The first bursts of Olympic Fever

There is no doubt that Britain is starting to feel the first bursts of Olympic fever.  You can't watch television, listen to the radio or open newspaper without alighting on a related story. Despite the fact that we have only just passed the 100 days to go marker post, I saw signs on the motorway this week reminding me to plan my journey to the Games so that I could arrive on time. If only I had tickets!  Nonetheless it's clear that it is going to be a very special summer in London, and no doubt right across Britain.
But for those of us with a close interest in health and safety, this feels much more like the marathon runners starting their final lap than Usain Bolt rocketing out of the blocks in the 100 metres final.  HSE started its work with the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in 2007, with the aim of making the building of the London 2012 venues one of the safest construction projects ever. Given the scale of the work - arguably one of the biggest construction projects in Europe - this was a challenge worthy of any Olympian.  CRS has been active on Olympic Park since 2008 – read more about our involvement at http://www.crsrisk.com/construction_cdm We delivered NEBOSH, SMSTS and SSSTS training, as well as our MD being asked by IOSH to be a judge of the ODA health and safety awards in 2009 and 2010.
Not only HSE and CRS, but the ODA (Olympic Delivery Authority) has risen to the challenge. Not only were there no work related fatalities during the 'big build' phase of construction, but the project as a whole has shown that high standards of health and safety can make a positive contribution to the delivery of an extremely demanding project. In a project which has clocked up more than 80 million working hours, figures from the ODA show fewer than 130 reportable incidents. By any measure, this is gold standard performance.
Why is this part of the legacy? Because the practical lessons learned from the construction phase of London 2012 are already being applied to companies of all sizes from a wide-range of industries - touching as they do on such cross cutting issues as safety leadership, involving the workforce and managing work at height.  For example, Rosyth shipyard recently advised how they were seeking to follow the exemplary approach taken on the Olympic Park.
Of all the things that have been written and said about London 2012, there's one that stays with me.  It is a comment from Lawrence Waterman, the head of health and safety at ODA.  Lawrence says "Managing health and safety well is not a cost. It's an investment."
When we think about the legacy of the Olympics, it will be great if we can say that as well as the social and sporting legacy, it also heralded a change in attitudes to health and safety.

Recent HSE enforcement activity - Construction, April 2012

RECENT ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY
CRS presents details of a sample of this month’s HSE prosecutions and enforcement action in the construction sector.  For more information on how to obtain professional construction advice, see http://www.crsrisk.com/construction_cdm                                               
Scaffold Collapses
11 April 2012 – Seven construction workers were lucky to survive when more than 250 tonnes of wet concrete collapsed at Liverpool John Moores University. Two companies have been fined a total of £100,000 and over £70,000 in costs for putting workers’ lives at risk.
11 April 2012 - A former scaffolding company director has been fined £3,000 and ordered to pay costs of £2,000 after two employees were injured in a scaffold collapse.
A 26-year-old man working fractured his left ankle and right heel as he jumped six metres from a scaffold tower at student accommodation as it fell to the ground. A second employee, 46, was working at a height of around 10 metres. He managed to hang on to the scaffold as it fell, crashing into the building opposite.

Protecting the public
2 April 2012 - A Sheffield man is lucky to be alive after suffering multiple injuries when he fell three metres from the top of a new staircase that had been left without a handrail  by a local builder during refurbishment work at his home. The builder was fined £5,000 with costs of £4,000.
19 April 2012 - A Hertfordshire building company has been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £21,000 for injuring a member of the public. The woman was waiting for a bus when she was hit by a piece of machinery being lifted to the fifth floor of a nearby office block.
27 April 2012 - A family was exposed to deadly carbon monoxide fumes after building work on a chimney caused a blockage in a flue. The builder was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,500 in costs.

Asbestos
4 April 2012 - A laboratory testing firm has been fined £36,000 and ordered to pay £8,000 in costs after putting workers at its Tyneside premises at risk of exposure to asbestos.

Work at height
3 April 2012 - The director of a Cardiff construction firm has been fined £4,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,027 for failing to take measures to ensure his workers’ safety while working at height.
4 April 2012 – A building firm from Stratford-upon-Avon has been fined £12,000 after a worker suffered severe injuries when he fell from a damaged scaffolding plank. The firm was also ordered to pay £3,353 costs.
11 April 2012 – A construction worker defied death after falling four metres from the cage of a 20-tonnes cherry-picker into the path of a moving bus, which then pushed him another 15 metres along the Euston Road, London. National construction firm fined a total of £12,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £16,459.70
26 April 2012 – A construction company has been fined £20,000 and was ordered to pay £5,940 in costs for continuing unsafe working practices  at a site in Upper Norwood, Croydon. They had repeatedly ignoring safety warnings about dangerous scaffolding, people working unsafely at height, fire-related hazards and dangerous electrical equipment.
26 April 2012 - A church council in South Kensington has been fined £5,000 and ordered to pay full costs of £4,457.60 for safety failings after a self-employed joiner was left paralysed when he fell from the balcony of St Paul's church in Onslow Square.


The NEBOSH Construction Certificate http://www.crsrisk.com/NEBOSH_National_Certificate_in_Construction_Health_and_Safety provides an excellent grounding in construction site health and safety management.  Contact CRS for locations, dates and our current best deals.

Obama admits that the US needs to tackle climate change

"We're going to have to take further steps to deal with climate change in a serious way," President Obama declared in a recent Rolling Stone interview, breaking his noticeable dry spell in addressing the issue.
He touched on the Keystone XL pipeline controversy, his administration's goals and his own personal concerns about climate change in the interview with editor and publisher Jann S. Wenner.
Asked about NASA scientist James Hansen's comments that "if the tar sands are thrown into the mix it is essentially game over," Obama praised Hansen for his strong work in understanding climate change and bringing it to the public eye. The president also argued that he has objected to efforts by Congress to bypass the normal pipeline application process. Although Obama did deny a permit for the Keystone XL proposal in January, he has since announced plans to fast-track the pipeline's southern segment.
Obama told Rolling Stone that no matter what the U.S. does, Canada will continue with burning the tar sands: "The reason that Keystone got so much attention is not because that particular pipeline is a make-or-break issue for climate change, but because those who have looked at the science of climate change are scared and concerned about a general lack of sufficient movement to deal with the problem. Frankly, I'm deeply concerned that internationally, we have not made as much progress as we need to make."
Obama touted his administration's efforts, from improving fuel-efficiency standards to pushing for renewable energy -- Last month, he slammed presidential candidates critical of new energy sources, saying, "They dismiss wind power. They dismiss solar power. They make jokes about biofuels. They were against raising fuel standards ... If some of these folks were around when Columbus set sail, they probably must have been founding members of the flat earth society."
Regarding climate change, he told Rolling Stone, "I suspect that over the next six months, this is going to be a debate that will become part of the campaign, and I will be very clear in voicing my belief that we're going to have to take further steps to deal with climate change in a serious way. That there's a way to do it that is entirely compatible with strong economic growth and job creation."
Despite his administration's efforts to address environmental issues, the president admitted in the interview, "there is no doubt that we have a lot more work to do."
Environmental groups and media organizations responded with mixed praise. Joe Romm wrote for Think Progress, "After too much silence and avoidance of climate science, we can hope that this interview is the first step of serious Presidential engagement with the public on the serious challenges and opportunities of climate chaos mitigation."
350.org's Bill McKibben tweeted in agreement with one of the President's quotes, "Obama--those who have looked closely at climate science are 'scared.' indeed!"
Environmentalists have had mixed reactions to Obama's actions during his presidency. He drew criticism for his offshore drilling plans and halting EPA regulations on smog standards, while receiving praise for addressing power plant pollution and recently garnering endorsements from major green groups.
When it comes to differing climate change stances, presidential candidate Mitt Romney has said, "We don’t know what’s causing climate change on this planet. And the idea of spending trillions and trillions of dollars to try to reduce CO2 emissions is not the right course for us."

Coryton Refinery - Fate to be Decided in May

The future of Petroplus' UK refinery Coryton, which employs around 900 people, will be decided by the middle of May, when the current deal supplying it with crude runs out, administrator PwC said on Tuesday.  Work on a potential sale or restructuring of the refinery's debt is underway with a view to reaching an agreement before the deal expires in the middle of May, or the plant will close.  "We'll do a deal or shut Coryton when the current arrangement finishes," Steven Pearson, partner and joint administrator of Petroplus Refining & Marketing Limited (PRML) told Reuters.

The plant received a three-month lifeline in February from a consortium of Morgan Stanley, private equity firm KKR and the co-founder of the stricken Petroplus Marcel Van Poecke.  But with capital expenditure needs of around $1 billion and upcoming maintenance costing $150 million due in September, the economic conditions for securing a prompt deal remain challenging.  "One of the big factors here is that with the price of oil being where it is at the moment, the cost of funding the working capital is so enormous in the short term, that the economics are difficult," Pearson said. "But that's true for any refiners out there."

Brent crude futures rose to highs not seen since 2008 of $128.40 a barrel in early March, further squeezing refining profits.  The tough operating environment has taken its toll on the European industry, with a mixture of thin profit margins and very tight credit conditions making deal-making difficult.  "We need committed investors to invest in the turnaround programme, there's no point in asking if the sun will come out tomorrow, we have to deal with it now," Pearson said.

How oil is being stolen in Nigeria - Video

Nigeria is in the top league of world oil producers but the country could export much more if it was not plagued by inefficiency and an armed insurrection in the Delta of the River Niger where the oil is found.  The government has brought an end to some of that militancy by offering an amnesty.

But another problem is the widespread theft of crude oil in the Delta.  The BBC's International Development Correspondent Mark Doyle recently flew over the area to see how much oil is being stolen.

Video available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17793234

Significant Gas Discovery South of the Falkland Islands

On 23 April 2012, oil exploration company ‘Borders & Southern Petroleum’ said it had discovered ‘significant’ gas condensate reserves south of the Falkland Islands, opening up a new and controversial oil and gas basin. The company said it would now conduct tests on samples of fluids recovered from the reservoir.
"It is too early to give an accurate resource estimate," it said, but the rock was "likely to contain significant volumes". Chief executive, Howard Obee, said: "We're delighted to have made a discovery with the company's first exploration well and to have opened up a new hydrocarbon basin.”

Oil was found to the north of the Falklands two years ago by a company ‘Rockhopper’, which is now seeking to develop its assets. However, this is the first discovery to the south of the disputed islands.  Borders & Southern is to drill another well before passing the rig to Falkland Oil and Gas (FOGL), which will drill at two other prospects.

Argentina has ramped up its rhetoric against British oil and gas companies in the region this year, but threats of legal action against them or their financial advisers have so far failed to disrupt the explorers' plans.

The UK Government, in a move designed to ease concern among the investment community about recent Argentine legal threats over their involvement in the Falkland Islands oil industry, has written to fifteen British and American banks and oil exploration companies operating in the region.  In the new letter, the Foreign Office says it is “deeply skeptical” that Argentina would be able to enforce “any penalties” in courts outside its own borders. It adds that the government of the Falklands “is entitled to develop” oil and fishing industries in its own waters “without interference from Argentina.”  To back up these words, the Royal Navy's newest warship has been dispatched to the South Atlantic. The £1billion Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless is on her maiden mission, and is being construed as a show of strength, as Buenos Aires ratchets up tensions over sovereignty of the disputed territory.

All of this is against a rapidly changing political backdrop, with Argentina facing international condemnation for its seizure of Repsol’s majority stake in YPF, Argentina’s largest oil company.  See our earlier article at http://www.crsrisk.com/blog/index.php/2012/04/repsol-warns-argentina-in-ypf-interests-row/

NASA Evidence of Arctic Ocean Climate Change

In the warming Arctic Ocean, newly forming cracks in the sea ice are releasing surprising levels of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, according to a new study conducted with funding from NASA and other institutions.
Scientists have long known that melting permafrost allows gas trapped in the soils and ocean sediments to be released into the atmosphere. And a study  last year discovered large plumes of methane bubbling up from the seabed off the Siberian cost. But this study is the first to reveal that the vast expanses of the Arctic ocean itself can also directly contribute to the rising levels of methane in the earth’s atmosphere.
The study’s authors said that they were not sure how much total methane was coming from the cracks in the polar sea ice, but that they were concerned that there may be enough of the gas to have an impact on climate change.
Methane is at least 20 times as powerful as the best-known greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, which is far more prevalent in the atmosphere and is emitted from burning coal and oil. Methane is the key component of natural gas, and it can be emitted from drilling for oil and gas, factory farming, and natural gas pipeline leaks, for example. Methane’s effects are strongest in the short run, when it can be 70 times as effective at trapping warmth from the sun as CO2.
During five flyovers of the Arctic seas between 2009 and 2010, the NASA scientists used specialized equipment to detect unexpectedly high levels of methane in remote areas of the Arctic Ocean. There was no carbon monoxide found with the methane, which would have indicated that the gases came from burning fuels or other human activity. And because they were flying over the deep ocean, away from the shallow seabed emissions and land, the scientists ruled out known sources of emissions.
Instead, they realized that the methane was coming from the ocean’s surface itself, rising up through cracks in the ice and places where the ice cover was sporadic. When the seawater hits air, methane in the waters is released, they found, which does not happen when the seawater is frozen solid.
Marine bacteria are suspected to be the source of the methane in the ocean’s waters. The bacteria are more likely to produce methane in parts of the ocean that are low in nitrates. Plus, because cold Arctic Ocean waters tend to stay stratified in layers, the methane produced near the surface of the water stays trapped there, and doesn’t break down in the cold weather. Some scientists have postulated that the methane also breaks free from waters that are agitated by cracking sea ice.
The polar regions are generally warming faster than the rest of the planet. On land, scientists have warned about runaway global warming that could be caused by melting permafrost. As the climate slowly grows warmer, thaws could unleash methane, trapped in icy crystals called hydrates, across Siberia and the top of North America. The methane locked in Arctic soils and seas exceeds the total amount of carbon stored in the world’s coal reserves, so these land-based thaws could greatly speed up global warming.
Now, for the first time, scientists have found a similar—though potentially less polluting—process occurs at sea as well.
The study compared methane levels over the oceans to those in eastern Siberia, where the permafrost has begun to thaw, and found that, in some areas, the levels are similar to those found on land.
During the summer months, sea ice melts across more than 3.8 million square miles of the Arctic Ocean, so “the emissions rate we encountered could present a source of global consequence,” the study says.
“While the methane levels we detected weren’t particularly large, the potential source region, the Arctic Ocean, is vast, so our finding could represent a noticeable new global source of methane,” Eric Kort of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. and the author of the study said in a statement“As Arctic sea ice cover continues to decline in a warming climate, this source of methane may well increase.”

Reports of US Government's First Criminal Charges In BP Oil Spill

Corporate Risk Systems have received reports that the first criminal charges in connection with the BP oil spill have been filed against a former BP engineer charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly deleting text messages after the spill. The texts were related to the amount of oil gushing into the Gulf.
It was been reported that there has been an expectation that criminal charges would be brought against individuals, but this is the first person charged since the spill happened two years ago.
These are preliminary charges and a law enforcement official says there are more charges to come.

Essentially the Justice Department claims that Mr Mix who at the time was "a drilling and completions project engineer for BP," deleted hundreds of text messages even after he was notified that he was legally obligated to preserve them.
In one instance on Oct. 4, 2010, Justice claims that Mix allegedly deleted about 200 messages exchanged with a BP supervisor. In it, Mix admits that a maneuver called Top Kill, in which BP injected heavy fluids into the well to try to stop the flow of oil, was failing.
"Too much flowrate – over 15,000," one of the text messages read, according to Justice, which also said some of those messages were recovered forensically.
At time, Justice adds, BP's public estimate was 5,000 barrels of oil per day, "three times lower than the minimum flow rate indicated in Mix's text."
The Justice Department says if Mix is convicted of the charges he faces a maximum penalty of 20 yeas in jail and a $250,000 fine for each of the two counts of obstruction of justice.

NEWS ON THE WORKING TOGETHER EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN 2012 - 2013

Working together for risk prevention: Leadership and worker participation in occupational safety and health

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) is running a two year campaign entitled ‘Working together for risk prevention’.  The campaign highlights leadership and worker participation as two key factors that contribute to effective management of work related health and safety risks.  ‘Effective risk management’ describes more accurately the campaign objective rather than ‘prevention’, a term used more widely in this context in other parts of Europe.   

HSE provides the United Kingdom (UK) Focal Point for the EU-OSHA campaign. On 20th April 2012, the Great Britain (GB) launch was marked by a short film by HSE’s Chair, Judith Hackitt, available on the dedicated campaign website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/european.
In Northern Ireland the campaign contact point is HSENI.

Full details of the campaign, including key messages and information to help organisations to get involved will be available via the GB web site and the EU-OSHA campaign website http://www.healthy-workplaces.eu/.  The campaign will run until late 2013.

The websites include information on the benefits of leadership and worker participation and show how you can get involved.  In GB, the campaign is supported by a number of organisations through the Focal Point network including TUC, CBI, EEF, IOSH, ROSPA and EEN. Other organisations are encouraged to participate, for example by running campaign related activities or incorporating elements of the campaign into existing activities.

The European Good Practice Awards are also linked to the campaign, giving an opportunity to share existing good practice and learn from others.  Details of how to take part are on the campaign web site at http://www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/european/good-practice-awards.htm.  (For successful examples from the 2010/11 Good Practice Awards, which were about Safe maintenance, see http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/good_practice_awards_maintenance-TEAL11001ENC/view)

CRS have been told that HSE would like to hear of your plans for involvement in the campaign – please see the website for details or email uk.focalpoint@hse.gsi.gov.uk

Iranian Oil Terminal Disabled by Malware Attack

Iran has been forced to disconnect key oil facilities after suffering a malware attack, say reports.

The computer virus is believed to have hit the internal computer systems at Iran's oil ministry and its national oil company.

Equipment on the Kharg island and at other Iranian oil plants has been disconnected from the net as a precaution.

Oil production had not been affected by the attack, said the Mehr news agency. However, the attack is believed to have been responsible for knocking off-line the websites of the Iranian oil ministry and national oil company.  The Ministry website was back in action on the next day, but the oil company web site has remained unreachable.

An Iranian oil ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying that data about users of the sites had been stolen as a result of the attack. Core data about Iran's oil industry remained safe because it was on computer systems that remain separate from the net, they added.

The terminal on Kharg Island handles about 90% of Iran's oil exports.

Iran is reported to have mobilised a "cyber crisis committee" to handle the aftermath of the attack and bolster defences.

This committee was set up following attacks in 2010 by a virus known as Stuxnet that was aimed at the nation's nuclear programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17811565

British media allege Shell Nigeria oil spill 60 times bigger than it claimed

As the company faces a lawsuit by residents, an assessment by a US oil spill consultancy casts doubt on Shell's estimate of the Nigerian leak
A Shell oil spill on the Niger delta was at least 60 times greater than the company reported at the time, according to unpublished documents obtained by Amnesty International.
According to Shell, the 2008 spill from a faulty weld on a pipeline resulted in 1,640 barrels of oil being spilt into the creeks near the town of Bodo in Ogoniland. The figure was based on an assessment agreed at the time by the company, the government oil spill agency, the Nigerian oil regulator and a representative of the community.
But a previously unpublished assessment, carried out by independent US oil spill consultancy firm Accufacts, suggests that between 103,000 barrels and 311,000 barrels of oil were flooding into the Bodo creeks every day for as long as 72 days following the leak. Accufacts arrived at the figure following analysis of video footage of the leak taken at the time by local people. This suggested that between one and three barrels of oil were leaking every minute. A similar method was used by spill assessors to gauge the scale of the BP Deepwater spill underwater in the gulf of Mexico in 2010.
"The difference is staggering: even using the lower end of the Accufacts estimate, the volume of oil spilt at Bodo was more than 60 times the volume Shell has repeatedly claimed leaked," said Audrey Gaughran, director of global issues at Amnesty International.
"All oil spill incidents are investigated jointly by communities, regulators, operators and security agencies," said a Shell spokeswoman in London. "The team visits the site of the incident, determines the cause and volume of spilled oil and impact on the environment, and signs off the findings in a report. This is an independent process – communities and regulators are all involved. This is the process that was employed with the two spills in question, and we stand by the findings [of 1,640 barrels]." Shell has argued the community prevented the company being allowed near the pipeline to repair it.
The amount of oil spilled by Shell at Bodo will be key to a high court case expected to be heard in London later in 2012. Shell is being sued by nearly 11,000 Bodo inhabitants, who say their lives were devastated by the spill which destroyed their fishing grounds, caused long-lasting ill health and polluted fresh water sources. The community, represented by the London law firm Leigh Day, is thought to be seeking more than $150m (£93m) to clean up the creeks, which, even four years after the spill, remain coated in oil.
Oil spill compensation in Nigeria is based largely on the amount of oil spilt. But negotiations over the Bodo spill broke down earlier in 2012 in London when the gap between what Shell was offering and what the community wanted could not be bridged. Neither party can agree on when the 40-year-old pipeline started to leak.
In a letter to Amnesty International, Shell wrote: "The court will decide what the volume of the spill was. We suggest you might be better to wait for the authoritative view on the volume of the spill and publish at that stage rather than risk misleading the public with Accufacts estimate."
But this was dismissed by Amnesty's Gaughran: "Even if we use the start date given by Shell, the volume of oil spilt is far greater than Shell recorded. More than three years after the Bodo oil spill, Shell has yet to conduct a proper cleanup or to pay any official compensation to the affected communities. After years of trying to seek justice in Nigeria, the people of Bodo have now taken their claim to the UK courts."
"The evidence of Shell's bad practice in the Niger delta is mounting," said Patrick Naagbanton, co-ordinator of the local oil watch group Centre for Environment, Human Rights and Development (CEHRD). "Shell seems more interested in conducting a PR operation than a cleanup operation. The problem is not going away; and sadly neither is the misery for the people of Bodo."
Amnesty and CEHRD have repeatedly called for an independent process to investigate oil spills in Nigeria, and an end to the system that allows oil companies to have such influence over the process.

Video of todays huge fire in Ohio

A huge fire has broken out at an oil company in the United States. Fire crews battled the flames in Springfield, Ohio.

A fuel truck caught fire at a fuel distributing company, and quickly spread to a warehouse and then to three inter-connected buildings. No injuries have been reported.

Video at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-17781551

Fire in small German town could cripple world car production

When a fire in the small town of Marl in the west of Germany closed down an obscure chemical plant on 31 March, it barely made headlines.

Two people died and that was a personal tragedy for their families and friends, but the shock waves did not resonate far beyond. Except, it turns out, to the other side of the Atlantic - in Detroit, Michigan.

So tight is the global car industry's supply chain that one break in a small link threatens the lot. About three weeks after the fire, executives from the world's biggest auto-makers and their suppliers have met with furrowed brows to take stock of the implications of the fire. And they are serious.

It turns out that the braking and the fuel systems of cars depend on a resin called PA-12. And PA-12 is made out of an inelegantly named chemical: cyclododecatriene, or CDT. Evonik Industries' plant in Germany was responsible for a good chunk of the world's supply - one estimate put it between a quarter and a half.

The supply of PA-12 was already tight because it is also used in solar panels.
In addition, Evonik says that it will take at least three months and perhaps longer before its damaged chemical plant can resume full production. That has set off alarm bells throughout the car industry.

Earlier this week, more than 200 executives from companies including General Motors, Volkswagen, Toyota and Ford met in Michigan. Under the auspices of the Automotive Industry Action Group, six technical committees were set up to assess the impact of the shortage and to seek alternatives. The group said that it was clear that "a significant portion of the global production capacity" had been compromised.

After the meeting, the big car companies were saying nothing on the record. But some sources now say there is a real worry that the potential impact could be serious, including a slow-down in production.

It seems odd to say, but the motor industry is seeking hope from last year's tsunami, earthquake and nuclear disaster, which devastated Japanese industry and highlighted how manufacturers everywhere rely on component suppliers. At the time, one fear throughout the automotive industry was that there would be a shortage of some colours of paint that were produced by a plant in Japan that was destroyed. In the end, alternatives were found. Choices were limited, but sales were not impinged. Necessity was the mother of ingenuity.

But it is not easy to see an easy solution to the damage caused by the fire and explosion at the German plant. One of the industry's research bodies, IHS Automotive, says alternatives would have to be approved by the authorities, and that is not done easily or quickly. "Given the component testing and approval processes employed," it says, "it is unlikely to be the work of a moment to find or develop a substitutable alternative material."

According to IHS Automotive, the mood at the meeting of car industry executives was "extremely serious and there was significant concern over the potential for production disruptions in the component industry, with obvious knock-on effects". The concerns come as the US car industry starts to pick up after the financial crisis. On one industry assessment, nearly 60 plants that supplied the automotive industry in North America closed in the three years after 2008, with the loss of about 100,000 jobs.

Sales of cars in North America dropped to their lowest in 30 years in 2009, but are now heading back up. This means that there was already a worry about whether the suppliers of parts could keep up. And that was before the fire in Germany threw a real spanner in the works.

Learning how to conduct a fire risk assessment on CRS's NEBOSH Fire and Risk Management Certificate might have helped.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17769466

Nick Clegg calls for tougher carbon penalties for businesses

Deputy PM asserts support for green policies following Tory attacks on wind energy proposals and 'conservatory tax'
Nick Clegg said there was an urgent need to regulate business, in order to meet environmental objectives.
Nick Clegg has stepped into the growing row over the coalition's green policies to call for companies to pay much higher penalties for the carbon dioxide they emit.
He said there was an urgent need for the government to impose regulations on business, in order to meet environmental objectives.
The deputy prime minister's personal intervention came after senior Tory ministers in recent days urged a watering down of key green targets, labelling a plan to strengthen building regulations as a "conservatory tax", and attacking proposals for new renewable energy.
Clegg, along with the energy secretary, his fellow Lib Dem Ed Davey, called for businesses to be subject to higher costs for every tonne of carbon dioxide they pour out. At present, the prices they pay are depressed because of the recession, but this removes the incentives for companies to cut their greenhouse gases and enables high-emitting industries to continue without putting in place efficiency measures.
Under the European Union's emissions trading system, since 2005 companies have had to pay for each tonne of carbon dioxide they emit, and they can trade their carbon emission permits with rivals. But a combination of a vast over-allocation of permits and the recession has left many companies with an excess of permits that has depressed the price of carbon to the extent that experts do not believe the system does anything to persuade companies to cut their greenhouse gases.
In a piece for the Guardian, Clegg and Davey write: "The price of carbon has plummeted. In 2006 a tonne would fetch around £28. Now – thanks to the downturn, and a glut of permits – it's barely £6. That's bad for the environment: when it's cheap to pump out carbon there's less incentive for firms to go green. But it's also bad for the economy, because it makes Europe less attractive to low-carbon investment."
In recent weeks, senior Conservatives have fiercely attacked green policies, from those on wind energy generation to proposals to improve the efficiency of buildings. One plan to strengthen current building regulations – which already contain strictures on using insulating materials – to include medium-sized conservatories, was attacked as a "conservatory tax". David Cameron quashed the proposal as soon as it attracted the attention of the press.
The prime minister's move led to concerns among green groups that this signalled the end of government green policies being taken seriously.
But Clegg and Davey lay out their case for increasing green investment, in order to increase the number of green jobs. They confirm the coalition's support for plans to toughen the EU's carbon targets, from a reduction of 20% by 2020 to a reduction of 30% by the same date – a target the European commission says has already been almost met.
Joss Garman, campaigner at Greenpeace, said: "With European talks on climate change at a critical juncture, it's encouraging to see Nick Clegg reaffirming the coalition's support for a measure that would boost clean energy investment in the UK and across Europe. But Ed Davey risks undermining this noble ambition by allowing a new dash for gas-fired power generation here at home that would blow a hole in national efforts to curb carbon emissions and also expose families and businesses to spiralling energy bills."

Britcar Championships - SUNDAY 22nd April DONINGTON – FREE TICKETS

CRS have two free tickets to one of the best Mini Championship Races to be held at Donington this Sunday (22nd April).  TEAM CRS are represented by Caroline Gilbert. Caroline says “. We are racing with the new smart for two championship, the famous Dunlop mini 7s and the Dunlop touring car championship, I think it’s going to be one of the best events this year.” Racing starts at 9.15 a.m.

The companion Championship to the Britcar MSA British Endurance Championship, the Britcar Production Cup Championship caters for less tuned and more saloon based cars recognisable as everyday cars you will see on the road.
The races are all 90mins in length and have a separate grid to give the racers their own high profile stage to perform on whilst acting as a support race for the main MSA British Endurance Championship helping to raise the profile of the championship even further. Contact Ros Stacey – rs@crsrisk.com to be entered into the Draw which will take place on Friday 20th April. The offer is open to both delegates and clients of CRS.

Flying Over the Earth at Night

Occasionally, CRS likes to bring its subscribers and followers something a little different.  And this is one of those occasions.  Many wonders are visible when flying over the Earth at night. A compilation of such visual spectacles was captured recently from the International Space Station (ISS) and set to rousing music.

What you’ll enjoy here, passing below the ISS are white clouds, orange city lights, lightning flashes in thunderstorms, and dark blue oceans.  On the horizon is the golden haze of Earth's thin atmosphere, frequently decorated by dancing auroras as the video progresses. The green parts of auroras typically remain below the space station, but ISS flies right through the red and purple peaks.

The huge solar panels of the ISS are seen around the frame edges. The wave of approaching brightness at the end of each sequence is the dawn of the sunlit half of Earth.  This occurs every 90 minutes, as the space station circuits the earth sixteen (16) times each 24 hours.

See the film at http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap120305.html

IOSH Branch to Open in Qatar in October 2012

A new IOSH branch is due to open in Qatar with a launch event planned in Doha in October 2012. Stephen Asbury of CRS has already been asked to be a speaker at a branch event, as we are so active in Qatar and the middle east region.
The move builds on the success of the IOSH Middle East Branch, which was launched in 2006 and has quickly grown to be the Institution’s second largest international branch with more than 900 members.  The process to become a branch gathered momentum after interim Branch Chair David Hayes, who heads a provisional committee, submitted a bespoke business plan and a branch status request application form in 2011.  The documentation was approved last autumn and now IOSH is seeking a local government ‘champion’ to give the new branch official approval at local level.
With clear focus on regional collaboration, IOSH President Subash Ludhra travelled to Doha in October 2011 to present a paper on stress management at the 7th HSE forum. Similarly, a month earlier David Hayes opened the Prosafe conference in the city with a session on process safety integrity. The Total Safety Forum, chaired by David, and the 8th HSE forum, of whose advisory panel David is a member, will take place in Doha at the end of 2012.
With already more than 120 members holding regular monthly meetings, Qatar’s notable role in IOSH’s work will continue to develop and attract more members in the region. The strong likelihood that Qatar will host the IOSH Middle East conference in 2013 pays respect to its recognised and growing significance.

The new Branch demonstrates IOSH’s aim to echo the needs of overseas members. It also openly promotes the legal and cultural issues that affect different areas while enabling a joined-up approach to shared issues across Qatar.
IOSH members in Oman, where this year’s IOSH Middle East conference will take place, are planning to apply for branch status too.

Waste exemptions update

Usually any waste treatment, recovery or disposal operation needs to be authorised by a permit. A waste exemption is a very specific type of low risk waste handling operation that does not require a permit. Most exemptions need to be registered,  on the 6 April 2010 new regulations came into force that completely changed the waste exemption system. Waste exemptions registered under the old system are transferring across to the new system over a period of between 18 months to three-and-a-half years.  
Organisations who currently have an exemption registered, needed to apply for a new permit or one of the new exemptions, this month this includes activities such as  

• Storage and composting of biodegradable waste
• Construction and soil materials
• Preparatory treatment of waste plant matter
  

For more information visit http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/permitting/130158.aspx

Repsol warns Argentina in YPF interests row

The Spanish government has warned it will defend its interests as a row with Argentina over the nationalisation of oil company YPF intensifies.

The majority stake in YPF is owned by Spanish oil firm Repsol, whose shares fell by 8% in early trading in Madrid.  Promising a "clear and overwhelming" response, Spain summoned the Argentine ambassador to express its concern.  The nationalisation has alarmed foreign investors but is said to be popular among ordinary Argentines.  Repsol has vowed to demand compensation, saying it could seek international arbitration over its 57% stake in YPF.  "These acts will not remain unpunished," Repsol executive chairman Antonio Brufau told reporters.

The head of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso, said he was "seriously disappointed" by Argentina's decision.  The EU expected "the Argentinian authorities to uphold international commitments and obligations", he said.

Argentina's ambassador to Madrid, Carlo Antonio Bettini, was due to visit the foreign ministry at midday (10:00 GMT), the ministry told the BBC News website.  Earlier, Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo said the "climate of friendship" between the two countries had been broken.  The Spanish Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, is travelling to Mexico and Colombia, where he is expected to seek support for Madrid's position.  His Industry Minister, Jose Manuel Soria, said Spain would take "all measures it considers appropriate" to defend the interests of Repsol and Spanish businesses abroad.

The nationalisation was announced to applause on Monday at a meeting between Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, her cabinet and provincial governors.  Reading out a statement at the meeting, an official said YPF had been "declared a public utility and subject to expropriation of 51% of its assets".  The government took over the management of YPF with immediate effect while the bill on expropriation was sent to the Argentine Congress.  Supporters of the nationalisation celebrated in Buenos Aires, waving placards that read "YPF - we're going for everything".  Graffiti appeared on a city centre wall that read "Repsol, get out of YPF".

Mrs Fernandez de Kirchner stunned investors in 2008 when she nationalised private pension funds and she has also renationalised the country's flagship airline, Aerolineas Argentinas.

Many Argentines blame free-market policies such as the privatisations of the 1990s for the economic crisis which resulted in a debt default in 2001-02.   Argentina wants to reduce its expensive energy imports from elsewhere, the BBC's Tom Burridge reports from Madrid.  Before rumours surfaced several weeks ago that Argentina might take YPF from Repsol, Spain and Argentina generally enjoyed good political ties, and important economic ones.  Spain does a significant amount of trade in the country, so there is likely to be an economic fallout to this dispute too, our correspondent says.

But President Fernandez de Kirchner has dismissed the threat of reprisals.  "This president isn't going to respond to any threats... because I represent the Argentine people," she said.  "I'm the head of state, not a thug."

According to AFP news agency, Repsol will seek compensation of at least $10bn (£6.3bn; 7.7bn euros).  YPF accounts for just over a quarter of Repsol's operating profit, 21% of its net profit and 33.7% of its investments, Mr Brufau said.

Repsol's executive chairman accused President Fernandez de Kirchner of resorting to nationalisation "as a way of hiding the economic and social crisis which Argentina is suffering".   Argentina's crisis, he argued, was rooted in "a mistaken energy policy".  He accused Argentina of running a campaign of "harassment" in recent weeks in order to push down the price of YPF shares and get a bargain price for the expropriation.  "It is not appropriate for a modern country, Argentina does not deserve this," he said.

Repsol's Argentine partner, the Eskenazi family's Grupo Petersen, has a 25.5% stake in YPF which will not be affected by the nationalisation.  However, Reuters notes that it is unclear how Petersen will be able to repay a $1.9bn loan provided by Repsol.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17739204

Defra Consultation on IPPC

The Industrial Emissions Directive brings together seven existing directives. IED requires a range of industrial activities to be regulated to protect the environment from harmful emissions.
Defra invites views on the transposition of the industrial emissions Directive (2010/75/EU). This Directive “recasts” seven existing Directives: those on integrated pollution prevention and control (IPPC), large combustion plants, waste incineration, activities using organic solvents and three on titanium dioxide production. As its name indicates, the industrial emissions Directive requires a wide range of industrial activities to be regulated so as to protect the environment from possible harm from their emissions. This consultation will therefore be of particular interest to those who operate those industrial activities, and to those who are interested in how those activities are regulated. The consultation will be of particular interest to businesses operating industrial activities. Find out how to have your say on the IED
For more information go to http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/03/12/industrial-emissions-1203/?

HSE Prosecutions and Enforcements - Construction Sector, March 2012

Read details of some recent HSE prosecutions and enforcement action in the construction sector and find sources of relevant advice.
Occupational Health
28 March 2012 – A Cornish company has been fined £3,200 and ordered to pay costs of £5,000 after using unqualified staff to screen the health of workers from dozens of other organisations.
The company carried out tests inadequately for 59 companies over a period of at least four years across the UK. The company failed to provide employers with information to prevent workers' health deteriorating and did not refer employees to occupational health professionals when required.
For help and assistance in your construction projects, contact CRS Construction – see details at http://www.crsrisk.com/construction_cdm

Roadworks
20 March 2012 - A leading engineering and construction company has been fined £250,000 for safety failings after a surveyor was killed by a reversing lorry during work to widen the M25 near Dartford.
For help and assistance in your construction projects, contact CRS Construction – see details at http://www.crsrisk.com/construction_cdm

Asbestos 
20 March 2012 - A demolition firm has been fined £10,800 and ordered to pay costs of £3,638.95 after knocking down a building in the Lake District containing hundreds of asbestos ceiling tiles, putting the lives of workers and local residents at risk.
For help and assistance in your construction projects, contact CRS Construction – see details at http://www.crsrisk.com/construction_cdm

Demolition
9 March 2012 - An Edgware-based construction company and its director have been fined after carrying out unsafe demolition and construction work at a house in Surrey. The firm was fined £15,000 and ordered to pay the full costs of £11,930. The director was fined £1,500 and disqualified from acting as a company director for three years.

29 March 2012 -  A West Midlands firm has been fined £8,000 and ordered to pay £3,500 costs after a teenage worker's arm was amputated after being crushed during the demolition of old Grand Cinema in Ramsey town centre in Cambridgeshire.
For help and assistance in your construction projects, contact CRS Construction – see details at http://www.crsrisk.com/construction_cdm

Work at height
12 March 2012 - A Southampton-based roofing company has been fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs after a worker suffered serious injuries when he fell through a fragile skylight.
For help and assistance in your construction projects, contact CRS Construction – see details at http://www.crsrisk.com/construction_cdm

Excavations
30 March 2012 - A Cheshire property developer has been fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £3,837 in prosecution costs after putting the lives of its workers at risk, by allowing them to work in an unsupported excavation.
For help and assistance in your construction projects, contact CRS Construction – see details at http://www.crsrisk.com/construction_cdm

Unique new product launch to become Full Member of IEMA - July 11

Do you work in the Environmental Sector?
Do you need or want to gain recognised Environmental qualifications?
Do you want to develop your career and enhance your earning power?

Then we would like to invite you to an event (11th July) where you will learn more about our new products, including the launch of our unique new product that supports you from beginner to Full Member of IEMA. The course incorporates the new standards of Associate Certificate in Environmental Management.

Corporate Risk Systems is launching TWO new courses to support you to develop your environmental skills to become a Full Member of IEMA. Are you:

• An environmental beginner,  or have recently been given environmental responsibilities
• Looking  to implement an Environmental Management Systems such as ISO14001 or meet environmental regulations
• AIEMA already and want to take the next step to Full member of IEMA?
  

Our first new course from beginner to MIEMA is by our Applied learning approach with no exam or essays and incorporates the IEMA Associate Certificate in Environmental Management.
Our Second new course is for those who are already an Associate Member of IEMA (AIEMA) and takes you from Full Member (MIEMA)
For more information and to reserve your place on our guest list (numbers limited) please contact Ros on rs@crsrisk.com

Stephen Asbury to speak at Barbour Directors Club

Exclusive seminars for directors and senior managers
These exclusive, invitation only events will take place during Safety & Health Expo 2012 will give you unprecedented access to world class speakers such as Dr Tim Marsh, who draws on over 20 years' behavioral based safety experience, Matthew Lee, ex-HSE Inspector and Stephen Asbury author of 'Do the Right Thing' presenting on the Safety improvements in F1 Motorsport 1950-2012.

Who should attend?
The Directors' Club is only open to directors and senior managers, and whether health and safety is your full time remit or not.  This is an unmissable opportunity to network with top tier managers and listen to essential, commercially driven, and interesting topics. Apply for a place at these events at http://www.barbour-ehs.com/2471.aspx
See the full daily speaker programme at http://www.barbour-ehs.com/media/177076/barbour%20directors%20club%20timetable.pdf

Shared concern for health and safety brings CIWM and IOSH together

Underlining the importance of good health and safety practices in the waste and resource management sector, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) have this month signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
CIWM President Derek Greedy and IOSH President Subash Ludhra signed the MOU at the IOSH Conference in Manchester earlier in March 2012, agreeing to work closely together on training and events relevant to members of both bodies to assist with their continuing professional development.
"Both CIWM and IOSH are committed to proactively exploring and identifying higher standards of professionalism in safe environmental and working practices, and improving health and safety performance across the waste and resource management industry," says Derek Greedy. "Our approach is based on sound science, appropriate technology, good communication, enhanced engagement along with the provision of information, skills, training and best practice in health and safety."
Corporate Risk Systems’ Head of Environment, Richard Ball commented ‘ I have been working with CIWM for a number of year’s and this step formalises the relationship between two organisations, to demonstrate their commitment to Health and Safety. Wastes Management is a dynamic and evolving sector and it is important that Health and Safety becomes part of the dominant culture of the sector’
The two bodies have already been working together, with IOSH sitting on the steering committee of CIWM's Health & Safety Special Interest Group and a CIWM representative on the IOSH Environmental and Waste Management Group. CIWM has also agreed to be involved in the development of the well-established IOSH 'Managing Safely' course in order to contextualise it for the waste and resource industry. Corporate Risk Systems Ltd offer IOSH Managing Safely courses bespoke to your organisation’s in house needs or as an open basis. For more information contact rs@crsrisk.com

Toxic waste crime boss jailed

The Environment Agency has successfully prosecuted a gang of four waste bosses were for illegally storing tonnes of dangerous chemical waste, some of which ended up fly tipped across the North of England.
Discovery of hazardous chemical waste illegally dumped in roadside laybys across Yorkshire, Lancashire and Shropshire, prompted a nationwide investigation by the Environment Agency, code name Operation Pandora.

Preston Crown Court heard how this led to raids across Lancashire and the discovery of 6 illegal waste sites across Lancashire being operated by defendants.

• At one site almost 100 chemical drums had been discarded which were filled with substances including acids, pharmaceutical vials and crushed tablets.
• One container was discovered marked 'Very water reactive - explosive on contact with water' which was being stored under a leaking roof.
• EA staff located eleven 1000 litre intermediate bulk containers marked as containing 'carcinogenic contents' within 125 metres of the River Ribble Estuary which is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) which had been stored illegally by Christian Briely.
• The serious environmental risk posed by the waste was evident in an incident at industrial units in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, where drums leaking hazardous liquids polluted the River Tawd.
• Full breathing apparatus and protective suits had to be worn by staff from the Environment Agency and the Fire and Rescue Service to safely recover, inspect and store the chemical drums.
  

During the forensic examination of drums the Environment Agency recovered clues which helped with the investigation. The EA also made a public appeal for information to help track down those responsible. As a result, the four were arrested and charged with a total of 22 offences.

The three company bosses and haulage contractor were sentenced on Tuesday 10th of April:
Sentenced
During sentencing Her Honour Judge Badley said that all four defendants were "Persistent in the pursuit of profit, increasingly bold and acted outside the regulations clearly for financial motives".

• Husband, Christian Garry BRIELY, 43, from Bolton was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for 8 waste offences, while his wife, Deborah Lynne BRIELY, 47, from Bolton was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months with 120 hours unpaid work for 3 waste offences.
• Christopher HILL, 50, from Hartlepool was sentenced to 8 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months with 120 hours unpaid work for 4 waste offences.
• Roger Martin BAMBER, 50, from Lancashire was sentenced to 120 hours unpaid work for 8 waste offences
  

Louis Hunt, Senior Investigations Manager from the Environment Agency National Environmental Crime Team, said:
'This nationwide investigation has been complex and involved working with the public and authorities across the UK to bring those responsible to justice.

'We were able to use forensic techniques to identify the abandoned waste and trace those who had managed waste that had been illegally dumped. If we had not acted quickly then this gang would have continued to dispose of this toxic and hazardous waste across England in a highly dangerous manner, posing a significant risk to the public and the environment.'

Environment Agency Head of Illegal’s and Waste, Mat Crocker said: 'This sentence sends out the message that waste crime is a serious offence. Offenders can and will be sent to jail.'
'Waste crime puts the environment and human health at risk and undermines legitimate businesses. In this instance, the waste originated from businesses that paid a commercial rate for the disposal and as such, believed it was being disposed of responsibly. Businesses producing toxic and hazardous waste need to take extra care to ensure their waste is not being dumped illegally.'
Photos of the dumped waste are available on Flickr

Safety Management - Britsafe April 2012

Corporate Risk Systems carbon commitment has been recognised internationally

Corporate Risk Systems carbon commitment has been recognised internationally by Carbon Fund.org on it's blog http://carbonfund.org/blog/item/4614-crs-corporate-risk-systems-carbonfree,
Richard Ball – Head of Environment highlights that  "I believe that Corporate Risk Systems was one of, if not the first environmental consultancy to make this commitment, and it's good that we have been recognised internationally for this' . Corporate Risk Systems offers a range of Environmental courses and consultancy that include carbon management and calculations for more information contact rb@crsrisk.com

Eventful London AGM for BP

BP's top bosses have contended with screaming environmental protesters, a backlash on executive pay and more anger over the company's record in the Gulf of Mexico at an eventful annual meeting.

A number of activists were carried from the ExCel centre in London after staging a bizarre demonstration against BP's attitude towards climate change. BP's board was asked by an undercover protester if it had a "spaceship" to allow its members to escape environmental catastrophe before the man and several colleagues played dead on the floor and refused to move. No arrests were made.

Meanwhile, a shareholder said BP gave the impression the board had its "snout in the trough" by awarding chief executive Bob Dudley an annual bonus of 850,000 US dollars (£540,000). The criticism was backed by a large number of investors as 11% of shareholder votes were against the company's remuneration report.

Before the meeting started, Derrick Evans, from Gulfport, in Mississippi, said BP's clean-up operation in the wake of the Gulf of Mexico disaster had been a "complete fiasco". "The oil is not gone," he said outside the meeting. "The general perception is that BP made a mess and BP did a big clean-up and everything is all fine. Nothing could be further from the truth."

BP has so far paid around 7.5 billion US dollars (£4.7 billion) in clean-up costs and compensation, with more than 200,000 individuals and businesses claiming compensation from the 20 billion US dollar (£12.5 billion) fund set aside for victims of the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

Mr Dudley told shareholders that BP's guiding principle on the clean-up was "not to do the minimum as required by law, but to do the right thing". He added: "We have continued to devote people and resources to the area and we are seeing recovery. The beaches are open and 2011 was a great year for tourism. Independent studies have shown that Gulf seafood is safe to eat."

BP also faced a protest from environmentalists opposed to the development of Canada's tar sands by BP as a major oil source. Clayton Thomas-Muller, who is the tar sands campaign director for the Indigenous Environmental Network in Canada, urged shareholders to call for a withdrawal from the area in Alberta, Canada.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/eventful-meeting-bps-bosses-151522310.html

New HSE research report published - Occupational health provision on the Olympic Park

HSE has published its research report on Occupational Health Provision on the Olympic Park and Athletes’ Village, the second in a series of research reports relating to health and safety on the London 2012 construction project.

The occupational health provision on the Olympic Park and Village has been recognised by the construction industry and beyond as an example of good practice, and one of the best implemented on any major construction project in the UK.  It has set a new standard for the construction industry to aim for. Much of the good practice identified is transferrable to companies and projects of all sizes.

Government pledges to reduce your energy bills

Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg is set to unveil, what he claims, is a landmark deal between the Government and the big six to cut energy bills.

Mr Clegg will be announcing the alignment later on today (April 11) at the KPMG headquarters, Canary Wharf, as part of a government commitment to help consumers get the best energy tariff for their needs and reduce their energy bills.

As part of the initiative, the big six energy companies - EDF, E.ON, British Gas, Southern, Scottish Power and NPower, will write to customers every year from this autumn to inform them of the best value tariff and how to get it. They will also be offered a more suitable tariff when their contract ends or if they contact their supplier to ask.

It will also see some vulnerable customers - those assisted by the Warm Home Discount scheme - contacted twice a year.

The move comes after criticism that energy tariffs are too complicated -leaving consumers struggling to find the best deal.

It is also part of a government drive to encourage people to reduce their bills, while also saving energy through green measures.

Key proposals made in the commitment include, investigating putting barcodes on bills, a Big Energy Week 2 event to provide consumers with advice, tariff simplification and collective switching options.

In his speech Mr Clegg is expected to say: "We need to get bills as low as possible. I know that many families are struggling with rising energy bills. We can't control volatile world energy prices. But we can still help people get their bills down.

"So I can announce today that we have secured a landmark deal with the six big energy companies who cover 99% of customers, to give customers a guaranteed offer of the best tariff for them."

It is thought seven out of 10 customers are on the wrong tariff and are paying too much. However, the Mr Clegg is also expected to reveal that people can save up to £100 a year by switching to a more suitable tariff.

His speech will conclude: "That is going to change. As of this Autumn, your supplier will have to contact you with the best tariff for your needs. And if you call them, they'll have to offer you the best deal too.

"We want to see consumers saving money and engage with the energy they use. Precisely the kind of thrift that is good for pockets as well as the planet."

RIDDOR reporting requirement changes from 6 April 2012

As of 6 April 2012, RIDDOR’s over-three-day injury reporting requirement has changed. The trigger point has increased from over three days’ to over seven days’ incapacitation (not counting the day on which the accident happened).  Incapacitation means that the worker is absent or is unable to do work that they would reasonably be expected to do as part of their normal work.
Employers and others with responsibilities under RIDDOR must still keep a record of all over-three day-injuries – if the employer has to keep an accident book, then this record will be enough.
The deadline by which the over-seven-day injury must be reported has also increased to fifteen days from the day of the accident.

Lift Manufacturer Schindler pays almost £0.5M for Safety Failings

Lift manufacturer Schindler Ltd has been fined £300,000 for safety failings after an employee was crushed to death while installing a passenger lift at Heathrow Airport.  Lift engineer Kevin Dawson, 45, was helping with the construction of Terminal 5A at London Heathrow when the incident occurred on 27 October 2007.
The ladder from which Kevin Dawson was working when he was struck and killed by the heavy counterweight.  Isleworth Crown Court heard that Mr Dawson was working from a ladder within the pit of a lift shaft, into which he and other Schindler employees were installing three new lift cars. As a colleague used one of the cars to fetch equipment from a higher level, a counterweight descended, crushing Mr Dawson and causing fatal injuries.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) revealed the unfinished passenger lift was used to carry workers, tools and materials despite missing key safety-critical components.  HSE also found the company's radio and telephone arrangements were ineffective, and workers routinely communicated by shouting up and down the lift shaft. This was potentially confusing while others were working in adjacent shafts.  And there was no evidence that Schindler had identified the risk of impact or crushing from moving lift parts, and therefore failed to plan, organise or supervise activity to control and prevent this risk.  The HSE investigation concluded that Schindler Ltd ultimately failed its duty of care in allowing unsafe working practices to continue.
The company, of Green Street, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) and Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and Regulation 8(1) of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 in relation to the incident.  In addition to the £300,000 fine for the three breaches, Schindler Ltd was also ordered to pay £169,970 in costs.
After the hearing HSE Principal Inspector Norman Macritchie said: "Kevin Dawson's death is a wake-up call for all involved in the installation and maintenance of lifts. His death was entirely preventable, and we need to ensure that nobody else suffers the same fate.  It is hard to overstate the potential for death or serious injury arising from moving machinery, electricity and working at height - all of which are everyday risks in this industry. Lift shafts by their very nature are confined and often poorly-lit places, where heavy components can move suddenly, silently and without warning. Due planning and extreme care must be taken at all times. It wasn't on this occasion and a life was needlessly lost as a result."

Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012    came into force on 6 April 2012, updating previous asbestos regulations to take account of the European Commission's view that the UK had not fully implemented the EU Directive on exposure to asbestos (Directive 2009/148/EC).
In practice the changes are fairly limited. They mean that some types of non-licensed work with asbestos now have additional requirements, i.e. notification of work, medical surveillance and record keeping. All other requirements remain unchanged.
What has stayed the same?

• If existing asbestos containing materials are in good condition and are not likely to be damaged, they may be left in place; their condition monitored and managed to ensure they are not disturbed.
• If you're responsible for maintenance of non-domestic premises, you have a 'duty to manage[2]' the asbestos in them, to protect anyone using or working in the premises from the risks to health that exposure to asbestos causes.
• If you want to do any building or maintenance work in premises, or on plant or equipment that might contain asbestos, you need to identify where it is and its type and condition; assess the risks, and manage and control these risks.
• The requirements for licensed work remain the same: in the majority of cases, work with asbestos needs to be done by a licensed contractor[3]. This work includes most asbestos removal, all work with sprayed asbestos coatings and asbestos lagging and most work with asbestos insulation and asbestos insulating board (AIB).
• If you are carrying out non-licensed asbestos work, this still requires effective controls[4].
• The control limit for asbestos is 0.1 asbestos fibres per cubic centimetre of air (0.1 f/cm3). The control limit is not a 'safe' level and exposure from work activities involving asbestos must be reduced to as far below the control limit as possible.
• Training[5] is mandatory for anyone liable to be exposed to asbestos fibres at work. This includes maintenance workers and others who may come into contact with or disturb asbestos (e.g. cable installers), as well as those involved in asbestos removal work.
  

What has changed?

• From 6 April 2012, some non-licensed work needs to be notified[6] to the relevant enforcing authority.
• From 6 April 2012, brief written records should be kept of non-licensed work, which has to be notified e.g. copy of the notification with a list of workers on the job, plus the level of likely exposure of those workers to asbestos. This does not require air monitoring on every job, if an estimate of degree of exposure can be made based on experience of similar past tasks or published guidance.
• By April 2015, all workers/self-employed doing notifiable non-licensed work with asbestos must be under health surveillance by a Doctor. Workers who are already under health surveillance for licensed work need not have another medical examination for non-licensed work. BUT medicals for notifiable non-licensed work are not acceptable for those doing licensed work.
• Some modernisation of language and changes to reflect other legislation, e.g. the prohibition section has been removed, as the prohibition of supply and use of asbestos is now covered by REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals Regulations 2006).