Half a million workers in the UK suffer some level of work- related hearing damage
Step 2: Calculate the daily or weekly noise exposure by entering the noise levels and their durations into the noise exposure calculator at the HSE web page
www.hse.gov.uk/noise/calculator.htm - it’s very simple to use. The calculator takes account of the time you or your staff spend with different pieces of equipment. For example, if one of your workers has a quick blast or two with a leaf blower, followed by a few hours quietly marking-out pitches, s/he will have a fairly trivial noise exposure value for the day. But a whole eight hours of leaf blowing - perish the thought - might put the day’s exposure value above at least one of the exposure action values.
Step 3: Having calculated the noise exposure values, you must take measures to reduce noise exposure if you or any of your staff are likely to exceed the action values or the limit value. The Regulations describe clearly what you need to do. It’s useful to consider remedial actions in terms of four main areas: hearing protection, training, reducing noise, and health surveillance.
When noise levels equal or exceed the lower exposure action value:
Hearing protection: Employers must make hearing protection available and advise on its effective use. It need not be worn, but it must be made available.
Training: Staff should be told about (a) the risks posed by noise, (b) the action levels and the exposure limit value, (c) the results of the noise risk assessments, (d) the availability and provision of personal hearing protection, and (e) safe working practices to minimise exposure to noise.
Health surveillance: Staff should know about (a) how to detect and report signs of hearing damage and (b) their entitlement to health surveillance and its purposes.
At or above the upper exposure action value stricter requirements apply:
Hearing protection: This is compulsory and the employer must use signs to designate the zones where it is required.
Reducing noise: Noise must be reduced as far as reasonably practicable by (a) adopting different work methods, (b) buying quieter equipment or using noise insulation, (c) improving the design and layout of workplaces, (d) adopting appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, the workplace and work systems, and (e) imposing limits on the duration and intensity of noise exposure
Training: Suitable and sufficient training must inform employees how to minimise their exposure to noise. Employees should be advised how to use hearing protection effectively.
Health surveillance: A comprehensive screening programme is necessary, including a means for staff to report high noise levels and hearing damage, and a method of monitoring the hearing of staff.
As for the exposure limit value, this is an area into which noise levels must never stray - avoid it at all costs!
Step 4: Next develop a plan of action and check periodically that it is being followed. Hold onto the risk assessment and the action plan. You might need to revisit them when work arrangements change. For example, new equipment might be used or perhaps some of your staff will shortly work on a new site. These steps will be the basis for managing the risks of noise at your work place. For more information have a look at the free HSE leaflet called Noise at Work: Guidance for Employers on the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, available at
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg362.pdf, and Protect your hearing or lose it!, available at
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg363.pdf. Both leaflets are also available by post from the HSE on request. This article was written by Sean Whittaker of InterAction of Bath, specialists in health and safety advice and assessments, including noise assessments. Tel: 01225 482882 -
www.ergonomics.uk.net
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale)
The Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a widely distributed perennial, herbaceous weed. Mature plants arise from a strong, deep taproot that exudes a milky substance when cut.
Roots
Dandelions have deep tap roots that can penetrate through most soil profiles.
Flowers
Dandelion flowers are yellow in colour and are formed on a flower spike, the flower turns into a seed head, producing thousands of air/wind borne seeds.
Leaves
Leaf margins are noticeably wavy, especially on older leaves. All leaves are basal, ranging from 50-300mm in length. Leaves are oblong in outline, sometimes sparsely hairy, deeply indented with lobes that point toward the centre of the rosette.
Reproductive method
Dandelion weeds depend on seed dispersal for reproduction. The yellow flower dies down to leave ripened seeds that are enclosed singly within fruiting bodies and are attached to a long slender stalk that terminates in a parachute-like structure called a pappus.
Habitat
Dandelions are able to establish in most turf grass situations and on most soil types. Dandelion populations have become significant in recent years , especially on local authority playing pitches, where little or no herbicide treatments have been applied. Dandelions are also a very common site on road side verges.
Miscellaneous info
The dandelion has long, lance- shaped leaves. The name is derived from its resemblance to a lion’s tooth - Dent-de-lion in French.
Dandelion leaves are eaten in
salads and are an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. They are also a strong diuretic used traditionally to relieve water retention caused by heart disease.
Cultural Control
Dandelions can be mechanically or physically removed. Care should be taken to ensure that all roots are thoroughly removed. Close mowing prevents seed head formation, whilst maintaining a dense sward will deter or prevent dandelions from establishing. Good soil fertility is essential, maintaining a soil pH of 6.5 to 7.
Chemical Control
Apply selective broadleaf herbicides when plant growth is active. There are a number of products available for controlling broad leaf weeds in established turf.
These chemicals are best used when the weeds are actively growing, usually between April- October.
Tritox (Contains 178g/L (16.2%w/w) MCPA 54.g/L(4.9%w/w) mecoprop-p and 15g/L (1.4%w/w) dicamba and potassium salts. Scotts.
Intrepid 2 (Contains 20.8g/L dicamba,166g/L dichlorprop-p ans 166.5g/L MCPA). Scotts.
Greenor (Contains: 40g/L fluroxypyr, 20g/L clopyralid and 200g/L MCPA). Rigby Taylor.
Bastion T (Contains: 72g/L fluroxypyr and 300g/L mecoprop-p ). Rigby Taylor.
Dormone (Contains 465g/L2,4- D(38.1%w/w) as the diethanolamine salt). A herbicide which can be used near water. Bayer Environmental Science.
Supertox 30 (Contains 95g/L (8.8%w/w) mecoprop-p and 93.5g/L(8.7%w/w) as the diethanolamine salts). Bayer Environmental Science.
Ensure you follow
manufacturer’s directions, health & safety and product data sheets, and comply with COSHH regulations, when using these chemicals.
Sponsored by
Catchdale Moss Farm, Eccleston St Helens WA10 5QG
info@amenitycontracting.co.uk Tel: 01744 885098 Fax: 01744 886001 Mobile: 07711 004000
OF THE MONTH
WEED
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