Minutes of the 7th meeting of the Engineering Industry Noise Task Group (EINTG) on 24 July 2001 at the Confederation of British Metalforming, West Bromwich

Attendees

Introductions and apologies

Those present introduced themselves and the organisations they represent. A number of apologies were received. Graham Watson, HSE was introduced as the new Noise lead for the Engineering and Utilities Sector. As such he would be attending all future meetings as the Secretary. Graham has worked in the Sector for about 18 months based at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Sector Group. He is likely to remain on the EINTG for the next couple of years

Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting were read and accepted as a true record.

Matters arising from the last minutes not on the agenda

There were no matters arising from the last minutes not included on the agenda.

EINTG Draft Mission Statement and Terms of Reference (Draft 2)

The Mission Statement and Terms of Reference were discussed and with only small alterations were accepted unanimously by those present. The Terms of Reference require EINTG to integrate with the objectives set by the Engineering and Utilities Sector for noise in the engineering industry. A copy of the 2001/2002 Draft Objectives are attached as Paper 1. Any comments that members have on the proposed objectives would be appreciated although could they please forward them to Graham by 23/8 at the latest.

Action: Gary Booton

Draft Business Plan

It was agreed that this was an adventurous business plan that could be used and adapted over a number of years. For clarity purposes each subsequent copy will be marked with the date of commencement.

It was stated that this plan would require time and money from members - not least HSE. Graham explained the full time nature of his work and that part of his remit is to develop and work upon noise strategy for the Engineering Sector which includes an amount of work for the EINTG. Graham also indicated that if HSE was to publish EINTG guidance, as the task group was hoping, a business case would first of all need to be prepared which he would look into.

Action: Graham Watson

Peter Wilson pointed out the advantages of PDF format for the leaflet and any future guidance we should produce. Benefits include; preferred format for publishers and ability for enhancement with colour and sound bites when computer publishing.

A number of points were made and alterations or additions to the business plan were proposed. These included:

Add line to - Develop an EINTG Banner as well as a standard description of who we are and what we do, including HSE involvement. Both of these will be added to all issued guidance.

Add a bullet point at 2 to facilitate better access to guidance availability and the removal of dead ends by such means as the naming of suppliers and other sources.

Expand 4 to include groups beyond Trade Unions - such as employers, trade associations, manufacturers etc.

It was agreed that 5 would be changed from "benchmarking" to words such as "Develop a system that helps companies assess performance against the Noise at Work Regulations" - perhaps through a Check List system which could include the pointers used by HSE Inspectors when visiting on noise issues. Graham to provide the appropriate details.

Action: Graham Watson

Point 6 should also include a bullet for Noise Control and another to Raise Awareness of Employers and Employees of the risks of hearing damage - perhaps by production of a CD along the lines of the recent Textile Industry Advisory Committee (TEXIAC) audio tape.

It was decided that point 7 was in fact covered adequately within the Terms of Reference and Mission statement and did not warrant inclusion in the business plan - remove. Similarly points 9 and 10 are also to be removed from the plan.

An action was placed on Gary Booton to alter the Business Plan to reflect the above changes. With these alterations the Business Plan was accepted by all present.

Action: Gary Booton

Draft Guidance Leaflet - Noise in Engineering What you need to know

The leaflet was discussed and accepted for approval with the one or two minor points, including:

• Where necessary replace the use of the word "noise levels" with "noise exposures" to more accurately reflect the requirements of the Noise at Work Regulations. This point had been drawn to the attention of the Secretary by Alick Morris of HSE's Health Unit who had been unable to attend.
  
• It was decided that the paragraph and cartoon of the iceberg still lacked impact. Graham Watson and Gary Booton decided to review the "Frank Davies Report" produced in consultation with South West Water plc which included estimations of the cost of occupational ill health. Following this review the paragraph would be rewritten. It was felt that it should also reflect the permanent nature of hearing loss and the affects of tinitus.

Action: Graham Watson and Gary Booton

Meeting with Roger Sykes

Gary Booton described his recent meeting with Roger Sykes. Explaining that Roger was the Principal Inspector for the Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Sector Group based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne working within the Engineering and Utilities Sector. The Sector Group has recently taken the responsibility for Noise within the Sector. A brief update of what the group have done and are doing was given. This included a description of Andrew Thompson and now Graham Watson's input of time.

Development of Web Site Proposal

Gary Booton had asked for comments on the Web Site proposal. None had been received except from the TUC. They made the suggestion that an employee area be added so they could make comments concerning the site and noise in general.

The proposal with the added site was therefore accepted as it stands. As yet no funding has been located. However, a recent European Green Paper strongly supports voluntary means to forward Health and Safety. This has placed the EINTG in a stronger position and should assist our search for funding.

Members (including HSE) were lobbied to write to the Chairman endorsing the work of EINTG. These letters can then be taken to the European Health and Safety Agency in support of our non-regulatory approach.

Action: All members

HSE Engineering Sector Minute Control of Noise in Heavy Fabrication and Information Sheet on Control of Noise from CNC Punch Presses

Graham circulated a draft Engineering and Utilities Sector Information Minute providing guidance for HSE Inspectors (and outside bodies) on the control of noise in heavy fabrication - attached as Paper 2. The purpose of this document was to assist HSE Inspectors in carrying out visits as part of the current HSE sector objective looking at noise in engineering and in heavy fabrication in particular. As it was intended to issue the document as soon as possible those EINTG members present were asked to forward any comments on the document to Graham by 7/8.

Graham also circulated a draft HSE Engineering Information Sheet on Control of noise from CNC punch presses - attached as Paper 3. This is intended as a continuation of the existing series of Engineering Information Sheets covering the issue of noise. Any comments that members have on the document would be greatly appreciated although could members please forward them to Graham by 7/9.

Physical Agents (Noise) Directive - developments

Tim Ward provided an update on the Physical Agents (Noise) Directive. Whilst the final wording of the Directive has still to be finalised its main requirements are unlikely to change. The main impact of the Directive is that the current action values of 90 and 85 dB(A) are to be replaced with an upper exposure limit of 87 dB(A) and an upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A) and a lower exposure action value of 80 dB(A). Additional information on the Directive is attached as Paper 4.

Any other business

There was a discussion on widening the target audience group outside the Engineering Sector. The consensus was that we should ensure all of our work is available to others but remain specifically for engineering companies.

Both Gary Booton (Chair) and Rosi Edwards (HSE Eng and Utilities Sector Head) are continuing to encourage greater Union participation and membership from in EINTG work. Graham Watson will investigate membership from sectors previously not approached - such as Heavy Fabrication and Shipyards.

Action: Gary Booton and Graham Watson

The Top Ten paper and Engineering Controls produced by Peter Wilson will be presented and discussed at the next meeting. This presentation would also include and Audiogram demonstration.

Action: Peter Wilson

Two letters dated 24 June and 19 July 2001 from Ian Watson of SNV were circulated for members information.

It was decided that the members and non members lists for the EINTG be reviewed and updated. This would ensure that persons contacted retain an interest and enable us to obtain their E mail addresses. Future correspondence could then be distributed in electronic format.

Action: Gary Booton

Date and Venue of the next meeting

It was agreed that the next meeting should be held at HSE Office, McLaren Building in Birmingham on 23 October 2001 at 1030.

Please confirm attending or apologies to Graham Watson HSE, Arden House, Regent Centre, Gosforth, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE3 3JN. Tel: 0191 202 6297, e-mail:graham.watson@hse.gsi.gov.uk. 

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