Tradesman fined for potentially exposing members of the public to asbestos Published:  09 March, 2016 A man from County Durham has been fined for potentially exposing members of the public to asbestos fibres during the refurbishment of a residential property on South Parade, Croft on Tees, County Durham. Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard how Peter Wade of Staindrop, was converting an integrated garage into a bedroom at the property. While he was visiting the property for a quote, the homeowners mentioned the possibility of asbestos in the garage. While working in the loft space of the garage, the garage ceiling collapsed and Mr Wade proceeded to pull the remainder of the ceiling down, break it up and place in waste bags. It was not until he removed the material that he discovered it contained asbestos. An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident, which occurred on 14 March 2015, found that Mr Wade failed to ensure an asbestos survey was carried out prior to any work taking place. Mr Wade (trading as P.N. Wade Building and Civil Engineering contractor) pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 5(1) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, and was fined £267 and ordered to pay costs of £1,765. Image courtesy of Shutterstock/ goccedicolore.it Source link

©Bloomberg Oil refining is joining steel, coal and aluminium in the ranks of sectors suffering from overcapacity in China, with increased production and a drop in truck transport forcing a wave of Chinese diesel sales into international markets. The structural shift could dent returns for Asian and Middle Eastern refiners including Saudi Aramco after years of expansion to meet China’s needs as a net fuel importer. More On this topic IN Commodities The start-up of a 10m tonne per year refinery in Kunming southwest China accounts for about half the anticipated capacity expected to be added in China this year, swelling an estimated 100m tonnes of existing excess capacity. China had 710m tonnes of refining capacity at the end of last year, according to the CNPC Research Institute of Economics and Technology. In the short term a bigger impact on Asian fuel trade has come from the relaxed crude import licenses that has allowed China’s independent “teapot” refineries to increase their operating rates. Long lines of crude carriers have congested Qingdao port near the teapots’ heartland in Shandong province, accounting for nearly one-third of China’s crude imports in April. “Usually you wouldn’t have such a dramatic increase in throughput and utilisation rates in your core refining capacity,” said Thomas Hilboldt, head of resources and energy research for HSBC in Hong Kong. The chemicals and petroleum sector saw the highest number of positive responses among 10 sectors surveyed by the European Chamber of Commerce in China, in its business confidence survey released on Tuesday. China’s two largest refiners, Sinopec and PetroChina, have cut output in the face of increased flow from independent rivals. PetroChina’s average run rates are now 80 per cent, down from more typical levels of 90 per cent. Its new Kunming refinery will supply the underserved market of southwest China, displacing product from its Guangxi and Guangdong refineries into international markets. The other Chinese refineries are increasing output despite declining demand for diesel, as a drop in coal demand and improved rail transports cuts into the number of heavy trucks hauling coal across the country. Because many are designed to maximise diesel production, they must keep operating rates high to achieve the same level of petrol and jet fuel output. The result is a flood of diesel into Asian markets. Diesel exports hit their highest daily rate in April, at more than 300,000 barrels a day, following record monthly exports in March. The premium for diesel over crude prices hit a low of $8/bbl in early April before recovering to $12/bbl due to increased diesel demand from South Asia. “China was a key driver of diesel demand growth over the past several decades but is now a net diesel exporter, contributing to the growing oversupply in global diesel markets,” the US Energy Information Administration said in a recent report. That’s despite the IEA’s higher expectations for Chinese fuel demand this year, after stronger-than-expected economic growth in the first quarter. In a sign of the times, western oil majors are trimming their Asian exposure. Shell sold its share in a Malaysian refinery to a Chinese teapot but kept the local fuel distribution business and a deal to help purchaser Hengyuan Petroleum export diesel products from China. Last year, Shell sold its 150-year old refining joint venture in Japan. Total is exiting its refining joint venture in Dalian, northeast China. Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2016. You may share using our article tools. Please don’t cut articles from FT.com and redistribute by email or post to the web. Source link

Book Course HSL is to run a 2 day course on RPE Essentials. 14 – 15 June 2016 Introduction Whilst the use of RPE should only be considered when other control measures are impractical or after their implementation a residual risk remains, there are many workplace situations where RPE is required. RPE is capable of providing effective protection, provided that it is correctly selected, used and maintained. Unsuitable, poorly maintained and incorrectly used RPE may give limited protection, or may not provide any protection. This could lead to ill heath in the short or long term, with the possibility of permanent disability. If the RPE is being used in conditions where there is an immediate danger to life and health, the situation could prove fatal. This course will increase your knowledge and understanding of RPE and how it can be used effectively in the workplace as a control measure. It will provide training in correctly selecting adequate and suitable RPE (following the principles of HSG 53 and COSHH essentials), and how it should be used and maintained. The course will include practical elements to enhance learning and provide practical skills. What will the course cover? What RPE is and how it works RPE types – capabilities and limitations Legal requirements Correct selection Wearer training Correct use Maintenance Management – the ‘RPE Programme’ Who should attend? Persons with responsibility for RPE selection, use and maintenance in a workplace. Those who users may rely upon for guidance on what equipment to obtain and use e.g. suppliers. Venue The course will be run at the HSL laboratory in the spa town of Buxton. Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport. Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitpeakdistrict.com. Cost The cost of this course is £925 per person (includes course notes, lunch and refreshments). Book Course Please note the invoice option is not available within 4 weeks of the course date, or for overseas customers. For further dates and additional information email: training@hsl.gsi.gov.uk or contact the Training & Conferences Unit at HSL directly on +44 (0)1298 218806. Back to Health & Safety Training Courses Back to the top Source link