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Chemical manufacturer fined after explosion on site demolishes laboratory
An explosion at a solvents factory in the Scottish Borders has seen the manufacturer fined for health and safety failures.
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Peninsula Group, HR and Health & Safety Experts
(Last updated )
Peninsula Group, HR and Health & Safety Experts
(Last updated )
Read our article: 'Working with electric and hybrid vehicles - The hazards you need to be aware of'. Contact us today for more information about our Employment Law, Health & Safety, and HR services.
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As environmental awareness continues to grow, the use of electric and hybrid vehicles (E&HVs) is steadily increasing. People working in the motor vehicle repair and recovery industry are now more likely than ever before to come across these vehicles, and need to be aware of the additional hazards they may be exposed to as a result. To conduct their business safely, workers in these industries will need to develop a wider range of skills and knowledge, plus have access to specialist tools and equipment. There are three types of E&HVs:
Garages and recovery operations will be familiar with vehicles having 12 or 24 volt electrical circuits but E&HVs use significantly higher currents. They operate at up to 650 volts DC (direct current). DC voltages above 150 volts are hazardous in dry conditions, and contact with 600 volts DC is likely to be fatal. Therefore, there’s is a real risk of electrocution if the hazard is not appreciated and controlled. The battery systems store significant amounts of energy, sufficient to move a one ton vehicle more than 50 miles. Should this power system be short circuited or suddenly released, it could cause:
There is also a risk that the batteries could explode and/or release harmful and toxic chemicals if not maintained and handled in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. There are substantial differences in the designs of E&HVs from different manufacturers. Having information specific to the manufacturer and the vehicle being worked on is important in identifying what actions are necessary to work safely.
E&HVs introduce hazards into the workplace in addition to those normally associated with the repair and maintenance of vehicles. These include:
As you can see, additional skills and training will be necessary for people to work safely with E&HVs. The levels of competency required will vary based on the type of work that they’re expected to do. An awareness of additional risks is likely to be all that is required for people who undertake vehicle sales or valeting. However, those involved in repair and maintenance are likely to need a much greater level of competence to safely work with E&HVs. In addition to the training offered and supplied by the vehicle manufacturers, specific training leading to recognised qualifications is offered by organisations such as the Institute of the Motor Industry. Assessing risks An assessment of the hazards and risks faced by workers will be required at one or more levels. A generic workplace assessment is likely to identify most of the issues covered in the general precautions outlines above. Specific assessments are based on the vehicle make and type, using information provided by the manufacturer, for a range of tasks involving that vehicle. For vehicle recovery operations there will be both a generic assessment alongside a dynamic assessment for each incident attended, taking into account details such as:
BusinessSafe clients have access to a newly published Guidance Note on this topic, which includes specific advice and guidance on the practical management of the hazards and risks identified in this article. They also have the benefit of advice and guidance from their Business Safety Consultant at their scheduled visits, plus 24/7 access to the fully qualified and competent team operating our 24 Hour Advice Service – just call us on 0844 892 2785.
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