Who’s in Control?

ADRIAN SIMS BSc. (Hons) CoC (Control) MILEVE Specialist Licentiate member (LFOH(S)) of the British Occupational Hygiene Society Member Institute of Local Exhaust Ventilation Engineers ILEVE accredited for LEV Design, Commissioning, Testing and Installation of LEV Systems. DIRECTOR VENT-TECH LTD  

Companies most valuable asset? �  Chief executive officers (CEOs) often say that

“people are their company’s most important asset,”

�  “studies on retention agree on what influences employees to stay: meaningful, challenging work … a chance to grow and learn … a good work environment … recognition and respect.” Forbes - Nine Ways To Keep Your Company's Most Valuable Asset -- Its Employees – Roger Dean Duncan - 20-8-2013

Are you looking after your assets?

Provide a safe, healthy environment?

Statistics on fatal injuries in the workplace in Great Britain 2014 - HSE

Provide a safe, healthy environment? � 148 people killed in accidents at work

2012/13.

Are we safe?

Statistics on fatal injuries in the workplace in Great Britain 2014 - HSE

But what about health?

The numbers… �  8000 cancer deaths and 13000 new cases of

cancer each year. - HSE

�  13000 deaths per year from respiratory disease - HSE - 36 people per day!

�  There are currently an estimated 13000 new cases of breathing or lung problems caused or made worse by work each year among those in, or recently in, work.

Work-related respiratory disease in Great Britain 2013

The stats… � More than half of these cancer deaths

were caused by past exposures to asbestos (either mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer).

� The next three biggest categories of occupational cancer were lung cancer due to silica, diesel engine exhaust, and mineral oils.

The stats… � The most common causes of

occupational asthma continue to be isocyanates and flour/grain

�  In the food industry more claims on health than safety.

Currently… �  1.1 million people who worked during the last

year were suffering from an illness (long-standing as well as new cases) they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work. 0.5 million of these were new conditions which started during the year.

�  A further 0.7 million former workers (who last worked over 12 months ago) were suffering from an illness which was caused or made worse by their past work.

The Health and Safety Executive Statistics 2012/13

LEV Systems… •  ~60% of LEV systems are not thoroughly

examined and tested

•  ~60% of those that are tested are not tested competently

•  >60% LEV systems are not checked or

maintained

LEV Systems… �  Install a suitable control system to provide

adequate control

� Maintain, service and test control equipment on a regular basis

� Train operatives on the hazards and health effects of the substances being worked

� Systems should be designed to control to 1/10th of WEL where possible

� Ergonomic and operator friendly

The solution…LEV

How can Vent-Tech help? � We listen to your requirements

�  Impartial, independent advice – what’s

right for the situation

� Provide performance bench-mark guarantees

� Certificated operator training provided

But the cost? �  Lease finance

�  Tax efficient �  Does not use up cash �  Retain credit lines �  Simple budgeting �  Pay for it as you use it

Prosecution! �  A visit from the HSE? �  Followed by a bit of Fee for Intervention

HSE will recover the costs of dealing with the dispute using the FFI hourly rate of £124 per hour. This rate will be applied to all HSE staff involved in responding to the dispute.

“How much might it cost me? The inspector will record the time they have spent identifying the material breach, helping you to put it right, investigating and taking enforcement action. This will include time spent: carrying out visits (including all the time on site during which the material breach was identified); writing notifications of contravention, improvement or prohibition notices, and reports; taking statements; and getting specialist support for complex issues. This total amount of time will be multiplied by the FFI hourly rate to give you the amount you must pay.”

�  Followed by prosecution and a fine

Prosecution! �  Typical fine for inadequate LEV system?

“XYZ Services Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after it failed to comply with an enforcement notice requiring its wood dust extractor to be properly tested.” “…was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £1,662 after being found guilty of a breach of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 by failing to comply with an Improvement Notice.” HSE http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/4271/

Prosecution! �  A legal case from an employee who has fallen ill…

�  Occupational asthma cases probably average

damages of around £50k and costs in the same region, so all in £100k

�  Cancer cases are similar except damages would be higher, anything from up to £300k

Prosecution! �  HSE (UK) recently recorded first suspended prison

sentence for company director who failed to provide adequate control of a hazardous substance.

But then what? �  Insurance premiums rise

�  Insurers insist on improved compliance with

regulations, LEV, PPE etc.

The true cost? �  Injuries (including fatalities) cost the UK

£5.4 billion in 2010/11

�  Illness cost £8.4 billion - 35% more!

�  In 2011/12, 667 000 working days were lost due to work-related breathing or lung problems

Statistics on fatal injuries in the workplace in Great Britain 2014 - HSE

Work-related respiratory disease in Great Britain 2013