Coronavirus chemicals update, 28th January 2021

Dear Friend,

It’s Day 311 of Lockdown / Semi lockdown, and it’s misty and raining again with us, although with a bit of luck it will disappear later, and we’ll be able to see clearly. (Couldn’t resist that link, as soon as I wrote that phrase, the song started playing in my head!).

Message from DEFRA – Comply with UK REACH undergoing routine maintenance tonight

Alun Williams of DEFRA writes:

“The Comply with UK REACH Application will be undergoing overnight routine maintenance on the 28 January 2021 with commencement from 17:00. The maintenance window will close on the 29 January 2021 at 08:50.

During this time you may notice a degradation of service within UK REACH, this is expected, and may continue throughout the evening of the 28 January 2021.”

Alun adds – if anyone phones the UK Chemicals Helpline during these hours this will be on the automated message too.

GB Poison Centre Notification to NPIS – improved customer service

Daniela Waters of Lomon Billions writes: I submitted our SDSs and pretty much instantly received a reply from NPIS, they provided me a specific contact and confirmed receipt of my documents. Alison (Hill) suggested that I pass this feedback on to you as in the past their service has been quite poor but it seems that it is improving!

Speaking of NPIS, have you tried the .i6z file submission to NPIS yet, for Northern Ireland Poison Centre Notification, and if so, have you had any response?

I sent some files through on the 6th of January, but haven’t had anything back (apart from a delivery receipt). Maybe the Northern Ireland files are being handled differently, even though both SDSs and .i6z files are sent to the same email address.

Good news – more jobs!

When I said in yesterday’s email that there was a lot of movement in the jobs market, I was more right than I knew!

Senior or Principal Consultant – Product Stewardship – Fixed Term Contract at WSP

This role is maternity leave cover, so it’s an ideal role for someone winding down to retirement, or if you’ve been laid off and are looking for something while you consider your next move. Full details here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/2376115963/

If you are interested in this role, please contact Alan Ritchie in the first instance: Alan.Ritchie@wsp.com .

WSP also post roles on indeed.com, https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=WSP&l= .

Lab role at CPG

Julie Jones of CPG Wigan writes on LinkedIn (this job is so new that it isn’t even posted on CPG’s website yet):

I’m looking to welcome a new experienced Lab Engineer into the growing team at our Wigan facility. Main responsibilities include supporting the department by carrying out practical QC test & Investigation work. It’s an exciting time to join us with 5M£ recently invested in the site and output volumes increasing daily! A secure full time role with potential for development for the right person. Contact our HR team for further details Emily.morris@cpg-europe.com

Many thanks to Kerry Knowles for highlighting this via LinkedIn.

Other CPG vacancies are usually posted here: https://cpg-europe.com/en-gb/careers/vacancies/

Airedale Chemicals need a Chemical and Dye production operative

A full time role here, currently on days. Full details here: https://www.airedalechemical.com/careers/chemical-production-dye-production-operative-dayshift/

Position sought

Dr Brian Forrester, a very experienced development chemist, is looking for a new lab-based role in the NW, having recently been made redundant: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-brian-forrester-90b42374/ .

Process Safety Corner

Loss of critical knowledge

Ron Smith has another excellent post on LinkedIn, this time on management of change including loss of knowledge – https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6755258430790914048 .

This is essential reading for anyone involved in management, particularly on chemical sites.

I’ve a lot of experience of loss of knowledge on client sites – try asking for the site drainage plan, and you’d be amazed how it can’t be found, or if it is found (or I dig into the archives and find it), how out of date it is.

Process safety infographics

Rachael Cowin has produced two excellent infographics, which would make good posters:

Rachael is a very experienced mechanical engineer with a background in the chemical industry, who has taken up “Sketchnoting” as a way of summarising information visually, in addition to her work chairing HAZOPs, and improving project and engineering processes. More details here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachaelcowin/ .

Reasons to be cheerful

Thursday 28th – Today’s Are You Being Served clip is Novelty Costumes: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eps-UcNHq4g

Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to the newsletter today. As usual, if you have anything you’d like to share, please email me and I’ll do my best to include it in the next newsletter.

I hope your day goes well, and that you can “see clearly” too, either literally or metaphorically!

​Kind regards,

Janet

Janet Greenwood

TT Environmental Ltd