IOSH: Minutes of 165th Edinburgh Branch Meeting
Sighthill Campus, Napier University, Edinburgh – Thursday 13 October 2005 - 130pm
Sederunt: G Hutchison J Beekman J Robertson D Gillespie D Richardson
J Green R Butler T Stockdale H McCrea R Lovering J Davis
L Young G Lyall M Bancroft S Daly N Kelly A Galvin
S McMorland J Hamilton M Johnstone M Gorman A White P Graham
R Hall I Sinclair C Lawson G MacGregor A Pittendrigh R McLean
R Gunn R Walker J Robertson P Brown G O’Neill S Heesom
R Reed B Morris D Cawkwell V Stewart M Galloway I Munro
S Hunter A McLeod J Brannigan S Groat D Morrison P Gallacher
C Shiels A Dick R Innes J Hepburn T Graveson B Byrne
R Bradford G Andrew
Apologies
Anne Diment, Andy Sharman, Harry Gardner, Dave Sinclair, Tom Neilson, Andrew Reid, Andrew Green, Richard Chalkley, Frank Higgins, Andrew Leaver, Tom Mellon, Rumbie Njerere–Mambo, Kevin Lloyd, Andrew Finnie, Allan Curran, Bob Hammond.
1. Chair: Marion Johnstone took the Chair and outlined the fire safety arrangements
2. Minutes of previous meeting: 8 September 2005
• Receipt – these had been received as expected.
• Accuracy – add Rumbie Njerere–Mambo to apologies. Apart from this, these were agreed a true record –proposed Simon Heeson, seconded Graeme Lyall. Thanks to Allan Dick for taking notes of the guest speaker.
• Matters arising not on the Agenda - none from the Executive
3. Correspondence
3.1 Events
• 20 October: BSI COMUNICATIONS DAY: STIRLING. BSI Communication Days: meet BSI's experts in a range of fields, find out more about BSI's range of products and also learn the latest developments in all areas of interest. http://www.bsi-global.com/communicationdays
• 24-28 Oct & 14/15 Nov: 7 day Fire Protection Association Course in Fire Risk Assessing using tutors from the Fire Service College at Moreton in March: Email michael.moore@ed.ac.uk
• FIRE 2005 Conference & Exhibition: 2-3 November 2005, G-MEX Centre, Manchester incorporating the FIRE 2005 Conference - Protecting Our Future. www.fire2005.com
• November 9 : construction industry Working Well Together Campaign: Safety and Health Awareness Day in Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh. Free event brings together employers, contractors, safety professionals, suppliers, professional bodies, local authorities, the HSE and small firms to raise awareness of the key health and safety issues facing the construction industry. Aimed at those running a small building or contracting company who would like practical advice to avoid risks on site. www.wwt.uk.com
• 14 November: Free half day HSE Safety Awareness Event: Perth: aimed at reducing the number of accidents involving ladders. Moira.Gilfillan@hse.gsi.gov.uk
• 17 Nov: Scottish Hazards Conference: 10.00-4.30: Falkirk Football stadium fee £35 wide range health and safety work shops: ltucrc@tiscali.co.uk
• 7th December: TELECOMS SG: Networking meeting in Scotland. Details to be announced.
• 6-7th Dec 2005: Hu-Tech: DSE workstation assessment (IOSH Recognised) Edinburgh, (£475), 9 - 10th May 2006 (£490). The practical skills and experience to undertake computer workstation assessments, reduce computer workstation risks. Become familiar with the health risks associated with DSE work, and how to avoid these risks through appropriate selection and use of the equipment. Delegates will be taught to undertake DSE assessments, in line with the requirements of the Health and Safety (DSE) Regulations 1992. Includes a presentation by AbilityNet, a charity that specialises in computer adaptations for those who find conventional equipment difficult to use. Short exam; successful delegates will be awarded a certificate from IOSH. Further details are at: http://www.hu-tech.co.uk/training-workstation_assessors.html
• 24-28 Oct & 14/15 Nov: 7 day FPA Course: Fire Risk Assessing. Tutors from the Fire Service College at Moreton in March: Email michael.moore@ed.ac.uk
• FIRE 2005 Conference & Exhibition: 2-3 Nov: G-MEX Centre, Manchester - Protecting Our Future. www.fire2005.com
• 17 Nov: Scottish Hazards Conference: 10-430: Falkirk Football stadium: £35: wide range health and safety work shops: email ltucrc@tiscali.co.uk
• Lothian RSI Group – Seminar on 25 Nov – cost £20.
• HU-TECH: Ergonomics Essentials (BOHS Syllabus) Edinburgh, 6-10th March 2006 (£925). A comprehensive understanding of how ergonomics methods and techniques can be used to contribute to the successful design of workplaces and jobs, and thus to reduce ill health and productivity problems. Manual handling, DSE and upper limb risk assessment tools. Practical sessions, case studies, thorough explanation of ergonomic principles. Of particular interest to those who want to broaden their ergonomics knowledge and gain confidence in its application. Obtain a formal ergonomics qualification by sitting the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) exam. Further details are at: http://www.hu-tech.co.uk/training-ergonomics_essentials.html
3.2 From HQ
• Annual Dinner: Wed 16 Nov: Alton Towers
3.3 JOB SPOT,
• Part time H & S Consultant: Glagow/Stirling area approx 10-15 hours per month & Perth/Dundee area approx 30/40 hours per month. Iain M. Murray on 01828 670535 or 07944 837368 E maglove@supanet.com
• Edinburgh’s Telford College: appropriately qualified IOSH member to deliver the IOSH Managing Safely programme on our behalf. Next scheduled programme: 17/18 and 24/25th November: may be some flexibility over dates. Contact John Malone: 0131 315 7245 John.Malone@ed-coll.ac.uk
3.4 Others
• Scottish Chamber of Safety – minutes
• Scottish Borders Safety Forum – programme
• Scottish Ergonomics Forum – establishing contact
4. Group Reports
• Branch Education Development Officer – Liz Young
• Specialist Groups
– PUBLIC SERVICES – Marion Johnstone. Marion had brought along the folder of talks from the National safety Symposium she had attended – available for consultation after the meeting.
– CONSTRUCTION – Allan Dick. Allan reinforced the importance of the HSE awareness day in Perth. He commented that the hSE were particularly vigilant in the Working at Height field especially in the fit-out area.
– FIRE RISK MANAGEMENT – Dave Sinclair
Last FRMSG Committee / Networking Meeting: Despite having to apologise for the excellent Scottish weather, which involved a last minute change of room, we had a very successful meeting in Edinburgh at Napier University with 50 delegates in attendance. Feedback overall was a balance of Good / Excellent. Professor Jose Torero presented on Forensic Fire Investigations, D.O. Brian Chisholm on the Fire & Rescue Services View on Lead Authority Partnership Schemes and a Business View by Dave Sinclair Chair of FRMSG.
NEXT FRMSG Committee Networking Meeting: The next meeting will take place at The Grange (IOSH HQ) in Wigston on the 15th of December. The subject will be "Emergency Preparedness", which will look at all aspects of Business Continuity. Principal speaker will be Ron Edmond of SIESO (Sharing Information and Experience for Safer Operations).
Membership: Now standing at 1317.
FRMSG Committee: We have identified three potential committee members and will be inviting them to attend our next meeting. Our other target is to have a contact in each Branch.
Competence Working Party - NEBOSH National Certificate in Fire Risk Management: The syllabus has now been posted on the NEBOSH webpage and the consultation period has closed.
IOSH Conference 2006: Networking Session will be on the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) and this theme will be carried over for at least the next to meetings. It will try to stimulate debate by offering the views of those trying to implement it, and those who will have to enforce it.
– HEALTHCARE – Martin Scott-Smith. Nothing to report.
– ENVIRONMENT – Julian Davies –.
Networking Meeting being organised jointly by the Environmental and Retail & Distribution Specialist Groups on the afternoon of Wednesday 7 December at the Country Park Inn, Cliff Road, Hessle Foreshore, Hull, HU13 0HB, a venue situated right on the banks of the Humber River, adjacent to the Humber Bridge.
The SG website had been recently updated and expanded.
– CONSULTANCY – Derek Cawkwell: Nothing to report.
– SAFETY SCIENCES – Steve Boucher. Nothing to report.
– TELECOMMUNICATIONS – Graeme Lyall. Graeme highlighted the forthcoming SG networking meeting in Edinburgh in December. Attendance was not restricted to Telecommunications SG members. There would be the usual fee of £10. Annabel Goldie would be guest speaker.
– EDUCATION - Chris Lawson. Chris mentioned a new publication by the Scottish Executive.
– FORTH & TAY DISTRICT: No report.
5. Members Items
• Presentations: Marion took great pleasure in presenting Paul Graham with his Corporate Membership certificate.
On the left, Graham receives his certicate from Margaret
• IOSH HQ Fund for H&S Research – details of how to apply from Secretary
• Roger Midson Challenge Trophy – Graeme Lyall reported that this had been held – 10 pin bowling and the winner had been Richard Lovering with Isobel Lloyd the best non-member.
• Secretary’s Sipper Golf Tournament – Max reported that there had been minimal response and the tournament due to be held 21 October had been cancelled.
6. Guest Speaker
Grant Andrew
Business Development Manager of BSI Management Systems
The relationships between various Management Systems
Graeme Lyall introduced the speaker to the meeting, indicating that his part of his background included an Information Technology content which perhaps demonstrated his ability to follow a system through a logical process. Grant then added that his presentation could be any length from 15 minutes to 45 minutes depending on the requirements of the group and they should feel free to throw questions at him as the presentation progressed rather than waiting to the end when they may be less related to what had been last said.
Introduction
Grant then indicated that his objectives for the presentation were –
• To define the relationship between BS 8800 and OHSAS 18001?
• Explain how to effectively implement, organise and manage Health & Safety in accordance with OHSAS 18001
• Define the relationship between OHSAS 18001 and OHSAS 18002
• Explain implementation of OHSAS 18001
• How to integrate OHSAS 18001 with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001
• OHSAS Benchmarking
• To do this he would utilise some Case Studies
Management Systems
• ISO 9001 Quality Management
• ISO 14001 Environmental Management
• ISO 27001 Information Security Management
• OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management
Are each designed to provide a systematic approach to undertaking business activities – to provide a Management System. Management systems are the formalisation of what you do – they are common sense written down. The way you run your business to meet your defined requirements.
Process based systems let you look at the activities you undertake in a more systematic way.
It should allow you to look at your processes, identify any duplication and in some cases identify redundant activities. Organisations have found that by mapping their processes they have identified output in the form of reports etc that are still being produced although there is now no business case for them. More efficient systems should and do produce cost savings
Management systems are designed to be compatible, allowing an organisation to implement any or all that fit their business needs as either stand alone or integrated systems.
• Based on the Deming model - Plan – Do – Check – Act
• Comprising of five main elements
• Policy
• Planning
• Implementation and Operation
• Checking and Corrective Action
• Management Review
• And demonstrating a commitment to continual improvement
OHSAS 18001 was designed using the same format as ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. Anyone familiar with 14001 will immediately identify the similarities. The revised version due in May 2006 will almost certainly carry the same changes as the revised 14001
All management systems are designed with common elements – this compatibility allows for implementation of stand alone or integrated systems, designed to reduce time taken to audit and time taken by staff to be available for audits
Benefits of an Externally Verified Management System
Most organisations will self regulate, third party verification allows other interested parties to be assured that you are doing what you say you are doing so -
• External audits ensure that operational controls are maintained
• Reduced risk of accidents and financial losses
• Use of the ‘BSI registered symbol’
• Maintain legal compliance
• Drive continual improvement
System Develop[ment
HSG 65 was developed by the HSE as a guidance document for Health and Safety Management. BSI developed the standard BS 8800 again as a guidance document. There were earlier attempts to certify against 8800, but as the language was that of a guidance document i.e. what SHOULD be done, it proved difficult.
Many registration bodies including BSI started to develop their own version of an auditable management system. Eventually it was decided that there would be too many variants in the market place and BSI together with some of its competitors and other national standards bodies got together and produced OHSAS 18001.
OHSAS was borne out of a committee of interested parties with no draft for comment, which is the usual route for standard development – this was one of the objections ISO had to adopting it as a standard, although when it did go to vote the yes vote was the majority, unfortunately it had more than 25% against and under ISO guidelines this meant they had to reject it.
In 2000 the government launched its revitalising Health and Safety - a ten year plan to reduced workplace accidents and deaths. In 2004 – BSI revised BS 8800 and in 2005 revision work began on 18001 with an expected revision date of May 2006.
It is anticipated that the draft for comment will be made available for the revision which may go some way to appeasing ISO. There are also moves in UK government for HSE and UKAS to recognise OHSAS and we are expecting an announcement shortly
There are two documents
– 18001 Specification for occupational health and safety management systems (not standard) that you will be assessed against
– 18002 Guidelines for the implementation of OHSAS 18001 which is the document which offers additional information ( Likened to 14004 or 9004)
The “Drivers”
Drives are fairly self explanatory – there is nothing here that organisations are already considering within their day to day activities
• Moral
• Legal
• Financial
• Corporate Governance
• Insurance
• Customers
• 235 people killed in the U.K. last year in work related incidents
• 2.2 m people suffered from work related illness
• Employees working in SMEs are twice has likely to be seriously injured or killed
• 39 million days lost per annum
• 30 million days lost due to work related illness
• 9 million due lost due to injury
• Cost to business £25 billion per annum
• Uninsured costs typically 10 x more than insurance costs
• And perhaps these days – the need for reporting performance in terms of Corporate Governance
SOCRATES Said –
“There is but one certain thing for Managers and Supervisors alike and that is NEVER HOPE FOR SAFETY”.
STELLIOS Stated
“if you think safety is expensive – try having an accident!!!
Case Study – Renfrewshire Council
• Phased implementation
• Wanted to increase ownership of health and safety issues at both organisational and individual level.
• A desire to move away from the previous “prescriptive” approach contained in BS 8800 and HSG 65
• Support a positive health and safety culture
• Deliver “Best Value.”
Margaret Quinn, Director of Corporate Services commented:
“We have always worked to the current best practice including BS 8800 and HSG 65. However, to us, these systems were prescriptive in their approach and did not fully encourage the employee buy-in and continuous improvement cycle we want to achieve. “
The OHSAS 18001 Approach
Using the Plan Do Check Act model in TQM, the Deming cycle or a risk based, performance driven model geared toward continual improvement. In short a systematic way to manage your health and safety risks using five main elements
Policy – Planning – Implementation and Operation – Checking and Corrective Actions and Management Review – looking always at continual improvement
So if you are meeting HSG 65 – you are meeting OHSAS 18001
So although the specification doesn’t request it BSI always start with an initial review, which is a Status Review – Looking at existing information, instructions & allocated resources
• You should have a policy – how defined is the policy – does it include your aspirations!!!
• Regulations and Legislation – how complete is the information – what method are you using to collect, what resources are needed to maintain
• What instructions/guidance already exists eg accident reporting, first aid procedures etc, it may be that you have excellent informal procedures in place – don’t reinvent the wheel – if it works use it.
• Are some responsibilities already defined , are risk assessments taking place, are they effective, safety plan in place etc, this should also help you identify any areas that aren’t covered i.e. communication, safe systems of work.
• Specific sector guidance, Industry Codes of Practice from HSE, Trade Associations, suppliers, etc . You should know about these and if there is an incident inspectors will always consider industry best practice so make yourself aware.
Requirements of OHSAS 18001
Clause 4.2 OH&S Policy
• The Policy should be appropriate to the organisations OH&S risks
• Include a commitment to continual improvement
• Include a commitment to comply to legislation
• Be documented
• All employees be made aware of their individual obligations
• Be available to all interested parties
• Be reviewed for its appropriateness periodically
Clause 4.3 Planning, the core of the 18001 specification
• Hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control
– Agree methodology – Computation of risk
• Identification of legal requirements
• Objective setting
• Development of Management programmes
Clause 4.4 Implementation and Operation
• Structure and responsibility
• Training, awareness, competence
• Consultation and communication
• Documentation, change control
• NB kept to the minimum required for effectiveness
• Operational control
• Emergency preparedness and response
Clause 4.5 Checking and corrective action
• Performance measuring and monitoring
• Accident, incident, non-conformance and corrective and preventive actions
• Records and records management
• Audits
Clause 4.6 Management Review
The periodic review of the management system
• The results of Internal Audits
• Changes to the OHSMS
• Incident/accident reporting and outcomes
• New/changes to legislation
• New/changes to processes
• Objectives and policy
Consider changes to the organisation, are our objectives still relevant.
Case study – AMEC Group Limited Infrastructure
• Reduction in reportable incidents by 10%
• Provided staff with focus and direction
• Structured approach applied to all projects
• Synergy with existing management systems enabled AMEC to adopt a fully Integrated Management System
• Knowledge sharing amongst clients/suppliers
Case study – MANSELL plc - UK
• Maintained a prosecution free record
• Reduced number of prohibition notices by 50%
• Accident Frequency Rate well below industry average
• 16% increase in staff productivity
• 21% improvement in turnover
• Profit increase of 86%
Summary - Registration Process & Certification Benefits
Introductory visit = gap analysis is conducted early on in the project to identify areas that are OK and which areas need more work
PHASE ONE - Desk top review
PHASE TWO - Implementation audit
Leading to Certification and –
• External audits ensure that operational controls are maintained
• Reduced risk of accidents/incidents and financial losses
• Use of the ‘BSI Registered symbol’
• Maintain legal compliance
• Drive Continual Improvement
On the left, Grant receiving a small token of appreciation from Branch Chair, Marion Johnstone
7. Closing details
Dates of next meetings
Edinburgh Branch
10 November: Topical Health and Safety Issues: an HSE Perspective: Stewart Campbell, MIOSH, Director, HSE Scotland
CRAIGHOUSE CAMPUS
The December meeting would be on Stress and members would be able to participate in an on-line survey beforehand – the results to be reported at the December meeting
Forth & Tay District
3 November: CDM Update: Steven Boucher, MIOSH,RSP,Dip.OSHEM
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Max Bancroft, MRSC, MIOSH Branch Secretary |
Richard Lovering, FIOSH, RSP Branch Executive Committee |
