HSE Issues Reminder On Guidelines

A workplace injury lawyer has welcomed reminders issued to businesses over new rules on the classification and notification of chemical substances which have come into force today (December 1st).

The Health and Safety Executive has issued a notice to highlight that the European Chemical Agency is now asking firms involved in the manufacture or import of chemicals to notify it within one month of putting the substances on the market.

Among the firms which will need to bear the new guidelines in mind are those which handle substances that are subject to REACH registration or classified as hazardous, as well as those which import articles containing such substances.

David Urpeth, national head of workplace injuries for Irwin Mitchell, said: “The introduction of new measures in relation to the notification of chemical substances is a positive step.

“Efforts to harmonise and overall improve the handling of potentially hazardous materials can only help to improve standards of safety for those working in the sector, which in turn will help to cut the number of work-related injuries linked to such chemicals.

“I urge all firms to ensure they pay full and proper attention to the latest guidance.”