UKES. UK Environmental Services. creating a better environment

Transcription

1 creating a better environment

2 Welcome to Limited Helping you protect your business, clients and staff Are you confident that your organisation or institution is meeting its environmental obligations under current Health & Safety legislation? Could you benefit from UKES the expert in the UK s environmental services sector, whose specialisations include legionella control and local exhaust ventilation testing and monitoring a company trusted by a long list of public and private sector bodies including local authorities, schools, colleges, restaurants and high street retailers? About UKES Whatever your particular environmental requirement, UKES will help you ensure that you are upholding your duty of care to your customers, staff and the public at large by minimising the risk of injury, illness and business disruption caused by non-compliance. As a BS EN ISO9001 HVCA and LCA accredited company, we have unrivalled experience in: guiding clients through all the current legal requirements surveying and assessing premises to client requirements undertaking any necessary abatement, treatment or installation work providing thorough maintenance providing in-house NEBOSH qualified staff By trusting your requirements to UKES you will have at your disposal a highly trained, knowledgeable and multi-disciplined team who are dedicated to achieving the highest possible standards of safety and quality within a realistic budget. Most important of all, with UKES working on your behalf, you ll help safeguard not just your organisation s standing and reputation but its long term financial security and viability. Specialist services from an exceptional workforce Not only are first-rate project management, proactive problem solving and ongoing client liaison very much part of the company culture, all UKES operatives are directly employed rather than subcontracted. This means that they must meet the most demanding levels of skill, service know-how and training, as well as passing stringent security vetting and child protection disclosure procedures a level of reassurance welcomed by our public sector clients in particular. Outstanding portfolio of services from one-off surveys to regular on-site maintenance Wholly conversant with HSE regulations and recommendations Recognised by all the UK s major insurance companies Independently owned and managed Full reporting and documentation service provided In-house NEBOSH qualified staff How can we help you? Treating Health & Safety issues lightly is no longer an option for any responsible organisation or employer, nor is ignorance of obligations acceptable in law. A Division of Homecheck Nationwide Limited creating a better environment

3 Kitchen Extraction Cleaning Extraction Systems No matter how efficient the extraction system, a build up of grease and other flammable substances in ductwork can become a significant fire hazard. The devastating effects of any subsequent fire on a business are enormous. Most people will recall the Heathrow terminal 1 fire in 1997 and the closure of South Mimms Services on the M25 in 1999, both of these fires were spread through the extraction system ductwork from catering establishments. Regardless of the size of your business, cleanliness of the extraction system is too important to ignore. Legal Requirements Health and Safety at Work Regulations and the Fire Regulations require that premises managers must carry out a risk assessment of the grease extraction systems and act upon the results of the risk assessment to eliminate or at the very least minimise the risk of fire. Insurance Requirements How UKES can help you FIRST SURVEY: If you have not yet completed a risk assessment of your extraction system or if your insurers have requested details of your extraction system we can provide a detailed survey with a written report. REGULAR SURVEYS: We can carry out regular surveys of your extraction systems, these surveys can be carried out at agreed time scales based on your system usage and upon HVCA frequency recommendations. EXTRACTION CLEANSING: Our reports will detail any action that is necessary to comply with Health and Safety legislation and we can agree with you a plan of action to meet all legislation at the earliest possible opportunity with minimum disruption to your staff, business and customers. We are increasingly dealing with companies whose insurance company requires evidence that a fire risk assessment has been carried out and evidence is provided to show that the risk assessment has included the grease extract ventilation system and that the system has been cleaned by a professional contractor on an annual basis as a minimum requirement. Recommendations The recommended frequency of cleaning based on HVCA recommendations Light Use 2-6 Hours A Day 12 Monthly Moderate Use 6-12 Hours A Day 6 Monthly Heavy Use Hours A Day 3 Monthly

4 Ventilation cleaning Duct cleaning Dirty and poorly maintained air ducts carry unseen dangers that may not even be detected until it is too late. A deteriorating air conditioning system, for example, can contribute to a corrosive drop in employee morale and productivity, as well as incurring wholly avoidable expense and disruption to your organisation s working activities. Worst of all, building owners and managers lay themselves open to prosecution if the ducts fail to comply with the regulations of the Health and Safety Executive. There is simply no substitute for regular and systematic maintenance of ductwork. UKES will provide you with exemplary and cost effective cleaning and refurbishment services that are tailored to your premises and dovetail discreetly with your everyday business. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 section 2 (2) (e) specifies that clean ducts are essential to provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risk to health, while the Workplace (Health and Welfare) regulation 5 imposes a duty to clean mechanical ventilations. The Associated Code of Practice of the Health and Safety Commission states that all mechanical ventilation systems should be regularly and properly cleaned, tested and maintained to make sure that they are kept free of anything that may contaminate the air. How UKES can help you Common to all UKES duct cleaning projects is an initial hygiene log risk assessment, which is designed to identify any areas of concern and act as evidence of your duty of care towards your facilities. Otherwise, UKES provides services that are tailored to the specific circumstances of a particular building or set of business premises. In all cases, UKES engineers will use a range of extraction devices along with specialised brushes and air jets to remove all types of contamination and disinfect the ducts and associated pipework where necessary. If the existing duct system has insufficient access points to make thorough cleaning possible, we will install access doors at strategic points in the system as a means of enabling regular inspection. State of the art testing equipment identifies the level of contamination within a system. We will test for mould, fungi and bacteria with contact slides and sent samples for independent analysis to an accredited laboratory. Upon completion of the agreed work, UKES can provide you with photographic and video surveys of the completed work.

5 Fume cupboards Extract fumes and dust with local exhaust ventilation (LEV) Good air quality in the workplace isn t just a matter of comfort it s a requirement of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, which stipulates that all local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems should be maintained in an efficient state and in good repair, and inspected and tested at 14 monthly intervals. LEV itself is an engineering control that reduces exposure to airborne hazardous substances such as dust, exhaust fumes, solvent vapours and other toxic or corrosive contaminants. It works by conveying the contaminant to a point where it is either discharged into the atmosphere or removed from the system. UKES provides a comprehensive range of LEV services including environmental filtration and cleaning, statutory examinations and testing, record keeping and reports regarding work undertaken, verification of findings by air monitoring and sampling, and remedial action as required. How UKES can help you UKES will support you in complying with every requirement of the COSSH Regulations 2002, from thorough examination and testing of your LEV system to general guidance on its modification and enhancement and a detailed breakdown of recommended remedial action. Our engineers are all BOHS P601 trained to carry out testing in accordance with HSE guidelines including verification by air monitoring using personal and static sampling. They will measure flow rates, air velocities and pressure to determine the performance of your system, accurately assess the level of control exercised over airborne contaminants, and monitor working procedures to ensure that operators are using control measures effectively. Professional, speedy yet demanding and precise, the UKES approach to LEV control ensures cost effective first class testing with minimal interference to everyday work activities. All of which will help you and most importantly, your workforce breathe more easily. Any substance is classified as hazardous to health under COSSH if it so identified under the Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply (CHIP) Regulations 2002; if it has an occupational exposure level; if it is a biological agent such as bacteria; and if it is any type of dust. LEV systems should follow guidelines on minimum safety requirements issued by the HSE, as detailed in publications HSG193, HSG37 and HSG54. It is the employer s responsibility not only to introduce and maintain an effective LEV system but to be seen to be doing so which is why keeping records and booking regular testing is so important. Failure to comply with the COSSH Regulations 2002 is a serious matter for any employer, as the organisation concerned will be deemed to have put their employees health at unnecessary risk. In a worst case scenario, it could even result in criminal prosecution.

6 Kitchen deep cleaning Your guarantee of immaculate hygiene Cleanliness of the whole kitchen should be the No. 1 priority of any restaurant owner or canteen supervisor. Failure to ensure that the kitchen area is cleaned adequately can lead to illness of both staff and customers, increased fire risks because of the build-up of grease, and the prospect of prosecution or even closure by Environmental Health officials. UKES are one of the catering industry s leading deep clean specialists. Providing cost-effective kitchen deep cleaning on a one-off or regular contractual basis, our services are designed to minimise the risk of Environmental Health intervention create an improved working environment for kitchen staff encourage first class hygiene management across the whole company or organisation. Anyone operating a professional kitchen or canteen in business premises or a public utility such as a school or hospital is subject not only to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 but to a whole range of regulations relating to public health, the treatment, storage and disposal of food stuffs, pest control, and protection against fire. Deep cleaning can be a powerful tool in maintaining compliance with all these regulatory requirements, besides minimising the risk of a prosecution which would almost certainly invalidate any insurance policy. How UKES can help you Our deep clean service will help you ensure that your business or organisation meets Environmental Health expectations and the requirements of your insurers. Whether you require a deep clean prior to an Environmental Health Officer s visit or as a consequence of an inspection, the UKES team will act promptly and effectively to return your kitchen to as close to pristine condition as possible including not just the surfaces, floors, walls, sinks, cupboards, appliances and cooking equipment but a thorough cleaning of ceilings, light fittings, pipework and extraction systems such as filters, canopies and ducts. Where necessary, appliances can be dismantled and individual parts cleaned using high powered specialist equipment and detergents and disinfectants. Normally inaccessible areas of the kitchen will be hosed and washed down, and special attention given to any areas that require particular attention. Full certification will be provided on completion.

7 Legionella control Tackling the risks posed by legionella bacteria Legionnaire s disease is a type of pneumonia contracted when the bacteria legionella pneumophila is inhaled usually from poorly maintained water systems which are exposed to the atmosphere. Particularly prone to causing legionella outbreaks are water systems incorporating cooling towers and evaporative condensers, where temperatures are warm enough to encourage bacteria growth. Because hot and cold water systems in general are vulnerable to legionella, a legionella risk assessment is a legal requirement. Remedial action including cleaning and disinfection can eliminate any identified problem. Although taking suitable precautions against the disease is the responsibility of every employer, compliance with current Health & Safety guidelines need not be a headache. UKES has vast experience in undertaking both risk assessments and abatement work for organisations of all sizes and can reduce the likelihood of a legionella outbreak at your premises. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999 require that owners of all business premises identify and assess sources of legionella risk prepare a policy or scheme for the prevention and control of the risk of legionella keep records and check regularly that monitoring systems are effective You must have a policy in place if staff or the general public are in contact with water in your premises, especially if it is in spray form (shower taps). How can we help you? UKES will provide you with the appropriate assessment, auditing and consultation services you need to help you carry out your statutory responsibilities. These include: full risk assessment of your water systems and whether water storage provision is hygienic and reaches the required standard inspection of cold water storage cisterns and water heaters to confirm compliance with water regulations and identify contamination issues sampling, inspection and microbiological analysis of water stored within hot water heaters and cold water storage cisterns advice regarding the implementation of a scheme of precautions, including provision of a log book for recording purposes implementation of any remedial action identified by the assessment, including cleaning and disinfection of the hot and cold water system regular post-assessment monitoring and maintenance further risk assessments as recommended (at least once every two years) As a result, you will enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that the people under your duty of care whether staff, customers, students or visitors to your premises are safe from the risk of legionella, and that your organisation s responsibilities have been comprehensively met.

8 Local exhaust ventilation Extract fumes and dust with local exhaust ventilation (LEV) Good air quality in the workplace isn t just a matter of comfort it s a requirement of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002, which stipulates that all local exhaust ventilation (LEV) systems should be maintained in an efficient state and in good repair, and inspected and tested at 14 monthly intervals. LEV itself is an engineering control that reduces exposure to airborne hazardous substances such as dust, exhaust fumes, solvent vapours and other toxic or corrosive contaminants. It works by conveying the contaminant to a point where it is either discharged into the atmosphere or removed from the system. UKES provides a comprehensive range of LEV services including environmental filtration and cleaning, statutory examinations and testing, record keeping and reports regarding work undertaken, verification of findings by air monitoring and sampling, and remedial action as required. How UKES can help you UKES will support you in complying with every requirement of the COSSH Regulations 2002, from thorough examination and testing of your LEV system to general guidance on its modification and enhancement and a detailed breakdown of recommended remedial action. Our engineers are all BOHS P601 trained to carry out testing in accordance with HSE guidelines including verification by air monitoring using personal and static sampling. They will measure flow rates, air velocities and pressure to determine the performance of your system, accurately assess the level of control exercised over airborne contaminants, and monitor working procedures to ensure that operators are using control measures effectively. Professional, speedy yet demanding and precise, the UKES approach to LEV control ensures cost effective first class testing with minimal interference to everyday work activities. All of which will help you and most importantly, your workforce breathe more easily. Any substance is classified as hazardous to health under COSSH if it so identified under the Chemicals Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply (CHIP) Regulations 2002; if it has an occupational exposure level; if it is a biological agent such as bacteria; and if it is any type of dust. LEV systems should follow guidelines on minimum safety requirements issued by the HSE, as detailed in publications HSG193, HSG37 and HSG54. It is the employer s responsibility not only to introduce and maintain an effective LEV system but to be seen to be doing so which is why keeping records and booking regular testing is so important. Failure to comply with the COSSH Regulations 2002 is a serious matter for any employer, as the organisation concerned will be deemed to have put their employees health at unnecessary risk. In a worst case scenario, it could even result in criminal prosecution.

9 Portable appliance testing (PAT) In any industry or line of work, equipment safety is paramount. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place responsibility for the safety of electrical appliances squarely on the shoulders of the employer. What this means in practice is that the every piece of electrical equipment should be regularly tested. Failure to do so can have serious insurance implications if fire or injury is the result of insufficient electrical maintenance, for example - as well as endangering lives and leaving the employer open to court action. PAT is not an option but is a workplace essential. UKES offers portable appliance testing (PAT) as part of its comprehensive package of services. All testing is carried out according to the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) code of practice and includes provision of certification verifying a successful outcome. All our personnel are City & Guilds 2377 qualified. How UKES can help you: UKES electricians will assist you with all aspects of PAT testing, including full visual inspection and testing of insulation, earth continuity and earth leakage. Certification can be supplied in hard copy or electronic form and bar code labels applied to each individual item to identify when the test was effected and when the next test is due. Drawing on many years of experience, our team are past masters at making the PAT process smooth, quick and non-disruptive for the companies or organisations concerned. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, all employers have a statutory duty to provide equipment that is maintained in good repair and in efficient working order. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 stipulates that employers should implement regular inspections and tests of electrical appliances, and that all such testing should be carried out by qualified personnel.

10 Thermostatic mixing valves Prevention of scalding with thermostatic mixing valves (TMV) Storing hot water at above 60 C helps prevent the legionella bacteria from forming, but it also presents a real risk of scalding through a water system s hot taps. If you own or manage business premises, you will be liable in law for any consequent injury even if you put up signs warning tap users of the presence of very hot water. The solution is to install thermostatic mixing valves or TMVs wherever there is a risk of scalding. A TMV mixes the hot and cold water at the point of use, so ensuring a comfortable temperature at all times. As a supplier of TMVs, UKES will advise you regarding appropriate installation, monitoring and maintenance of what for anyone connected with the running of premises is an indispensable safety tool. How UKES can help you UKES engineers will identify the TMV requirement appropriate to your building or premises for example, Type 3 TMVs will be applicable to most health care environments - and supply and install as required. As part of the installation process, we will test the complete water system to ensure the correct temperature and optimum performance. Regular maintenance is vital and UKES will provide a documented maintenance schedule that takes into account local conditions such as hard or soft water. Although there is at present no legal requirement to limit water delivery temperatures, every employer has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to ensure that the safety of anyone using their premises is not put at risk. The use of TMVs is recommended by DEFRA in buildings and facilities used by the public. The risk of scalding is of course greatest in the health care sector, where children, the elderly and vulnerable adults may require supervision. In July 2008, after an NHS Trust in Oxford was fined following the scalding of an elderly patient when taking a bath, the Health and Safety Executive advised hospitals and establishments such as care homes to ensure that all baths and showers are fitted with TMVs.

11 Water tank refurbishment If water systems or cooling towers are left to corrode or dirt and deposits are liable to contaminate the water supply, there is a real risk that bacteria such as legionella will spread unchecked and put your personnel and the public at large in danger. In such circumstances, your organisation or company would be in serious breach of Health and Safety legislation and an almost certain candidate for prosecution. Often the source of potential problems is the cold water tank itself, which should last a lifetime if cared for and maintained properly. However, even when a tank appears to be due for replacement, it can often be a more cost effective option to refurbish rather than replace. UKES can inspect the tank and the system as a whole and advise you on the best option to take. If you choose refurbishment, our engineers will undertake the complete task on your behalf, including the installation of new linings, coatings, lids, insulation and insect screens. Every owner of business premises is legally required to ensure that the stored water in their building, for whatever purpose it may be used, is kept in a safe and wholesome condition. The legislation in question is the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 and the Health and Safety at Work Acts and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations. Failure to effect proper maintenance could also invalidate an organisation s insurance cover, with severe financial and possibly legal consequences. How UKES can help you: The comprehensive tank inspection and refurbishment service offered by UKES gives you peace of mind and the reassurance that you are not only meeting all your regulatory obligations but are safeguarding the well being of employees and visitors for years to come. The UKES service includes: Tank painting with WRC-approved specialist coatings Tank alterations and configuration Tank replacement if applicable Pipework modification as necessary Any remedial work required Installation of new lids and fittings Certificate of completion at handover Refurbishment or replacement work can normally be undertaken in a matter of days, at a time that dovetails with your organisation s working needs. A key priority will be to ensure that the refurbishment incurs the minimum of disruption to your staff and anybody using your premises.

12 is a Division of Homecheck Nationwide Limited