Health and safety

Health and safety continues to be a key business issue for furniture manufacturers. Increasingly the pressure for legal compliance and adherence to industry best practices is coming from insurers rather than regulators. BFM Ltd is able to help member companies in a number of ways:

• Health and safety certification scheme: BFM Ltd operates a H&S certification scheme which has been approved by the Association of British Insurers. The scheme is voluntary and it is open to all BFM Ltd member companies. There are no fees to pay, but companies which join the scheme must demonstrate a genuine commitment to H&S management with continual improvement of their performance. In return, they should receive discounts on their Employer's Liability insurance when dealing with companies such as AXA, Iron Trades, Norwich Union, Royal & Sun Alliance and Zurich.

• Site reviews: Available to members (free of charge) to review operations and assess current levels of EHS performance, with the provision of a summary report including recommendations. This service is particularly useful to smaller companies who have not previously addressed H&S in a systematic manner and are overwhelmed by the amount that needs to be done. The review will prioritise relevant issues and equip your site with the tools required to conduct the relevant work.

• Risk assessments: BFM Ltd encourages member companies to conduct their own risk assessments making use of training and example documents which the association can provide. However, on-site help can also be provided to assist or conduct the risk assessments.

• Noise surveys: the Noise at Work Regulations 1989 require a noise survey to be conducted where daily levels of personal exposure are likely to exceed 85 dB(A). Therefore, all wood working areas should have a noise survey conducted and this is a service offered by BFM Ltd. Such surveys are often conducted simultaneously with dust monitoring.

• Dust monitoring: the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 require that companies do not exceed Maximum Exposure Limits and keep as far below them as possible. Wood dust has an MEL of 5mg/m³ and woodworking companies are advised to conduct monitoring to establish how close to this limit they are. In a similar manner, wood coating solvents normally have Occupational Exposure Standards. The OES represents the level at which daily exposure should cause no harm, but companies have a duty to identify any exceedance of this level and to take corrective action. BFM Ltd offers dust and solvent exposure monitoring

• Local exhaust ventilation testing: LEV testing is required by COSHH every 14 months. BFM Ltd can test wood dust and solvent extraction systems

• Training: most H&S legislation makes specific requirements with regard to training. BFM Ltd can provide training to members through open seminars and in-house sessions. Typical topics include:

  • CIEH Foundation Certificate in H&S in the Workplace
    1 day course focussing upon legal requirements and risk assessment - certified by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health

  • CIEH Principles of Manual Handling Certificate
    1/2 day course for manual handlers

  • BFM Ltd Manual Handling train the trainer
    2 day course to train the trainer on safe lifting technique, training, risk assessment and legislation. Participants can also gain the CIEH Manual Handling Certificate through the course if required

  • CIEH Principles of COSHH 
    1/2 day course regarding hazardous substances
  • CIEH Supervising H&S in the workplace
    3 day course with more detailed coverage of legislation, risk assessment and best practice
  • CIEH Environmental Management Certificate
    1 day course to introduce environmental management issues
  • BFM Certificate in Environmental Management
    A 3 day course providing the most detailed sector specific environmental training available.

• Health surveillance: a nasal cancer screening service is available for those who work with hard woods