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It has been suggested that knowledge domains which emerge within regulatory science represent a compromise between technical knowledge and policy priorities. This article investigates the claim through consideration of the emergence of animal tests to evaluate chemical safety in the UK between 1945 and 1960. During this period there was a proliferation of new chemical-based innovations in consumer products. The situation gave rise to concerns about the potential impact on public health. Solutions required development of a knowledge domain that would fulfil policy requirements, outside the remit of academic science. Lack of consensus in the scientific field gave rise to debate over the best means to collect accurate data. This resulted in emergence of the new specialty of safety testing, in response to political and industrial needs. The socio-political context of this case illustrates the impact that organisational setting can have on shaping knowledge claims. • Toxicology emerged as a regulatory science. • Debates between biological scientists influenced biochemical testing regimes for policy. • Non-academic sciences have distinct knowledge characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Twenty-Seventh Report of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) considers controls over novel materials in the environment, focusing largely though not exclusively on nanomaterials. The Report concludes that notwithstanding the capacity of existing regulations to address risks posed by nanomaterials, at present they are poorly adapted to do so. This article reviews the scope of existing regulations and looks at how these might be modified in the light of RCEP proposals. It identifies areas of imprecision in those proposals which may need to be addressed in order to produce a cohesive regulatory structure. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article offers news briefs related to engineering in Great Britain. The Chemicals Industry Association has reported that REACH REGULATIONS on the management and control of chemicals safety. The Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) has conducted a survey to 900 companies which are confident that economy will grow in 2009. Vauxhall Motors Ltd. has expanded its new Astra at its Ellesmere Port factory to safeguard its employees at the plant.

In recent years, several approaches have been proposed for the application of control banding concepts to the assessment and management of various workplace health and safety risks. Whilst many of the earlier approaches have originated in the UK, several of the most recent examples have been developed in Europe. The European schemes have attempted to build upon the lessons learned from the earlier control banding schemes and to apply them to new areas of health and safety. This paper analyses the evolution of the earlier approaches and reviews the more recent European developments in the context of continuing regulatory and societal demands for the improved assessment and regulation of workplace chemical risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the development of the Control of Major Accidents Hazards (COMAH) regulations in Great Britain. It reveals that COMAH aim to reduce the risks of major accidents associated to the handling of hazardous substances in chemical and production facilities. It presents the factors that need to be considered that will help enhance health and safety in the workplace, which include implementation of a process safety management (PSM) through the installation of risk control systems and development of standards for fluid containment. In addition, societal risk should be included in the safety reports of companies. INSETS: In Brief;COMAH : an Integrated approach to risk management.

The article reports on the impact of Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical (REACH) on chemical manufacturers in Great Britain. As the next deadline for REACH is approaching, the industry is concerned that a number of chemicals could be removed from the market. The Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF) has urged a period of grace during which downstream users can continue to use a chemical not registered under REACH while alternatives are sought.

The author assesses the proceedings of the Control Banding Workshop, which discussed the issue of the control of chemical risks in the workplace in London, England from November 4-5, 2002. The author believes that small businesses have been proactive in using health and safety tools in handling chemicals. The author is of the opinion that control banding requires many value judgments to be made.

“COSHH essentials” was developed in Great Britain to help duty holders comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations. It uses a similar approach to that described in the new European “REACH” Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals; EC No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament), insofar as it identifies measures for managing the risk for specified exposure scenarios. It can therefore assist REACH duty holders with the identification and communication of appropriate risk-management measures. The technical basis for COSHH essentials is explained in the original papers published in the Annals of Occupational Hygiene. Its details will, therefore, not be described here; rather, its ability to provide a suitable means for communicating risk-management measures will be explored. COSHH essentials is a simple tool based on an empirical approach to risk assessment and risk management. The output is a “Control Guidance Sheet” that lists the “dos” and “don'ts” for control in a specific task scenario. The guidance in COSHH essentials recognises that exposure in the workplace will depend not just on mechanical controls, but also on a number of other factors, including administrative and behavioural controls, such as systems of work, supervision and training. In 2002, COSHH essentials was made freely available via the internet (http://www.coshh-essentials.org.uk/). This electronic delivery enabled links to be made between product series that share tasks, such as drum filling, and with ancillary guidance, such as setting up health surveillance for work with a respiratory sensitiser. COSHH essentials has proved to be a popular tool for communicating good control practice. It has attracted over 1 million visits to its site since its launch. It offers a common benchmark of good practice for chemical users, manufacturers, suppliers and importers, as well as regulators and health professionals.Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology (2007) 17, S48–S54; doi:10.1038/sj.jes.7500585; published online 13 June 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the health risks associated with the use of the sterilizing chemical, glutaraldehyde by nurses in Great Britain. Use of the chemical in endoscopy units, theatres and x-ray departments; Lack of proper safety measures in the use of the chemicals; Health problems for nurses.