All New PPE Regulations

A new set of EU regulations covering PPE was listed by the European Union in April of this year. This is the first stage of the regulations and is due too last two years. This means that in April 2018 the new regulations will come into force, although there will be a one year grace period for articles already marked to previous standards.

So what does this mean in practice?

There are now three categories of PPE:

1. Category 1 which is simple PPE which basically protects from contact issues. For example, contact with water or cleaning materials, sunglasses.
2. Category 2 which is intermediate PPE to protect from risks not covered by the other categories. For example, Hi Vis, Safety Glasses and Helmets.
3. Category 3 which is complex PPE to protect from risks that may cause death or serious injury. For example, drowning, knife wounds, chain saw cuts, falling from height.

These changes will mainly have an effect on the supply chain as it will be the wholesalers who ensure that the PPE they buy is covered by a “declaration of conformity” or a link where it can be obtained. It then becomes the buyers responsibility to ensure they are buying from reputable wholesalers who can provide this information.

For more information contact Stuart on stuart@demolishdismantle.co.uk.

End of life for HBCD-containing polystyrene insulation foams

Our sister site Demolition Training has some important information up this morning regarding the end-of-life of HBCD-containing polystyrene insulation foams. It includes an essential case study document courtesy of the NFDC and Plastics Europe.

Head on over to Demolition Training to read up on this important issue.

The EU wants UK asbestos regulations updated

The European Union has responded to a complaint made by ARCA in 2006 that could see artex become a licensed material once again.

When the UK revised the Asbestos Regulations in 2006 the decision was taken to remove artex coatings from those regulations which effectively meant that anyone with sufficient experience and training could remove artex coatings rather than it being a licensed contractor as it had been before the change.

What has happened now is the EU have looked at our Control of Asbestos Regualtions 2006, which no longer has artex coatings within them, and said that they do not comply with the EU directive on artex and the UK now have to respond to Brussels and advise them what we as a nation intend to do.

Brussels are saying artex must go back into the Regs, they are concerned that the dereguation will lead to more exposure by use of unlicensed contractors, and we have to comply or give a very good reason why we don't want to comply.

Although nothing is certain yet, it is our bet that the UK will revise the regulations again to put artex back as a licensed material.

Source: Asbestos News (image courtesy of Flickr user sarflondondunc)