New guidance to protect those using gas and air safely in hospitals
New guidance to protect Britain’s midwives from excessive nitrous oxide exposure has been published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The guidance is aimed at those responsible for ensuring the safety of workers and new mothers on maternity wards.
More commonly known as ‘gas and air’ when mixed with oxygen, nitrous oxide is an invisible gas used widely in healthcare, including for pain relief during childbirth.
Depending on how well exhaled gas from women in labour is controlled, midwives are at greater risk of exposure to higher levels of nitrous oxide due to the extensive time they spend working in labour rooms.
Over time, high levels of exposure can cause serious health effects including neurological problems and anaemia so it is important that levels are properly controlled.
The recently published guidance on how gas and air should be used safely has been developed by HSE together with maternity specialists in the NHS and is also relevant for professionals working in other parts of the healthcare sector, outside of maternity wards.
Read more on the HSE website.
Concern over Google ending ban on AI weapons
Google’s parent company lifting a longstanding ban on artificial intelligence (AI) being used for developing weapons and surveillance tools is “incredibly concerning”, a leading human rights group has said.
Alphabet has rewritten its guidelines on how it will use AI, dropping a section which previously ruled out applications that were “likely to cause harm”.
Human Rights Watch has criticised the decision, telling the BBC that AI can “complicate accountability” for battlefield decisions that “may have life or death consequences.”
In a blog post, external Google defended the change, arguing that businesses and democratic governments needed to work together on AI that “supports national security”.
Experts say AI could be widely deployed on the battlefield – though there are fears about its use too, particularly with regard to autonomous weapons systems.
More on the guidelines on the BBC website.
Fairground operator fined after worker dies
A fairground operator has been fined after a man ‘everyone fell in love with’ died weeks after suffering serious head injuries while working on a ride in South Shields.
Dean Cariss was struck by a moving car on a rollercoaster ride while daily testing and maintenance was being carried out at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park on 19 March 2023.
The 52-year-old sustained severe head injuries and as a result died in hospital 13 days later.
A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found that Premier Attractions Limited had failed to ensure the health and safety of employees. The company pleaded guilty and was fined £28,000 at South Tyneside Magistrates Court on 17 December 2024.
Mr Cariss, who had been with his partner Helen Wright for more than 15 years, was also a step father to Helen’s three grown-up children, as well as being a step grandparent to nine.
For more on the incident visit the HSM website.
Protex AI secures funding to revolutionise worker safety
Protex AI, a leader in AI-driven workplace safety technology, has secured an oversubscribed $36 million Series B funding round, led by Hedosophia with participation from Salesforce Ventures and existing investors.
This latest investment comes as Protex AI accelerates its expansion in the U.S. to revolutionise worker safety on a global scale through computer vision and AI.
“As global industries grapple with tighter regulations and increasing operational complexities, safety has emerged as a critical lever for growth and resilience,” said Dan Hobbs, CEO of Protex AI. “The safety market is evolving rapidly, with organisations prioritising automation, efficiency, and employee wellbeing. We’re at the forefront of this transformation, integrating cutting-edge computer vision and AI technologies to not only enhance safety but also drive measurable improvements in workplace operations.”
Learn more on the HSM website.
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