As we start the New Year, we know that there will be changes to health and safety legalisation in the coming months. Here we give you a rundown of what to expect – we’ll provide more detailed information and advice about each of them as it becomes available, to ensure that PBS clients are totally up-to-date... So far, we know that the following legislation changes will be coming into force during the next year:
- The Dangerous Goods in Harbour Areas Regulations 2016 - During 2015 the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consulted on proposed changes to The Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations 1987 (DSHAR), and its associated Approved Code of Practice. The consultation ended recently and although no date has been confirmed for the introduction of the new Dangerous Goods in Harbour Areas Regulations, it’s likely to be 1st October 2016.
No new duties will be created, it’s just a case of simplifying and shortening the existing regulations and Approved Code of Practice. Existing levels of health and safety protection in relation to dangerous substances in harbour areas in Great Britain will be maintained.
- The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations 2016 – Concerning Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) from electrical appliances: from work processes such as radiofrequency heating, welding and drying, to the world at large, from radio, TV and telecoms’ broadcasting masts and security detection devices.
European Directive 2013/35/EU on the “minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields),” the EMF Directive, requires member states to introduce controls in accordance with the Directive by 1st July 2016. To comply with this requirement, the HSE has proposed The Control of Electromagnetic Fields at Work Regulations to transpose requirements from this Directive that are not already covered by existing legislation. The risks from EMF are generally already well understood, and many are covered by existing legislation. The most notable impact of the new regulations will be a specific requirement on employers to assess the levels of EMFs to which their workers may be exposed, against Action Levels and Exposure Limit Values.
- The Explosives Act 2014 - The recently introduced Explosives Act will be amended to take account of requirements imposed by EU Directive 2014/28 - Explosives for Civil Use. The changes only affect manufacturers and suppliers, and reinforce existing requirements to ensure that all products placed on the market meet essential safety requirements, are CE marked and that conformity is assessed by a notified body. An implementation date has not yet been announced.
For further information about these forthcoming changes, or any work-related health and safety matters, Peninsula’s Business Safety clients can call our 24 Hour Advice Service on 0844 892 2785 – select option 2 to speak to one of qualified, competent BusinessSafe Consultants.
