European legislation its effect on health and safety. Does policy inhibit business success? Gary...
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Transcript of European legislation its effect on health and safety. Does policy inhibit business success? Gary...
European legislation its effect on health and safety. Does policy inhibit business success?
Gary Booton
Director of Health, Safety & Environment
Overview
Drivers for community law How ideas become law Routes of influence The uneven playing field –examples
– Vibration– Noise– EMF– Optical, and– Stress
Conclusion
Drivers for community law
Health and safety action plan Commission ideas Events
How ideas become law.
Expert working groups Council of Ministers European Parliament Conciliation
Routes of influence.
Expert working group Commission MEPs Pressure Groups EEF Member companies
The uneven playing field
Legal differences U.K. implementation Infraction proceedings
Europe - Physical Agents - Vibration
Whole Body
– Action level, 0.8 m/s2
– Limit Value. 1.15 m/s2
Hand-Arm vibration
– Action Level, 2.5 m/s2
– Limit Value, 5 m/s2
The Physical Agents (Vibration) DirectiveHAVs/WBV.
Physical Agents - Noise
1st Action Level, 80dB(A)
Upper Action Level, 85 dB(A)
Limit Value, 87dB(A)
Physical Agents (Noise) Directive.
Physical Agents (Electro-magnetic fields) directive
New EMF Physical Agents Directive
Is EMF harmful? Implications for manufacturing
How can EMF effect people?
Power Frequency Small electrical currents can
flow through the body The current could interfere with
the nerves Brain and spinal-cord
particularly relevant Stimulation of nerves/muscles
could result Micro-shocks
How can EMF effect people?
Mobile Phone Higher frequency & therefore
heating not electrical stimulation
‘in design’ limits heating will not exceed that produced by light exercise
Where in business is EMF encountered?
Electric arc welding (MMA, MIG, TIG, spot)
RF Welding of plastics Dielectric heating Electro-plating Induction furnaces Security systems (Retail,
airport) MRI Radar Micro-wave communications
Cost benefit assessment
European Commission 1992.Lack of time meant it was impossible to base the study on extensive studies in Member States the economic benefit of avoiding health impairment of accidents usually offsets costsCosts will be offset by reduced compensation & yet no compensation has been paid for EMF exposure
Cost benefit assessment
HSE April 2003 We are …unable to identify any
health and safety benefits from the Directive.
Quantified one-off costs range from approximately £50.8 to 161.7 million, while annual recurring costs range from approximately £59 to 158 million.
The ten year present value of these costs is between £0.5 - £1.5 billion.
Benefits = £0
Physical Agents (Optical Radiation)
Same format as other PA directives
EL for man-made sources of optical radiation
Manage exposure to natural UV Processes include welding,
lasers, foundries Etc No Regulatory impact
assessment Adoption??
Physical Agents Directives – the problems
Noise – a real issue; lack of justification/design/consultation/project management.
Vibration – 1 real issue 1 fake, No realism EMF – no real issue, no epidemiology Optical – real issue but no change promised by HSE
Managing Stress
“Stress is the reaction that people have when they worry that they can’t cope with the pressures or other types of demand placed upon them.”
EU negotiated agreement Directive next?
Conclusions.
Diverting business from the real issues is dangerous Lack of a level playing field across EU The outcome isn’t inevitable Get in as early as possible Organise to survive! Does policy inhibit business success?
Gary Booton,Director of H, S&EEEF- the manufacturers’ organisation
www.eef.org.uk