Jun162017

News story: Cleantech startups set sights on US market

DEFRA
image_pdfimage_print

The businesses, which all have an innovation that can benefit the environment, went on an Clean + Cool Mission this week (10 to 17 June 2017).

The mission is backed by Innovate UK and Long Run Works. It supports early-stage, high-potential companies to connect with opportunities through being part of an organised programme. This means they are able to explore cross-border opportunities and find faster routes to their target market.

Innovative UK SMEs

All of the businesses were selected to take part by a panel of judges. The panel was made up of representatives from Clean + Cool, Innovate UK, Department for International Trade, Knowledge Transfer Network, Greenhouse PR, PwC, Silicon Valley Bank, Volans, Whitefox Technologies and Women in Cleantech & Sustainability.

Businesses on the mission include:

  • Aceleron, which produces low-cost remanufactured battery packs from used lithium ion batteries
  • Arborea, whose carbon bio-converter ‘bionic leaf’ tiles enable photosynthesis to happen in the built environment
  • Bowman Power Group, a provider of electric turbo compounding technology, that improves the efficiency of gas and diesel-fueled engines in industrial stationary power generation
  • BuffaloGrid, which gives people in off-grid locations the ability to charge their phones and access internet services through remote solar-powered hubs
  • Cellular Agriculture, a company looking to change how protein is produced for food consumption through tissue engineering technology
  • CCell, which has pioneered a wave energy, delivering more power while weighing less. Potential users include sea-water desalination plants and remote inhabited islands dependent on diesel generated electricity.
  • Gravitricity, which is developing grid-scale energy storage system that uses gravitational potential to store electricity
  • Green Fuels, the biodiesel equipment manufacturer that converts waste oils and fats into biofuels, such as jet fuel
  • H2GO Power, a University of Cambridge spin-out that uses solid-state, controllable hydrogen storage and generation for fuel cells
  • Hexigone Inhibitors, which is developing environmentally-responsive organic and metallic coatings that are protected from degradation
  • Kelda Technology, whose digital shower system improves water efficiency to use 50% less water
  • Meteor Power, which is developing a new electric, high-performance motorcycle
  • Perpetual V2G Systems, producing power systems that harvest energy from vehicles that would be otherwise lost and store it onboard to be used later
  • Rotaheat, which has pioneered compact technology that converts mechanical rotational energy to heat fluids at over 120C
  • SEaB Energy, whose patented anaerobic digestion systems in shipping containers generate clean energy from organic waste
  • Senergy, which designs and manufactures integrated polymer solar thermal panels. It is now part of Lloyd’s Register
  • SOMI Trailers, using a novel truck trailer design to to utilise the space underneath and carry 31% extra pallets
  • Stickyworld, a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform to collect and sort ideas, consult on proposals or engage and educate different stakeholder groups
  • Tevva Motors, which has developed electric range-extended vehicles that lower emissions and operational costs
  • Topolytics, which combines mapping, machine learning and geospatial analytics to make industrial waste visible, verifiable and valuable

Connecting innovators

Ian Meikle, Director – Infrastructure Systems, Innovate UK says:

Clean + Cool is a great example of the role Innovate UK plays in connecting innovators with the right partners they need to succeed. The Mission tackles the human challenges to innovation, helping early stage CEOs grow their ambition, profile and network, while improving their pitch and insight.

Find our more about our work in this sector.

Engineering success

This is the sixth Clean + Cool mission. Previous missions have resulted in success, including UK engineering company Whitefox Technologies.

Through 2 missions to San Francisco and Brazil, they were able to make connections and gain knowledge of the biofuels industry and legislation in the US. This led to them pitching their solutions to US biofuel producer Pacific Ethanol. They now have a commercial deal, and are receiving interest from other companies in North America and Europe.

See the Whitefox Technologies success story.

Jun162017

Supporting Scotland’s carers

Scottish Labour
image_pdfimage_print

16 June 2017

This week is Carers Week. They are the unsung heroes of our country.

There are at least 759,000 carers aged 16 and over in Scotland and 49,000 young carers. The value of care provided by carers in Scotland is more than £10 billion every year.

At some point of our life, three-out-of-five of us will become carers. Here’s how Labour would change Scotland to support carers.

Increase Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is the payment made to carers to help them with additional expenses.

Holyrood has the powers to increase Carer’s Allowance and Labour would increase it by £11 a week – or nearly £600 a year.

Get more carers claiming Carer’s Allowance

The last official figures showed that more than 50,000 carers who were entitled to Carer’s Allowance weren’t claiming it.

That’s £170 million that could be going to carers, but isn’t. Maybe they don’t know they are entitled to it, or are put off by the process of applying.

Labour will push for a legal duty on Scotland’s new social security agency to ensure everyone gets what they are entitled to.

Labour MSPs got the Scottish Parliament to agree to this plan last year – and we’ll push the SNP government every step of the way towards creating the new agency.

Stop the cuts to public services

The SNP government has taken Tory austerity and passed it on to Scotland’s communities.

Local council budgets have been slashed – with more than £1.5 billion slashed from local government budgets since 2011.

That means increased pressure on services like respite care and support at school for young carers.

Only Labour is making the case to use Holyrood’s new tax powers to stop the cuts to public services and invest instead.

Like our plan? Then help spread our message.

Jun162017

HSL: RPE Fit Test-Introduction – Buxton, 20 July 2017

HSE
image_pdfimage_print

Book Course

HSL is to run a 1 day course on RPE Fit Test – Introduction.

20 July 2017

Introduction

Tight-fitting Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) needs to fit the wearer’s face well in order to work correctly and provide the expected protection. As faces come in all shapes and sizes, each wearer needs to be supplied with a facepiece which matches their face. Fit testing demonstrates how well a facepiece matches the individual’s face;  it is used to select a facemask which is a good match for them. HSE’s relevant Approved Codes Of Practice (ACOP) require that fit testing be carried out as part of the initial RPE selection process, to ensure that the wearer has the correct facepiece.

This course will explain the importance of fit testing, the responsibilities of employers and introduce the various fit testing methods. Practical sessions will cover the essential skills of pre-use checking and correct donning of facepieces, before going on to provide opportunity to practice fit testing using the 2 methods which are extensively and almost exclusively in use in the UK.  It is therefore ideal for those new to, or relatively new to, practical fit testing and also suitable for those with responsiblility for correct selection of respiratory protection.

This is in an introductory course which will provide a good foundation on which to build  practical fit testing skills. To become a competent fit tester will require considerable additional practice and experience.  Our Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) fit testing – Advanced course is suitable for those who are well on the way to becoming competent fit testers and are possibly considering applying for accreditation under the Fit2Fit scheme.

All course presenters are Fit2Fit accredited fit testers, some were actively involved in the development of the Fit2Fit scheme.

This Introduction Course includes:CPD Certified

  • Understanding the importance of fit testing                                            
  • Principles of fit testing methods
  • Essential pre-use checking and correct donning of facemasks
  • Responsibilities of employers and fit testers
  • Qualitative fit testing using Bitrex or Saccharin
  • Quantitative fit testing using the Portacount

Who should attend:

Individuals who are new to or relatively new to practical fit testing and those with responsibility for correct selection of respiratory protection.

More information on the Fit2Fit scheme is available at http://fit2fit.org/index.html

Venue

The course will be run at the HSL laboratory in the spa town of Buxton. Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport.

Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitpeakdistrict.com.

Cost

The discounted cost of this course is £600 per person (includes course notes, lunch and refreshments).

Book Course

Please note the invoice option is not available within 4 weeks of the course date, or for overseas customers.  If you are selecting the invoice option for payment, it will be mandatory to input a purchase order/reference number as we are unable to process booking forms without this.

For further dates and additional information email: training@hsl.gsi.gov.uk or contact the Training & Conferences Unit
at HSL directly on +44 (0)1298 218806.

Back to Health & Safety Training Courses

Jun162017

Press release: New SCOPE ADR e-learning module receives European-wide CME/CPD accreditation

HM Government
image_pdfimage_print

Doctors across Europe can now learn more about the importance of reporting suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) via a free e-learning module.

Prompt reporting helps make medicines safer and is part of a doctor’s responsibility. This includes informing patients and carers how they can help by reporting suspected side effects themselves.

Regulators like the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) rely on the reporting of suspected ADRs to make sure medicines on the market are acceptably safe. However, all reporting systems suffer from underreporting, and training healthcare professionals to report suspected ADRs is important to both raise awareness and help strengthen the system.

The e-learning module has now received the highest order of accreditation from the European Accreditation Council for CME (EACCME®). This means doctors are awarded 1 EACCME credit upon completion of the 45 minute ADR e-learning module.

The ADR e-learning module was created by the Strengthening Collaboration for Operating Pharmacovigilance in Europe (SCOPE) Joint Action project.

A survey conducted by SCOPE found many European countries lacked sustainable educational materials about ADR reporting. This e-learning aims to support healthcare professionals and medicines regulators by providing clear guidance which is rewarded with CME/CPD points.

Mick Foy, group manager for MHRA’s Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines division said:

The key aim of our work is to make sure medicines are effective and acceptably safe. The reporting of suspected ADRs is vital in helping us achieve this aim.

Doctors are critical to this as their position on the front line of care means they are often the first to recognise an adverse drug reaction.

We’ve created this e-learning module help doctors so they can have confidence that their reports are making a difference.

All healthcare professionals, and indeed patients themselves, can help make medicines safer by reporting any suspected side effects easily and quickly through our Yellow Card Scheme online or via the mobile app. Other countries collect reports in similar methods.

Notes to Editor

  1. The e-learning module is hosted on the SCOPE website. Learners are asked to complete a short survey upon completion of the e-learning.
  2. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks. MHRA is a centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which also includes the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health.
  3. National reporting systems for the collection of suspected adverse drug reactions (commonly known as side effects) have acted as early warning systems to help identify numerous important safety issues, many of which were not recognised as being related to a particular medicine until reports were received by medicines regulators www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard
  4. The SCOPE Joint Action project aims to support EU member states in the operation of their pharmacovigilance systems which help safeguard public health. It is funded through contributions from European Commission and the involved Member States.
  5. The SCOPE Joint Action project social media campaign to raise awareness levels of national ADR reporting systems is being taken forward through the Heads of Medicines Agencies Working Group for Communications Professionals.
  6. The European Union of Medical Specialists (Union Européenne des Médecins Spécialistes – UEMS) is a non-governmental organisation representing national associations of medical specialists in the European Union and in associated countries. Current membership includes 37 countries.

Jun162017

HSL: RPE Essentials – Buxton, 18-19 July 2017

HSE
image_pdfimage_print
Book Course

HSL is to run a 2 day course on RPE Essentials.

18-19 July 2017

Introduction

Whilst the use of RPE should only be considered when other control measures are impractical or after their implementation a residual risk remains, there are many workplace situations where RPE is required.

RPE is capable of providing effective protection, provided that it is correctly selected, used and maintained. Unsuitable, poorly maintained and incorrectly used RPE may give limited protection, or may not provide any protection. This could lead to ill heath in the short or long term, with the possibility of permanent disability. If the RPE is being used in conditions where there is an immediate danger to life and health, the situation could prove fatal.

This course will increase your knowledge and understanding of RPE and how it can be used effectively in the workplace as a control measure. It will provide training in correctly selecting adequate and suitable RPE (following the principles of HSG 53 and COSHH essentials), and how it should be used and maintained. The course will include practical elements to enhance learning and provide practical skills.

What will the course cover?

Who should attend?

Persons with responsibility for RPE selection, use and maintenance in a workplace. Those who users may rely upon for guidance on what equipment to obtain and use e.g. suppliers.

Venue

The course will be run at the HSL laboratory in the spa town of Buxton. Buxton is in the heart of the Peak District and has good links to mainline train stations and Manchester International Airport.

Details of hotels in the Buxton area can be found at www.visitbuxton.co.uk

Cost

The cost of this course is £1100 per person (includes course notes, lunch and refreshments).

Book Course

Please note the invoice option is not available within 4 weeks of the course date, or for overseas customers.  If you are selecting the invoice option for payment, it will be mandatory to input a purchase order/reference number as we are unable to process booking forms without this.

For further dates and additional information email: training@hsl.gsi.gov.uk or contact the Training & Conferences Unit
at HSL directly on +44 (0)1298 218806.

Back to Health & Safety Training Courses

Back to the top