Category: In The News

Chemicals firm fined following explosion A solvents manufacturer has been fined following an explosion at its factory in the Scottish Borders. The blast at Rathburn Chemicals in Walkerburn on 10 January 2020 resulted in a laboratory, which was part of the factory, being demolished. It was likely caused by excessive pentane vapour, generated by the […]

Two-thirds of employees stressed by work Work is the third biggest cause of stress for UK employees, after lack of sleep and money worries, according to new research. Over two-thirds (70%) of the 1,238 employed adults surveyed by HR software provider Ciphr, identified at least one aspect of work that contributes to their stress levels. Work […]

National Grid fined £3.2million after pylon worker suffers serious burns The National Grid has been fined more than £3million after its failures left a father-of-two with life-changing injuries from working on a pylon in South Wales. Justin Hollins was working replacing step bolts on the pylon at Treforest Industrial Estate in Pontypridd, when he received […]

Minister announces reform of construction products regulatory regime In a statement to Parliament, Rushanara Ali, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Housing, Communities and Local Government, has announced a reform of the construction products regulatory regime, and an extension of the CE quality marking recognition. Existing construction products regulations set out rules for placing construction products on the […]

Spike in violence towards female commuters British Transport Police Authority’s 2024 annual report shows the number of crimes against women and girls on their commute rose from 7,561 in 2021 to 11,357 in 2023. Violent attacks against women while they commute on British railways have more than doubled since 2021, according to shocking new data […]

UK riots heighten concern on lone worker safety Organisations call for a focus on keeping staff safe as UK riots raise personal safety concerns. The British Retail Consortium has expressed concern for its members following recent rioting across the UK. Much of the disorder took place on high streets with shops being targeted for looting. […]

Time to address van driver speeding epidemic Van driver speeding is at epidemic proportions, and a major safety and cost issue that needs to be addressed by the new Government, RED Corporate Driver Training believes. Recent Department for Transport (DfT) figures showed that van drivers are the most likely group of drivers to speed in […]

Safety body slams PPE write off as ‘shameful’ The world voice for occupational safety and health professionals has labelled the former UK government’s failed £1.4bn pandemic deal on personal protective equipment (PPE) as “shameful”. Criticism from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) follows a BBC investigation which revealed the shocking numbers of aprons, masks and […]

Competency is key – associations respond to UK building plan IOSH and CIOB have urged Labour to consider quality and competency in its ambitious construction targets. Associations including IOSH, CIOB and RoSPA have expressed caution in response to the Government’s plan to build 1.5 million homes over five years. Labour’s landslide election victory means attention […]

Rise in workplace deaths shows ‘lessons aren’t being learned’ The global body for health and safety professionals says “lessons aren’t being learned” after it was revealed one worker is killed every week in the UK construction industry. New figures published show that 51 deaths occurred in construction in 2023-24, an increase of four from the previous […]