The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a report about the management of asbestos in schools, including key safety recommendations. Britain’s health and safety watchdog visited over 400 primary and secondary schools across England, Scotland and Wales between September 2022 and March 2023. They wanted to check that schools were effectively managing the...
Defibrillator access ‘unequal’, experts warn
Access to a potentially life-saving defibrillator is unequal across England and Scotland, a recent study has shown. Heart experts are calling for people across the country to be afforded equal and quick access to a life-saving automated external defibrillator (AED) machine 24 hours a day. It comes as a study in Heart Journal reveals...
World Alzheimer’s Month promotes proactive approach
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and this year the theme is all about tackling the disease through a proactive approach to reduce risk factors. The international campaign, which takes place every September, aims to unite people across the globe to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia and break down the...
Care firms fined following violent attacks on staff
Two firms operating in the adult social care sector have been fined more than £400,000 after “systemic failures” led to staff being injured in repeated violent attacks by patients. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the leading care firms should have implemented “preventative measures to prevent violence,” such as training for staff. Britain’s...
Skills for Care updates Manager Induction Standards
Skills for Care have reviewed and updated the Manager Induction Standards to offer new and aspiring managers better support. The Manager Induction Standards 2023 have been revised to better reflect the expectations of what a new manager in a care setting should be working towards within the first six months of starting their role....
Care providers prepare for CQC’s Single Assessment Framework
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) is set to roll out its new Single Assessment Framework before the end of the year. England’s care watchdog first published the new framework for providers and stakeholders to review in July 2022, saying they would be introducing it in phases. It is to be rolled out for adult...
Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training ‘vitally important’
NHS England have developed a powerful video animation to help the health and social care workforce understand the importance of the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training package. It has been made available as the Department of Health and Social Care runs a consultation on its draft code of practice for the training. The Oliver McGowan...
Online grooming cases reach record high
Data from the NSPCC has revealed that online grooming crimes reached a record high last year, as new online safety laws have repeatedly stalled. The national children’s charity said that data from 42 police forces in the UK showed that 6,350 offences related to sexual communication with a child were recorded last year, representing...
IOSH says flexible working can boost health and safety
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has welcomed new regulations that support flexible working, saying it leads to “positive mental health and physical health.” The world’s largest professional health and safety body says the benefits of flexible work patterns also include “healthier and more sustainable lives” for workers and “lower absenteeism or...
Hospitality firms urged to ensure electrical safety this summer
Hospitality venues are being urged to check the electrical safety of their outdoor equipment, after a young boy lost his life when he was electrocuted in a pub garden. Danielle Jones, aged 34 from Romford, is calling on all pubs, restaurants and other hospitality venues to ensure that their outdoor electrical installations and equipment...
Firm fined after worker paralysed in ‘preventable’ incident
A manufacturing firm has been fined for health and safety failings after a worker was left paralysed following an “easily preventable” incident. Last month, Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court heard how the worker, a 65-year-old man from Worcester, suffered “life-changing” injuries when working for Mountfield CNC Ltd on 4th January 2022. He had been setting up...
Annual report shows social care workforce is growing again
Skills for Care have published their annual report into the state of the adult social care workforce in England, and it reveals that it has started growing again but will continue to face challenges posed by an ageing population. The Size and Structure of the Adult Social Care Sector and Workforce in England report...
Sexual harassment of girls ‘widespread’ in schools
A group of MPs has called for a government-led strategy to engage boys in relationship and sex education, improve safeguarding and tackle sexual harassment of girls. The Women and Equalities Committee have published a report in which they describe sexual harassment of girls as “a scourge” in England’s schools and claim that it is...
School fined £35,000 for ‘shocking and scary’ burn incident
A primary school has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and fined £35,000 for “common sense” safety failings that led to a “shocking and scary” burn incident involving a young child. The London-based school had pleaded not guilty to breaching health and safety regulations but were found guilty following a trial...
HSE reveals 135 people were killed at work last year
The latest work-related fatality statistics for Great Britain reveal that 135 people were killed in accidents at work last year. Published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) this month, the annual figures cover the period from April 2022 until March 2023 and detail work-related fatalities. Britain’s health and safety watchdog says that the industries...