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Archive for the ‘Environment’ Category
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Wednesday, February 24th, 2010First Trial under Corporate Manslaughter Act
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act is in the news again.
This time it is the culmination of years of discussion and debate – first about the Act itself, what it should cover and to whom it should apply – then about the penalties that should be imposed.
The Act was brought in after public outcries about such major tragedies as the capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise ferry outside Zeebrugge the Bradford City fire and the rail disasters at Southall and Paddington. The law was unable to convict any person or organisation in regard to these accidents.
The first case under the new Act has now been brought to court and judgement made.
This first case is not on the same scale as the major disasters of past years, but it resulted in the death of a young man, which is every bit as devastating for his family, his colleagues and others who knew him.
What lessons can we all learn from this case? (more…)
Safe Use of Chemicals in the Workplace
Thursday, January 21st, 2010“REACH” and the Database of Chemical Substances
As part of the European REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has made its database of chemical substances publicly available. Its aim is that employers and employees should be able to access information that will allow them to use the substances in a safe manner. (more…)
Taking precautions in bad weather
Friday, December 11th, 2009The UK has just been hit by what for us is an extended cold snap. It has already brought chaos to Eurostar’s services to the continent, disrupted airports and caused major headaches for road users.
We have dealt with the risks of driving in poor weather conditions in an earlier newsletter see Driving Safely in Winter.
This time we thought it timely to remind employers of the potential risks that bad weather brings to their premises. (more…)
Eco-design energy usage regulation
Friday, December 4th, 2009The European Union is at pains to ensure that designers and manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment take advantage of all the latest technological advances that might help to improve energy efficiency.
As part of the European Directive on the eco design of energy using products (Directive 2005/32/EC), a new Regulation came into force in January 2009 to limit the energy consumption of electrical and electronic equipment when in standby mode. The Regulation covers a wide range of products for use in domestic and office environments. (more…)
Energy Management
Friday, November 20th, 2009The increasing cost of fossil fuels and the government’s initiatives to reduce our carbon emissions mean that there is every incentive for organisations to check out their energy usage and costs.
It is widely accepted that many companies can make significant savings by introducing a formal Energy Management System. Nobody wants to be donating unnecessarily to the profits of the energy companies and savings in this area translate directly to the bottom line – serving to increase your profit and improve your cash flow. (more…)
New Hazardous Waste Strategy for England
Sunday, November 15th, 2009If you are involved in any way with using, storing, handling or disposing of hazardous waste in England, then you will be interested in a Consultation that has recently been conducted by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“Defra”)
Defra is responding to a European directive entitled “Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC” that must be implemented in all European member states by the end of next year (12th December 2010 to be precise). (more…)
Registration for UK Battery Manufacturers and Importers
Sunday, October 4th, 2009Have you registered under the Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009?
If you are a manufacturer or importer of batteries into the UK or if your products incorporate batteries, then you need to be registered. (more…)
Evacuating Persons with Impaired Mobility
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009Unless you are disabled or know someone who is, you may never think about the difficulties experienced by those with impaired mobility should they need to evacuate a building because of fire, bomb alert or similar.
One could reason that the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act should serve to highlight the issue since premises must now make it easier for disabled persons to gain access. The corollary is that those who enter a building must also be able to get out – possibly needing to make a quick, unplanned exit. (more…)