The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has shared suicide prevention strategies which are relevant for the workplace. The world’s leading professional health and safety body spoke out as World Suicide Prevention Day was observed on 10th September. Organised by the International Association for Suicide Prevention, the annual initiative helps raise awareness of...
HSE inspections target moving and handling
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an inspection campaign focused on the health risks of moving and handling materials on construction sites. Britain’s health and safety watchdog wants to highlight the long-term health impacts of poor or unsafe moving and handling practices, with figures showing that around 42,000 construction workers suffer from...
Government safety pledge amid school concrete crisis
The government has pledged to “spend what it takes” to ensure safety as the school concrete crisis continues. As pupils across the country prepared to head back to school this September, more than 100 were forced to either shut down fully or partially close due to the significant safety risks posed by reinforced autoclaved...
School trust fined £80K after multiple children injured
A school trust has been fined £80,000 after safety failings led to multiple young children being injured in an incident that risked significant “mental and emotional impact.” The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) decided to prosecute Thurlow Educational Trust after a classroom ceiling collapsed at Rosemead Preparatory School in London, injuring 15 year 3...
HSE publishes asbestos report for schools
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...