London Fire Brigade have recently reported an increased number e-bike and e-scooter fires. As of the end of August 2023 there had been 116 fires involving e-bikes and scooter that is more than all of 2023 and higher than any other year. These fires included three fatalities and an additional 51 people injured. Concerns have been raised by a number … Read More
Consultation on Fire Safety of Upholstered Furniture
The Department for Business and Trade and the Office for Product Safety and Standards launched a consultation, starting 2nd August 2023, regarding a new approach to dealing with the fire safety of domestic upholstered furniture as a replacement to the existing Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. The consultation is seeking feedback on proposals regarding: The scope of the … Read More
New Technical Briefing Note for Slinger or Signaller Safety
A new Technical Briefing Note has been published on the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) website. Technical Briefing Note 36 (TBN036) ‘Hands Off, Step Back 5 Paces’ was issued following a fatality involving a slinger or signaller. The fatality occurred when, during the initial stage of the lift, the load being lifted became snagged on an obstruction, resulting in the sling … Read More
Environmental Agency Launches Consultation on Unlimited Fines for Polluters
A new consultation has been launched by the Environmental Agency to explore the possibility of unlimited fines for those who are the worst polluters. The consultation, which opened on August 15th and runs until October 8th, is seeking views on when penalties should be used, how they should be calculated, and the appeals process. The consultation considers removing the £250,000 … Read More
September Inspection Campaign Focusses on Manual Handling
The HSE have announced that their construction site inspection campaign due to start in early September will focus on moving and handling construction materials. It is estimated that around 42,000 construction workers suffer work related musculoskeletal disorders, a rate of 1970 per 100,00 workers, this compares to a rate of 1100 per 100,00 for all workplaces. Musculoskeletal disorders include neck … Read More
Requirements for Second Staircases in New Residential Buildings
The government has confirmed plans to require second staircases in all new residential buildings above 18 metres, a decrease in height from the previous 30 metres. The new plans were announced as part of a speech by Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities, on 24th July regarding the government’s long-term plans for housing. In … Read More
Pull Your Finger Out: Behaviour, Physical Features and Covid Risk
A recently published study by Dutch researchers assessed a number of behavioural and physical features such as nose picking, nail biting, wearing glasses, having a beard, and the risk of Covid infection among health workers. The study involved measuring Covid specific antibodies alongside a survey of behavioural and physical features at two university medical centres in the Netherlands. A total … Read More
Extension of CE Mark Recognition
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, the Government developed the UKCA (UK Conformity Assessment) as a replacement for the CE marking system to show that a product complies with basic safety requirements. Voluntary use of the new standard started in January 2021. The original date for a full transfer to UKCA had been set for 1st January 2022 for … Read More
Consultation on Amendments to Health Protection Notification Regulations
The Health Protection Notification Regulations 2010 (HPNR) were introduced to help the government respond effectively and quickly to newly discovered cases of infectious diseases and prevent their spread if they pose such a risk. In the wake of COVID, the Government has been considering adding a number of amendments to the regulations in order to ensure the discovery of infectious … Read More
Time is Running Out To Register Your High Rise Building – Act now!
Background Paul Lennon, Executive Director & Head of Strategy for PIB Risk Management, provides insight into the requirement to register your high rise building. In June 2017 a fire started in a single flat in a London tower block, the cause of the fire was identified as a faulty kitchen appliance. That fire escaped the confines of the flat and … Read More