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
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
New Freight Container Regulations In Northern Ireland
The Freight Containers (Safety Convention) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 represent a significant update to the legal framework governing the use, approval, and maintenance of freight containers in Northern Ireland. These regulations replace the 1992 Regulations, bringing local standards in line with the International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) 1972 and its latest amendments. What is Covered? The regulations apply … 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
HSE Publishes New Domestic Service Guidance
The HSE has published new guidance clarifying who qualifies as a domestic servant and where health and safety law applies in the context of domestic work. The key point to remember is that health and safety law does not apply to domestic servants in a private household. This generally includes roles such as nannies, cooks, and chauffeurs. However, … Read More
Updated Driver Hours Rules for HGVs and PSVs
Coming into effect from April 21, 2025, the UK government has introduced updates to the driver hours rules for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) under the Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs (Amendment and Modification) Regulations 2025. These changes aim to align UK regulations with international standards, particularly under the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the AETR … Read More
No Falls Week 2025
What is No Falls Week? No Falls Week is a dedicated campaign aimed at promoting safe work practices at height and preventing falls. It serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and adherence to safety measures in the work-at-height sector, which is often associated with significant risks. When is No Falls Week? No Falls Week runs from … Read More
MOT Inspection Manuals for HGVs and PSVs
Who has published the guidance? Updated MOT Inspection manuals for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) and Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) has been published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). What does the guidance cover? The manuals provide detailed procedures and standards for the examination and maintenance of HGVs and PSVs. They focus on: Ensuring vehicle safety. Compliance with … Read More
Managing the Health Risks of Isocyanate Paints in the Workplace
Ensuring safety in paint spraying Paint spraying, especially with isocyanates, poses serious health risks like asthma and dermatitis. Exposure occurs through inhalation, skin contact, and equipment use. Safety requires proper PPE, RPE, ventilation, and training. Understanding isocyanate paints Isocyanates, found in vehicle paints, pose serious health risks through inhalation and skin contact. Exposure occurs during spraying, mixing, curing, and … Read More