Health & Safety News in Brief

News in brief for this edition includes three recent amendments to legislation. For more information on any of the amendments, please contact the Advice Line or visit the Internet address provided.

Employers' Liability (Compuslory Insurance) Regulations 2008

Most employers are required to insure against liability for injury to employees which may occur as a result of employment. The insurance provider will produce a certifi cate which must clearly state the level of cover provided. The certifi cate must be displayed where employees can read it.

The main change to the Regulations which came into force 1st October 2008 stipulates that it is now acceptable for the certifi cate to be made available to employees as an electronic form, providing each relevant employee to whom it relates has reasonable access to the certifi cate in that form.

Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) Regulations 2008

The Regulations often referred to as CHIP apply to the suppliers of dangerous chemicals. Its purpose is to protect people and the environment from the effects of those chemicals by requiring suppliers to provide information about the dangers and to package them safely.

The new Regulations implement into national legislation a new European Commission Directive (2006/8/EC). Changes do not affect main legal duties but do adjust:

• the rules and procedures for classifying and labelling a chemical preparation containing carcinogens, mutagens and substances toxic for reproduction
• the genericconcentration limits to be used for the evaluation of the hazards for the aquatic environment
• the classification and labelling requirements for preparations containing ozone depleting substances; and
• the specified warning phrases on labels for certain preparations to make them clearer and more consistent.

As a result of changes, some suppliers may need to take account of large quantities of newly re-classifi ed chemicals to ensure they comply with the Control of Major Accidents Hazards Regulations.

The amendment to CHIP came into effect 1st October 2008, for further information on the changes visit: www.hse.gov.uk

The Materials and Articles In Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2007

The Regulations are in the interest of food safety and deal mainly with the packaging materials used in the food industry. They provide specifi c instructions for packaging which contains vinyl chloride and for use of regenerated cellulose film.

Particular provisions of the Regulations came into effect on 1st August 2008; for further information visit: www.opsi.gov.uk and enter the details of the Regulation.

Health & Safety Act 2008 Given Royal Assent

Under the Health & Safety Act 2008, which was given Royal Assent on 16 October 2008, the maximum penalties for Health & Safety breaches will be raised in the Magistrates Courts from £5,000 to £20,000. The range of imprisonable Health & Safety offences has also been widened. This will come into force in January 2009.