Recycling your batteries

The EU Battery Directive (2006/66/EC) means that by 2012 EU countries should be recycling 25% of all portable batteries in circulation.  That’s well over 10000 tonnes!  Batteries are classed as hazardous waste containing a variety of potentially harmful substances like lead, cadmium, mercury, zinc, manganese, iron and nickel so dumping them in landfill is not a good idea (not to mention illegal).

 As well as being potentially hazardous, the metals in batteries can be recycled to preserve precious natural resources.  CTEM is currently looking into a scheme so that the company and its staff can recycle portable batteries for free and contribute to this important environmental target.  Watch out for further details.

Message for you out there!!!

Only after the last tree has been cut down.... Only after the last fish has been caught..... Only after the last river has been poisoned.... Only then you will realise that money cannot be eaten!!!!
'Cree Indian Prophecy'...

Green Christmas

If you want Green Christmas keep in mind the three Rs--> Reduce- Reuse- Recycle!!!
and use them in that order for the preparation- before, during and after Christmas!!

Buy your Christmas dinner from farmers market

Give out green useful presents

Decorate your home with natural and recycable materials

Recycle your wrapping paper

Any left overs from your yummy Festive dinner... transform them to wonderful dishes for Boxing Day and beyond!

Recycle or even be extra creative and reuse your Christmas cards

Make your New Year resolution.... a GREEN ONE

Enjoy your Green Christmas to the full !!! Green love ..... Your Eco Knight!!!

Lord Young last week published his report on reforming health and safety law, and tackling the increasing "no win, no fee" claims culture, which has now become endemic in our society. The HSE has welcomed the report.

Judith Hackitt, the HSE Chair, said:

"Lord Young's report is an important milestone on the road to recovery for the reputation of real health and safety. HSE welcomes it and will be actively pursuing those recommendations within our remit.

"We welcomed the review when it was announced by the Prime Minister in June and we are looking forward to contributing to its implementation.

"Publication of the report is a tremendous opportunity to refocus health and safety on what it is really about - managing workplace risks. Getting this right is good for employers, employees and Britain as a whole.

"We've been saying for some time that health and safety is being used by too many people as a convenient excuse to hide behind. Often it is invoked to disguise somebody's motives - concerns over costs or complexity, an unwillingness to defend an unpopular decision or simple laziness. Lord Young is sweeping these excuses away.

"HSE will continue to champion a sensible and proportionate approach to dealing with serious risks in the workplace - not eliminating every minor risk from everyday life."

To read the full report visit www.hse.gov.uk

http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2010/hse-lordyoungreport.htm

Jogging to Health.

In an effort to promote a healthier lifestyle, and to consider reducing his own carbon footprint, our very own Nick Woodrow (manager of the Central Skills Training Facility) is pictured setting his stop watch in preparation for his jog home.
Nick changes out of his business suit to replace it with his shorts and jogging top at the end of a hard day to enjoy his brisk run home. Of course, many rumours circulated that a taxi was waiting for him just around the corner on Glaisdale Drive, but I can assure you that this was not the case!!

There are many things an individual can do as an alternative to jogging to change their lifestyle to a more healthy one; such as stopping smoking, eating more fruit and vegatables, and cutting down on foods that are high in saturated fats.
Taking regular exercise will also improve health. You don't have to jog like Nick, but even walking to work or college will improve your overall fitness, as well as helping the planet by reducing the number of car or bus journeys you make.

Nick hopes that other members of staff and learners will follow his example to strive for a healthier lifestyle and reduce greenhouse gases. Naturally, as the darker nights draw in, I would advise that you consider your safety when jogging by wearing some form of High-visibility garment so that you are clearly visible to motorists.

Keep on running!!

Go Green..... Go Car Boot

Go Green .... Go Car Boot.
End of summer... start of autumn. The perfect time to have a clear out... The weather is still promising, the spirits are high after holidays... and it is the ideal time of the year to get rid of unwanted new or used items, gain some extra pennies, practice your sales skills, have fun and of course be Green.
Refer to your local newspaper and find out of Car Boot functions around your area. Take the kids, along, enjoy the outdoors, teach them how to bargain and achieve the best deal; educate them on how to be green. ‘One man’s junk is the other man’s treasure’ they say.
Car booting is one of the most wonderful green ways to enjoy your local community, de-clutter your home and be extra GREEN

Mariel O'Meara, tutor

REAL INCIDENT

This real incident highlights just how important Risk Assessment is in our line of work, which involves sending employees out into other premises or domestic dwellings.
Source: www.hse.gov.uk

Mental Health Matters Ltd, a North East-based registered charity has been fined £30,000 with costs of £20,000 after one of their employees was killed by a service user.
Ashleigh Ewing, a 22-year-old support worker employed by Mental Health Matters, was attacked and killed by service user Ronald Dixon.
Mental Health Matters provide support and housing services to people who suffer from mental health problems. They pleaded guilty to a charge brought by the Health and Safety Executive for a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 for failing to do all that was reasonably practicable to ensure Ms Ewing's safety.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Ashleigh Ewing was visiting Ronald Dixon at his home in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne on 19 May 2006 when she was attacked and stabbed to death.
Ashleigh had started work with Mental Health Matters exactly six months prior to the date of her death. The attack occurred on the final day of her probation period.
The prosecution told Mr Justice Keith that Ashleigh's employment by Mental Health Matters exposed her to certain obvious risks, particularly in the context of her dealings with Mr Dixon. His mental health was known to be deteriorating and Mental Health Matters failed to respond to a number of warning signs. The court also heard that they failed to afford Ashleigh the level of protection that the nature of her job warranted.

Mrs Pam Waldron, HSE's Head of Operations said:
"This is an unusual case which shows the need for employers to assess risks to employees who visit individuals in their homes and for arrangements to be reviewed when changes occur.
"We believe that if Mental Health Matters had carried out a risk assessment, it would have resulted in the visiting arrangements being reviewed."
Notes to Editors:
1. The service user, Ronald Dixon, who killed Ashleigh Ewing, pleaded guilty in October 2007 to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and is detained indefinitely at Rampton Secure Hospital.
2. Working alone is not in itself against the law, and it will often be safe to do so. However, the law requires employers and others to think about and deal with any health and safety risks before people should be allowed to work alone. For more information about lone working http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg73.pdf
3. Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 states: it shall be the duty of every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all his employees.