British Safety Council launches hidden hazards campaign
British Safety Council has launched Hidden Hazards, a new UK-wide campaign to raise awareness of the invisible risks that affect millions of workers, and encourage more concerted action by employers, the Government and others to prevent harm before it occurs.
While visible workplace hazards are widely recognised, many of the biggest workplace killers remain out of sight and out of mind. Exposure to hazardous substances, excessive noise, poor air quality, work-related stress, fatigue, and other less visible hazards can have devastating, life-changing consequences for workers, their families, the businesses that employ them, as well as the wider economy.
Through the Hidden Hazards campaign, British Safety Council is seeking to raise awareness and provide employees with the knowledge and resources they need to stay safe; while also calling for meaningful and lasting policy change.
Read more on the HSM website.
Lone Worker Safety Becomes a Growing Priority in Construction
Construction companies are rethinking emergency response, heat safety and communication as more employees spend time working independently.
Construction safety has never been static. Over the years, the industry has adapted to new regulations, emerging technologies, changing workforce dynamics and evolving jobsite risks. Today, another important shift is underway: a growing recognition that protecting workers means not only preventing incidents but also ensuring they can quickly access help when emergencies occur.
As construction companies manage increasingly mobile workforces, labour shortages, and more employees working independently across multiple locations, organizations are taking a closer look at how they support workers when supervisors and coworkers are not immediately present. From emergency response and heat-related illnesses to communication protocols and connected safety technology, protecting lone workers is becoming a more prominent part of the broader construction safety conversation.
Learn more on the FCP website.
Further arrests in Thetford as disorder continues for third night
More arrests have been made in Thetford as disorder linked to anti-immigration protests continued for a third night in the Norfolk market town.
A further two men in their 40s were arrested on Thursday evening, Norfolk Police said, taking the total number of people arrested in relation to the disorder to five.
One of the pair was arrested on suspicion of racial hatred, relating to offences on Wednesday, the force said. The other man was arrested on suspicion of being drunk and disorderly and failing to give his details to police when asked.
Policing powers were stepped up in Thetford on Thursday evening following the disorder earlier in the week.
It came after police officers were “subjected to significant aggression” on Wednesday, including a female police officer who was “seriously bitten”.
For more on the incident visit the BBC website.
Unregistered gas installer sentenced for illegal gas work at two Hampshire homes
An unregistered gas fitter has been sentenced after carrying out illegal gas work at two houses in Hampshire, leaving the properties in a condition that could have endangered lives.
Bradley Willis-Chambers, 47, removed boilers at homes in Southsea and Tipner between 2021 and 2022, leaving a single parent with a young daughter without a working hot water appliance for an extended period, while a young couple in their first home were left facing costly repairs.
Following the removal of the old boilers and installation of new ones at both properties, concerns were raised with the Gas Safe Register about the installations and non-working parts.
An HSE investigation found that Bradley Willis-Chambers was unregistered – making the work illegal – and had previously faced HSE enforcement action in 2012 for carrying out illegal, unregistered gas work. Although he later became a member of the Gas Safe Register, he was struck off in 2016 due to a failure to demonstrate competence, rectify defects and comply with registration rules. He had not been registered to undertake any gas work since 25 May 2016.
Visit the HSE website to read more.
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