The government has published the Employment Rights Bill Implementation Roadmap, outlining when new measures will come into effect. This comprehensive plan aims to raise living standards across the UK, with around 15 million workers expected to benefit from new rights starting later this year. Highlights of the Roadmap include: Measures that will take effect after the bill is passed: The Strikes … Read More
The Sun’s Out – Time To Get The Shorts Out?
With the sun making a brief appearance over the past few days, the familiar health and safety advisories have returned, highlighting the risks of prolonged sun exposure, including skin cancer and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related risks to workers Whether indoors or outdoors, working in excessive heat can cause a number of medical issues, including: Heat rash – a skin irritation caused … Read More
Updated Gas Safety Guidance
The British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) has recently made a number of revisions to published documents on their website. The documents in question include: Code of Practice 31 – The safe use of cylinders on mobile workshops and service vehicles (Revision 6: 2025) Technical Information 29 – Oxy-fuel equipment: selection and assembly (Revision 2: 2025) Safety Alert 2 – Hydrogen … Read More
Revised Bloodborne Viruses Guidance
A bloodborne virus is an infection that can be transmitted through direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids. The most common examples of bloodborne viruses are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently updated their guidance on managing the risks associated with blood-borne viruses (BBVs) in the workplace. This revised guidance provides … Read More
New Guidance On The Safe Rigging Of Cranes
The Construction Plant Association’s Crane Interest Group has published new guidance for crane rigging. CPA CIG 2506 introduces a structured and practical approach to pre-lift safety checks for mobile and crawler cranes. This new guidance is designed to enhance, not replace, existing safety processes and is aimed at reducing the risk of rigging errors and improving overall site safety. … Read More
HSE Launch Free Stress eLearning Module
Stress is a widespread issue in the workplace, which, alongside anxiety and depression, contributes to around half of all cases of work-related ill health. Employees may experience stress for various reasons, such as excessive workloads, limited control over their tasks, insufficient support, difficult workplace relationships, or changes in their role or the organisation. Employers are legally required to protect staff … Read More
Updated Guidance on Fire Alarm Zone Plans: Why They Matter
The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has released new guidance on Fire Detection and Alarm Zone Plans; this has been updated to align with the latest BS 5839-1:2025 standard. This update brings a renewed focus on the critical role of zone plans in fire safety management. Key Changes in the Guidance The new guidance classifies the absence of a zone … Read More
West Nile Virus Detected in UK Mosquitos
Research undertaken by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has found fragments of the West Nile Virus in mosquitos collected from Retford, Nottinghamshire. This marks the first time that such fragments have been identified in the UK. The risk of West Nile Virus remains low, with only 2 out of 200 mosquito batches spread across the UK testing positive for … Read More
The Scottish Response to the Grenfell Inquiry: Planned Actions and Reforms
The tragic Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 prompted a wide-ranging public inquiry and a series of recommendations to improve building and fire safety across the UK. The Scottish Government has responded by accepting all recommendations from the Grenfell Inquiry that are relevant to Scotland, demonstrating a strong commitment to learning from the disaster and enhancing safety standards. Key Elements of … Read More
Noise Control in Woodworking: Understanding the Problem
Noise is a significant occupational hazard in the woodworking industry. Workers are frequently exposed to high noise levels, often between 90 and 110 dB(A), which can cause hearing damage and increase the risk of accidents by making it difficult to communicate or hear warning signals. The main sources of noise include the cutting process, dust extraction systems, and other machinery … Read More