(Dated April 2018)Rev. 002
General
It is CBKA policy to ensure the Health and Safety and welfare of its volunteers and of other persons who may be affected by its activities.
1 Places where volunteers, members and others work or meet are maintained in a safe condition.
2 Equipment and systems of work are safe and without risk to health.
3 Adequate welfare facilities are available as practical.
4 Information instruction and training and supervision is provided to ensure health and safety of all.
5 Risk Assessment and Risk Management Advice is provided to be in line with latest guidance from the HSE.
6 Risks are appropriately transferred to those able to control them.
Responsibilities
The Management Committee of the CBKA have key role in maintaining the health safety and welfare standards of all affected by our activities with equal importance to that of being the voice of Beekeeping in Carmarthenshire.
The Management committee will have overall responsibility for ensuring that people are identified, systems and processes put in place to enable the health and safety policy of the CBKA to be implemented. They will ensure a person is delegated to undertake more detailed management of systems and processes.
The Chair
The Chair will have an overseeing role in ensuring the Health and Safety responsibilities of the Committee are on the Agenda at meetings.
Health and Safety Officer
Member will provide guidance and advice to the Committee on health and safety matters.
Develop arrangements to enable CBKA to comply with current health and safety legislation and submit to the Committee for their approval.
Regularly review this policy and any supporting arrangements in light of changing legislation.
Report any concerns regarding compliance with CBKA policy and H&S guidance.
JP April 2016
Suggested Check Sheet for Meetings
Not exhaustive
Preparation
*Plan and organize the Meeting carefully.
*Determine who will be running the Meeting-One person only.
*List essential equipment and who will provide it.
*If required ensure landowner/others knows of the plan.
*Make sure neighbours/public who could be affected are aware of the meeting.
*Have mobile ‘phone to hand and be aware of the exact location of meeting/apiary and ensure connection available.
*Identify if any of attendees have a known allergy to bee venom and have with them appropriate medication Self administration unless medically qualified to do so.
*Ensure Risk Assessments made specific for event carried out plus any other necessary permits etc.
*Not always practical but make good effort to supply toilet arrangements.
At the Meeting
*Ensure minimum numbers in Apiary at one time.
*Display warning/advisory signs.
*Record attendees and note early leavers.
*Ensure experienced beekeeper(s) in attendance.
*Beware overcrowding in Apiary—set limits/rotation.
*Make sure attendees appropriately dressed/have to hand spare protective clothing.
*Explain Risk Assessment for the occasion and ensure all understand including necessary behaviour in the Apiary/Meeting.
*Provision to ensure smokers made safe/disposal plus appropriate fire extinguisher to hand.
*Provision of method for storage /disposal of old comb.
IF ANY DOUBT OR MAJOR DEVIATION FROM PLAN PERSON TAKING MEETING TO ABANDON EVENT.
*Revisit plan/risk assessment regularly.
*First aid 3 day trained person in attendance (RED CROSS/ST JOHNS AMBULANCE ETC TRAINING.
*Controlled parking.
Chair CBKA 2016 WBKA 2016/JP/00000
Manual Handling in the Apiary
Ref. Your associations risk assessments and Manual Handling Regulations and Health & Safety Executive sheets on use of lifting aids
Greater per cent of us are of advancing years or of decreasing capability to handle items the way we used to.The younger of us are at the same risk though may think we are more able. The female of the species is thought to be less capable.
Manual handling,not just being able to lift.
Lift only that which you feel capable of.Legislation expects us not to attempt loads exceeding 25kgs and for the ladies exceedingly less, hence abag of cement/bag of potatoes is 25kgTo be considered when approaching the movement of items firstly consider if we need to do it.Limited space in the apiary eliminates the use of sophisticated lifting/handling equipment, the size/weight of the item/does it have sharp corners/is the route or position clear so we can move freely,how far do we have to travel with the load. Allways wear gloves, gives a better grip, protect against splinters that age, weatherand years of use generate on our wooden items.
The Apiary layout with good surface and established footpaths can often contribute to safe handling.
Think about size /shape of object,full super may weigh say 15lbs and by virtue of its size reasonably easy to handle.What is the weight of a full brood chamber and a top brood chamber (double brood configuration) atheight if set on stools.You also have to separate the boxeslevering them apart which can be a challenge while stretching.
Consider a15lb bag of feathers (notcompressed) in a bag large enough to contain them although of equal weight will be I suggest almost an impossible item to manage as the item may envelop you ,not heavy but unmanageable possibly blocking your vision etc.
Team work is ideal approach to handling our kit, beware walking backwards that needs another member of team to direct you.
The environment and weather play a part in providing handling difficulties.Wet and icy surfaces and light levels uneven sloping ground. Not ideal beekeeping conditions but visiting an apiary post storm/high winds you find hives disturbed you will have to re establish them. Good idea always to be t two of us on each visit at least in these circumstances.
We keep the vegetation surrounding and in the apiary cut and access to Apiary clear of obstacles and (at risk of overexciting the treasurer) paved!!!! Remember access for emergency services, they do not have to get the ambulance right up to the apiary but need a safe access to it.
Trawl catalogues for items that help In handling. Not just beekeeping catalogues but other i.e. construction/building that could apply to our need.
The of us with engineering skills may well “invent our own” gadgets.
—A hive weighing “gismo” that does not need the supers etc to be moved. —A converted wheelbarrow having lost its “barrow”. —Car engine small mobile crane.
Remember lifting at awkward positions i.e. at arm’s length, above chest level to or from height. (Pictures of WARRE/ROSEhives depicting 5/6/7 or more “supers” are a serious challenge and do really need mechanical assistance) Take care with our own ambitions to achieve max amount of surplus needing additional supers all gaining height and weight.
Have not tried them but I have seen the “polystyrene hive items” these are in themselves lighter, perhaps these would help our handling problems as faras weight is concerned. Beware of course the effects of wind.
1 Think about the lift. 2 position yourself. 3 bend knees and straight back. 4 straighten up. 5 lift to waist high. 6 position first before adjusting and if necessary 7 use team effort.
JP February2016
When considering a risk assessment for manual handling—do we need to be manually handling the item?
Perhaps better planning can eliminate some of the assessed risks.
I.e. Use of a lighter material for construction of hives.
Use only “supers” to build up the hive.
Use a method of management not requiring so much ”lifting and moving”
Place colonies on stands so that work can be carried out at waist level.
Always work in pairs when “working” colonies.
Use of horizontal hives.
JP/WBKA/2016
BEE MEDICINES
Click below to download PDF copy of National Bee Unit article on Bee Medicines. Or Record sheet for administered medicines. This is now a legal requirement.