HSE Committee Chair - since April 2019
Simon Pritchard, Puma Bitumen
To help us fulfil our mission, to promote the efficient, effective and safe use of bitumen in road, industrial and building applications throughout Europe, the HSE Committee – chaired by Simon Pritchard from Puma Bitumen - researches key issues, publishes (in multiple languages) new and updated health, safety and environmental guidance and co-ordinates the work of specialist work groups and sub-committees.
During the year we added to our suite of Safe Delivery Guides that we make available to members in different countries and multiple languages. The ‘Guide to the Safe Delivery of Bitumen for Switzerland’ has been translated and is now available in French and German, and the Benelux version of the ‘Guide to the Safe Delivery of Bitumen’ was translated into Dutch.
HSE continues to be an important section within Eurobitume France’s Bitume Info magazine.
To support the continued improvement in reducing the number of uncontrolled bitumen spills in the UK, Eurobitume UK was involved in a number of initiatives, including running a series of very well-received half-day Safe Delivery of Bitumen training workshops. These were attended by more than 150 asphalt plant managers, operators and others responsible for the safe storage and handling of bitumen.
The Content Gauges and High-Level Alarms Toolbox Talk is the latest in a series of safety-related talks developed by Eurobitume UK to support asphalt manufacturers, and others who receive and store hot bitumen, in enhancing the safe delivery of bitumen.
Safe Handling Sub-Committee Chair
Paul Lamb, Nynas
The Safe Handling Sub-Committee was formed to bring together member companies’ specialist expertise in this area. This Sub-Committee reviews, co-ordinates, monitors and manages the Eurobitume programme and activities on topics related to handling, transportation and application of bitumen and bitumen-based products. These include developing plans to address critical safety and handling issues in an effective and timely manner, the promotion of best/good safety practice and the development of safety training packages.
The sub-committee provided expert input into the Eurobitume website feature article, ‘Minimising exposure to bitumen emissions in the workplace’. This article includes useful safety information and guidance, such as exposure reduction safety advice and recommended safe handling and storage temperatures.
