HSE works closely with employers, employees, trade associations, trade unions and other key stakeholders in the chemicals manufacturing and storage industries to progress health and safety initiatives.

Safety alert

Process Safety Performance Indicators (PSPIs) Workshop, Birmingham, 11 & 12 November 2008

The PSPI workshop is an opportunity for COMAH site operators to learn more about PSPIs and how PSPIs can help protect their business. The speakers will be HSE Inspectors, including a Process Safety Specialist Inspector. As well as outlining the principles of PSPIs and how to go about identifying relevant PSPIs, the workshop will identify some potential PSPIs for both processing and storage type sites.

• Find out more about the PSPI workshop

Review of the Seveso II Directive

The European Commission has launched the first of several studies as part of its review of the Seveso II Directive (96/82/EC), implemented in Great Britain through the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999.
This first study is on the ‘Effectiveness of the Seveso II Directive’ and mainly focuses on:

• the adequacy of the Directive to prevent major accidents and mitigate their consequences
• the main requirements on site operators
• the impact of the Directive and how effectively it has been implemented, and
• whether it has created any market distortions.

The survey can be completed on line. There are three separate questionnaires for completion by competent authorities, industry and other organisations such as trade unions.  The questionnaires will be accessible until 28 March 2008.

Revitalising Health & Safety

The Government and the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) are committed to improving standards and reducing injuries and ill health arising from work activities.

In February 2004 the HSC published its strategy to the year 2010.

This strategy aims to achieve a number of challenging targets by 2010 including:

• Reduction in the number of working days lost due to accidents and ill health by 30% 
• Reduction in the incidence of ill health by 20% 
• Reduction in the number of accidents by 10% 

The HSC has identified a number of priority topics for action.  These are:

• Musculoskeletal disorders (eg back injuries from carrying heavy/awkward objects)
• Slips and trips ( eg on uneven/slippery floors; failure to promptly clean up oil/water spills
• Falls from heights (eg from ladders, raised storage areas, tops of commercial vehicles, or into vehicle inspection pits)
• Workplace transport (eg, movement of vehicles inside/outside/around premises; parking of vehicles unbraked/unchocked)

In addition, field inspection teams working with the Chemicals manufacture and storage sectors will also take a particular interest in the following four themes:

• Loss of containment
• Human performance/human error issues affecting containment
• Emergency response
• Ageing and technology issues - a longer term look at

Loss of Containment Initiative

A program to collect causation information against RIDDOR reportable loss of containment dangerous occurrences was implemented in April 2004. This is a voluntary scheme were companies can provide HSE with information with the aim to analyse causation data to detect common failings and subsequently develop programmes and initiatives to tackle areas of concern. The first 12 months findings can be found in this report: Findings From Voluntary Reporting of Loss of Containment Incidents 2004/05

Process Safety Performance Measurement Programme

Following the publication of the BP Grangemouth Report, HSE worked with three CIA member company sites in Scotland, to look the development of performance indicators for process safety. The benefits gained by both parties led to a widening of the initiative.

A web site has been created for companies interested in this topic; to register please e-mail ian.travers@hse.gsi.gov.uk.

The International Tank Container Organisation (ITCO) Safety Protocol

The International Tank Container Organisation (ITCO) has published a safety protocol aimed at minimising the risks associated with working at height on the top of ISO tank containers. Prevention of Falls From ISO Tank Containers has been developed in cooperation with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and supports an overall HSE programme seeking to reduce working at height risks across a range of industries.