A new code of best practice for treating timber used in construction, homes and gardens has been unveiled by the Environment Agency and the Wood Protection Association – a division of the British Wood Preserving & Damp Proofing Association (BWPDA).
The code, developed in consultation with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland and the Chief and Assistant Chief Fire Officers, is intended to give practical guidance on environmental, safety and health issues.
BWPDA director Dr Chris Coggins said: “This code of practice represents a model of co-operation between industry and regulatory authorities. The application of the code will minimise environmental and safety risks, help improve efficiency and profit margins, and ultimately reduce the burden of regulation and enforcement by government bodies.”
The code is applicable to all UK companies with plant used for the impregnation and/or immersion of timber with water-borne preservatives, preservatives based on organic solvents, creosote and fire-retardant chemicals.
Martin Brocklehurst, head of waste strategy at the Environment Agency, said: “Voluntary codes of practice are important vehicles for securing improvement in environmental and safety performance by translating complicated legislative and technical requirements into an accessible form.
“This information, combined with details of current best practice, enables industry to adopt an informed and proactive approach to the management of environmental, health and safety issues. In essence it is about applying the principle of “prevention is better than cure”.
For copies of the code contact the Wood Protection Association on 01332 225100.
