Latest News in Health, Safety & the Environment

Reforms to environmental legislation could save businesses up to £300m a year, according to Environment Secretary Owen Paterson. Government plans published on 10th April outline 336 regulatory reforms covering agricultural, water and marine regulation, as well as environmental standards, as part of the government's Red Tape Challenge to remove "unnecessary regulatory burden" on companies...

131million days were lost due to sickness absences in the UK in 2013, down from 178 million days in 1993, according to a new report from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) looking at sickness trends over the past 20 years. Most of the fall in sickness absence was between 2003 and 2011. Looking at the number of days lost per worker, in 1993, around 7.2 days were lost and by 2013 this had fallen...

The NEBOSH Certificate in Environmental Management provides a nationally accredited foundation in Environmental Management.  It is ideal for Managers, Supervisors and employees who have responsibility for managing environment issues as part of their day to day duties. Course Dates: 24th to 28th March 2014, inclusive Examination Date:  4th April 2014 Further details: http://www.peakhse.co.uk/training/courses/nebosh/nebosh-certificate-in-environmental-management 

ISO member countries have followed the UK in voting to move the latest version of the revised 14001 text on to a draft international standard (DIS). A second committee draft (CD2) of the revised environmental management systems standard was published in October 2013 and ISO countries had until 23 January to vote on whether CD2 should become a DIS. ISO has now confirmed that the national groups...

Tougher penalties are being handed out to employers who breach health and safety laws following a change in approach to prosecutions, according to a report released on 16 January.  The report, published by the Department for Work and Pensions, shows that the changes introduced under the Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 have led to more cases being tried in the lower courts, convicted offenders...

It is great news that Britain’s economy seems well on the road to recovery. However, a word of caution from the Health and Safety Executive... When we entered the most recent recession in late 2008 many people expressed concern that workplace injury and fatality rates would go up, largely as a result of companies cutting corners to save costs as times became harder. But those fears did...