24 March 2009
Managing fire, water and major spillages
Most printing companies have the potential to cause significant environmental harm and to threaten water supplies and comprise the public's health and safety because of the nature or products used the in the various printing processes. Spillages of chemicals and oil are the obvious threats. However, materials, which are non-hazardous to humans, such as milk and beer, may also cause serious environmental problems, as can the run-off generated in the event of a fire.
The environmental damage may be long term and, in the case of groundwater, may persist for decades or even longer. And the clean up costs would be extremely high. Rivers, sewers, culverts, drains, water distribution systems and other services all present routes for pollutants to reach sensitive receptors. In many cases, major pollution incidents can be prevented, if appropriate pollution prevention measures are in place or immediately available.
Contingency planning is vital and preventative measures and incident response strategies need to be carefully addressed. In the event of an incident, the Environment Agency and your local sewerage undertaker MUST be contacted immediately.
Pollutants may escape from the site into the water environment by a number of pathways. These include:-
i. the site's surface water drainage system, either directly or via off-site surface water sewers.
ii. direct run-off into nearby watercourses or onto ground, with potential risk to groundwater such as aquifers.
iii. via the foul drainage system, with pollutants either passing unaltered through a sewage treatment works or affecting the performance of the works, resulting in further environmental damage.
Those companies working towards ISO14001 will have to identify firewater run off and spillages in the environmental aspects and impacts register and identify local sensitive receptors, rivers, streams, ponds, aquifers, etc. as well a local sewerage works and give details of the eco-toxicity of the products they use.
The Environment Agency has a pollution prevention guidance document entitled ‘MANAGING FIRE WATER AND MAJOR SPILLAGES PPG18'.
Click here for details of groundwater sites such as aquifers.
Pay Review Data, Wage Benchmarking and Cost of Living – FEB 2024 UPDATE
14 February 2024
We have collated data from multiple sources that should be useful for BPIF members that are approaching internal pay reviews, and/or are having a closer look at their pay and benefits structure. The datafile, first published in February 2023, has been updated with the latest available data - and additional content on factors exerting pressure on pay settlements in 2024.
Slight recovery of output and orders falls short of expectations in Q4 - confidence concerns mount in 2024
22 February 2024
Performance in the UK's printing and printed packaging industry did improve in Q4, as far as output and orders are concerned. However, it didn't come close to what would historically be considered the seasonal norm, nor quite match the subdued expectations for Q4.
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