The Office for Produce Safety and Standards (OPSS) has issued a high-risk level alert regarding a risk of fire linked to three brands of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) powered industrial lift trucks. The lift trucks in question were all fitted with the IMPCO C-Series vaporiser, manufactured by EControls BV, and installed as part of the truck’s fuel system. Recent … Read More
Work-related Stress, Depression and Anxiety
Statistics recently released by the HSE show that workplace stress, depression, and anxiety continue to be major issues. Despite a drop from an estimated 875,000 workers suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2022/23 to 776,000 in 2023/24, the rate is still significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels. The HSE estimates that over the past year there were 300,000 new … Read More
New Building Safety Bill Proposed for Wales
The Welsh Government has announced that it intends to introduce a new Building Safety Bill for Wales that would bring new regulations to improve fire safety for multi-occupied residential buildings. The announcement by Jane Bryant, Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, follows the publication of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Phase 2 Report. Bryant emphasised that while Welsh officials … Read More
Increase in Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders
Latest figures from the HSE show an increase in the number of work-related musculoskeletal disorders over the past year. In the period 2023/2024, a total of 543,000 workers were reported as suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, up from 473,000 the previous year. 160,000 of these were reported as new cases. All of this led to a massive 7.8 million working days … Read More
Health and Safety at Work Statistics Released
The HSE has published the annual work-related ill health and workplace injuries statistics for the period 2023/24. The key figure highlighted by the HSE is that 1.7 million workers were suffering from work-related ill health through the 2023/24 period, including: 776,000 suffering from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety, down from 875,000 from the year before. 543,000 suffering from work-related … Read More
Changing National Speed Limits in Scotland
As part of the Scottish Government’s Road Safety Framework to 2030, a National Speed Management Review (NSMR) has been launched seeking feedback from stakeholders and the public on proposed changes to speed limits across Scotland. The consultation proposes the following major adjustments to speed limits: Reducing the national speed limit for single carriageway roads to 50 mph. Increasing speed … Read More
New Sprinkler Guide for Responsible Persons Released
Following the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022, the British Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association (BAFSA) has released new guidance aimed at helping responsible persons and duty holders of sprinkler-protected buildings. The guidance, ‘Sprinkler Protected Buildings: A Guide for Responsible Persons and Duty Holders,’ serves as a resource for understanding, installing, and maintaining automatic fire sprinkler systems. Among the main … Read More
Lung Cancer Awareness Month
November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Lung Cancer Awareness Month is about raising awareness about lung cancer, including how to recognise it, prevent it, and treat it. Certain work environments can expose workers to substances and conditions that increase the risk of developing lung cancer. An estimated 12,000 people die from work-related lung diseases every year, highlighting the importance that … Read More
Research Into Wood Dust Exposure in Manufacturing
The HSE recently released a research study looking at wood dust exposure in manufacturing. Wood dust can cause health problems for those working in any manufacturing that involves wood. Individuals can inhale wood dust particles, which can go into the lungs, causing illnesses such as asthma and cancer. Additionally, nose cancer is a risk associated with dust particles getting stuck … Read More
New Guidance for Isolating MEWP Platform Controls
When working at height, it is sometimes necessary to isolate the controls to reduce the risk of accidental operation causing entrapment. Traditionally the emergency stop control has been used to achieve isolation when required. Following an incident investigation by the HSE, it was found that the design of newer MEWP platforms means that when completing certain tasks, there is an … Read More