02/05/2025
The UK Government is considering some significant amendments to building regulations which will impact BWF Members and the wider woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry. A consultation of ...
HSE are seeking the views of tradespeople who, during the course of their work may encounter asbestos-containing materials. This is as part of a review to evaluate the regulatory framework, rather than to examine government policy regarding the control of asbestos.
If work meets certain conditions then it may be exempt from certain requirements such as notification, meaning there is no need to notify either HSE or the local authority. The regulations however, do require them to be properly trained and competent and to assess the risks and implement appropriate control measures to prevent exposure and minimise the risks to their employees and others.
As part of the Post Implementation Review (PIR) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), HSE is looking to recruit BWF members who may be willing to assist by taking part from this April onwards in a structured focus group around examining the effectiveness of CAR 2012
Further information on PIR may be found at: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/post-implementation-review.htm
Please contact matthew.mahony@bwf.org.uk if you are interested
Tradespeople, including joiners and carpenters, could come into contact with deadly asbestos on average more than 100 times a year according to a recent survey commissioned by HSE.
On average, twenty tradespeople, including a large number of joiners, die every week from asbestos related diseases. HSE have launched an app for phones, tablets and laptops that helps tradespeople easily identify where they could come into contact with the deadly material as they go about their day-to-day work and gives them tailored help on how to deal with the risks. You can download the web app here: www.beware-asbestos.info/news and find more information on asbestos safety here: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos.
The safety of your workers is of prime importance. The BWF's comprehensive 91 page Guide to Health and Safety in the woodworking industry includes guidance and we have prepared a number of resources to help you mitigate Health and Safety risk such as:
– A 12 point ‘Health and Safety: the essentials’ checklist to help prevent you getting caught out and advice on what HSE field inspectors are looking for in our Health and Safety publications.
– Our selection of woodworking machinery safety cards.
– Health and Safety training – including machine refresher training, Health & Safety management qualifications and more.
– As a member you can also ring our Health and Safety helpline on 0844 209 2610.
– Our Health & Safety Hero Campaign resources include short videos you can show to your staff, presentations you can adapt to your own company's health & safety processes and safety essential checklists you can give to each member of staff. There will be a new topic launched each month
