users (Regs 8 and 9). Special attention should be paid to the training of young people Any equipment should conform to European Community requirements and be CE marked 1 Equipment should have suitable guards on dangerous parts (Reg. 11) \200 Measures to prote ct workers and others from objects falling or being ejected from equipment. Controls should protect against equipment failure, \201 re, explosion, overheating, or discharge of subs tances from equipment (Reg.12) 1 CE Marking indicates that a product conforms to EU product safety rules. 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 530 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM PROVISION AND USE OF WORK EQUIPMENT REGULATIONS 1998 531 Workers must be protected from very hot or cold parts of a machine or articles produced by the machine (Reg. 13) Equipment should have appropriate controls, including emergency stop controls (Regs 14 \200\22316) Any controls should be clearly visible and located in safe areas, and there should be a safe system of operation Audible or visible warnings should be in place, where employees may be at risk if the machi ne starts unexpectedly while they are in a danger area, e.g. inside a paper-making machine (Reg. 17) Control systems should \200\230fail to safe \200\231 in the event of malfunction (Reg. 18) Any power source should be capable of being isolated for maintenance, or where operating conditions are unsafe. This may require interlocks and isol ating devices to be \201 tted (Reg. 19) Equipment should be stable and secure, e.g. ladders should be properly footed Adequate lighting must be provided where equipment is operated. This may require additional lighting, especially during construction or maintenance Equipment should be designed such that maintenance operations do not place workers at risk (Reg. 22) Any work equipment must be clearly marked with any necessary health and safety warnings. Any warnings (reversing alarms, \200\230power on \200\231 ligh ts etc.) must be clear and unambiguous (Regs. 23 and 24) Additional rules cover the use of mobile equipment, in particular its movement (Regs 25 \200\22330): \200 the use of roll-over protection (rather than a cab) o n mobile equipment such as forklift trucks will often require the use of restraining device s mobile equipment should be designed so that it is safe to move, and does not place the operator or others at risk drive shafts or power take-offs (PTOs) should be guarded, and have a slip-clutch to prevent catastrophic equipment failure if the shaft seizes. Legislation and guidance \200 HSE (1998). Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance , L22. HSE Books, Sudbury, Available at: M ht tp://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1998/19982306.htm HSE (1998). Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998. Approved Code of Pra ctice and Guidance , L113. HSE Books, Sudbury. Available at: M http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si 1998/19982307.htm 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 531 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CHAPTER 25 UK health and safety legislation 532 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 Purpose The regulations are inte nded to protect workers from risks posed by chemical hazards in the workplace. The Regulati ons and ACOP specify how chemical hazards should be assessed, controlled, and monitored (in cluding health surveillance). Application These regulations apply to employers and the self-employed. They cover most haz ardous substances excluding the following, for which speci \201 c regulations apply: \200 Asbestos \200 Lead \200 Radio-active agents \200 Substances being used in medical t reatment \200 Substances hazardous because of \202 ammable/explosive properties. De \201 nitions \200 Substance : a natural or arti \201 cial substance whether a solid, liquid, gas, dust, \201 bre, mist, smoke, or vapor. This term includes micro-organisms. It encomp asses individual agents and mixtures which are impurities, intermediates, by-products, wast es, or \201 nal products Workplace: any place where work is being carried out, including domestic premises and the public highway \200\230So far as is reasonably practicable \200\231: \201 nancial factors may be taken into account when determining whether risk controls are reasonably practicable. Note that t he level of risk outweighs the \201 nancial resources of the organization in determining practicability. The greater the health risk, the greater the expectation of effort and expe nse Biological agents are categorized under COSHH as follows: Group 1 \200\224unlikely to cause human illness \200 Group 2 \200\224can cause human di sease. Usually effective treatment or prophylaxis is available Group 3 \200\224can cause severe human illness and may be a serious hazard to employee \200\231s health Group 4 \200\224causes severe human disease. Usually no effective treatment is available for such agents. Main requirements \200 The duties placed on employers under COSHH also apply to the self-employed (Reg. 3), except for the duty to undertake workplace monitoring and health su rveillance The use of substances listed in Schedule 2 are either restricted or prohibited, as they are deemed too hazardous to health (Reg. 4) Employers are required to carry out a risk assessment before exposing employees to a hazard ous substance (Reg. 6). If an organization has more than \201 ve employees, this risk ass essment must be recorded 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 532 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH 2002 533 Employers must prevent or control exposure to hazardous substances (Reg. 7). This includes substitution of a less hazardous agent, reformulation of an agent ( e.g. using a paste instead of a powder), process re-engineering, industrial hygiene control s, and administrative control measures. Appendix 1 of COSHH guidance provides further infor mation on the control of carcinogens and mutagens. Schedule 3 lists additional provisions f or biological agents Employers must ensure that employees use control measures provided, and employees have a duty to do so (Reg. 8). If an employee \201 nds a defect i n a control measure, he/she must inform the employer \200 Control measures must be mainta ined, examined, and tested regularly (Reg. 9). Suitable records of such tests must be retai ned for at least 5yrs. All control measures should be regularly inspected. For most process es (except those in Schedule 4), regular inspection means weekly visual checks, and examina tion and testing every 14mths \200 Where a risk assessment indicates that workplace monit oring is needed to con \201 rm the effectiveness of control measures, an employer must comply (Reg. 10). Processes and agents listed in Schedule 5 must have speci \201 ed workplace monitori ng. Suitable records of employee monitoring should be maintained for 40yrs Health surveillance (Reg. 11) (see Chapter 22 Health surveillance: general principles) is r equired where the worker is exposed to an agent or process listed in Schedule 6 or exposure to a hazardous substance is such that: \200 an identi \201 able disease is related to e xposure \200 there is a reasonable likelihood of the illness occurring \200 valid metho ds exist to detect the disease Health records must be kept for 40yrs after the last entry. A health record (which should n ot include con \201 dential clinical information) is distinct from medical records of heal th surveillance maintained by health professionals Information, instruction, and training should be provided for employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances (Reg. 12) Regulation 13 requires employers to make plans to deal with emergencies such as spills, \201 res, or leaks. These requirements may overlap with other regulations relating to major accident hazards ( b p. 590, Control of Major Accident Hazar ds Regulations 1999). Legislation and guidance \200 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended). Approved Code of Practice and guidance, 5th edn, L5. HSE Books, Sudbury. M ht tp://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2677/ contents/made HSE (2005). Workplace exposure limits: containing the list of workplace exposure limits for use with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (as amended), EH40 . HSE Books, Sudbury. COSHH. Available at: M www.coshh-essentials.org.uk 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 533 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CHAPTER 25 UK health and safety legislation 534 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 Purpose To ensu re that injuries, accidents, and dangerous incidents arising from work are reported to the relevant enforcing authority (HSE or local authority). They provide a single set of reporti ng rules applicable to all work. A 2 bene \201 t is that RIDDOR provides information on trends for workplace accidents and some occupational illnesses. In reality, signi \201 can t under-reporting across all sectors compromises the system. Application \200 Regulations apply to Great Britain including the offshore oil industry. \200 Separate regulations apply to Northern Ireland \200 Incidents arising directly fro m medical treatment are excluded. De \201 nitions \200 Enforcing authority: either HSE or the local authority \200 Over- 7-day injury: a worker is un \201 t for his/her normal work for 7 days excluding the day of the incident Responsible person: the employer, the person in control of the workplace, or the individual, if self-employed Accident: de \201 ned as \200\230an act of non-consensual violence done to a person at work \200\231 and excludes injuries to professional sportsmen in the normal cours e of play. Main requirements Reportable incidents, diseases, and dangerous occurrences All incidents c an be reported online to HSE, but a telephone service remains for reporting fatal and major injuries only. The following must be reported by the responsible person to the enforcing a uthority: \200 Death due to an accident \200 Major injury: any fracture, other than to \201 ngers, thumbs, or toes \200 any amputation \200 disl ocation of the shoulder, hip, knee, or spine \200 loss of sight (temporary or permanent) \200 a chemical or metal burn to the eye or any penetrating eye injury \200 any injury due to an electric shock or burn leading to unconsciousness or requiring resuscitation or admittance to hospital for >24h any injury leading to hypothermia, heat illness, or unconsciousness \200 any injury requi ring resuscitation \200 any injury needing hospital admission for >24h \200 loss of con sciousness due to asphyxia or exposure to a harmful agent absorption of any agent causing acute illness requiring medical treatment or loss of consciousness 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 534 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM REPORTING OF INJURIES REGULATIONS 1995 535 acute illness requiring medical treatment due to exposure to a biological agent, its toxin, or infected material; this covers needle- stick injuries where the exposure is to blood or body \202 uids infected with agents such as hepatitis B, C o r HIV From April 2012 over-7-day injuries (excluding day of incident) must be reported within \201 fteen days. A record (e.g. accident book) of over-3-day injuries must still be maintai ned despite the move from reporting of over-3-day injuries to over-7-day injuries Noti \201 able diseases: an employer must notify the relevant authority using Form F2508A where one of their workers develops a prescribed occupational disease (se e b Appendix 3). This applies where the employer is noti \201 ed in writing by a doctor th at the employee has a disease listed in Schedule 3, Part 1, of the regulations and the work er is involved in the relevant work listed in column 2 of that list (Reg. 5) \200 Any dan gerous occurrence listed in Schedule 2 of the regulations. This covers incidents such as th e collapse of a crane, failure of a pressure vessel, or a \201 re or explosion leading to plant shutdown for >24h. Other provisions \200 Death or major injury is reportable whether the affected individual is an employee or a member of the public There is no duty on anyone to report to the HSE the death of a self-employed person who die s on his or her own premises \200 Injuries sustained in \200\230hazing \200\231 (initiat ion ceremonies) would be reportable if the new worker was forced to take part in such an event Injuries to members of the public, where they are taken to hospital, are reportable even wh ere no treatment is administered (Reg. 3) \200 Regulation 4 requires that, where a worker (but not a member of the public) dies as a result of an accident within 12mths, the respon sible person must inform the enforcing authority Gas Safe registered gas \201 tters1 are required to report dangerous gas \201 ttings or installations to HSE Gas suppliers must notify HSE when they learn of an incident involving gas they supply which causes injury or death (Reg. 6) Regulation 7 places a duty on the responsible person to keep a record of any report for 3yrs after the incident Where an employer was unaware of an incident, they can use this as a defense if subsequentl y prosecuted for failing to report it. The employer would have to demonstrate they had take n reasonable steps to have such incidents reported. Legislation and guidance \200 Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. Available at: M http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ uksi/1995/3163/contents/ma de RIDDOR reporting online. Available at: M http://www.hse.gov.uk/ riddor/report.htm 1 Gas Safe Register. 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 535 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CHAPTER 25 UK health and safety legislation 536 First Aid at Work Regulations 1981 Purpose To describe the \201 rst aid provision that em ployers must make in workplaces. Application Apply to all employers in the UK, except where other regulations apply (Reg. 7) in offshore oil, diving and merchant shipping. The armed forces are exempt. De \201 nitions First aid means the provision of immediately necessary care to ill or inju red people and, where necessary, calling an ambulance. It does not include the administrati on of drugs to treat an illness (e.g. paracetamol for headache). Main requirements \200 Employers must assess likely \201 rst aid needs (Reg. 3) having considered: workplace risks such as machinery, chemicals \200 high-risk areas, e.g. laboratories \200 staff numbers \200 shift work and out-of-hours work \200 accident history \200 location of workplace, e.g. remote forests \200 lone workers \200 trainees on work expe rience \200 needs of any disabled or young persons employed \200 workers who travel \200 general public 1 \200 multiple buildings on a single site, e.g. universities \200 arrangements for workers on shared sites, e.g. construction sites \200 availability of \201 rst-aiders due to holidays, sickness \200 staff with language/reading dif \201 cul ties The minimum \201 rst aid provision is: a \201 rst aid container stocked with the recommended contents \200 an appointed person to take charge of \201 rst aid arrangements \200 information for workers on \201 rst aid provision (Reg. 4). 2 The self-employed must undertake a risk assessment and make suitable \201 rst aid provi sion (Reg. 5). \200 Employers must provide suitable and suf \201 cient \201 rst aid ma terials in an easily identi \201 able \201 rst aid container. First aid kits may be issu ed to lone workers, those in remote locations, or those who travel at work. First aid rooms: should be provided if the risk assessment identi \201 es a need \200 should have a couch , desk, chair, phone, sink with hot/cold water, soap and paper towels, adequate heating and lighting 1 Employers are not required to make \201 rst aid provision for the public but many in th e retail and hospitality industries will wish to do so. 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 536 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM FIRST AID AT WORK REGULATIONS 1981 537 should be clearly identi \201 ed, with a notice identifying \201 rst aiders, their locations, and how to contact them should be easily accessible, clean, and ready for use First aiders: select on aptitude; should hold a valid \201 rst aid certi \201 cate \200 \201 rst a id certi \201 cates are valid for 3yrs \200 the number of \201 rst aiders is determine d by the risk assessment \200 Record keeping: an accident book should be maintained to re cord incidents including the date, time, and location of any incident, the name and job of the injured/ill person, details of the injury or illness, what \201 rst aid was administe red, disposal of the casualty (e.g. return to work, sent to hospital), and the name and sig nature of the \201 rst aider. Other regulations and guidance The Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Re gulations 1989 address the provision of \201 rst aid on offshore oil installations. The N HS does not provide medical cover to oil platforms and so operators must make their own arr angements for nursing cover onboard (rig med- ics) and for land-based medical support (tops ide medical cover). The oil industry has produced guidance on suitable \201 rst aid and m edical equip- ment on offshore platforms. The Diving at Work Regulations 1997 require the diving contractor to provide \201 rst aid during a diving project (see b p. 544, Diving at Work Regulations 1997). Legislation/guidance \200 The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Available a t: M http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1981/917/contents/made \200 HSE (1997). The Healt h and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. Approved Code of Practice , L74. HSE Books, Sudbury. The Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Regulations 1989. Available at: M http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1989/1671/ contents/made HSE (2000). Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works (First-Aid) Regulations 1989. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance. L123, HSE Books, Sudbury. First Aid and Medical Equipment on Offshore Installations , Issue 1, HS 013, 2000. Oil & Gas UK. 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 537 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CHAPTER 25 UK health and safety legislation 538 Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 Purpose Lead regulations were \201 rst introduce d in the early twentieth century in an effort to protect workers \200\231 health. Historica lly, lead toxicity was an impor- tant occupational disease in the UK. It still causes much morbidity in devel- oping countries. (Lead as a hazard is covered in b p. 70, Lead). Application CLAW applies to all work that exposes workers to lead in any form in which it m ay be absorbed by: \200 Inhalation \200 Dermal absorption \200 Ingestion. De \201 nitions \200 \200\230Lead exposure is signi \201 cant \200\231 means that one of the following applies: \200 exposure exceeds half the occupational exposure limit for lead \200 there is a substantial risk of ingesting lead \200 skin contact with dermally absorbed lead may occur (lead alkyls, lead napthenate) Where exposure is signi \201 cant, all regulations apply, and in particular the need for hygiene surveys and health surveillance \200\230Woman of reproductive capacity \200\231 is a woman medically capable of conceiving. Main requirements Risk assessment (Reg. 5) \200 The employer must assess the risks to wor kers and others, who may be affected by lead, record their \201 ndings, retain the record for 5yrs, and review the assessment as necessary This complements the duty placed on employers by the Management of Health and Safety at Wor k Regulations to undertake suitable and suf \201 cient risk assessments using competent pe rsonnel. Prevention and control (Reg. 6) Employers must prevent or control exposure to lead, so far as is reason- ably practicable , without resort to personal protective equipment. In other words, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be the last, not the \201 rst, means of control. The hierarchical principles of occupational hygiene apply (see b p. 636, Contr ol hierarchy: source, transmission, and the individual): \200 Substitution: lead-free compounds \200 low solubility lead compounds \200 use pastes, emulsions or li quid formulations Engineering controls: enclose work processes 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 538 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CONTROL OF LEAD AT WORK REGULATIONS 2002 539 low-temperature processes < 500 C to d lead fume \200 local exhaust ventilation (LEV) \200 wet processes \200 design plant for easy cleaning Administrative controls: maintenance and testing of controls \200 provide suitable washing facilities \200 ensur e washing facilities are used at breaks/meals \200 provide \200\230clean \200\231 cantee n/rest facilities (Reg. 7) \200 enforce \200\230clean \200\231 and \200\230dirty \200 \231 areas \200 ban smoking, drinking, eating in lead-contaminated areas (Reg. 7) \200 identify areas where smoking, eating, or drinking is/is not permitted PPE: suitable protective clothing; impermeable coveralls/gloves are required for work with organolead RPE \200 provide suitable storage for PPE. Maintenance and testing of control measures (Reg. 8) LEV maintenance: \200 LEV should be visually inspected once a week and fully tested every 14mths All control measures must be maintained \200 Keep records of maintenance and testing. Hyg iene surveys (Reg. 9) Breathing zone sampling should be carried out every 3mths. The excep- tion is where work practices are unchanged and on the two previous consecutive occasions t he lead in air concentration was <0.10mg/m 3 . In that case testing every 12mths is permitt ed. Medical surveillance Special rules apply for young persons (aged 16 or 17) and women of rep ro- ductive capacity. These are covered in b p. 423, Health Surveillance: gen- eral princip les; b p. 434, Inorganic lead; b p. 436, Organic lead. Information, instruction, and traini ng (Reg. 11) Training and communication should include: \200 Risks to health of lead expo sure \200 Control measures and precautions \200 Results of lead in air monitoring \200 Grouped anonymized health surveillance results; communicating this information is very important as it allows the employer and employees to con \201 rm that controls are adequate. Legislation HSE (2002). Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002 , 3rd edn. Approved Code o f Practice and Guidance , 3rd edn, L132, HSE Books, Sudbury. http:// www.legislation.gov.uk /uksi/2002/2676/contents/made 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 539 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CHAPTER 25 UK health and safety legislation 540 Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 Purpose To protect workers and the public from exposur e to asbestos. Application The Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012 replaces the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and cover most work with asbestos in the UK. Most of the requirements of the 2006 regulations are unchanged but the 2012 Regulations introduces a third category of work; noti \201 able non- licensed work (NNLW) in addition to the existing categories of l icensed work and non-licensed work with asbestos. \200 Noti \201 able non-licensed work requires; Noti \201 cation to HSE before work commences \200 Medical examinations every 3 years \200 Health records \200 Compliance with risk assessment \200 Control of exposure \200 Training. De \201 nitions \200 The control limit for asbestos is 0.1 \201 bre/cm 3 over any 4 ho ur period \200 Exposure must not exceed 0.6 \201 bres/cm 3 in any 10 minute period Main requirements \200 Asbestos work is licensable where it is not sporadic and low inten sity (SALI) or the risk assessment shows the control limit will be exceeded or work on asbe stos coating, or work on asbestos insulation board or insulation where the risk assessment shows work is not SALI; the control limit will be exceeded; work is not short duration (sho rt duration means all work is less than 2 hours/no-one will work > 1 hour) Non-licensed work is not noti \201 able where exposure is SALI and less than the control limit and involves; \200 short, non-continuous maintenance where only no n-friable materials are handled removal without deterioration of non-degraded materials in which the asbestos \201 bres are \201 rmly linked in a matrix. No asbestos work is of low intensity if exposure is > 0.6 \201 bres/cm3 over 10 minutes Employers must manage asbestos in non-domestic premises \200 Assess, by survey, whether b uildings contain asbestos \200 Assess the risk from any asbestos so identi \201 ed. Ther e are two levels of survey: \200 Management survey: this is the standard survey to identi fy any material that might contain asbestos and assess its condition. Such a survey may emp loy a mix of; \200 sampling to identify asbestos and \200 the presumption that material contains asbestos, and is managed as such. 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 540 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CONTROL OF ASBESTOS REGULATIONS 2012 541 Refurbishment and demolition survey : suspect materials are sampled and analyzed with a vie w to asbestos removal. The condition of the asbestos is not generally assessed. This approa ch is employed where demolition or major rebuilding is planned. Before commencing work that might lead to exposure to asbestos; the employer must: \200 identify the presence and type of asbestos \200 assess risks, ident ify control measures, and record \201 ndings. \200 draw up a site-speci \201 c plan of how the work is to be done (method statement) notify HSE of the planned work. Any employer undertaking asbestos work (this covers work with asbestos, ancillary work or supervision), except where exempt under Reg. 3(2) must have an HSE asbestos license. Employers must give employees information, instruction, and training, and maintain training records. Where possible, exposure to asbestos should be prevented or, if not feasible, reduced to as low a level as practicable. Control measures must be used and maintained. Employees must report defects in controls. Employers must make arrangements to deal with emergencies arising during asbestos work and with unplanned releases of asbestos. \200 Employers must prevent or reduce the spread of asbestos by using enclosures, restricting access, using decontamin ation procedures (preliminary and \201 nal), and waste removal. Good housekeeping with clear procedures for cleaning \200 Before re-occupation the site m ust be certi \201 ed clear. \200 Areas where exposure may exceed the action level must b e signed as a designated asbestos area. If exposure may exceed the control limit, the area must be signed as a respirator zone. Those undertaking air sampling or laboratory analysis must be accredited to ISO 17025 by UKAS. Medical surveillance by an HSE appointed doctor including respiratory questionnaire, respir atory examination, and spirometry is required before licensable work begins and every 2 yea rs thereafter (see MS31). Employers must retain the health record for 40 years. Medical examinations are required for noti \201 able non-licensed work every three years and must include a chest examination and be carried out by a registered m edical practitioner. Asbestos waste must be disposed of in suitable labeled containers, and transported in an en closed vehicle to a licensed disposal site. Legislation and guidance \200 The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 M http://www.legis lation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/632/contents/made \200 Guidance for appointed doctors M http://ww w.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ms31.pdf 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 541 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM CHAPTER 25 UK health and safety legislation 542 Ionizing Radiation Regulations 1999 Purpose The Ionizing Radiation Regulations (IRR) provid es the framework for the management of hazards arising from ionizing radiation (naturally o ccurring or man-made) in the workplace. The objective is to reduce, so far as is reasonably practicable, occupational exposure to radiation. Application These regulations apply in the UK and cover three areas of work: \200 Practic e, which means work involving the production, use, storage or transportation of radioactive substances, or operation of electrical equipment that emits ionizing radiation Work where the concentration of radon gas exceeds 400Bq/m 3 over a 24-h period, e.g. mines Work with naturally occurring radionuclides where employees are likely to receive >1mSv in a year, e.g. naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) deposited in pipework in the o il industry \200 The regulations apply to both employers and the self-employed. Main requirements \200 Employers who wish to use radiation in their practice must seek authorization from HSE, unless they comply fully with the conditions stated in one of HSE \200\231s generic authorizations (Reg. 7) Radiation employers must undertake a risk assessment prior to commencing work with radiation (Reg. 8) and record their \201 ndings \200 Employers mus t take all steps required to reduce radiation exposure. \200 The employer may employ dose constraints 1 when assessing the risk to carers of patients, when the patient is receiving radiopharmaceuticals. Risk controls \200 Any personal protective equipment provided must be \201 t for purpos e, and comply with the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations 1992 \200 Any personal p rotective equipment or engineering controls should be maintained and examined regularly (Reg. 10) The employer must prepare local rules for radiation use (Reg. 17) \200 The employer must designate controlled areas where the external dose rate exceeds 7.5 Sv/h over a working day or employees are likely to receive >6mSv in 1yr Monitoring of designated areas is required to assess likely radiation exposures Employers are required to account for all sources held by them. Competent advice and traini ng Radiation employers must: \200 Consult with a recognized radiation protection adviser for advice on compliance with the IRR regulations 1 Dose constraint: the upper limit of exposure likely to be received by a non-professional carer when supporting a relative or friend receiving medical treatment with a radiopharmace utical. 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 542 1/2/2013 12:40:05 PM IONIZING RADIATION REGULATIONS 1999 543 Provide information, instruction, and training to all relevant staff (Reg. 14). Monitoring and classi \201 cation of workers Dose limits are as follows; \200 20mSv for workers >18yrs \200 6mSv for workers aged 16 \200\22318yrs \200 1mSv for members of the public \200 For women of reproductive capacity radiation exposure to the abdomen must not exceed 13mSv in any 3-mth period Employees shall be designated as \200\230classi \201 ed \200\231 workers under the IRR (Reg. 20) if personal exposure is likely to be >6mSv, or three-tenths of any other exposure limit An approved dosimetry service (ADS) must be appointed by the employer to undertake exposure monitoring of employees An employer must investigate when personal annual exposure to radiation exceeds 15mSv. The results of such investigations should be retained for 2yrs. Medical assessments \200 Must be undertaken by a doctor appointed by the HSE who is known as an \200\230Appointed doctor \200\231 Prospective classi \201 ed workers must be examined prior to commencing work with radiation (Reg. 24). Caution should be exercised when assessing: \200 skin prob lems which might increase the dose received when exposed to unsealed sources mental health problems that might affect safety behavior \200 \201 tness to wear PPE. Periodic reviews (usually annual) involve review of dosimetry results and sickness absence records. Medical examination may be required at the doctor \200\231s d iscretion Health records must be kept for 50yrs after the last entry. Accidents and over-exposures \200 Where a radiation accident occurs, the ADS should be contacted and arrangements made to determine employees \200\231 radiation exposure as soon as possible Where an over-exposure occurs the employer must investigate the circumstances, having noti \201 ed the affected individual and HSE of the suspected over-exposure. Legislation and guidance Ionizing Radiation Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and Guidance. L121, HSE Books, Sudbury. ISBN 9780717617463. Available at: http://www.legislati on.gov.uk/uksi/1999/3232/contents/made 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 543 1/2/2013 12:40:06 PM CHAPTER 25 UK health and safety legislation 544 Diving at Work Regulations 1997 (cid:2) Assessment of \201 tness to dive at work is the r emit of an HSE Approved medical examiner of divers (AMED). Where such an assessment is requ ired, the diver should be referred to such a doctor. Purpose To regulate diving operations at work. Application The Diving at Work Regulations apply to all diving at work, but different codes of practice apply to the \201 ve industry sectors and give sector-speci \201 c informat ion on the management of health and safety in diving operations. The ACOPs cover: Commercial diving inland/inshore \200 Commercial diving offshore \200 Media diving \200 Scienti \201 c and archeological diving \200 Recreational diving projects. 2 Hyper baric treatment at a hospital is excluded from the regulations. De \201 nitions \200 Diver: a person who dives at work \200 Diving operation: that por tion of a diving project which can be safely supervised by one diving supervisor Diving project: the overall job, which may be a single dive or series of dives Diving contractor: each diving project can have only one diving contractor (Reg. 5), usually the divers \200\231 employer. Most of the duties under these r egulations fall on the diving contractor. Main requirements \200 The ACOP relevant to a diving project is usually obvious. However, any diving project using a closed diving bell or saturation diving automatically falls und er the commercial diving projects offshore ACOP, irrespective of dive location The dive contractor must ensure that the diving project is safely run, and that risk assessments are undertaken A project plan must be prepared for each diving project (Reg. 6) \200 All staff involved in a diving operation must be competent \200 A diving supervisor must be appointed in wri ting \200 All equipment and plant must be suitable and well maintained (Reg. 6) \200 On ly one diving supervisor can supervise a diving operation at a time (Reg. 9), and there mus t be well-documented handovers between supervisors All divers must possess: an HSE approved quali \201 cation to dive (Reg. 12) \200 a valid medical certi \201 cat e of \201 tness to dive issued by an AMED. 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 544 1/2/2013 12:40:06 PM DIVING AT WORK REGULATIONS 1997 545 Legislation and guidance \200 Diving at Work Regulations (SI 1997 No2776). Stationery Of \201 ce, Norwich. Available at: http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1997/2776/ contents/made HSE (1998). Commercial Diving Projects Inland/Inshore , Approved Code of Practice, L104. HSE Books, Sudbury. HSE Commercial Diving Projects Offshore , Approved Code of Practice, L103. HSE Books, Sudbury. HSE Media Diving Projects , Approved Code of Practice, L106. HSE Books, Sudbury. HSE Scienti \201 c and Archeological Diving Projects , Approved Code of Practice, L107. HSE Books, Sudbury. HSE Recreational Diving Projects , Approved Code of Practice, L105. HSE Books, Sudbury. HSE further information and list of Approved Medical Examiner of Divers. Available at: http://www.hse.gov.uk/diving/index.htm 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 545 1/2/2013 12:40:06 PM CHAPTER 25 UK health and safety legislation 546 Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996 Purpose These regulations govern the conduct of con struction works in com- pressed air. Application Applies to all construction work under pressures >0.15bar, except where the Div ing Operations at Work Regulations apply. De \201 nitions Dysbaric illness \200 Barotrauma: usually affects sinuses, ears or lungs \200 Dysbaric osteonecrosis (see Table 25.1) \200 Decompression illness. Table 25.1 Radiological surveys to detect dysbaric osteonecrosis Pressure X-rays Frequency <1.0bar Not required None >1.0bar AP of both shoulders and hips including proximal third of shafts together with AP and later al views of distal two thirds of both femurs and proximal third of both tibia including kne es Within 3mths of commencement Annually while work continues and 1yr after exposure ceases >2.0bar As above > than annual Main requirements \200 The compressed air contractor must have a safe system of work in compressed air (Reg. 7) The contractor must appoint competent personnel as the: person in charge \200 compressor attendant \200 lock attendant For work at >1bar the contractor must appoint a medical lock attendant The contractor must notify in writing 14 days before and on suspension/completion of compre ssed air work (Reg. 6): \200 HSE \200 local hospital casualty department \200 emergen cy services ( \201 re, ambulance) \200 local hyperbaric facilities The contractor must provide suitable equipment, \201 t for use at pressure. 25_Smedley_Chap25.indd 546 1/2/2013 12:40:06 PM WORK IN COMPRESSED AIR REGULATIONS 1996 547 Medical adviser and examinations \200 A contract medical adviser (Reg. 9) shall be appoin ted. This person may also be the HSE appointed doctor The contract medical adviser \200\231s role includes: planning for compressed air work including health surveillance (Reg. 10) treatment of dysbarism \200 record keeping (retain for 40yrs) \200 occupational medical advice No-one can work in compressed air unless passed \201 t by the appointed doctor (Reg. 16) Medical surveillance requires: full medical examination of \201 tness for work at pressure at entry \200 review every 3mths (<1.0bar) or every month (>1.0bar) \200 full medical assessment every 12mths \200 medical assessment following illness >3 days \200 medical assessment after any dysbaric illness \200 The content of the full medical examination and review are described in Appendix 7 of the regulations. The initial assessment includes detailed history and exam ination, spirometry, and audiometry For work at pressures >1.0bar, an exercise step-test, initial CXR, and full blood count are also required The employer shall maintain a health and exposure record for 40yrs, including employee \200 \231s and employer \200\231s details, appointed doctor \200\231s details, health surveillan ce results, exposure record, and training record. Treatment \200 The contractor must provide treatment facilities for dysbaric illness (Reg. 12) Provision for emergencies, including \201 res, must be made \200 Decompression from >1. 0bar normally employs the Blackpool tables. Rates of decompression illness associated with these tables exist and can be used to benchmark decompression illness rates on a project \200 All workers must be provided with a badge to alert others to their work in compressed air should they be incapacitated owing to dysbarism. Training Employees and other workers must receive information, instruction, and training (R eg. 15) as to safe operating procedures, hazards of compressed air work, and health surveil lance. Legislation and guidance \200 The Work in Compressed Air Regulations 1996. Available at: M http:// www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1996/1656/contents/made