Latest News in Health, Safety & the Environment

Waste costs have risen relentlessly since 1997 following the introduction of the landfill tax. The pressure to control cost and ensure compliance has increased still further this year in England and Wales since the passing of the Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011. There is now a legal duty on anyone creating commercial or industrial waste to apply the waste hierarchy in deciding on the...

A reminder that from Monday 12 September 2011, statutory reporting to HSE of work-related injuries and incidents under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) will move to a predominantly online system.   Revised online forms aim to make the reporting process quick and easy. Fatal and major injuries and incidents can still be reported...

Speeded-up prosecutions over the deaths of workers are on the cards. The forthcoming Work Related Deaths Protocol has had a number of changes proposed, the major one meaning that charges over health and safety could proceed in some cases before a coroner's inquest is held. No charges can currently be brought until the inquest has concluded. The Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians...

Health and safety legislation exists to protect people from real risks at, or connected with, work. But it can be hard to see this from some of the stories that are reported. Below are 10 of the most bizarre health bans or restrictions spotted in media coverage by HSE over the last year. Wimbledon officials citing health and safety as a reason to close Murray Mount when it was wetExample media story:...

From 12 September 2011, statutory reporting to HSE of work-related injuries and incidents under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) will move to a predominantly online system. Revised online forms will make the reporting process quick and easy. Employers will no longer report incidents by email, post or fax. The Incident Contact Centre will still...

HSE has opened a three-month consultation on proposals to recover costs from businesses that fail to adhere to health and safety law. To view the consultation document and have your say, visit the HSE website.