PAS 125 Kitemark. 

This Kitemark scheme was developed by BSI and Thatcham Vehicle Research Centre in order to ensure that the standards of repair applied to modern motor vehicles reflected the demands of the motor industry for  continuous improvements in quality and safety. Repairing modern, technologically advanced motor vehicles has never been more challenging. Higher quality and complexity in vehicle body design has increased the training needs and competency levels required for technicians engaged in body repairs.                               

                                          

                          

Health and safety in the motor vehicle repair (MVR)
industry

There have been over 8000 injuries and 24 deaths in the motor vehicle repair (MVR) industry over the last 5 years. MVR covers: mechanical repairs, tyre and exhaust fitting, bodyshops (refinishing), valeting, windscreen repair and replacement MOT garages, SMART operations and roadside recovery. Learn how to work safely, reduce your risk of accident, injury and exposure to harmful substances such as isocyanate paint mist.

 

MVR and associated industries cover activities such as the maintenance and repair (including tyre, exhaust, windscreen etc replacement); body repair, refinishing and valeting; MOT testing; and the roadside recovery of motor vehicles. Whilst most of these activities are carried out at MVR garages and Fast fit centres, they are also undertaken at customers; premises, both commercial and domestic, and at the roadside. The boundaries between the different types of outlet is becoming more and more blurred as enterprises take on a wider range of activities in an increasingly competitive market.

                                          

                          

             Control the risks from hand-arm vibration

 The health effects of hand-arm vibration

What is hand-arm vibration?
Hand-arm vibration is vibration transmitted from work processes into workers’ hands and arms. It can be caused by operating hand-held power tools, such as road breakers, and hand-guided equipment, such as powered lawnmowers, or by holding materials being processed by machines, such as pedestal grinders.

When is it hazardous?
Regular and frequent exposure to hand-arm vibration can lead to permanent health effects. This is most likely when contact with a vibrating tool or work process is a regular part of a person’s job. Occasional exposure is unlikely to cause ill health.

Health and Safety Executive Control the risks from hand-arm vibration.
Advice for employers on the Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005

What health effects can it cause?
Hand-arm vibration can cause a range of conditions collectively known as handarm vibration syndrome (HAVS), as well as specific diseases such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

New legislation, the Health and Safety Offences Act 2008, which will increase penalties and provide courts with greater sentencing powers for those who flout health and safety legislation has been welcomed by DWP Ministers.

The Act raises the maximum penalties that can be imposed for breaching health and safety regulations in the lower courts from £5,000 to £20,000 and the range of offences for which an individual can be imprisoned has also been broadened.

DWP Minister Lord McKenzie said:

"It is generally accepted that the level of fines for some health and safety offences is too low.  These changes will ensure that sentences can now be more easily set at a level to deter businesses that do not take their health and safety management responsibilities seriously and further encourage employers and others to comply with the law."

"Furthermore, by extending the £20,000 maximum fine to the lower courts and making imprisonment an option, more cases will be resolved in the lower courts and justice will be faster, less costly and more efficient."

"Jail sentences for particularly blameworthy health and safety offences committed by individuals, can now be imposed reflecting the severity of such crimes, whereas there were more limited options in the past."

"I am delighted that this legislation is now on the statute book and very grateful to my colleagues Keith Hill MP and Lord Bruce Grocott for introducing the Bill and for the support received from all sides of both Houses of Parliament."

The Act amends Section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and raises the maximum penalties available to the courts in respect of certain health and safety offences.  It received Royal Assent on 16 October 2008 and will come into force in three months time, in January 2009

Media Enquiries: John Stevenson   0203 267 5126
DWP Press Office: 0203 267 5144
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk

Flood Warning

With the weather seeming to be getting worse and with more and more reports of people and businesses
being flooded we have put some information about floods and a brief summary on what to do.

By taking action to prepare in advance for flooding, most businesses can save 20-90% on the cost of lost stock and moveable equipment, as well as a lot of trouble and stress. It is vital that businesses:

• Find out if they are at risk from flooding
• Find out about flood warnings
• Plan to protect property and minimise financial risks
• Ensure the safety of all staff

This information guide will give you valuable guidance on developing your own flood plan, and how you can be better prepared in the event of a flood situation.

As part of its latest Simply Safety campaign message (link below), Norwich Union is warning that exposure to hazardous substances at work can lead to serious long-term health problems.
Each year, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - often triggered by exposure to dusts, gases or fumes - caused 30,000 deaths.
Research has suggested that if occupational risks were removed, this number could be reduced by around 4,000. Other effects of hazardous substances included eye irritations, asthma and dermatitis.

Phil Grace, Liability Risk Manager at Norwich Union, said: "Hazardous substances can be part of the manufacturing process, for example the raw materials used to make a product, or generated as a by-product formed by work activities, such as welding, use of cutting fluids or paint spraying.

"As it is the level and duration of exposure to toxic substances that causes harm, employers must manage the risk appropriately."

Phil said the first step towards improving safety was a risk assessment to identify hazardous substances and to consider how great the exposure
was: "Consider all groups of people who could come into contact with the material, for example contractors or other members of staff who visit the area regularly.

"The next step is to decide what precautions are needed. Comparing the controls you already use with HSE guidance is a good idea, to check that they are both appropriate and effective. You should consider whether the process or activity could be changed so that the hazardous material is not needed or generated. Could the material be replaced with a safer alternative or used in a safer form?"

Health surveillance

Phil added that personal protective equipment, such as appropriate respiratory apparatus, could also reduce exposure to hazardous materials, but only as a last resort and never as a replacement for other control measures.

"Once controls are in place, it is important to monitor these measures and ensure that they are maintained," he told us. "Monitoring exposure and carrying out health surveillance for employees is key."

"Finally, it is important to ensure that your employees are properly informed about the materials they are coming into contact with. Access to material safety data sheets (MSDS) provided by the manufacturer is not enough as it is vital that employers conduct their own risk assessments. "

"What really counts is how you implement the manufacturers guidance and the quantities of the substance, as this is what will determine an employees exposure to it. Recording assessments will enable you to check details in the future, ensuring that employees are protected from the risk of ill health or disease."

Phil stressed that employees should always have the correct training to carry out their job and should be supervised properly.

Source: NU Risk Services