Amencon Health, Safety and Environmental Services for Employers

Our services for employers include:-

Asbestos Surveys and Inspections

Asbestos Management Plans

Asbestos Management Software

Asbestos Awareness Training <see example>

Auditing of Asbestos Removal Projects

Risk Assessment

Fire Risk Assessment

Legionella Risk Assessment

COSHH Assessment and Monitoring

Local Exhaust Ventilation Inspection and Testing

Face Fit Testing of Respiratory Protective Equipment

Noise Surveys

Audits and Reviews

Occupational Hygiene services

Ergonomic Assessments

Hand-Arm and Whole Body Vibration Monitoring

First Aid Training

Risk Assessment

Risk assessment is generally the first step in a risk management process to protect workers and comply with legislation.  It should focus on the risks that really matter in the workplace, that is, those with the potential to cause real harm.  The law does not expect an employer to eliminate all risk but there is a duty to protect people as far as reasonably practicable.

A risk assessment is a careful examination by the employer of what could cause harm to people and whether enough precautions are in place or more should be done to prevent harm.  Workers and others have a right to be protected from harm caused by failure to take reasonable control measures.

HSE guidance on risk assessment identifies five steps to be taken by employers:

• Step 1: Identify the hazards
• Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how
• Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
• Step 4: Record the findings and implement them
• Step 5: Review the assessment and update if necessary

Amencon can assist employers in carrying out risk assessments for asbestos management, hazardous substances and COSHH, legionella control in water systems, noise, hand-arm and whole body vibration, display screen equipment, manual handling and life safety fire risk in premises.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Fire Risk Assessment

Each year people die or are seriously injured as a result of fires at work.  Besides loss of life, fire costs UK business millions of pounds from damage to property, loss of business, compensation claims and insurance premiums.

For small businesses, fire can cause the organisation to cease trading.

However, it has been estimated that fewer than 50% of UK companies have carried out a Fire Risk Assessment (FRA) of their premises even though the law was tightened in October 2006. At that time, fire safety law was consolidated in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order (RRFSO).
The RRFSO places the responsibility on all employers to carry out a suitable and sufficient FRA within their premises covering the effect a fire would have on all persons within those premises including staff, visitors and contractors. Any passers-by would also have to be considered in the FRA.

Each individual company will be responsible for their own fire safety and an existing Fire Certificate is not a Fire Risk Assessment and will not satisfy the fire safety legislation.

Amencon can assist employers in carrying out fire risk assessments through the services of a registered IFE fire risk assessor for life safety and in carrying out an inspection and audit of an organisation’s existing arrangements.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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COSHH Assessment and Monitoring

The use of hazardous substances in the work environment is subject to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH).

These Regulations require that the exposure of employees to substances hazardous to health should be prevented or, where this is not reasonably practicable, adequately controlled. 

Exposure can occur by inhalation, ingestion or absorption through the skin, but inhalation is usually the main route of entry into the body.

The first stage of compliance will be to carry out a COSHH risk assessment that considers:

• The hazardous properties of the substance
• Information on health effects of the substance
• The level, type and duration of exposure including maintenance activities
• The circumstances of the work including the amount of the substance involved
• Relevant workplace exposure limits
• The effect of preventive and control measures
• The results of health surveillance
• The results of monitoring of exposure
• The risks associated with exposure to more than one substance

Where it is not reasonable or practicable to prevent exposure to a substance hazardous to health, an employer is required to provide appropriate protection measures in accordance with the principles of good practice set out in schedule 2A of the COSHH regulations.

Amencon occupational hygienists are trained to carry out COSHH assessments and surveys to monitor exposure to hazardous substances including dust, mists, vapours, fumes and gases.

We can provide practical advice to managers and users on minimising health risks from exposure to hazardous substances.

In addition, we can also carry out inspections of control measures such as local exhaust ventilation inspection and testing and face-fit testing for respiratory protective equipment.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Local Exhaust Ventilation Inspection and Testing

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), require that the exposure of employees to substances hazardous to health be prevented or if this is not practicable, adequately controlled.

Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV) is commonly used to control the release of hazardous airborne substances from a process into the workplace environment.

The object of LEV is to control the emission at the point of release and prevent it from entering the air of the workplace.

A typical LEV system works by drawing contaminated air from the process through a partial enclosure or hood at, or close to, the source of emission. The contaminated air is then discharged externally or recirculated into the room, preferably via a filter.
An effective LEV system should be well designed and constructed, properly used and maintained in good condition, with regular inspections.

COSHH Regulation 9 requires all control measures to be properly maintained and regularly examined and tested. 

To comply with COSHH, LEV plant should be thoroughly examined and tested at least once every 14 months and a suitable record of the examination and test results should be kept for at least 5 years from the date on which it was made.

Amencon carry out LEV inspection and testing in accordance with the guidance given in HSE publication HSG54 ‘Maintenance, examination and testing of local exhaust ventilation’.

A variety of test methods and equipment are used including vane and hot wire anemometers, pitot tubes and manometers and smoke generating units. The test results are compared to original design specifications, where available, and guidance given in HSE publication HSG37 ‘An introduction to local exhaust ventilation’.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Face Fit Testing of Respiratory Protective Equipment

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), require that the exposure of employees to substances hazardous to health be prevented or if this is not practicable, adequately controlled.

In some circumstances it is appropriate to use respiratory protective equipment (RPE) in addition to other control measures to control exposure to hazardous airborne substances in the workplace environment. However, RPE should never be used as the only control measure.

Where RPE is used, COSHH Regulation 7 requires that fit testing is carried out on all users of tight-fitting facepieces to determine the degree of face-seal leakage and ensure that the selected facepiece is of the right size and can correctly fit the wearer. 

Repeat fit testing is required:-

• when changing to a different model of RPE
• when changing to a different sized facepiece
• if there have been significant changes to the facial characteristics of the individual wearer.

Amencon carry out face fit testing using a validated qualitative method for filtering facepiece and half-mask type respiratory protective equipment in accordance with HSE guidelines.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Noise Surveys

Excessive exposure to noise in the workplace can lead to health effects including:

• Noise induced hearing loss – a gradual loss of perception of sound
• Tinnitus – a constant ringing in the ears
• Diplacusis (double hearing) – causes incident sound to be heard at different pitches or tones in each ear.

The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require that an employer must do a noise risk assessment if any employee is likely to be exposed to noise at or above the lower exposure action values, these are:-

• a daily or weekly personal noise exposure of 80 dB (A-weighted)
• a peak sound pressure of 135 dB (C-weighted)

An assessment should:

• be drawn up by a competent person;
• be based on advice and information from competent sources;
• identify where there may be a risk from noise and who is likely to be affected;
• contain reliable estimate of employees’ noise exposure and comparison of exposure with the exposure action values and limit values;
• identify the measures necessary to eliminate risks and exposures or reduce them to as low a level as is reasonably practicable;
• identify those employees who need to be provided with health surveillance and whether any employees are particularly at risk.

Amencon occupational hygienists are trained to carry out noise surveys and assessments and can provide practical advice to managers and users on minimising health risks from exposure to noise.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Audits and Reviews

The audits and reviews that we offer at Amencon are designed to provide a completely independent examination of an organisation’s systems of health and safety management.
In particular, they consider the requirements for compliance with health and safety legislation and highlight areas of strengths and identify weaknesses that may be putting employees and others at risk.
Under Regulation 5 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers have a legal duty to have arrangements in place for monitoring and review of the preventive and protective measures.
All audits and reviews are carried out by our experienced team of qualified consultants.
The key areas covered by audits and reviews include:

• asbestos management
• asbestos removal projects
• hazardous substances and COSHH
• legionella control in water systems
• noise
• hand-arm and whole body vibration
• display screen equipment
• manual handling
• fire risk in premises

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Occupational Hygiene

Occupational hygiene is about recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards arising from work. These can include:-

• hazardous substances
• electromagnetic fields
• noise and vibration
• poor workplace design
• excesses of heat or cold

and can cover a wide range of environments.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations require employers to appoint ‘one or more competent persons' to help them to meet their duty to control risks at work. 

Many employers can get or develop this help in-house which they are required to use when it is available. However, we can deliver an essential service to employers where their own resources are insufficient.

Amencon is an independent specialist consultancy providing occupational hygiene services for industrial, commercial and other employers throughout the UK.  We offer a comprehensive range of services including

• COSHH assessment and monitoring
• noise and vibration surveys
• ergonomic assessments
• local exhaust ventilation inspection and testing
• risk assessment
• audits and inspections
• training courses
  

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Ergonomic Assessments

Regulations play an increasingly important role in ensuring health and safety at work. Some Regulations relate particularly to ergonomics issues and we can help you ensure you meet the requirements of the law by assisting with specialist risk assessments, suggesting risk reduction measures or providing training.

Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations
These Regulations are aimed at protecting computer users from developing health problems that can be associated with computer use

Manual Handling Operations Regulations
These Regulations adopt an ergonomic approach to reducing the risk of hazardous manual handling, through assessing factors related to the task, the load, the handling environment and the individual.

Amencon occupational hygienists are trained to carry out ergonomics assessments and can provide practical advice to managers and equipment users on minimising health risks.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Display Screen Equipment

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations require employers of staff who habitually use visual display screens to minimise the risks in using them by ensuring that workplaces and jobs are well designed.

Workstations should be assessed. This assessment should include:-

• the equipment being used
• the work environment
• furniture
• any special needs of individual staff
• the task being done

The regulations also require that information and training is given to display screen equipment (DSE) users regarding health risks and methods of risk reduction.
There are many potential health risks arising from the use of DSE. The main types are:

• aches and pains, especially in the neck, shoulders, arms and back;
• visual fatigue and eye-strain;
• stress; and
• skin problems

Other health effects such as epilepsy, facial dermatitis and effects on pregnant women have been associated with the use of display screens, however there is little evidence to connect display screen use to these.

Amencon occupational hygienists are trained to carry out display screen equipment assessments and can provide practical advice to managers and equipment users on minimising health risks.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Hand-Arm and Whole Body Vibration Monitoring

Regular exposure to hand-arm vibration can cause a range of conditions known as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) which includes vibration white finger and carpal tunnel syndrome. Similarly, whole-body vibration (WBV) can cause back pain or make this worse.

The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005 are based on a European Union Directive requiring basic laws on protecting workers from risks to their health and safety from vibration.

The Vibration Regulations require more specific duties compared to earlier general health and safety regulations such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations which still apply.

Hand-arm vibration comes from the use of hand-held power tools and is the cause of significant ill health (painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves, joints and muscles of the hands and arms).

Regular long term exposure to WBV is associated with back pain alongside other factors such as poor posture and heavy lifting .  WBV risks may arise where any commercial/industrial/construction vehicles are driven regularly for most of the day.

For hand-arm vibration, the Vibration Regulations require that employees are not exposed above the daily exposure limit (ELV) value of 2.5 m/s²A(8). This is the maximum amount of hand arm vibration an employee may be exposed to in one day.

Where employees are exposed to the daily exposure action value (EAV) of 2.5 m/s² A(8) then employers are required to take certain actions to reduce the exposure.

An action plan is required when a vibration assessment shows that any employees are likely to be exposed above the exposure action value.

Where employees are likely to be at risk from the effects of HAVS then Regulation 7 requires that employers introduce suitable health surveillance and Regulation 8 requires that employers provide employees with the appropriate information, instruction and training.

Amencon occupational hygienists are trained to carry out assessments and surveys to monitor exposure to hand-arm and whole body vibration.  We can provide practical advice to managers and users on minimising health risks from exposure to vibration.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Manual Handling Operations

Manual handling can include any form of

• lifting
• lowering
• holding
• pulling
• pushing
• carrying
• moving. 

It is estimated that more than a third of incidents that require more than three days off work are due to manual handling.

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations require that employers firstly try to avoid the use of manual handling. If this cannot be done, then the risk should be assessed and reduced as far as reasonable practicable.

Safe manual handling must be based on a risk assessment which should be undertaken with consideration given to the following:

• the task - what is being undertaken?
• the load - what is involved in the task?
• the working environment - where is the task to be carried out?
• an individual’s capability - who is undertaking the task?

There is no such thing as a completely safe manual handling operation.

Amencon occupational hygienists are trained to carry out manual handling operations assessments and can provide practical advice to managers and users on minimising health risks.

To discuss your needs or request more information, please contact us.

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Training

Emergency First Aid in the Workplace

This course is offered to give basic first training for the workplace so that an appointed person is able to act safely, promptly and effectively with emergencies at work.

Course Content - click here

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