According to Health and Safety Executive statistics about 50 people are killed each year, and more than 5000 injured, in accidents involving workplace transport. PAS 13 outlines the current good practice traffic management procedures for a workplace and provides a standard for the safety barriers within them.

Mixing vehicles and pedestrians increases the risk of potential accidents, so it is imperative that steps are taken to minimize the associated risks. PAS 13 gives recommendations for impact resilience, dimensions and positions of safety barriers in the workplace; guidance on how to manage the risks associated with vehicles within the workplace; and specifies the criteria for testing the impact resilience of a barrier.

The PAS was developed using a collaborative consensus-based process with input from experts such as Allianz Insurance, British Industrial Truck Association, DHL, Health and Safety Executive, Jaguar Land Rover, The University of Manchester, and the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, among others.

PAS 13 addresses the importance of a workplace having a safe system of traffic management, including methods and procedures for arrival, reception, unloading, and movement of vehicles within the workplace. It is applicable to safety barriers used where there is a risk of collision between workplace vehicles or machinery and pedestrians, and is intended to be used by those who are concerned with selecting the appropriate safety barrier for their workplace to protect personnel, vehicles and structures.

Anne Hayes, Head of Governance and Resilience at BSI, said: “Workplace safety is a serious matter not only for businesses and their employees, but also for the general public who may interact within the geographical environment where businesses operate. BSI’s new code of practice is a valuable guidance tool for any person with a health and safety focus, especially where moving vehicles or the protection of personnel, equipment and vital structures is concerned.

“Each workplace is unique and presents different hazards and risks. With a well-designed and maintained workplace with a reasonable segregation of vehicles and people, fewer workplace accidents are likely to arise.”

Health and safety managers, procurement specialists, directors, facility managers, project managers and site safety leaders will benefit from PAS 13. It will also likely be of interest to those who want to apply traffic management procedures and those who test and measure the performance of safety barriers will also benefit from PAS, and manufacturers and distributors of safety barriers.

 

BS 8555 allows organizations to implement and maintain an environmental management system using a step-by-step approach, with the option to stop at any of the five stages, driving positive cultural change. This approach enables adopters of the standard to eventually attain a level suitable for ISO 14001 certification. 

BS 8555 helps organizations adhere to regulatory requirements and to demonstrate to customers, investors and peers that they are giving consideration to environmental impacts, whilst helping them to manage resources and changes in circumstances. 

The phased approach allows an organization to choose the pace of their EMS, decide what phase they want to reach and when, and identify and maximize the areas of potential greatest return on investment. The revised standard was reformatted and the language made clearer so that each phase follows a clear structure. 

BS 8555 has brought environmental management up to date in line with the requirements in ISO 14001: It recognizes the changes in the activities of environmental management since publication in 2003, including ensuring that environmental management processes are integrated into business processes, consideration of the value chain, and continual performance improvement. 

David Fatscher, head of market development for sustainability and services at BSI, said: “A successful Environmental Management System helps organisations remain commercially successful without compromising their environmental responsibilities. However, such projects can sometimes seem daunting and management may be unable to commit the required resources. By phasing implementation with BS 8555, all organisations – whatever the nature or scale of business – can improve their environmental performance.”

BS 8555 will help organisations attract new clients and develop their business whilst reducing the environmental impact of growth, decreasing waste and saving energy. The standard  will help businesses become more innovative, and improve their management system processes. Ultimately, BS 8555 will help users stay abreast of the changes in the environmental arena, ensuring they remain ahead of the curve. 

Fatscher adds: “BS 8555 has been updated to ensure that it continues to help organizations improve business processes, save money and deal with future environmental challenges.”

Panel members involved in the development of BS 8555 include representatives from IEMA, CIRIA, UKAS, the UK Environment Agency, and environmental consultants, some of whom took part in the recent major revision of ISO 14001. 

ISO 6892-1 enables designers and engineers of metallic products and components, specifiers, and the insurance industry to define the mechanical properties of metallic materials at room temperature.

In 2009, ISO 6892-1 introduced Method A, the method of test control based on maintaining a strain rate. The more traditional method, now referenced as Method B, is based on maintaining a stress rate during elastic region of a tensile test. However there has been confusion around Method A and how the strain rate is measured whether it can be done using a closed loop method or a crosshead separation. As such ISO 6892-1:2016 includes additional separation of methods, introducing Method A1 (Closed-Loop Strain Control) and Method A2 (Constant Crosshead Separation Rate).

ISO 6892-1 can test metallic sheets and plates, wire, bar or section, rebar, and tubes. Specimens are gripped securely ensuring axial alignment for minimal bending and the specimen is strained in tension until failure using either Method A or Method B control modes. During this time, the load, crosshead extension, time, and strain data are recorded to determine the material characteristics.

As Method A is the recommended method of control, the goal is that this further clarification will assist with test labs that are transitioning from Method B towards Method A and monitoring the specimen strain rate.

Dan Palmer, head of market development for manufacturing at BSI, said: “Materials testing is critically important in structural engineering where the calculations must be accurate for building solid and safe constructions. The aerospace industry also demands rigorous measurement for metallic components used in aeronautical engineering. As a result, having a standard in place that adds confidence to the process is essential.”

Benefits of ISO 6892-1:2016 include:

• Method A can help minimise the variation of the test rates during the moment when strain-rate sensitive parameters are determined and minimize the measurement uncertainty of the test results
• Allows more repeatable and comparable results to be produced
• When using Method A1, there can be considerable time savings
• Makes recommendations for computer controlled testing machines
   

The international standard can also be a useful reference for major fabrication contracts between manufacturers and customers.

ISO 6892-1 was developed using a consensus-based collaborative approach with input from experts from the materials, special metals testing and quality management industries. Organizations including the British Civil Engineering Manufacturers Association, GAMBICA Association, National Physical Laboratory (NPL), UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and University of Warwick contributed to the process.

Occupational health and safety continues to be a priority across the world with the International Labour Organization (ILO) citing 6300 people dying every day as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases.

Although OHSAS 18001 is widely used both in the UK and internationally it is not a full international standard. By working with a far wider range of countries and also the ILO, it is hoped that greater harmony will be achieved globally allowing further confidence down the supply chain and ultimately saving lives.

The international committee which developed ISO 45001 includes experts from over 50 countries and 20 liaison bodies, all with knowledge and practical experience of occupational health and safety issues and the challenges faced. The new standard is based on the core structure and common text developed by ISO for all of its management system standards (MSS), taking into account the requirements of the current OHSAS 18001, other national standards (including those from the US, China and Canada) and the ILO instruments - OH&S guidelines adopted by hundreds of countries across the world.

ISO 45001 will help provide a single, clear framework for organisations of all types and sizes who wish to improve their OH&S performance and protect those working on their behalf or who may be affected by the organization’s activities. This includes any organization beyond that of sole trader – and those organisations working with multiple contractors, multiple sites, volunteers or temporary staff, etc.

Anne Hayes, head of market development for governance & risk at BSI said: “Occupational health and safety is a serious matter for all businesses worldwide, regardless of their size or sector. BSI is very proud to be involved with developing a clear framework for businesses wishing to maintain or improve safety within their workplaces. It was important to us that ISO 45001 should work in alignment with any other management system standards such as ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, which may already be in use. Therefore the common text and structure in which it is written will ensure these management system standards are broadly aligned to each other.”

Some of the benefits of ISO 45001 include:

• A single internationally-agreed standard suitable for all organisations worldwide
• Alignment with other key management system standards
• Less prescriptive requirements which direct organisations to design a management system uniquely suited to each organisation’s occupational health and safety needs

ISO 45001 has been developed using a collaborative, consensus-based approach taking into account the views of large and small organisations, government bodies, trades unions and worker representative organisations.

It is available now for comment at the following link: https://drafts.bsigroup.com/Home/Details/55801, until April 15. Publication of the final standard is anticipated towards the end of 2016.

The specification was developed by BSI, the business standards company and was sponsored by BIS (The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills).

 

The use of nanomaterials and nanotechnology-based products for applications relating to certain sectors, such as food and pharmaceuticals, is subject to existing regulations that apply to these sectors. How existing regulations cover other sectors is not clear and presents particular problems for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim of PAS 137 is to guide organisations in understanding regulations and standards in this area.

 

Smaller companies that want to enter the nanotechnology market face many challenges in understanding the commercial benefits and also how they can address some of the potential adverse effects of these new materials. Their approach to dealing with the potential risks could have a major impact on their ability to commercialise nanomaterials and nanotechnology-based products. 

 

This guidance has been developed primarily for SMEs, to signpost regulations and standards relevant to the importation and manufacture of nanomaterials and nanotechnology-based products. Some of the organisations involved in the consensus-based development of PAS 137 includes Applied Nanodetectors, Chemical Industries Association, GlaxoSmithKline and the Health and Safety Executive. 

 

Dr Simon Holland, chairman of international standards committee for Nanotechnologies as well as the BSI national committee, and member of the drafting panel said: "This document will help to address the significant concern about regulatory procedures held by smaller companies seeking to develop new nanotechnology enabled products. Following this guidance on regulations should enable SMEs to plan their way through the entire product development cycle.”

 

PAS 137 provides the following:

 

• A table of regulation identified as being generally applicable irrespective of products produced and activities conducted 

• A table of regulation identified as being applicable to particular product types 

• A table of regulation identified as being applicable to particular activities 

• A table of standards identified as being applicable to nanotechnologies 

• A table of contact details for organisations that can provide further information about the referenced regulation 

• Annexes giving detailed information that supports the interpretation and understanding of the referenced regulation

 

Dan Palmer Head of Market Development for Manufacturing and Services at BSI said: "PAS 137 will prove invaluable to SMEs because it provides guidance in many fields of regulation and standards including environmental protection, occupational health and safety, consumer protection, product safety and liability, and the management of hazardous substances.”

 

Experts from the HSE, Hire Association Europe, the Ladder Association, UK Contractors Group and PASMA formed the steering group involved in the development of the specification.

 

PAS 250 establishes the requirements for an LLWP with one working platform with side protection, for use by one person, with a maximum working platform height of less than 2.5m and a maximum working load of 150kg. It sets out requirements for materials, design loads, dimensions, strength and stability tests, marking and user instructions. Until now, designs for LLWPs have been developed with no formal standard to follow and although many are safe for use, aspects of some products could be improved by adherence to an agreed specification. PAS 250 meets this need and establishes minimum safety and performance criteria.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has been granted membership of the European Fire and Security Group (EFSG) which means manufacturers within the fire and security sectors can now gain internationally recognised product certifications from a sole provider.

This new membership will save BSI clients time and money by reducing the need for duplicate testing, as BSI's test reports for fire alarm system standards (EN 54) will now be recognised by other EFSG members.

Stress is one of the most common problems of the modern workplace, affecting the mental and physical wellbeing of more than 40 million workers in the European Union each year, with costs to business being estimated at €20million.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published PAS 1010 Guidance on the management of psychosocial risks in the workplace which will help assessors address this area of workplace health.

An organisation should manage its psychosocial risks, as much as its organisational culture and employee relations, to ensure that it is taking action to protect itself from poor performance and from being sued.

Psychosocial risk is covered by the European Council Directive 89/391/EEC, which stipulates the assessment and management of all types of risks to workers' health as the employers' responsibility.

Stress is one of the most common problems of the modern workplace, affecting the mental and physical wellbeing of more than 40 million workers in the European Union each year, with costs to business being estimated at €20million.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has published PAS 1010 Guidance on the management of psychosocial risks in the workplace which will help assessors address this area of workplace health.

An organisation should manage its psychosocial risks, as much as its organisational culture and employee relations, to ensure that it is taking action to protect itself from poor performance and from being sued.

Psychosocial risk is covered by the European Council Directive 89/391/EEC, which stipulates the assessment and management of all types of risks to workers' health as the employers' responsibility.

A new book from BSI British Standards - Risk Management of Machinery and Work Equipment - combines the information needed to manage the risks associated with machinery and work equipment.

It includes guidance on: Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008,Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, Harmonised standards, including BS EN ISO 13849.

Illustrated with case studies, the book examines common queries arising from the various standards, regulations and best practices relating to the safe design and use of work equipment in industry.

The book is priced at £25. ISBN: 978 0 580 67515 7 BSI order ref: BIP 2184.