NHS Trust fined after it failed to manage hand-arm vibration risks An NHS Trust has been fined £40,000 after several employees were diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), following prolonged exposure to vibration from work equipment. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) began an investigation into Chesterfield Royal Hospital […]
Construction work naturally comes with many risks to health and safety, and control measures are heavily focused on physical hazards to counter this. However, it is important to remember the role stress plays in health and safety challenges faced by those in the construction industry. In the UK 22.1 million Working days lost due to […]
WFH linked to significant mental health gains, a study of 16K employees finds Employees who work predominantly from home experience stronger mental health outcomes than those who commute to the office, according to new research published in Social Science & Medicine. The study, led by researchers from the University of Melbourne and partner institutions, analysed […]
As part of January’s Hazard of the Month, Stress, we’re highlighting two key areas: Stress Awareness and Mindfulness. Stress Awareness Employers have a legal duty to identify and manage workplace stress risks in order to safeguard employee wellbeing. There are six main factors that can contribute to stress at work: Demands: Difficulty managing workload or job […]
Stress causing mistakes at work, research finds According to new research, over half of Brits (52.6%) are making mistakes at work due to stress, and 1 in 4 Brits have rung in sick at least once due to how stressed they’re feeling. The HSE’s latest statistics show that 964,000 workers this year have suffered from […]
Construction workers ‘dicing with death’ taking safety shortcuts Nearly half of construction workers admit taking safety shortcuts while working at height to ensure they get a job done on time – despite it being the leading cause of fatal injuries at work, new research reveals. Around a fifth say they haven’t received any training on […]
Dad’s legs crushed by 800kg pallet A manufacturer in Sheffield has been fined after a steel pallet landed on an employee, leaving him permanently disabled. The 800kg load crushed Wayne Hatton’s legs during a night shift at Amber Precast Ltd’s factory on 14 January 2021. Mr Hatton, from Doncaster, had his right lower leg amputated […]
Fears expressed over fire safety of new lithium-ion battery storage site Concerns have been raised over fire safety arrangements at a proposed new battery storage site in Scotland, after it was revealed that the local fire service did not have the right equipment to deal with a fire there. Local residents and councillors in Cockenzie […]
Mental Health Awareness Week: New HSE campaign partners in construction and entertainment To mark mental health awareness week, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) welcomes new partners from the construction and entertainment sectors to join its Working Minds campaign. Running a business in construction can be stressful with long hours and juggling intense workloads. Meanwhile, […]
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, employers must manage the risk to lone workers. Risks that affect lone workers in particular include workplace violence, the effects of stress, and medical conditions or accidents. Keep reading to learn more about how to protect your lone workers. Why are lone workers at risk […]