HSE remind businesses that they can find guidance on preparation for the end of The UK Transition Period, 1st January, on the HSE webpages.  For the chemical industry:

For guidance on the use of biocides – https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/biocides.htmFor guidance on chemicals classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) – https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/clp.htmFor the guidance on the export and import of hazardous chemicals (PIC) – https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/pic.htmFor guidance on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation – https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/reach-guidance.htmFor guidance on the use pesticides –  https://www.hse.gov.uk/brexit/regulating-pesticides.htm

 Competence in Health and Safety should be seen as an important component of workplace activities, not an add-on or afterthought.  It is the combination of training, skills, experience and knowledge that a person has, and their ability to apply them to perform a task safely. Other factors, such as attitude and physical ability, can also affect someone’s competence.

As an employer, you should take account of the competence of relevant employees when you are conducting your risk assessments, as well as suppliers, when purchasing costly equipment. This will help you decide what level of information, instruction, training and supervision you need to provide.

If you use contractors, you have a legal responsibility to make sure they are competent.

HSE releases annual injury and ill-health statistics for Great Britain.  https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/index.htm In the 2019/2020 period there were;

111 fatal injuries at work693,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries1.6 million working people suffering from a work-related illness38.8 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injuryMore than half of Britain’s working days lost in 2019/20 were due to mental ill-health.325 cases were prosecuted and resulted in a conviction. Fines from convictions totalled £35.8 million