1. Who’s in
Control?
ADRIAN SIMS BSc. (Hons) CoC (Control) MILEVE
Specialist Licentiate member (LFOH(S)) of the British
Occupational Hygiene Society
Member Institute of Local Exhaust Ventilation Engineers
ILEVE accredited for LEV Design, Commissioning, Testing and
Installation of LEV Systems.
DIRECTOR
VENT-TECH LTD
2. Companies most valuable
asset?
› Chief executive officers (CEOs) often say that
“people are their company’s most important
asset,”
› “studies on retention agree on what influences
employees to stay: meaningful, challenging work
… a chance to grow and learn … a good work
environment … recognition and respect.”
Forbes - Nine Ways To Keep Your Company's Most Valuable Asset -- Its Employees –
Roger Dean Duncan - 20-8-2013
8. The numbers…
› 8000 cancer deaths and 13000 new cases of
cancer each year. - HSE
› 13000 deaths per year from respiratory
disease - HSE - 36 people per day!
› There are currently an estimated 13000 new
cases of breathing or lung problems caused
or made worse by work each year among
those in, or recently in, work.
Work-related respiratory disease in Great Britain 2013
9. The stats…
› More than half of these cancer deaths
were caused by past exposures to
asbestos (either mesothelioma or
asbestos-related lung cancer).
› The next three biggest categories of
occupational cancer were lung cancer
due to silica, diesel engine exhaust, and
mineral oils.
10. The stats…
› The most common causes of
occupational asthma continue to be
isocyanates and flour/grain
› In the food industry more claims on health
than safety.
11. Currently…
› 1.1 million people who worked during the last
year were suffering from an illness (long-
standing as well as new cases) they believed
was caused or made worse by their current or
past work. 0.5 million of these were new
conditions which started during the year.
› A further 0.7 million former workers (who last
worked over 12 months ago) were suffering
from an illness which was caused or made
worse by their past work.
The Health and Safety Executive Statistics 2012/13
12. LEV Systems…
• ~60% of LEV systems are not thoroughly
examined and tested
• ~60% of those that are tested are not tested
competently
• >60% LEV systems are not checked or
maintained
13. LEV Systems…
› Install a suitable control system to provide
adequate control
› Maintain, service and test control
equipment on a regular basis
› Train operatives on the hazards and
health effects of the substances being
worked
14. › Systems should be designed to control to
1/10th of WEL where possible
› Ergonomic and operator friendly
The solution…LEV
15. How can Vent-Tech help?
› We listen to your requirements
› Impartial, independent advice – what’s
right for the situation
› Provide performance bench-mark
guarantees
› Certificated operator training provided
16. But the cost?
› Lease finance
› Tax efficient
› Does not use up cash
› Retain credit lines
› Simple budgeting
› Pay for it as you use it
17. Prosecution!
› A visit from the HSE?
› Followed by a bit of Fee for Intervention
HSE will recover the costs of dealing with the dispute using the FFI hourly rate of £124 per
hour. This rate will be applied to all HSE staff involved in responding to the dispute.
“How much might it cost me?
The inspector will record the time they have spent identifying the material breach, helping
you to put it right, investigating and taking enforcement action.
This will include time spent: carrying out visits (including all the time on site during which the
material breach was identified); writing notifications of contravention, improvement or
prohibition notices, and reports; taking statements; and getting specialist support for
complex issues. This total amount of time will be multiplied by the FFI hourly rate to give you
the amount you must pay.”
› Followed by prosecution and a fine
18. Prosecution!
› Typical fine for inadequate LEV system?
“XYZ Services Ltd was prosecuted by the Health
and Safety Executive (HSE) after it failed to comply
with an enforcement notice requiring its wood
dust extractor to be properly tested.”
“…was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay
prosecution costs of £1,662 after being found
guilty of a breach of the Health and Safety at
Work etc Act 1974 by failing to comply with an
Improvement Notice.”
HSE http://press.hse.gov.uk/2014/4271/
19. Prosecution!
› A legal case from an employee who has fallen ill…
› Occupational asthma cases probably average
damages of around £50k and costs in the same
region, so all in £100k
› Cancer cases are similar except damages
would be higher, anything from up to £300k
20. Prosecution!
› HSE (UK) recently recorded first suspended prison
sentence for company director who failed to
provide adequate control of a hazardous
substance.
21. But then what?
› Insurance premiums rise
› Insurers insist on improved compliance with
regulations, LEV, PPE etc.
22. The true cost?
› Injuries (including fatalities) cost the UK
£5.4 billion in 2010/11
› Illness cost £8.4 billion - 35% more!
› In 2011/12, 667 000 working days were lost
due to work-related breathing or lung
problems
Statistics on fatal injuries in the workplace in Great Britain 2014 - HSE
Work-related respiratory disease in Great Britain 2013
