Last month a county council ruled that workers could no longer use ladders to place advertising banners on lamppost mounts because it “is not a safe system of work and therefore breaches health-and-safety legislation.” Over the years there have been several misinterpretations about safely using ladders and stepladders, both inside and outside. Common Work At […]

By law, an employer must consult their workforce about any change that will substantially affect their health and safety. These changes include implementing new or different procedures, using new equipment, and implementing new shift patterns. The HSE has a brief guide to the law informing employers what they need to do to ensure they are […]

Recently the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) released annual statistics for work-related health and injuries. The HSE Summary statistics for Great Britain 2019 show the UK remains one of the safest places to work in the world, with one of the lowest standardised rates of fatal injury in the EU. Below is a summary of […]

The rate of forklift-related accidents has increased over the past year, rising from 1,000 per annum to 1,300 in the last 12 months. Search for ‘UK forklift truck accidents’ in Google News, and you’ll get a long page of results that show how frequently forklift truck accidents occur and how serious they can be. Twelve […]

Display screen equipment (DSE) is any device that has an alphanumeric or graphical display screen. Such devices include computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, televisions, cash register displays, CCTV screens, touchscreens and other equipment. This type of equipment is often in constant use in today’s modern workplaces and their incorrect or excessive use, poorly designed workstations or […]

Some jobs can involve the release of harmful substances into the air. They may produce harmful dust, fibres, vapour, gas or fumes. If workers are not protected from these substances the consequences can be grave. The TUC says ‘far more people die from occupational diseases caused by exposure to substances like asbestos, silica and diesel […]

Earlier this month three people were injured when scaffolding collapsed at a derelict shopping centre in Reading. A full investigation is being carried out by the HSE, which could result in prosecutions if serious failings come to light. Earlier this year a scaffolding company was fined over £24,000 after scaffolding collapsed near a primary school […]

The next couple of months could see some of the hottest summer temperatures experienced in the UK. While these are traditionally the months when most people take a holiday and enjoy the weather, there are still many who have to continue working and find ways of coping with excessive heat in the workplace. The Effects […]

Given the number of TV series and documentaries recently broadcast about Chernobyl and the interest they have generated prompted us to think about the UK’s nuclear safety record. This article gives a high level overview of Health and Safety in the UK nuclear industry. The UK built its first nuclear reactor in 1947. In the […]

Each year the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes a business plan outlining their key areas of work. It identifies how the HSE will use regulatory, engagement, and assessment methods to continue to prevent work-related fatalities, injuries and ill health, and respond to current issues. This year these issues include preparing for the UK’s departure […]

With the latest high budget Marvel blockbuster hitting cinemas lets take a look at health and safety in the film industry. In the movies, many stories would not be possible without disregard for serious health and safety issues in the workplace. Where would the superhero genre be without villains falling from height into a vat […]

Some of the most common injuries for people working in an office setting are related to the fact that most of their day is spent seated at a desk and working on a computer. This makes them prone to musculoskeletal disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle strain and lower back injuries. However many of […]