent tubes of lower wattage - energy savings of 8% and prices of T8 lamps are lower than T12 lamps.

• Replace high wattage filament light bulbs and tungsten halogen lights used in floodlights with hig-pressure sodium or metal halide lighting - energy saving of 45% to 75% plus reduced maintenance.

These are just a few ideas which can help you save energy and money.

More information can be obtained from The Energy Saving Trust.

Refix can advise you on energy efficient lighting.

Call Refix now on 023 8045 5250 or click here.

back to top

September 2006

Fire Safety Reform in England and Wales

The biggest overhaul of fire safety legislation in decades comes into effect on 1st October 2006.  There is greater emphasis on fire prevention in all non-domestic premises.  Fire certificates will be abolished and will cease to have legal status.

Responsibilty for complying with the Fire Safety Order will rest with the 'responsible person'.  In a workplace, this is the employer of anyone else who may have control over any part of the premises e.g. the occupier or owner.  Fire risk assessments must be carried out by the responsible person(s) and must focus on the safety or all 'relevant persons' in case of a fire, with particular emphasis on those at special risk.  They must also take into consideration any dangerous substances likely to be on the premises.  If 5 or more people are employed, the findings of the assessment must be recorded.

The Fire Safety Order requires an appropriate fire detection and alarm system to be provided in premises.  Escape routes and exits requireing illumincation must be provided with emergency lighting.  The fire alarm and emergency lighting systems must be subjected to a suitable system of maintenance.  Responsible persons should make sure appropriate records are kept in case it becomes necessary for them to prove they acted responsibly.  A visiting inspector can require to examine these records.

More information can be obtained from the Department for Communities and Local Government.  You can also download their guides from this website.

Refix can help you comply with the new rules by installing signage, emergency lighting etc.

Call Refix now on 023 8045 5250 or click here.

back to top

August 2006

Are Your Electrical Installations Safe?

The regular inspection and testing of all electrical installations is a requirement of the Electricity at Work Regulations.  The National Inspection council for Electrical Installation Contracting  (NICEIC) recommends that landlords arrange for Periodic Inspection & Testing to be carried out by an Approved Contractor at least every 5 years for a commercial property.

Periodic Inspection provides for the safety of persons against the effects of electric shock and burns, protection of property against damage, confirmation that an installation is not damaged or deteriorated and identifies any installation defect and non-compliance with Regulatoins.

Having correctly complied certificates and reports can also be significant in providing you, if necessary, with a defense under Regulation 29 of the Electricity at Work Regulations.

More information can be found on the NICEIC website.

Refix have been a member of the NICEIC since 1993 and can assist in all aspects of electrical safety tests and reports. 

Call Refix now on 023 8045 5250 or click here.

back to top

July 2006

Do you comply with the Disability Discrimination Act?

With a major high street retailer being the first to be prosecuted under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) for failing to improve physical access to goods and services, busiinesses are reminded about their responsibilities to disabled customers.

Part three of the DDA places specific duties on shops and buinessses that provide services available to the public, to alter, adapt or remove physical barriers that make it unreasonably difficult for disabled people to receive fair treatment.  The equal access provision of the DDA came info force on October 1st 2004.

When thinking about the accessibility of goods and services, businesses should consider:

•The idenfication and finding of premises

• Approach to premises

• Entrances and access

• Interior layout & accessing of goods and services

• Customer toilets

• Vacating premises (especially emergency procedures), etc

Areas to bear in mind include signage, decorating, lighting, car parks, entrance ways and ramps etc.

More information can be found on the Disability Rights Commission website.

Refix can work with you to improve your accessibility.  Call Refix on 023 8045 5250 or click here.

back to top

June 2006

Be Height Aware

Between May and June 2006, the Health & Safety Executive have been running a Height Aware Campaign.  53 people died from falls in 2004/05 making falls the biggest cause of deaths in Britian's workplaces.

Nearly 3800 people suffered a major injury, 60% of which were from a fall below head height.  7 people died as a result of a low fall.  Hampshire had the hightest number of falls in the South East with 249 falls in 2004/05.

The dangers involved in working as such low levels may not be obviuos to business owners and employees.  Even simple taks carried out at a relatively how height can lead to major injuries, and in some caes death, without proper care.  Falls are preventable when work is planned properly, risks are accurately assessed and the correct equipment is used.

The Work at Height Regulations 2005 came into effect on 6 April 2005.  The Regulatoins apply to all work at height where there is a risk of a fall liable to cause personal injury.

They place duties on employers, the self-employed, and any person that controls the work of others, (for example, facilities mangers of building owners who may contract other to work at height).  As part of the Regulations, duty holders much ensure:

• all work at height is properly planned and organised;

• those involved in work at height are competent;

• the risks from work at height are assessed and appropiate work equipment is selected and used;

• the risks from fragile surfaces are properly controlled; and

• equipment for work at height is properly inspected and maintained.

More information can be found on the Health & Safety Executive website.

Refix work to the highest levels of health & safety and are accredited against the SAFEcontractor scheme.  Call Refix now on 023 8045 5250 or click here.

back to top