The Environment Agency has published new Low Risk Waste Positions for waste operations (LRWPs). LRWPs permit the carrying out of the relevant activities without an environmental permit provided that all the conditions are met.  These are for Storing and cutting waste rubber conveyor belts for reuse (LRWP 2), Storing and treating rubber encased metal wire from the manufacture of new tyres for recovery (LRWP 18), Using waste tyres for fendering systems at quaysides (LRWP 53), Using waste tyres for planters (LRWP 56), Sorting waste tyres under a T8 waste exemption (LRWP 72), Using waste tyres in escape ladders in water storage reservoirs (LRWP 77) and Using whole waste tyres in construction (LRWP 79)

The EA has also published changes to LRWPs The LRWP for Storing and Treatment of Redundant Athletics Tracks, Rubber Shock Pads And Waste AstroTurf for Reuse (LRWP 35) has been withdrawn and replaced by the  Storing and Treating Artificial Turf (RPS 279).

The EA  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/low-risk-waste-positions-tyres-rubber-and-plastic

HSE has refreshed its guidance on violence at work. It has been updated to simplify the navigation, remove outdated content and replace it with up-to-date practical guidance and provide a reminder that the  definition of violence includes aggression, such as verbal abuse or threats, which can be face to face, online or over the phone.  The guidance will help employers to assess the risks, put the right controls in place to protect workers and report incidents and learn from them.  There is specific guidance on how to support employees following an incident of violence and separate advice for workers, which explains how they can help employers prevent violent incidents at work. https://www.hse.gov.uk/violence/employer/index.htm

 

The MAIB (Marine Accident Investigation Bureau) has issued a Safety Warning highlighting the hazards of flexible hose installations, following a fire on board a cargo ship while departing Hull. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/finnmaster-safety-bulletin-12023-published .This may be of interest not only to the marine industry but also to those who use such hoses for other applications.  Key points are:

The risks associated with a modification to safety critical equipment should be considered before and during the work being completed. Flexible hoses are recognised as having a higher risk of failure than a properly fitted metal pipe. Isolation valves should be fitted at the point of supply to allow flexible hoses to be safely isolated in the event of leakage.