What's new at HSE » Chemicals

After dinner speech given by HSE Chair at NW Hazards BRANCH XXI Symposium

HSE — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:45:51 +0000

Transcript of after dinner speech given by HSE Chair Judith Hackitt at North West Hazards BRANCH XXI Symposium in Manchester on 11 November 2009.

Read the HSE Chair’s after dinner speech

Validation of the Shallow Water model “SPLOT” against experimental data on bund overtopping

HSE — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:40:45 +0000

The objective of this work was to validate SPreading Liquid Over Terrain (SPLOT), LSMS and OVERTOP against experimental bund overtopping data, in order to gain confidence in the model and/or highlight any possible shortcomings.

Bunds around liquid storage tanks are generally designed so that they will retain more liquid than is contained in the tanks within them. A slow leak will therefore be contained. However, a sudden catastrophic tank failure will result in a surge of liquid, some of which may overtop the bund. Analysis of hazards allowing for this possibility therefore requires an estimate of how much liquid will overtop the bund.

View full research report ‘RR755 - Validation of the Shallow Water model “SPLOT” against experimental data on bund overtopping’

Chemical burns prompt HSE prosecution of Leicestershire firm

HSE — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:23:39 +0000

HSE has warned companies of their duty to protect employees working with chemicals after two workers were burnt at a Leicestershire adhesives factory.

Press release ‘Chemical burns prompt HSE prosecution of Leicestershire firm’

Updated chemicals advice praised by small businesses

HSE — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:30:08 +0000

New, easy to use guidance is available for businesses on how to deal with hazardous substances in the workplace.

The revised publication, “Working with substances hazardous to health”, offers advice and guidance on working safely with a variety of substances - from hairdressing products to metal working fluids; from quarry dust to cleaning materials.

View press release ‘Updated chemicals advice praised by small businesses’

17th meeting of the WATCH sub-committee - 10 November 2009

HSE — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:40:31 +0000

The agenda has been published for the 17th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Toxic Substances Working Group on Action to Control Chemicals (ACTS WATCH) sub-committee, 10 November 2009

The meeting will be held in the Music Room, Crowne Plaza, Birmingham NEC, 10.45am - 3.30pm

View agenda for the 17th meeting of the WATCH sub-committee

Hazards XXI – Process safety and environmental protection

HSE — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

Three-day symposium and exhibition 9–12 November, Manchester. The event will include a variety of workshops and several speakers from HSE will be presenting, including Judith Hackitt, HSE Chair, who will be giving an after dinner speech.

Find out more about the Hazards XXI - 3 day symposium

The Safe Isolation of Plant & Equipment workshop - Bootle

HSE — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:00:24 +0000

Following on from a successful initiative in the Midlands, HSE are holding a free workshop 4 November, Bootle Merseyside, covering the Safe Mechanical Isolation of Plant and Equipment. This event will be of value to those who plan and control isolation work on site. The workshop will be an opportunity to access HSE expertise on this topic.

View details and agenda of the Safe Isolation of Plant & Equipment workshop - Bootle

Corrosion fatigue failure of tubes in water tube boilers

HSE — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 09:00:41 +0000

Chemicals Industries Division of HSE is aware of three relatively recent failures associated with water tube boilers. Each of these appears to have been caused by corrosion fatigue of the outer water wall tubes. This alert, which is targeted in particular at the chemical industries sector, describes the incidents and outlines the action that should be taken by duty holders.

View corrosion fatigue failure of tubes in water tube boilers alert

Warehousing chemicals safely - storing packaged dangerous substances

HSE — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 07:47:36 +0000

This book will help you keep chemicals and other dangerous substances in your warehouse safe and comply with the law, whatever the size of your storage facility. The updated guide sets out control measures aimed at eliminating or reducing risks to people, at work or otherwise, from the storage of packaged dangerous goods.

Find out more about HSG71: Warehousing chemicals safely - storing packaged dangerous substances

Free - HSE eBulletins

HSE — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:00:05 +0000

A wide range of email newsletters delivered direct to your inbox. Sign up today and join more than 100k subscribers to our free service.

COSHH - case studies

HSE — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:38:32 +0000

Examples of real life situations with Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH). Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people’s health at risk, causing diseases including asthma, dermatitis or cancer.

View the COSHH case studies

MALDI/TOF/MS analysis of isocyanates and other hazardous workplace chemicals

HSE — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:45:00 +0000

Mass spectrometry is the most widely used analytical detector in forensic science,industry and research. Mass spectrometry has long been used to analyse samples taken in the workplace, and can be combined with other techniques to increase sensitivity, selectivity and accuracy.

The work summarised in this report examines the application of the recently developed Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization/ time-of-flight/ mass spectrometry (MALDI/TOF/MS) technique to the analysis of isocyanates and biocides.

View MALDI/TOF/MS analysis of isocyanates and other hazardous workplace chemicals research report

Judith Hackitt responds EU radiation directive article

HSE — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:00:45 +0000

The HSE Chair has responded to article in The Daily Telegraph titled ‘Business hopes Government will see the light on EU radiation directive’.

Find out what Judith said

The Chemicals Regulations 2009

HSE — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:15:52 +0000

A transposition note on ‘The Chemicals (Hazard Information And Packaging For Supply) Regulations 2009′ is now available online.

Read the transposition note in full

COSHH - Working with substances hazardous to health

HSE — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:02:37 +0000

This leaflet describes how to control hazardous substances at work so that they do not cause ill health. It will help you understand what you need to do to comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 (as amended) which apply to the way you work with these substances.

View the working with substances hazardous to health leaflet

Principles of process safety leadership

HSE — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:00:22 +0000

Representatives of Britain’s high hazard industries, regulators and the unions have published a set of principles for ‘process safety leadership’ – top-level engagement in dealing with significant risks to people and the environment.

Process safety leadership principles

Analyses of overfill of fuel storage tanks

HSE — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 07:00:54 +0000

In response to the Buncefield incident, the Major Incident Investigation Board (MIIB) made recommendations to improve safety in the design and operation of fuel storage sites. Two recommendations were that loss of primary containment (tank overfill) should be prevented, and that industry should agree to undertake an assessment of safety integrity levels.

Find out more about this research report

Changes to COMAH arising from CHIP 2008

HSE — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:35:53 +0000

This Local Authority Circular (LAC) alerts inspectors to changes to the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999, as amended (COMAH) arising from the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 (CHIP 2008), which have the potential to bring sites storing preparations containing relatively low concentrations of strong biocides (including large retail and wholesale warehouses) within scope of COMAH for the first time.

View Changes to COMAH arising from CHIP 2008 details

WATCH agendas and minutes

HSE — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:40:53 +0000

Working Group on Action to Control Chemicals (WATCH) agendas and minutes are now available for: 23 - 24 October 2008 and 24 February 2009.

View WATCH papers

Carriage of dangerous goods manual updated

HSE — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:45:15 +0000

The carriage of dangerous goods manual has undergone a major revision.

View Carriage of Dangerous Goods manual