MAJOR CHANGE IN EVH HEALTH AND SAFETY CONTROL MANUAL - ADVANCE WARNING

EVH has been providing Health and Safety support to our members since 1993/94. The Manual has been updated at least twice a year since then and we have not until recently had the opportunity to look at the style and the content thoroughly. We have now completed this exercise and would hope to be able to distribute Version 2 of the manual in the next week or so. This new version has removed the section at the front narrating all the previous updates. It has also changed the style and content slightly to "modernise" it. There will be no actual January 2010 updates for changes in regulations, legislation or good practice.

Members will have to make a decision when they receive this as to whether they stick with their own customised manual based on Version 1 and only update when there are changes in regulation, law or good practice or whether they decide to move over to Version 2.

The content of the actual policies and procedures has not changed, thus allowing members who have tailored the Manual to their own needs to continue using their own versions.

For clarity the key purpose of issuing a 'Version 2' is really to consolidate all of the historic amendments and to 'freshen up' the look of the Manual - i.e. it is intended to be more of a facelift than to make any substantive changes in policy or procedures. The following summarises the main changes:

• All historic amendments are now consolidated into the Manual and, from Jan 2010, each section is referenced as 'Version 2, Revision 0, Jan 2010'.
• Historic 'Amendment Log' has been cleared, to start afresh from Version 2, Revision 1 (expected July 2010).
• Appendices have been refreshed, updated and modernised where relevant.
• References throughout the Manual have been updated, modernised and web-links included where deemed useful.
• General text has been redrafted where members have commented on lack of clarity.
• Contact details have been updated.

The introduction of the new Manual will help new members implementing a H&S System for the first time and for those who have simply adopted the EVH Manual as their own, as opposed to those who have well-established personalised arrangements. Member organisations will no longer have to worry about whether all historic updates have been included in their own Manuals, as 'Version 2' is known to be completely up to date at Jan 2010.

However, even organisations who have taken the effort to develop their own arrangements may benefit from working through the new Manual and comparing their own arrangements with those set out in Version 2. ACS would be happy to discuss any queries members may have on the Manual or on the best ways to implement the policies and procedures described. ACS phone number is 0141 427 5171.

We hope this does not cause too much head scratching or confusion. The new version will be with you soon. We will as always welcome feedback and suggestions.