The Sun’s Out – Time To Get The Shorts Out?

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Distribution, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

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

Revised Bloodborne Viruses Guidance

sarahvardyAgriculture, Construction & Property Management, Education, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Religious Organisations & Charities

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 High Consequence Infectious Disease Guidance for Care Providers

sarahvardyHealth & Social Care

The UK Health Security Agency has published new guidance aimed at care providers detailing what actions should be taken should an individual under care become suspected of carrying a high consequence infectious disease (HCID). HCIDs are diseases which are identified as having a high case-fatality rate, often with no effective treatment, are difficult to detect and have the ability to … Read More

HSE Launch Free Stress eLearning Module

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Distribution, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

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

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Distribution, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

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

New Guidance on Cooking Fire Safety Devices

sarahvardyEducation, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Religious Organisations & Charities

Euralarm, the European trade association representing the fire safety and security industry, has published new guidance on implementing safety measures to prevent fires caused by unattended cooking appliances.   Research undertaken by groups such as the Zurich Insurance Company (Europe) and the National Fire Protection Association (USA) highlights that cooking is one of the leading causes of residential fires. Such … Read More

HSE Publishes New Domestic Service Guidance

sarahvardyAutomotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Distribution, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

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

No Falls Week 2025

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Distribution, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

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

Falls Through Windows

sarahvardyConstruction & Property Management, Education, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Religious Organisations & Charities

Falls through windows pose a significant safety risk. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recently conducted a study of the effectiveness of guarding to prevent falls through window openings. This research focuses on evaluating the measures used to prevent falls from windows, a critical safety concern in both residential and commercial buildings. Summary of the research This research aims to … Read More

50 Years of the HSE and the Health & Safety at Work Act

sarahvardyAgriculture, Automotive, Construction & Property Management, Education, Haulage & Distribution, Health & Social Care, Hospitality & Leisure, Manufacturing & Engineering, Religious Organisations & Charities, Retail & Commercial & Offices

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Established by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the HSE was officially launched on 1st January 1975 under its first Director General, John Locke. In April of 1975, new legal duties were introduced for employers, the self-employed, and employees, with the HSE responsible for … Read More