The BPIF is the principal business support organisation representing the UK print, printed packaging and graphic communication industry and is one of the country's leading trade associations. We are a not-for-profit-distribution organisation.
Health & Safety News
PAS2020 – Green Direct Marketing is on the horizon
19 March 2009
A new publicly available specification (PAS) and certification scheme for displaying the environmental credentials of direct marketing campaigns is on its way, could you benefit by becoming a PAS2020 certified printer...?
Night Workers – Increased Risk of Cancer
19 March 2009
The Government of Denmark has become the first to accept the link between night shifts and cancer, by paying 40 women who developed the disease after working night shifts in state sector jobs. A United Nations health body has recently concluded that working nights probably increased the risk of cancer.
New Gas Safe Register
19 March 2009
Britain's gas installer registration scheme, currently operated by CORGI, has been replaced from 1 April 2009 by the new Gas Safe Register operated by Capita.
Updated HSE Guidance
19 March 2009
The HSE has updated its guidance on worker involvement to reflect the current diversity of working arrangements and includes:
Excellence Awards 2009 - Entry deadline extended to 20 March
18 March 2009
The BPIF is in the business of helping its members to be more profitable, through the adoption of the highest standards of business excellence. The Excellence Awards celebrate best practice in managing print businesses, highlighting the very best in class. We are very excited about this year’s awards: they take a great deal of energy to organise but we always feel a sense of achievement when we see the calibre and number of entries. Don’t miss out – you need to be in it to win it. To download your entry form click here.
The dirty issue of contaminated rags and gloves
12 January 2009
Rags, wipes and other materials used during maintenance and cleaning can potentially become contaminated by solvents and other chemicals during their use. This has significant ramifications when it comes to their disposal as depending upon the chemicals involved they may be classed as hazardous waste and entail special storage, handling and waste carrier and treatment requirements under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005.
An introduction to the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC)
07 January 2009
What is the Carbon Reduction Commitment?
The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is a forthcoming mandatory ‘cap and trade' scheme targeted at large public and private sector energy consumers developed as part of the UK Government's strategy to reduce national carbon emissions and combat global climate change. The CRC is essentially a fiscal instrument designed to incentivise organisations to reduce their carbon emissions. It aims to achieve this through a framework of emissions reporting resulting in either financial rewards or penalties dependent upon an organisation's performance in energy efficiency relative to other participants in the scheme.
Machinery still kills
06 January 2009
Over the last 20 months there has been an increase of workplace fatalities within the Printing and Packaging Industry, two related to the operation of Hand Fed Platen Presses and a Web Line Press.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a warning not only to the Printing and Packaging Industry, but to all industries of the dangers of carrying out mechanical interventions, clearing machinery blockages or carrying out running repairs without proper isolation procedures and / or interlocking.
Workplace first aid changes
22 December 2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), carried out an review of first aid in the workplace and found that 'although first aid awareness in workplaces was good, compliance with the regulations were found to be more "in spirit" rather than to the letter of the regulations themselves, The Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981. This highlighted the need for some important changes to the regulation and the guidance in particular with the frequency and length of first aid training'.
Work Experience, CRB Checks and New Vetting Scheme
22 December 2008
Following a parliamentary written response to a question about work experience and CRB checks there has been some confusion as to whether or not CRB checks are required in companies taking on children and young persons for work experience.
Keeping paths clear of snow and ice
22 December 2008
The Workplace (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require companies to ensure under Regulation 12 the safe condition of floors and traffic routes. In addition the Approved Code of Practice makes specific reference to minimising the risks from snow and ice.
Increased penalties for breaches of Health and Safety Regulations
22 December 2008
It has been generally accepted for some considerable time that the level of fines for some health and safety offences is too low. The Health and Safety Offences Act 2008 sets out to redress the balance and to encourage businesses that do not take their responsibilities seriously to comply with their obligations under the law.
The Lifting Operations & Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) 1998
22 December 2008
LOLER 1998 deals with the specific hazards and risks associated with lifting equipment and lifting operations. An Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) "Safe Use of Lifting Equipment" supports LOLER and the HSE Guidance notes.
Technical Alert - Important pre-registration advice for EU polymer, recovered substance, article manufacturers and those who re-import
22 November 2008
During the last few weeks debate has taken place across the EU with regard to certain aspects of REACH, in particular the recovery and recycling of solvents. Much of the guidance given by HSE and Intergraf has been conflicting. However, we have received information from the Chemicals Industry's REACH READY forum which makes it clear that companies who recover and recycle solvents on the site should pre-register those substance before 1st December 2008. The email we received is set out below and we have added on links to the Pre-registration pages of ECHA and a variety documents to assist in the process.
The chemical industry have issued advice that will affect anyone that:
a. manufactures polymers in the EU
b. re-imports substances originally manufactured in the EU
c. actively recovers substances or imports scrap, or
d. manufactures articles in the EU with an intended release
This follows a debate around the issue that REACH only exempts certain categories of substances from REACH - if they are already registered, and NOT if they are pre-registered. This means they must be pre-registered.
The threat of a prison sentence may see drivers blaming their ‘employers’
19 November 2008
New tougher laws being introduced, allowing the courts within the UK to imprison drivers who cause a death by their careless driving, may lead to drivers who cause the road death to blame their employer.
Printing and Publishing Industry Advisory Committee (PIAC) open meeting
03 November 2008
Free safety and health awareness event
The Health and Safety Executive would like, on behalf of PIAC, to invite you to attend our next Open Meeting to be held on Wednesday 19th November 2008 at the Towcester Racecourse, Northamptonshire. Dermatitis is the main theme for the event, although other common health & safety issues including, machinery safety & manual handling will be discussed.
Do employees have to participate in health surveillance medicals/tests, etc?
11 August 2008
Health surveillance is required under the Management Regulations when there is an identifiable disease or adverse health condition and the likelihood that the disease /condition could occur at work. This is a valid method of detecting such conditions and surveillance, which is there to 'monitor' to ensure that your workplace control measures are working effectively and will protect employees.
European Health & Safety Week 2008 - HSE''s campaign action pack on risk assessments
04 August 2008
This year the European Week for Safety and Health will focus on risk assessment, which itself is the subject of a 2-year campaign across Europe. This campaign is aimed at a wide range of stakeholders, including employers, workers and safety representatives, and will promote the benefits of completing and implementing risk assessments in the workplace.
How safe are your drivers?
29 July 2008
In an industry where cash alternatives to company cars known as ‘cash for keys’ are increasingly popular, employers face increasing risks to their Insurance arrangements (Employers Liability Insurance) and now, the possible risk of being prosecuted under the long awaited Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act, in the event of an employee sustaining fatal injuries in a Road Traffic Accident (RTA).
Print Company Prosecuted
25 July 2008
In February 2006, the Team Leader fell from a stack of pallets whilst trying to obtain packaging articles from the racking system. She suffered only a minor injury. It was common practice to climb upon pallets to obtain materials even though there was a Safe System of Work (SSW).
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