Therefore, these items must be handled with the appropriate regulations and procedures. 

 

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2013 distils electrical items into ten broad categories as outlined in Schedules 1 and 2: 

• Large household appliances – fridges, cookers, microwaves, washing machines and dishwashers 

• Small household appliances – vacuum cleaners, irons, toasters and clocks 

• IT and telecommunications equipment – personal computers, copying equipment, telephones, 

calculators 

• Consumer equipment – this includes camcorders, hi-fi equipment, musical instruments, radio, 

televisions 

• Lighting equipment – this includes compact and straight fluorescent bulbs, high intensity discharge 

lamps 

• Electrical and electronic tools – drills, saws, sewing machines, electric lawnmowers 

• Toys, leisure and sports equipment – these would include items such as electric trains, games consoles, 

running machines 

• Medical devices – these include analysers, cardiology equipment, dialysis machines, medical freezers 

• Monitoring and control equipment – these include heating regulators, smoke detectors, thermostats 

• Automatic dispensers – these include hot drinks dispensers, money dispensers 

Activities such as renovating, converting or demolishing buildings are activities that can harm bats. 

 

It would be breaking the law if any of the following were to occur on site: 

• The deliberate capturing, injuring or killing of any bats 

• The damaging or destruction of a breeding or resting place 

• Obstructing the access to the resting place or sheltering place 

• The possession, selling, controlling or transportation of live or dead bats 

• Intentionally or recklessly disturbing bats while it’s in a structure or any place of shelter and protection 

 

If any of these were to occur and you are found guilty, this can result in: 

• Up to 6 months imprisonment 

• An unlimited fine 

This also extends to work pertaining to public roads, as road works require particular safety standards in order to secure the health and safety of all involved. 

 

A risk assessment must be conducted on the public road work to ensure that any and all hazards associated with it are identified and control measures are put into place to reduce the likelihood and risk of these hazards as far as reasonably possible. Any pre-existing services must be looked into via survey drawings of the area and appropriately located with CAT scanners, marked and sectioned off to avoid the risk of contact with services. 

 

However, all waste produced can also present a real safety hazard to workers if it is not properly managed throughout the project.” 

 

Managers/supervisors therefore need to decide: 

 

How waste produced during building work will be managed; and 

 

Who is responsible for collecting and disposal of waste? Problems arise when company and individual duties are not made clear before work starts. 

 

 

Flammable materials - make sure that all flammable waste (such as boxes, packaging and timber offcuts) are cleared away regularly to reduce fire risks; 

Work areas - make clearing waste a priority. Check that everyone is aware of what is required and that it is completed; 

The regulations stated that if a risk assessment indicates that PPE is required, employers must ensure their workers have sufficient information, instruction, and training on the use of PPE. Workers have a duty to use the PPE in accordance with their training and instruction, and ensure it is returned. The employer will be responsible for the maintenance, storage and replacement of any PPE they provide. 

 

Worker means ‘an individual who has entered into or works under; 

(a) a contract of employment; or 

(b) any other contract, whether express or implied and (if it is express) whether oral or in writing, whereby the individual undertakes to do or perform personally any work or services for another party to the contract whose status is not by virtue of the contract that of a client or customer of any profession or business undertaking carried on by the individual. 

Employers need to ensure suitable PPE is: