Minutes of Safety Group Fife Meeting
Held 14th February 2011 at
DunfermlineBuilding Society, Caledonia House
Carnegie Avenue, Dunfermline.
Present
Colin SparlingFMC Technologies
Peter AgerFife Council
David CantCarnegieCollege
David JonesVelux Company Ltd
Ian NortonNorth British Distillery
Derek ArmatageCDMi Ltd
Mick GrahamBabcock
William MillarStrath Safety
Mark RussellDunfermline B S
Apologies
Apologies were received from Andy Fowler and Richard Wilson
Chairman’s Opening Remarks
Peter opened the meeting by welcoming everyone along. He apologised that the November minutes had not been distributed and that he would address this.
Peter mentioned that he (and other members of the Group) had received a free memory disc from the Edinburgh IOSH branch which detailed their 2010/2011 event programme and supporting information. The content was reviewed and discussed.
Open Forum
Peter highlighted a recent safety incident where a Coffee Machine (Elektra) had exploded in Kingsmead Shopping Centre in Farnborough, Six people were taken to hospital. After investigation, it turned out to be a design fault issue on 158 Model Elektra Machines, involving safety valves.
Linpac were fined after a worker severed three fingers on his right hand. The worker was operating machinery, bad practice used to clear blockages with hand. Linpac fined £5,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £2553 – 8th Feb 2011
Safety concerns on bailer unit – Issues on interlock on lid, risk of trapping hand, catch required. 2000 bailers to be retrofitted with catch. Company has until July 2011 to install modifications.
The HSE is carrying out joint inspection visits with Cornwall Council of Industrial Estates. Looking to visit 100premises on four estates in a week. It is thought that this joint venture may roll out across the country.
Employer Liability Certificates, no longer a duty to display publically from 2008. Can be available electronically to staff.
HSE fatality and accident stats now available electronically, surprised that the information actually names the victim and gives the circumstances of the incident. This has been issued under the Freedom of Information Act.
Colin Sparling mentioned that he had recently attended the Scottish Environmental Conference, it had been well attended and attracted 400 delegates. He also mentioned that the FMC wind turbine would come online in November 2011.
Ian Norton mentioned the consultation document that was doing the rounds reviewing a proposal to reduce SEPA by 30%. It looks at companies self regulating and holding evidence. Ian also mentioned that his Professional Fees budgets had been over spent this year due to SEPA and the HSE charging back time to companies – current rates are £170 for HSE and £141 for SEPA.
Peter raised an issue round Primary Authorities for Multi National Companies, He gave an example where Asda is covered by Wakefield Council. The company has standard H&S systems and Processes. It is now dealt with by one local authority, anything that happens elsewhere in the country must be referred to the primary authority.
The subject of a single fire service was discussed, issues were raised over training and cover of remote areas.
Mick Graham mentioned that he had recently visited BAE Systems and had been extremely impressed by their emergency response team. The ERT is highly trained team of 30 to 40 individuals, that were set up due to the restrictions of the local brigade to respond to extraction in confined spaces within an appropriate timeframe.
The team are trained in First Aid, Extraction, Confined Spaces and Work at Height. They are all volunteers and are unpaid for their services. Mick stated that he is investigating setting up a similar response team at Babcock in Rosyth.
There being no further business, the meeting closed.
Date of next Meeting.
The date of the next meeting is Monday 14th March at 7.00pm
Mark Russell
Secretary
Safety Group Fife.
AOB
MR to set up meeting of Executive committee in early November.
There being no other business, Peter closed the meeting and thanked everyone for attending
Date of next meeting Monday 8th November 2010 at 7.00pm