October 2013 witnessed a  number of changes to health and safety legislation, including 
modifications to two pieces of legislation which affect the majority of businesses in the UK - RIDDOR Regulations and the First Aid at Work  Regulations.

As of 1 October, the Health  and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 have been amended to remove the  requirement for the HSE to approve first aid training and qualifications.  The change is part of HSE's  work to reduce the burden on businesses and put common sense back in to  health and safety, while maintaining standards and the new approach  applies to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors.

The main changes to the RIDDOR  Regulations surround the lists of major injuries,  occupational diseases  and dangerous occurrences, with all of these being simplified and  reduced.

Are  you aware of the upcoming  changes to waste legislation? From January 2014, all  businesses  transporting their own waste must register as a Waste Carrier, which is  being introduced to ensure that all waste is transported and disposed of  legally and safely.

Keep up to date with legislative changes - it could keep on the right side of the law!

I suspect I am far from alone in hating the new BT email system.  Interestingly a discussion item relating to this on their website, peppered with brickbats and stunningly lacking in bouquets, has been closed - let's hope that the feedback has been received, understood and is being actioned.  I will be moving my account if it stays as it is, the impact on productivity today ha

The series may have ended but it's certainly got people talking and more importantly (for me) it's got me baking again, and better still, it's got me baking with my daughter.  There is something incredibly satisfying about seeing your offspring learning the same skills that your own Mother taught you (far too many years ago!!).  Last Sunday we had a happy and messy time in the kitchen producing a very delicious Lemon Drizzle Cake (my daughter's own work) and a set of basket topped jam tarts (again down to my daughter) plus an Apple Pie (my work).  Last night I made Soda Bread for the first time and am now itching to try some different variations on that theme.  Good for the soul if not the waist-line!!

I would like to make it clear however, that I am not a Frances and never will be - her ingenuity and presentation simply amazed me, but I'll stick to the 'rustic' look for now!

How nice to see a Royal Christening that wasn't a huge great junket but a family occasion with just 22 guests.  I like the way the Cambridges are handling their parenthood.

Thank you SO much to Autoglass for a first class job repairing the horrid chip on the windscreen which I got today.  Rang up at 12.30pm and it was fixed by 4pm.  You can hardly see where it was.  Great

Two companies have been fined for waste offences  involving mixing hazardous  used drawing soap with compost to spread on  fields. Land Network pleaded guilty  to three offences at their site between 3 June 2009 and 25 February 2010. The  company admitted accepting hazardous drawing soap as well as welding rod waste,  neither of which are biodegradable, and was fined a total of £8,000 and ordered  to pay costs of £17,500.

Lincoln Electric (UK) Limited produces the waste  from the drawing down of steel wire in the production of welding rods  and pleaded guilty to failing to prevent Land Network  breaching its environmental permit. The company was fined £1,000 and  ordered to pay costs of £12,500.

 Understanding waste streams and correctly disposing of waste is becoming increasingly important and as can be seen here failure to comply can be a costly business.    The EA are keen to stop breaches of this nature and Environment Agency officer, James Finch, said:

“We  regard very seriously the mixing of hazardous waste to dilute it and  will take action where appropriate. We hope that the outcome of this  case alerts others to the risk of doing the same".


 

It's one of those love or hate things and I'm v much a lover of the dark gloopy brown stuff.  Even more so when it's made into Cheese and Marmite Bread by the wonderful baker at Ainsty Farm Shop - YUM YUM!

I will be running a Lead Auditor programme in Leeds w/c 18 November.  This is a great chance to develop audit skills for supplier auditing and also for those who are thinking of working as auditors for certification bodies.  Find more details on www.qualityauditor.co.uk