HSE - Chemical and Downstream Oil Industries Forum (CDOIF) - Meeting 22 October 2002

02/10 Mins

Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 22 October 2002 at HSE, Hope Room, Rose Court, London

• HSE industry and topic advisory groups

Present:

Chair:	Dan Mitchell	HSE, HID
Secretariat:	David Kyle	HSE, HID
Advisors:	Ron De Cort Keith Wilson	HSE, HID HSE, TD
Members:	Nick Berentzen Malcolm Bonnett Martyn Lyons Brian McCay Mike Murray Jim Mowatt Doug Russell Mark Scanlon Clive Sheil Wayne Smith Jeff Watson Mike Wood Ron Wood	CIA AEEU TSA Pains-Wessex ABPI TGWU USDAW IP UKPIA BCF LPGA BCDTA TGWU
Speakers:	Anton Wilson Mike Cosman Peter Mullins David Hay	HSE, HID HSE CD Sector HSE HID Cleveland EPO
Minutes Secretary:	Gill Chambers	HSE, HID

1. Welcome and introduction

1.1.The Chair welcomed everyone present and in particular a new member - Jeff Watson from LPGA. Nick Berentzen was thanked for attending in place of Kevin Dixon-Jackson. The Chair also welcomed Mike Cosman from the Construction Sector for item 5, David Hay, the Chief Emergency Planning Officer for Cleveland for item 6, Anton Wilson from HID LD6 for item 7, and Peter Mullins from HID CD3 for item 8.

2. Apologies

Apologies were received from Kevin Dixon-Jackson (CIA) and Mark Platt (CBI).

3. Minutes

3.1.The minutes of the meeting held on 18 June 2002 were amended as follows: 2.2 Matters Arising 10 should read Chemicals ‘Essentials’ Guide.

3.2.Matters arising

• 2.2 (3.3) – CHIP 3 – as requested a report (02/06) was circulated to members.

• 2.2 (4.4) – Emergency services – at the request of members an invitation was offered to a Chief Emergency Planning Officer to address this meeting of the Forum (item 6).

3.1 – Safe Working on top of tankers – an update on a meeting held on 2 July between the CIA and HSE will be given at the item 10 on Falls from Heights. The reference to support given by TSA refers to guidance in item 4.

4 - Guidance - members of CIF have been invited to take part in a working group on the revision of OIAC guidance on Safe Isolation of Plant and Equipment. Nominations were received from Kevin Dixon-Jackson (CIA) and Ian Darlington.

6.2 – Safety Reports – the revision of the leaflet on safety reports is incorporated in the HSE Operational Policy Unit plan of work. Members will be consulted when a draft has been prepared.

7.1– Manual Handling – the booklet is scheduled for distribution early next year. Copies will be sent to members of CIF.

7.2–Manual Handling Benchmarking exercise – members requested feedback on the exercise. The secretary has three copies of the report of the exercise if members wish to view. Further copies are available from the Health and Safety Laboratories. (www.hsl.gov.uk) Telephone 0114 2892000.

12 – Strategic Plan 2003 and beyond – suggestions from members were requested and one response was received. The suggestions made have been taken into account and a written response will be provided.

13 – Insertion of documents on the Internet – the agenda, minutes and reports from the last meeting are on the Internet. http://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/meetings/cif/180602/minutes.htm

15.1 – DSEAR - an update will be provided on agenda item 4.1.

4. Members issues

4.1. DSEAR

Members of the Forum were given the latest position on the DSEAR regulations. The existing regulations will remain in force for some six months. There will be an ACOP and guidance for the new regulations. Leaflets will be available for SMEs and guidance will be available on the web-site. There will be a rolling programme of training for Inspectors. Members agreed that it would be helpful to invite a representative from the Safety Policy Directorate to give a briefing at the next meeting.

Action: Secretariat

4.2. Tanker Top Access –

This matter to be considered with item 10 (Falls from Heights).

4.3. Contact with trade associations / Martin Cooke’s project

Members requested feedback on the questionnaires completed for the study on contact with trade associations. The project is not yet complete but arrangements will be made to present the findings at the February meeting of the Forum.

Action: Secretariat

Trades Union representatives reported that it has been shown that organised safety representatives improved safety performances. The Trades Unions were invited to present their views on this at the next meeting as they complement the subject of the project.

Action: Trades Union Representatives

4.4. Reform of Fire Legislation

The office of the Deputy Prime Minister is reviewing current fire legislation. HSE is currently responsible for the enforcement of process fire safety. HSE supports the review and wishes to avoid any duplication of enforcement responsibilities. HSE’s role has been discussed with the Policy Unit with responsibility for overseeing the response to the proposed changes to the legislation.

5. Construction – the responsibility of clients

5.1. Construction is one of HSE’s Priority Programmes. Members were given a detailed presentation by the Head of HSE’s Construction Sector, which highlighted the rate of incidents within the construction industry with the largest number of fatalities being in non-domestic premises (maintenance and refurbishing). Workers in the construction industry are six times more likely to be killed at work than other workers. Targets have been set for 50% reduction in lost days, 50% reduction in incidents and 66% reduction in fatal and major injuries as part of HSE’s revitalising targets.

5.2. Members were given a leaflet on ‘Construction Health and Safety’ and were advised of a discussion document ‘Revitalising Health and Safety in Construction’ seeking the views of industry on the changes that are needed and how the changes can be brought about. Comments directly to Mike Cosman would be welcomed on these. (mike.cosman@hse.gsi.gov.uk).

Action: All

5.3. Clients Charter – this has been developed by the Federation of Construction Clients By signing up to the Charter, construction industry clients will be making a clear statement of their commitment to improve their own performance. It sets clearly defined and quantified objectives and realistic targets. The charter is available on www.clientsuccess.org. It would be useful to receive members’ feedback on this before the next meeting of the Forum.

6. Emergency planning

6.1. Mr David Hay the Chief Emergency Planning Officer from the Cleveland Emergency Planning Unit was invited to address the Forum. He described the development of the Cleveland system for early warning following a major incident. A steering group set up to determine the best way to pass information from the company to the public appointed a consultant to undertake a study. After widespread consultation an Incident Evaluation Model was established with hierarchical processes dependant upon the level of alert. The media are involved in the process and appropriate guidance and training has been given to the local media managers.

7. Emergency planning - HSE's arrangements

7.1. The objectives of COMAH emergency planning are: to contain and control, to implement measures to protect man and the environment, to communicate and to provide for restoration. Members were advised about the new draft audit protocol intended to help inspectors assess the on-site emergency plans prepared by operators of COMAH top tier sites. Comments and observations on the protocol (02/10) would be welcomed by the end of November which would allow the production of a final version in December.

Action: All

7.2. Guidance (02/11) has been prepared for Inspectors informing them of the issues that HSE need to consider when consulted by local authorities on COMAH off-site plans.

7.3. A discussion followed on the assessment of off-site emergency plans. The role of the emergency planning authority is to prepare the off-site plans based on their knowledge of the sites and the information provided by the operators. HSE is a statutory consultee and as such HSE checks that plans contain the information required by the regulations.

8. Guidance on human factors

8.1. Members were given a presentation on organisational change and major accident hazards (draft guidance 02/08). The aim of HSE is to improve the role of human performance in control of major hazards. The main issues that have an impact on human performance are: organisational change, staff levels and workload, organisational culture, training and competence, procedures and fatigue (including shiftwork and overtime).

8.2.The draft guidance document was found to be useful and should be generally available in spring 2003. Members were invited to submit comments on it to the secretary by the end of November.

Action: All

9. Change of name of CIF and structural responsibility

9.1. Options for changes to the name of the Forum were considered to encompass the range of interests represented by members. It was agreed that the name be changed to Chemical and Downstream Oil Industry Forum (CDOIF).

9.2. Proposals were made on changes to the Forum by the creation of tripartite sub-groups representing specific sectors. These groups would allow sector specific issues to be dealt with in greater depth than is possible in the main Forum.

9.3. The following points were raised during the general discussion: some industries were considered too diverse to be represented by one sector group whilst other industries had existing groups some of which are not tripartite. Further proposals are to be brought to the next meeting of the Forum taking account of the issues raised.

Action: Secretariat

10. Falls from heights

10.1. Road Tankers – members were informed of the outcome of the meeting between HSE and the CIA. ‘Practicability’ issues were considered, particularly the provision of purpose built gantries and PPE was discussed. It is hoped to clarify areas where there were reported difficulties and prepare a report for the Forum. A guidance note is in the final stages of preparation following widespread consultation with industry and should be available shortly.

Action: Secretariat

10.2. Falls from Heights is a Priority Programme and HSE is committed to reducing accidents caused by falls from heights. A proposed programme was presented which includes the continuation of the Falls from Tankers project, other Falls from Vehicles and Falls from Ladders and Roofs

11. Incidents and events

Members were advised on recent significant incidents and events.

11.1. Two incidences of release due to failed pump seals.

11.2. Legionella outbreaks at various locations – members were reminded of the need to ensure that cooling towers are properly maintained. Arrangements for controlling legionella will be part of the national programme next year.

12. Information items

12.1. CHIP3 (02/06)

12.2. GSRAG (02/07) (this paper is currently under review)

12.3. Manual handling (Organisational Change) (02/08)

12.4. FRLUP (02/09)

12.5. Best Practice on Permissioning (02/12)

13. Any other business

13.1. Cabinet Office Regulatory Impact Unit on Enforcement – the Chair informed members about the meeting of the above unit and the actions arising from this. One of the actions is to review the communication network which may have implications for this Forum. (see also item 9).

13.2. Common Inspector Group – UKPIA suggested that safety reports for oil distribution terminals companies should be assessed by a single group of inspectors. The HSE preferred model for multi site operators is the Lead Unit system which facilitates efficiency and consistency of assessment. HSE agreed to consider if further improvements could be made and UKPIA agreed to provide a list of companies and terminals.

Action: A. Wilson/ C. Sheil

13.3. Proposed action by Firefighters – a letter giving advice has been sent to COMAH operators supplementing the general advice published on the HSE website. Operators should assess the risk of operations, particularly if non-routine and where additional risks are created ensure that adequate controls are provided.

14. Dates of next meetings

Wednesday 12 February 2003 (Bootle)
Wednesday 11 June 2003 (London)
Wednesday 22 October 2003 (Bootle)