Health & Safety
Lucion introduces radon risk management service
L
ucion Services has expanded its range of workplace and environmental safety services with the introduction of radon gas risk management to help employers meet their safety responsibilities. Under the new service, Lucion will provide an initial risk assessment to identify those areas where radon measurement devices should be installed and develop a schedule to establish the priorities and programming for testing. In situ monitoring will be carried out in designated locations over a three month period to allow for variations in levels of any gas detected. After this period the test results will be assessed and any necessary remediation works determined, depending on the gas levels found. Radon is a naturally occurring colourless, odourless, radioactive gas formed by the decay of the small amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils. It is present in all parts of the UK, although concentrations vary depending on the local geology. To protect employees against this risk, the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 apply to workplaces where radon is present. Employers are legally required to assess the risks to the health and safety of their employees and in the case of radon gas are required to take appropriate action to restrict exposure when its
presence is above defined levels. The average radon gas level in UK homes is 20 Bq m-3. For levels below 100 Bq m-3, the individual risk remains relatively low and is not a cause for concern. However, the risk grows as the radon level increases and at levels above 400 Bq m-3 employers are required to take remedial action. Increased exposure to radon increases the risk of lung cancer and, as the single largest source of radiation exposure to the UK population, it is responsible for an estimated 1,100 lung cancer deaths each year. Since introducing the new service, Lucion has already secured work to assist local authorities with radon gas monitoring
in a range of council buildings and assets, including local schools. For further details visit www.lucionservices.com
Veolia is a winner in the RoSPA Awards 2016
V
eolia Water Technologies has once again had its approach to health and safety recognised in an awards scheme run by the safety charity, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA). Veolia has been successful in the 60th year of the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2016 by achieving the prestigious President’s Award, having gained the Society’s Gold Medal for the 13th consecutive year. The presentation will be presented at the Award Ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel on July 13, 2016, as the event marks its diamond anniversary. Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of awards and events, said: “To win an award at such a highly-regarded event as the RoSPA Awards is a great achievement Building & Facilities Management – June 2016
for our winners. It recognises their commitment to maintaining an excellent health and safety record and raises the bar for other organisations to aspire to. We offer them our congratulations.” Lyndsey Wicks, Health and Safety Manager for VWS UK, said: “Health & Safety is our number one priority and we are delighted to be successful in receiving this award for the 13th consecutive year. It recognizes over a decade of achieving the highest standards and demonstrates our positive Health & Safety culture within our organisation.” For more information about the RoSPA Awards visit www.rospa.com/ awards or health & safety visit www. veoliawatertechnologies.co.uk/ processwater/about-us/Health_Safety/
Veolia’s UK Health & Safety Manager, Lyndsey Wicks - CMIOSH MIIRSM DGSA RMaPS
health & safety
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