Welcome to the latest Surveyors’ Newsletter, sharing knowledge and news on current risk management issues with our brokers and clients.
Read our PDF about the Arch Risk Surveyors Team, pictured below.
(left to right) Andy Chapman, Alan Williamson, Ian Parkinson, Mark Rennie, Jon Hughes, Ian Wallsgrove and Steve Walker.
FIRE SAFETY
Grenfell Inquiry Phase 2 response — Time for change
Fire Protection Association Chief Executive Dr Gavin Dunn reflects on the outcomes on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 report and presents a roadmap for change. Read the FPA article.
Remedial action to speed up removal of unsafe cladding announced
The government will set out ‘tough new targets’ to fix buildings with unsafe cladding in England as part of a new Remediation Acceleration Plan. This follows the Chancellor’s £1 billion budget pledge to accelerate the removal of dangerous cladding and recommendations by the National Audit Office to set a deadline for the completion of cladding remediation works and for greater transparency on remediation performance. Read the press release.
Bedfordshire FRS issues detailed report on London Luton Airport car park fire
Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service recently published its Significant Incident Report on the major fire at London Luton Airport’s Terminal Car Park 2 in October 2023. A diesel car fire spread to a large number of other vehicles and led to the eventual partial collapse of the structure. Read the FSM article.
Portable heaters
As we head into the winter months be mindful that direct fired portable heaters burning gas or oil (including waste oil) with an exposed flame present a significantly increased fire risk and are generally deemed an unacceptable risk. Indirect fired appliances using a sealed combustion chamber can be considered on an individual case basis by referral to the local Risk Control Surveyor. See the Arch Portable Heaters Toolbox Talk for further guidance.
LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
BSC launches new monthly podcast and joins ‘Battery Breakdown’ awareness campaign
British Safety Council launched its ‘Health & Safety Uncut’ podcast series on 4th November with a look at lithium-ion battery safety. ‘Lithium-ion Batteries: A Growing Fire Risk’ is free to access on the BSC’s podcast channel. New episodes will be available to download on the first Monday of each month.
Details of the ‘Battery Breakdown’ safety campaign can be found on the Electrical Safety-First website.
RC61: Secondary batteries — fire and associated hazards
This recently updated FPA publication provides definitive guidance on the safe use of secondary (rechargeable) batteries in the workplace, covering lead-acid, lithium-ion, sodium-ion and redox flow battery technologies. Get the free download.
FM Data Sheet published
US insurer Factory Mutual has published its long-awaited Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 7-112 ‘Lithium-Ion Battery Manufacturing and Storage’. This is one of 33 new and updated documents released by FM in October and can be downloaded free of charge from fm.com.
PERILS
NFCC calls for further action to tackle extreme weather events
The National Fire Chiefs’ Council has recently called for more action to tackle the impact of extreme weather events. View the NFCC article.
Responding to Floods. What You Need to Know
This recent publication from the Association of British Insurers and National Flood Forum provides guidance for people affected by flooding. It is primarily aimed at householders although in parts equally relevant to commercial insurance risks. Get the free PDF.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
HSE publishes annual statistics for 2023/24
The Health & Safety Executive recently published its annual statistics on work-related ill health and workplace injuries. Key figures include:
- 1.7 million working people suffering from a work-related illness including 776,000 workers suffering stress, depression or anxiety and 543,000 workers suffering from a musculoskeletal disorder
- 2,257 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2022)
- 138 workers killed in work-related accidents
- 604,000 working people sustained an injury at work (source: Labour Force Survey)
- 61,663 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR
- 33.7 million working days lost due to work-related illness and injury
- £21.6 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2022/23)
Health and safety bodies respond cautiously to budget
A number of leading health and safety organisations have raised concerns following the recent government budget. HSM article here.
Machinery safety in the food industry
Recent HSE prosecutions highlight the issue of machinery safety in the food industry:
- Multinational food company fined after worker loses fingers
- Routine HSE inspection results in £150,000 fine for food manufacturer
- Leading sandwich bread baker fined after worker loses finger
Key control measures for machinery safety in the food industry include guarding and other safety devices (interlocks, emergency stop controls and similar) and safe systems of work and employee training covering operation, cleaning and maintenance activities. Where necessary to prevent machinery from being restarted during cleaning and maintenance operations, clear formal isolation and lock-off procedures are also needed.