Environmental Management Systems

Woodworking Inspections

HSE Inspection of woodworking premises 2013/14

 

From April 2013 HSE inspectors are carrying out visits to woodworking premises, mainly to check that:

• woodworking machinery is being used correctly;
• wood dust is being controlled;
• operators and supervisors have received adequate training in the safe use of woodworking machinery and the correct use of local exhaust ventilation (LEV);
• the LEV is suitable for the job and is being used and maintained correctly.

Contact Occhnet for LEV training and LEV testing www.occhnet.co.uk

Isocyanates - Are you doing enough?

Work With Isocyanates? Are You Testing Correctly?

 

Biological monitoring for Isocyanates has become the occupational standard for those working with isocyanate-based chemicals for example throughout the motor-vehicle repair industry and surface coatings industries.

However the HSE’s recent drive on Isocyanate testing has exposed many companies not carrying out biological monitoring required by them under the COSHH regulations.

Companies found to be falling short may be issued with an Improvement Notice from the HSE which would lead to charges under the HSE Fee for Intervention scheme – if you’re unsure about your requirements towards biological monitoring please contact us for advice, we are here to help.

www.occhnet.co.uk

Formaldehyde

Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) Non Inclusion Decision for Formaldehyde (product type 20)

The EU Commission has published a new Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) Non Inclusion Decision, dated 25 April 2013, in the Official Journal of the European Union, for formaldehyde (product type 20). Biocidal products containing formaldehyde (product type 20) shall no longer be placed on the market with effect from 1 July 2015.

The Decision was taken because the EU Commission considered the reference products containing formaldehyde, submitted as part of the active substance dossier for evaluation, to be in the scope of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition and hence excluded from the scope of the BPD. Applications for product authorisation should be made under 1831/2003.

Companies supplying preservatives for food or feedstock as biocidal products containing formaldehyde must manage the supply of the affected biocidal product to ensure there will be none remaining in the EU supply chain by the Non Inclusion date (1 July 2015).