1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,760
Right, mid October update for you.
2
00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:06,000
Three things, and the thread running
through all of them is the same: know the
3
00:00:06,044 --> 00:00:09,520
difference between a rule that's in force,
a proposal that isn't,
4
00:00:09,620 --> 00:00:12,320
and a product that's just somebody's good
idea.
5
00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:14,160
Let's start with the water.
6
00:00:14,167 --> 00:00:18,407
A few weeks back I warned you about South
East Water pulling domestic hosepipe
7
00:00:18,458 --> 00:00:22,647
exemptions and the first applications for
non essential use bans.
8
00:00:22,727 --> 00:00:24,207
Here's where we are now.
9
00:00:24,327 --> 00:00:30,007
On 15 October 2026, the government
declared severe drought in parts of Cornwall,
10
00:00:30,100 --> 00:00:34,487
Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and
West Sussex.
11
00:00:34,543 --> 00:00:37,527
Yorkshire moved into drought status on 9
October.
12
00:00:37,625 --> 00:00:43,927
National reservoir storage is at 54% of
capacity, around 21% below the long term
13
00:00:43,977 --> 00:00:48,087
average for the time of year, and
reservoirs like Ardingly in the South East and
14
00:00:48,167 --> 00:00:51,767
Wimbleball in the South West are classed
as exceptionally low.
15
00:00:51,892 --> 00:00:53,352
Now, here's the bit that matters.
16
00:00:54,352 --> 00:00:58,952
That severe drought declaration does not,
by itself, create a new cleaning ban.
17
00:00:59,572 --> 00:01:04,252
The Environment Agency's own report says
it plainly: there have been no changes to
18
00:01:04,292 --> 00:01:06,112
the temporary use bans in place.
19
00:01:06,932 --> 00:01:10,752
So if you're telling customers
everything's banned, you're getting ahead of the
20
00:01:10,812 --> 00:01:11,172
facts.
21
00:01:11,417 --> 00:01:12,937
What about the business use bans?
22
00:01:13,084 --> 00:01:18,217
South East Water submitted its non
essential use ban drought order application on 2
23
00:01:18,277 --> 00:01:18,857
October.
24
00:01:19,004 --> 00:01:23,097
South West Water submitted its application
on 6 October.
25
00:01:23,204 --> 00:01:28,457
Southern Water applied on 31 July, held a
public hearing on 25 August,
26
00:01:28,477 --> 00:01:31,657
and the Environment Agency says it's still
awaiting the Secretary of State's
27
00:01:31,710 --> 00:01:32,217
decision.
28
00:01:32,364 --> 00:01:34,377
Those are applications.
29
00:01:34,441 --> 00:01:36,297
They are not rules in force.
30
00:01:36,437 --> 00:01:40,377
Don't treat them as approved, and don't
assume what they would or wouldn't cover
31
00:01:40,457 --> 00:01:42,617
until a decision is actually made.
32
00:01:42,625 --> 00:01:44,865
But equally, don't assume you're exempt.
33
00:01:45,045 --> 00:01:49,745
Ten water companies have temporary use
bans in all or part of their areas,
34
00:01:49,765 --> 00:01:53,426
and a lot of smaller water networks in
their patches have applied their own.
35
00:01:53,692 --> 00:01:55,505
So the practical step is simple.
36
00:01:55,608 --> 00:02:00,145
Before you promise a customer how a job
will be done, check the current rules from
37
00:02:00,193 --> 00:02:03,385
that property's water supplier, job by
job.
38
00:02:03,458 --> 00:02:05,985
Check it again if the job's booked for a
few weeks out.
39
00:02:06,097 --> 00:02:09,745
Then put the method, and the water source,
in your quote.
40
00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:10,470
Second item.
41
00:02:10,657 --> 00:02:14,950
On 13 October, the Health and Safety
Executive launched a campaign on workplace
42
00:02:15,017 --> 00:02:16,230
noise and vibration.
43
00:02:16,630 --> 00:02:22,470
HSE says around 15,000 workers develop
hearing problems caused or made worse by work
44
00:02:22,537 --> 00:02:27,270
every year, and an estimated one in five
is exposed to harmful noise levels.
45
00:02:27,350 --> 00:02:31,590
Hand arm vibration can lead to hand arm
vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel
46
00:02:31,643 --> 00:02:35,750
syndrome: numbness, tingling, pain,
reduced grip strength.
47
00:02:35,890 --> 00:02:37,070
Is this a new regulation?
48
00:02:38,090 --> 00:02:38,230
No.
49
00:02:38,650 --> 00:02:43,990
The duties already exist, under the
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and
50
00:02:44,010 --> 00:02:47,050
the Control of Vibration at Work
Regulations 2005.
51
00:02:48,210 --> 00:02:49,830
What's new is the push.
52
00:02:50,830 --> 00:02:53,830
HSE's message is three words: Assess.
53
00:02:54,470 --> 00:02:55,070
Control.
54
00:02:55,690 --> 00:02:56,190
Protect.
55
00:02:56,500 --> 00:02:57,380
Think about our day.
56
00:02:57,540 --> 00:03:01,940
Petrol pressure washers, pumps running
next to your ears, surface cleaners,
57
00:03:02,007 --> 00:03:03,300
hours on the trigger.
58
00:03:03,391 --> 00:03:07,380
Assess it: who's exposed, to what, and for
how long?
59
00:03:07,540 --> 00:03:11,860
Control it: look at your equipment
maintenance, how you work,
60
00:03:11,900 --> 00:03:15,540
and whether quieter or lower vibration kit
is an option.
61
00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:20,820
Protect: where risk remains, suitable
hearing protection and proper instruction.
62
00:03:21,260 --> 00:03:26,100
HSE's principal specialist inspector Chris
Steel said employers shouldn't wait for
63
00:03:26,144 --> 00:03:27,140
symptoms to appear.
64
00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,900
And the reason is that you don't feel the
damage building.
65
00:03:31,060 --> 00:03:34,180
By the time you notice, some of it may be
permanent.
66
00:03:34,208 --> 00:03:34,608
Third.
67
00:03:34,768 --> 00:03:40,448
Ionic Systems' autumn 2026 update
announces the Recovo recovery system.
68
00:03:40,661 --> 00:03:44,928
It's described as a professional wet
recovery unit to help teams control chemical
69
00:03:44,968 --> 00:03:49,328
and rinse water run off as part of a
planned site method, with continuous pump out
70
00:03:49,381 --> 00:03:51,488
so you're not stopping to empty tanks.
71
00:03:51,568 --> 00:03:55,568
It adds two stages, Recovery and Transfer,
to the usual Apply,
72
00:03:55,648 --> 00:03:57,648
Dwell, Agitate and Rinse.
73
00:03:57,667 --> 00:04:01,347
I'm not here to sell you a machine, and
that's the manufacturer's description,
74
00:04:01,427 --> 00:04:02,867
not an independent test.
75
00:04:02,995 --> 00:04:06,947
What I'd take from it is that run off
control is getting more attention across the
76
00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:07,507
industry.
77
00:04:07,647 --> 00:04:11,667
But here's the point: buying a machine
doesn't make you compliant.
78
00:04:11,787 --> 00:04:13,827
You still need a plan for that site.
79
00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:18,147
Where does the liquid get collected, where
does it go, and how's it lawfully
80
00:04:18,209 --> 00:04:18,947
disposed of?
81
00:04:19,067 --> 00:04:21,347
Write that plan down before the job.
82
00:04:21,447 --> 00:04:25,507
Don't invent rules about it, and don't
assume the kit does the thinking for you.
83
00:04:25,662 --> 00:04:26,802
So, practical steps.
84
00:04:27,342 --> 00:04:30,722
One: check the water supplier's current
rules for every job,
85
00:04:31,082 --> 00:04:32,782
and say in the quote how it'll be done.
86
00:04:33,742 --> 00:04:37,802
Two: treat pending drought orders as
pending, not as law.
87
00:04:39,002 --> 00:04:43,942
Three: review noise and vibration
exposure, servicing and hearing protection now,
88
00:04:44,402 --> 00:04:45,502
not when something hurts.
89
00:04:46,762 --> 00:04:50,862
Four: have a site specific run off plan,
whatever equipment you own.
90
00:04:51,262 --> 00:04:52,882
Rules, proposals, products.
91
00:04:53,422 --> 00:04:55,042
Keep them separate, and you'll be fine.
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,760
Right, mid October update for you.
2
00:00:01,800 --> 00:00:06,000
Three things, and the thread running
through all of them is the same: know the
3
00:00:06,044 --> 00:00:09,520
difference between a rule that's in force,
a proposal that isn't,
4
00:00:09,620 --> 00:00:12,320
and a product that's just somebody's good
idea.
5
00:00:12,440 --> 00:00:14,160
Let's start with the water.
6
00:00:14,167 --> 00:00:18,407
A few weeks back I warned you about South
East Water pulling domestic hosepipe
7
00:00:18,458 --> 00:00:22,647
exemptions and the first applications for
non essential use bans.
8
00:00:22,727 --> 00:00:24,207
Here's where we are now.
9
00:00:24,327 --> 00:00:30,007
On 15 October 2026, the government
declared severe drought in parts of Cornwall,
10
00:00:30,100 --> 00:00:34,487
Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and
West Sussex.
11
00:00:34,543 --> 00:00:37,527
Yorkshire moved into drought status on 9
October.
12
00:00:37,625 --> 00:00:43,927
National reservoir storage is at 54% of
capacity, around 21% below the long term
13
00:00:43,977 --> 00:00:48,087
average for the time of year, and
reservoirs like Ardingly in the South East and
14
00:00:48,167 --> 00:00:51,767
Wimbleball in the South West are classed
as exceptionally low.
15
00:00:51,892 --> 00:00:53,352
Now, here's the bit that matters.
16
00:00:54,352 --> 00:00:58,952
That severe drought declaration does not,
by itself, create a new cleaning ban.
17
00:00:59,572 --> 00:01:04,252
The Environment Agency's own report says
it plainly: there have been no changes to
18
00:01:04,292 --> 00:01:06,112
the temporary use bans in place.
19
00:01:06,932 --> 00:01:10,752
So if you're telling customers
everything's banned, you're getting ahead of the
20
00:01:10,812 --> 00:01:11,172
facts.
21
00:01:11,417 --> 00:01:12,937
What about the business use bans?
22
00:01:13,084 --> 00:01:18,217
South East Water submitted its non
essential use ban drought order application on 2
23
00:01:18,277 --> 00:01:18,857
October.
24
00:01:19,004 --> 00:01:23,097
South West Water submitted its application
on 6 October.
25
00:01:23,204 --> 00:01:28,457
Southern Water applied on 31 July, held a
public hearing on 25 August,
26
00:01:28,477 --> 00:01:31,657
and the Environment Agency says it's still
awaiting the Secretary of State's
27
00:01:31,710 --> 00:01:32,217
decision.
28
00:01:32,364 --> 00:01:34,377
Those are applications.
29
00:01:34,441 --> 00:01:36,297
They are not rules in force.
30
00:01:36,437 --> 00:01:40,377
Don't treat them as approved, and don't
assume what they would or wouldn't cover
31
00:01:40,457 --> 00:01:42,617
until a decision is actually made.
32
00:01:42,625 --> 00:01:44,865
But equally, don't assume you're exempt.
33
00:01:45,045 --> 00:01:49,745
Ten water companies have temporary use
bans in all or part of their areas,
34
00:01:49,765 --> 00:01:53,426
and a lot of smaller water networks in
their patches have applied their own.
35
00:01:53,692 --> 00:01:55,505
So the practical step is simple.
36
00:01:55,608 --> 00:02:00,145
Before you promise a customer how a job
will be done, check the current rules from
37
00:02:00,193 --> 00:02:03,385
that property's water supplier, job by
job.
38
00:02:03,458 --> 00:02:05,985
Check it again if the job's booked for a
few weeks out.
39
00:02:06,097 --> 00:02:09,745
Then put the method, and the water source,
in your quote.
40
00:02:09,750 --> 00:02:10,470
Second item.
41
00:02:10,657 --> 00:02:14,950
On 13 October, the Health and Safety
Executive launched a campaign on workplace
42
00:02:15,017 --> 00:02:16,230
noise and vibration.
43
00:02:16,630 --> 00:02:22,470
HSE says around 15,000 workers develop
hearing problems caused or made worse by work
44
00:02:22,537 --> 00:02:27,270
every year, and an estimated one in five
is exposed to harmful noise levels.
45
00:02:27,350 --> 00:02:31,590
Hand arm vibration can lead to hand arm
vibration syndrome and carpal tunnel
46
00:02:31,643 --> 00:02:35,750
syndrome: numbness, tingling, pain,
reduced grip strength.
47
00:02:35,890 --> 00:02:37,070
Is this a new regulation?
48
00:02:38,090 --> 00:02:38,230
No.
49
00:02:38,650 --> 00:02:43,990
The duties already exist, under the
Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 and
50
00:02:44,010 --> 00:02:47,050
the Control of Vibration at Work
Regulations 2005.
51
00:02:48,210 --> 00:02:49,830
What's new is the push.
52
00:02:50,830 --> 00:02:53,830
HSE's message is three words: Assess.
53
00:02:54,470 --> 00:02:55,070
Control.
54
00:02:55,690 --> 00:02:56,190
Protect.
55
00:02:56,500 --> 00:02:57,380
Think about our day.
56
00:02:57,540 --> 00:03:01,940
Petrol pressure washers, pumps running
next to your ears, surface cleaners,
57
00:03:02,007 --> 00:03:03,300
hours on the trigger.
58
00:03:03,391 --> 00:03:07,380
Assess it: who's exposed, to what, and for
how long?
59
00:03:07,540 --> 00:03:11,860
Control it: look at your equipment
maintenance, how you work,
60
00:03:11,900 --> 00:03:15,540
and whether quieter or lower vibration kit
is an option.
61
00:03:15,640 --> 00:03:20,820
Protect: where risk remains, suitable
hearing protection and proper instruction.
62
00:03:21,260 --> 00:03:26,100
HSE's principal specialist inspector Chris
Steel said employers shouldn't wait for
63
00:03:26,144 --> 00:03:27,140
symptoms to appear.
64
00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:30,900
And the reason is that you don't feel the
damage building.
65
00:03:31,060 --> 00:03:34,180
By the time you notice, some of it may be
permanent.
66
00:03:34,208 --> 00:03:34,608
Third.
67
00:03:34,768 --> 00:03:40,448
Ionic Systems' autumn 2026 update
announces the Recovo recovery system.
68
00:03:40,661 --> 00:03:44,928
It's described as a professional wet
recovery unit to help teams control chemical
69
00:03:44,968 --> 00:03:49,328
and rinse water run off as part of a
planned site method, with continuous pump out
70
00:03:49,381 --> 00:03:51,488
so you're not stopping to empty tanks.
71
00:03:51,568 --> 00:03:55,568
It adds two stages, Recovery and Transfer,
to the usual Apply,
72
00:03:55,648 --> 00:03:57,648
Dwell, Agitate and Rinse.
73
00:03:57,667 --> 00:04:01,347
I'm not here to sell you a machine, and
that's the manufacturer's description,
74
00:04:01,427 --> 00:04:02,867
not an independent test.
75
00:04:02,995 --> 00:04:06,947
What I'd take from it is that run off
control is getting more attention across the
76
00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:07,507
industry.
77
00:04:07,647 --> 00:04:11,667
But here's the point: buying a machine
doesn't make you compliant.
78
00:04:11,787 --> 00:04:13,827
You still need a plan for that site.
79
00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:18,147
Where does the liquid get collected, where
does it go, and how's it lawfully
80
00:04:18,209 --> 00:04:18,947
disposed of?
81
00:04:19,067 --> 00:04:21,347
Write that plan down before the job.
82
00:04:21,447 --> 00:04:25,507
Don't invent rules about it, and don't
assume the kit does the thinking for you.
83
00:04:25,662 --> 00:04:26,802
So, practical steps.
84
00:04:27,342 --> 00:04:30,722
One: check the water supplier's current
rules for every job,
85
00:04:31,082 --> 00:04:32,782
and say in the quote how it'll be done.
86
00:04:33,742 --> 00:04:37,802
Two: treat pending drought orders as
pending, not as law.
87
00:04:39,002 --> 00:04:43,942
Three: review noise and vibration
exposure, servicing and hearing protection now,
88
00:04:44,402 --> 00:04:45,502
not when something hurts.
89
00:04:46,762 --> 00:04:50,862
Four: have a site specific run off plan,
whatever equipment you own.
90
00:04:51,262 --> 00:04:52,882
Rules, proposals, products.
91
00:04:53,422 --> 00:04:55,042
Keep them separate, and you'll be fine.
