News on 1 February 2001
The HSC has published a Consultative Document for a Code entitled Health and Safety Responsibilities of Directors. This is intended to be 'guidance', rather than a formal Approved Code of Practice with statutory effect. The proposals are very short, comprising five "action points", each with a brief commentary.
In many respects the contents of the draft Code reiterate good practice for directors which is already published elsewhere by the HSE and others. However, the "recommendation" that the board should point a designated "health and safety director" may be controversial.
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The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) has published an Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) and guidance on the control of legionella bacteria in water systems. The control of legionella in the workplace is covered under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999. The ACoP and guidance applies to the control of legionella bacteria - the cause of legionnaires' disease - in any work activity. The Code gives advice on the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 concerning the risk from exposure to legionella bacteria in water systems. The Code also gives guidance on compliance with the relevant parts of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
