DS Risk Warning: Asbestos found in ceramic gauzes

Hello all,

Although this alert is more likely to involve secondary and special sector customers, it is worthy of sharing widely as it shoes despite the substance being banned from use for many years and general vigilance, we can never be complacent, just in case.

Bill

"HSE are investigating supply of metal gauze mats which contain asbestos
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has been made aware that two UK laboratory supply companies have supplied schools and potentially other users with gauze mats which contain asbestos. The metal gauze mats are designed for use over Bunsen burners.

A HSE spokesperson said:

“While we assess the overall risk of exposure to be low, we have taken swift action. We have ensured that both of the supply companies concerned immediately ceased supply of the gauze mats and are overseeing arrangements to contact affected customers and provide precautionary advice on how the mats should be disposed of safely.

“We are working closely with Department for Education, education departments in Scotland and Wales as well as CLEAPSS (Consortium of Local Education Authorities for the Provision of Science Services). This will help us ensure that schools, colleges, local regulators, and others who may have supplied or purchased similar products are directed to our advice.

“We are also investigating how these particular gauze mats came into circulation. Breaches of the restrictions on the supply of asbestos are taken very seriously by HSE.”

Their full press release and advice is attached below.

The link for this is: http://science.cleapss.org.uk/Resource/HSE-Full-Press-Release.pdf

Science technicians can get more details from the CLEAPSS site - most schools are members which we recommend.

Bill Crocker

Executive Director

Tech IOSH, MEPS, MRICS.

Tel: 07795 190 130

In Emergency or Critical Incident tel: 07979 425 989.

www.delegatedservices.org

Delegated Services is a not for profit, community interest company providing affordable, expert and comprehensive support services, in partnership with schools and community organisations.

Comments

DS Risk Warning: Cyber Critical Update

Critical Update With thanks to our NPs the S W Cyber Resilience Centre, we bring you their updated advice. Please pay close attention to it, regardless that it flows from the attacks on the retail sector. The approach taken can be applied anywhere! The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a critical warning following a wave of cyber attacks on major UK retailers including M&S, Co-op and Harrods. These incidents appear to involve criminals impersonating IT help desks to trick staff into revealing login credentials, a technique known as social engineering. We’re issuing this urgent message to all SWCRC members to raise awareness and encourage immediate action. What’s happening? A group calling itself DragonForce has contacted the BBC to claim responsibility for recent breaches. Their tactics include: • Phoning IT staff pretending to be locked-out employees • Calling or messaging staff pretending to be from internal IT h...

Risk Warning: 3Cs; Police call on public to help tackle terror threat

Hello all, We’re supporting a national campaign launched today (6/3) by Counter Terrorism Policing urging the public to act on their instincts to help tackle the terrorist threat. With the terror threat becoming increasingly complex and varied, we’re joining police forces across the country in calling on communities to act on their instincts to help prevent atrocities taking place in the UK and overseas. The appeal comes as new figures reveal information from the public has assisted counter terrorism police in a third of their most ‘high-risk’ investigations, helping keep communities safe. The UK’s most senior counter terrorism officer, Assistant Commissioner Mark Rowley, has launched a new Action Counters Terrorism, or ACT, campaign – urging the public to report suspicious activity to the police. Mr Rowley told an audience of community and business representatives in Manchester that information from the public continues to play significant part in recent successes i...

DS Risk Warning: UK raises terror threat level to ‘severe’ following Vienna attack

Home Secretary Priti Patel has confirmed the escalation of the UK terror threat level from "substantial" to "severe" following an attack in Vienna that left at least three dead. The change means that an attack on UK soil is now deemed "highly likely". The Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre has changed the UK terror threat level from substantial to severe. This is a precautionary measure and is not based on any specific threat. The potential is for UK based 'lone wolfs' to be emboldened to take action themselves which could take place anywhere in the UK. We are asked to continue to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police on 999 or the anti-terrorist hotline: 0800 789 321. If your information does not relate to an imminent threat, you can also contact MI5 . What the threat levels mean: Threat levels are designed to give a broad indication of the likelihood of a terrorist attack. LOW means an attack is highly unlikely MODERATE ...

Search This Blog