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Compliance warning for contractors T
or
One year on from the introduction of tighter regulations for welding activity by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), ECIC, the specialist insurer for the building services sector, is urging contractors to review their health and safety policies for welding to ensure compliance with the revised rules
T
he new measures were introduced with immediate effect in February 2019, giving contractors little notice or time to prepare. The stricter rules for welding were put in place to increase protection for workers from cancer-causing welding fumes. Evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) showed that exposure to mild steel-welding fumes can cause lung and possibly kidney cancer in workers – with the HSE estimating that 40-50 workers are hospitalised each year due to breathing in metal fumes.
The regulations state that if a contractor is working indoors then welding fumes must be removed by at-source fume extraction and those working outside will need to wear respiratory protection equipment. Scientific evidence has shown that any mild steel welding can put a worker at risk from serious side effects regardless of the
amount of time they are welding.
“Contractors involved in welding activity had almost no notice of these new rules but that would be little defence in the eyes of HSE. Now we are one year on, we would urge contractors to ensure they are meeting the required standards and, where necessary, make changes in practice to comply with the new laws,” said Richard Forrest Smith, chief executive, ECIC.
“Contractors have a duty of care to ensure workers have a high level of protection, but those companies failing to comply with these regulations risk a heavy fine and possible prosecution, along with serious consequences for their reputation and balance sheet. Ensuring that risk assessments are updated to reflect the required changes in control measures can help decrease that risk. This in turn can help reduce insurance claims which impact insurance costs for everyone in the building services sector.”
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NAADUK COVID-19
GUIDANCE FOR VENTILATION HYGIENE
he National Association of Air Duct Specialists UK (NAADUK) has issued guidance to its members and
all building managers emphasising the importance of cleaning ventilation systems during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance has been produced in order to provide a better understanding of the role of ventilation systems in a pandemic and advice concentrates on the airborne transmission only as it relates heavily to ventilation systems.
Peter Reid, president of NAADUK, said: “It is important at this unprecedented time to give our members and building owners clear guidance on the importance of cleaning ventilation systems. It is paramount that we keep occupied areas with fresh and clean air to avoid contamination within indoor spaces.” The guidance is supplementary to all government guidelines in relation to social distancing, hand washing, essential travel and staying at home.
Its scope is limited to commercial and public buildings such as offices, factories, schools and hotels where normal social transmission is possible. Hospitals and healthcare facilities are excluded due to the higher risk of contact with Covid-19 and the specialised work procedures required The guidance note is available free of charge
www.naaduk.co.uk
www.heatingandventilating.net
May 2020
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