What does concern me however, is the actual ambulances themselves on constant idle (runlock) within the confinement of closed garages. It seems to have become common practice to leave vehicles running directly outside the main entrance, or in a vast amount of cases, actually running indoors, often with the garage doors closed and no means of ventilating the areas. This also includes the use of the Webasto heaters, that again, utilise diesel as its source of ignition.

Personal vehicle parking within indoor ambulance parking spaces seems to be common practice, often blocking the use of the ambulance charging system. The introduction of the Tetra radio system seems to drain the fleet of ageing ambulance batteries very quickly. In the case of an unavailable charging station, leaving the vehicles in runlock would seem like the obvious solution to some. This coupled with response times, awkward layout and general untidiness of ‘some’ stations, are more likely the causes of the problem?

I’d like to point out this extract from the HSE that clearly states the Employers responsibilities:

DIESEL FUMES AND YOUR HEALTH

Breathing in diesel fumes can affect your health, and exposure to the fumes can cause irritation of your eyes or respiratory tract. These effects are generally short term and should disappear when you are away from the source of exposure.

However, prolonged exposure to diesel fumes, in particular to any blue or black smoke (which a high percentage of the ambulances produce), could lead to coughing, chestiness and breathlessness.

In the long term, there is some evidence that repeated exposure to diesel fumes over a period of about 20 years may increase the risk of lung cancer. Exposure to petrol engine exhaust emissions does not have the same risk.

Skin contact with cold diesel fuel may cause dermatitis.

If you think that your health is being affected by exposure to diesel fumes, you should tell your employer (eg supervisor) and/or safety representative, and consult your doctor.

WHAT SHOULD MY EMPLOYER DO TO PROTECT MY HEALTH?

Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994 (COSHH), your employer should make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to your health if you are exposed to diesel fumes. They should then take the necessary steps to prevent or adequately control your exposure in the workplace.

Where exposure cannot be prevented, your employer will need to consider the use of a combination of specific control measures including:

workplace air extraction fans;

tailpipe exhaust extraction systems;

the use of filters attached to tailpipes;

catalytic converters; and more general control measures such as:

turning off engines when not required;

keeping doors and windows open where practicable;

installing air vents in the walls and ceiling;

job rotation;

providing suitable personal protective equipment (suitable gloves should be worn when handling hot and cold diesel fuel).

FULL VERSION HERE – http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg286.htm

I’d hope once the site is finished and live in June we will be knocking out some promotional material – posters etc., but this will need to go through branch. I’m keen to promote it as best we can once it’s all ready!

J

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I will miss the first 2 meeting due to my stage II H & S.

Regards

Andy