EMF DIRECTIVE IS BACK ON THE RADAR
The European Commission has been consulting on what to do about Directive 2004/40/EC EC on protecting workers from Electromagnetic fields (EMFs). The Directive was originally published in April 2004 and EU Member States had until April 2008 to transpose it into national law. However, concerns were raised that some medical procedures (notably MRI scans), and some engineering processes, would expose workers to levels above the exposure limit values shown in the Directive.

As a result, the C Commission did something quite exceptional – it postponed the Directive up to the national implementation date of April 2012. T The Commission says the delay should give it time to conduct a proper impact assessment and consider new scientific advice, before it decides what to do next. We will ‘Monitor’ the situation and keep you advised.

CHANGE TO HSE HAVS ADVICE
The HSE has changed its advice on estimating exposure for hand arm vibration (HAV) in a free leaflet for employers whose business involves regular and frequent use of hand-held power tools, hand-guided powered equipment and powered machines which process hand-held materials.

The HSE says that due to the implementation (effective 29 December 2009) of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008, it will no longer be necessary to consider doubling the vibration emission declared in the equipment’s handbook, when estimating daily HAV exposure. Currently the leaflet says: “However, if the only information available to you is the vibration emission declared in the equipment’s handbook, it may be safer to double this figure before using it for estimating daily exposures.”

‘Control the risks from hand-arm vibration – A Advice for employers’ (INDG175 (rev2)) can be obtained from www.hse.gov.uk/vibration/hav/publications.htm

DYSLEXIA MAY LEAD TO HIGHER WORK INJURIES
Young people with dyslexia may be at greater risk of getting hurt on the job, according to a new study from the Canadian Institute for Work & Health.

The researchers gathered their information from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey compiled by Statistics Canada. After taking into account other factors that could explain a higher injury rate - such as being male, being out of school and working in a manual job - young people with dyslexia were still 1.9 times more likely to be hurt on the job than those without.

The same was not found for Attention Deficit Hypersensitivity Disorder (ADHD). Young people with ADHD, after taking the same demographic and work-related factors into account, were at the same risk of work injury as their peers without a learning disability or ADHD.

The study was published in the August 2009 issue of the A American Journal of Public Health (vol. 99, no. 8, pp. 1423-1430).

HSE ISSUES ALERT ON TOP CUTTING MACHINES
An investigation into a fatal incident involving a top cutting machine has prompted the HSE to issue a safety alert to the construction and utilities industry warning on the dangers of using these machines without proper safety devices. A worker was fatally injured when he became entangled in the rotating drum of a top cutting machine.

The HSE said that most top cutting machines of the type involved in the accident require a deactivation device which automatically stops the machine when the operator leaves the driver's seat. The HSE said: "Operators should make sure that the power is disconnected and the machine has come to a standstill before carrying out any maintenance on the cutting wheel".

HSE BOOKS BECOME FREE
The HSE has begun the process of making all of its books fully available free online. Priced publications (around 230) can be downloaded free in PDF format from http://books.hse.gov.uk/hse/public/home.jsf The option to view a PDF is shown under the paragraph headed ‘Downloads' on each stock record in the new site. Printed copies can still be purchased through thenew website.

The HSE says that it will be making some 50 or so of its most popular titles freely available in ‘printer friendly' format with effect from 1 September 2009. The remaining 180 or so publications will be converted to this format by 31 March 2010. The HSE says that PDF formats of priced publications have the same content as the printed formats, and both have equal status in law. No changes will be made to one format in isolation from the other.

LIFTING TIPS
Anewsletter containing lifting tips for workers that may be useful for employers to adapt is available from the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety.
The newsletter contains advice on preparing and planning for the lift such as:

• warm your muscles up with gentle stretches before you lift, especially if it is cold or if you have been sitting fora period of time;
• wear lightweight, tear-resistant clothing, safety boots with toe caps and slip-resistant soles, and protective gloves;
• test the load for weight and shifting contents by pulling or sliding it toward you - this will give you a good idea of how much it weighs and if you can lift it without over-exertion.

There is also advice on lifting technique and general tips.

Copies of the newsletter can be obtained from www.ccohs.ca/newsletters/hsreport/issues/2009/08/ezine.html?id=22555&link=1#inthenews

EXTENT OF EU WORK-RELATED HEALTH PROBLEMS

Recently published research from the 2007 European Union (EU) Labour Force Survey suggests that 8.6% of EU workers have work-related health problems.

The data relates to the 12 months leading up to the survey. Like similar figures in the UK the figures are based on the respondent's own analysis of their health.

Although women account for only a small percentage of recognised occupational illnesses in the EU, the figures are broadly the same for men (8.53%) and women (8.59%).

There are wide variations between sectors. Men and women in the agriculture, hunting and forestry sector are exposed to factors particularly harmful to health (13.47% of women and 10.47% of men reported a work-related health problem).

High percentages are also found for men in the mining and quarrying, transport, storage and communication sectors, while health and social services are a black spot for women. Looking at the type of health problems experienced, construction has the highest rate of musculoskeletal disorders, while financial intermediation has most cases of health problems related to stress, anxiety and depression.

The full results can be obtained from http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/product_details/publication?p_product_code=KSKS-SF-09-063

WORK AT HEIGHT E-TOOL GOES WEST
We previously flagged up that the HSE had been working on a Work at height Access Equipment Information e-Tool (WAIT). Regrettably, this project appears to have lived up to its name because a recent report from the HSE says that "the development of an e-Tool that provides sound responses for the vast range of (work at height) scenarios involved in work at height has not been feasible".

The HSE says it is now developing a ‘decision risk matrix' as part of a Work at Height toolkit. Let's hope the HSE has more luck this time round.

In the meantime comprehensive information can be obtained from
www.hse.gov.uk/falls/index.htm

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