The changes, to eight sets of regulations, have been prompted by European Commission (EC) concerns about the implementation of directives across UK health and safety at work legislation.
HSC policy analyst Steve Ives said that facilities managers should look closely at the proposed amendments to the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992.
He said that the changes to this directive, to include disabled access and adequate toilets, lockers and ventilation, would have more of an impact on facilities managers than any of the other planned changes. However, he recommended that facilities managers 'cast their eyes over the rest of the documents'.
Changes are also to be made to the Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1991; Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992; Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992; Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992; Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998; Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 and Quarries Regulations 1999.
Ives said the changes were needed to bring the UK in line with European law and to tidy up and clarify regulations.
Among the requirements proposed are that first-aid rooms are easily accessible to stretchers; workplaces should not expose workers to excessive sunlight; lunch rooms must be equipped with the 'adequate' number of tables and chairs (with backs); changing rooms with seating must be provided for workers who have to wear special work clothes; and workplaces must be organised to take into account any disabled workers.
HSC chair Bill Callaghan said the amendments would 'help greatly in clarifying and simplifying the requirements of the law'.
The changes have been released in a consultative document. The deadline for comments is 1 February 2002. The HSC hopes to present ministers with draft regulations by March 2002.
The consultation document can be downloaded from www.hse.gov.uk/condocs/cd175.htm
Source
The Facilities Business
