27 October Workplace noise: HSE find gaps in workplace protection Hearing loss caused by excessive noise at work can be permanent, but with the right health and safety measures, it is preventable. Some industries where noise exposure is commonly found include manufacturing, mechanics, construction and events settings. The Labor Force Survey from 2021/22 to 2023/24 estimated that the number of workers with work-related hearing problems … Read More
20 August Asbestos: Raising mesothelioma awareness Despite its ban in 1999, the legacy of asbestos exposure continues to affect thousands on lives in the UK. Mesothelioma is a rare but aggressive cancer of the lining of the lungs almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos. Mesothelioma is a long-latency disease, taking anywhere from 15-60 years to develop after exposure to asbestos. … Read More
29 July New Restrictions on AFFF Foam Extinguishers Do you have foam fire extinguishers on site? The rules have changed – are you still compliant? From 04 July 2025, the use of some foam extinguishers (AFFF containing C8 chemicals) have been banned due to environmental effects related to the presence of ‘forever chemicals’. Not all foam extinguishers are affected, but those containing PFOA … Read More
28 July Prosecution: Joiners fined for failing to protect workers The importance of understanding risks and keeping workers safe is highlighted in a recent breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act et Act 1974, in which wood dust and electrical risks were uncovered during a surprise inspection. Ensuring risk assessments are in place to identify hazards and ensure the control measures in place … Read More
1 April Understanding and Managing Asbestos Risks Why Managing Asbestos Risks is Important Asbestos remains a significant health risk, particularly in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000. Despite its widespread use in the past, asbestos is now known to cause serious health issues, including lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. Asbestos is still the biggest workplace killer in Britain, causing around 5,000 deaths … Read More
21 March Understanding Lithium Battery Safety Lithium- batteries have become an integral part of our daily lives both at home and within the workplace, powering everything from smartphones and laptops to electric vehicles including cars, bikes and scooters and renewable energy storage systems. Offering benefits like low maintenance, long lifespans, fast charging, and unlimited cycle life, lithium-ion batteries have become ubiquitous … Read More
27 February Leveraging Active Monitoring To Improve Safety Active monitoring can have an impactful, positive effect on health and safety in the workplace. It refers to the proactive process of regularly checking and inspecting work areas and activities to ensure compliance with health and safety standards. This approach is essential for maintaining a safe and productive work environment. What is Active Monitoring? Active … Read More
27 October COSHH – culling chemicals Are you at risk of failing before you start? Many organisations quail when faced with the sheer number of substances to capture with their COSHH Assessments, to the extent that they don’t know where to start. Desmond Tutu once wisely said “there is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time.” … Read More
23 August One Year On: Mandatory Isocyanate Training for Worker Safety Today (August 23 2024) marks the one-year anniversary of the regulatory updates that mandated training for workers handling isocyanates and diisocyanates. This significant change in isocyanate training was brought in to enhance workplace safety and protect workers from the harmful effects of these chemicals. One year on, have you taken the required action to stay … Read More
17 July Diisocyanates – Hazards and Controls Diisocyanates (usually referred to as isocyanates in the UK) are a family of highly reactive, low molecular weight chemicals. They are widely used in the manufacture of flexible and rigid foams, fibres, coatings such as paints and varnishes, and elastomers, and are increasingly used in the automobile industry, auto body repair, and building. While they … Read More