United Kingdom
Pressure systems
The HSE has issued a new Approved Code of Practice on safety of pressure systems, providing practical advice on complying with the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No. 128) which came into force on 21 February 2000. The Regulations aim to prevent serious injury from the hazard of stored energy as a result of the failure of a pressure system or one of its components.
(HSE News Release, 14 July 2000)
Small businesses
New free guidance has been launched by the HSE to help small businesses set up their own health and safety policy. "Stating Your Business" includes a model policy statement which small firms can fill in and use in their workplace. Under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, firms with five or more employees must have a written health and safety policy and bring it to the attention of their employees.
(HSE News Release, 7 August 2000)
Research guidance
"Managing Health & Safety Aspects of Research in Higher Further Education" has been published by the HSC. The guidance booklet is targeted at senior and middle managers in research institutions, providing guidance for managing health and safety in research. The guidance is arranged so that employers, department heads, supervisors and researchers can find the relevant advice.
(HSC, September 2000)
Occupational safety and health
Employers' responsibilities for occupational safety and health are being revised under a recently published Government package of measures which includes a 10-point strategy for improving health and safety at work. The package also includes a 44-point action plan offering employers a range of incentives, practical support and enforcement threats in order to raise the standards of health and safety at work. The Government is attempting to give new impetus to occupational safety and health, given the recent slowdown of the progress made since the Health & Safety at Work Act.
(DETR, July 2000)
Transportable pressure equipment
The HSE has published a consultation document setting out proposals for the implementation of EC Directive 99/36/EC on transportable pressure equipment. Member States are required to implement the provisions of this Directive by 1 July 2001. The document, "Proposals for the Implementation of the Transportable Pressure Equipment Directive (TPED)" proposes that transportable pressure equipment is assessed for its conformity with the European CEN standards for design and construction. The inspection bodies that will carry out such assessment procedures in the UK will be the HSE for transportable pressure receptacles and the DETR for tanks. The document contains the draft regulations, The Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2001.
(HSE News Release, 20 September 2000)
European Union
Pressure equipment
Further to the Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning pressure equipment (97/23/EC), the Commission has published a Communication in the Official Journal of 11 European harmonised standards under the Directive. The standards cover, amongst others, approval testing of fusion welding for copper and copper alloys, approval testing of fusion welding for nickel and nickel alloys, safety switching devices for limiting the pressure in refrigerating systems and heat pumps and general principles for ultra sonic examination in non-destructive testing.
(OJ C210, 22 July 2000)
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