Latest News in Health, Safety & the Environment

Advice on the fire safety matters that should be considered by local planning authorities, applicants and other technical specialists involved in high rise residential and educational accommodation buildings at the planning stage, has been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Planning Gateway One established the HSE as a statutory consultee for developments that include...

More than 2.5 million in the UK are economically inactive due to one or more long-term health conditions, ONS data has revealed. Over half of this number (1.3 million) suffer from 'depression, bad nerves or anxiety’ but musculoskeletal issues also factor high on the list, with many people reporting interlinked health issues. The data report, which covers Quarter one of this year, or January...

The annual report by HSE found that 1.8 million working people are suffering from work-related ill health and that 123 workers were killed at work in this time period. Key figures for Great Britain (2021/22): 1.8 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which 914,000 workers suffering work-related stress, depression or anxiety 477,000 workers suffering...

Keeping safe when working in wintry conditions With low temperatures and less daylight, winter can make surfaces perilous, and slip and trip accidents increase significantly. There are plenty of factors to consider when avoiding these sorts of accidents. Ice and snow, poor lighting, excess water from rain and even gritting can all cause problems. Take a look at our online guide to avoiding...

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Great Britain’s workplace regulator, has issued guidelines that state what employers can do to support staff with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions to help them succeed in the workplace. The new guidance was launched on 15th November and Sarah Albon, Chief Executive of HSE, said: “The aim of this guidance is to provide...

HSE have issued new guidance on how, when and where to use ladders and stepladders safely. Reaffirming that ladders and stepladders are not banned under health and safety law but stating that the law calls for a sensible, proportionate approach to managing risk, and ladders can be a sensible and practical option low-risk, short duration tasks, although they should not automatically be your first choice. There...