Following reports that job vacancies in the UK have hit a record high of 1 million, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has warned employers dealing with staff shortages not to “sleepwalk” into a health and safety nightmare. The leading professional body for occupational safety and health said that “worker shortages do...
Firm fined £1 million after man dies in explosion
A chemical firm has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and fined £1 million after a man died in an explosion at its site. The HSE said they hoped the case would help “communicate important safety messages” to the industry after Briar Chemicals Ltd pleaded guilty to breaching the COMAH Regulations...
HSE inspectors crack down on respiratory risks
Inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be targeting construction firms across Britain next month to check they are protecting workers from respiratory risks and occupational lung disease. The month-long inspection initiative, starting on Monday 4th October 2021, will focus on the control measures that construction firms have in place to protect...
IOSH shares workplace strategies to prevent suicide
As World Suicide Prevention Day was observed earlier this month, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) shared workplace strategies to support people’s mental health and prevent suicide. The world’s largest occupational health and safety body said that the Covid-19 pandemic had negatively impacted the mental health and wellbeing of people across the...
NSPCC: Online child abuse crimes have risen by almost 80%
The NSPCC is calling for the upcoming Online Safety Bill to be strengthened to “prioritise children” after figures show that online abuse crimes have surged by 78% over the last 4 years. The national children’s charity says that an analysis of police reports reveals that the number of children being sexually abused online has...
Social media firms introduce global measures to protect children
Leading social media platforms have implemented new global measures to protect children after the UK introduced new regulations aimed at ensuring child safety online. On Thursday 2nd September 2021, the UK introduced a new set of regulations to protect children when they are online, which include the possibility of multi-million-dollar fines for any companies...
Parents have lost faith in child mental health care
An investigation carried out by the BBC has found that parents and headteachers have lost faith in the mental health care system for children and young people as they face “agonisingly” long waits for treatment. After examining data from half of England’s services, investigators found that 1 in 5 children seen for mental health...
Care providers face ‘catastrophic shortages’ as jab deadline looms
Union leaders warn that care providers could face “catastrophic” staff shortages if the government refuses to scrap its deadline of 11th November for all care workers in England to be double-jabbed. The current deadline means that any care home workers or volunteers who have not yet taken up the vaccine must receive their first...
Skills for Care launch Day of Remembrance and Reflection
Skills for Care have joined with 20 other social care bodies in England to launch the new Social Care Day of Remembrance and Reflection. Supported by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Minister of State for Social Care, Helen Whately, the memorial day will honour the work of the adult social...
Half of frontline workers say job pressures are ‘out of control’
An 18-month long study into wellbeing within the emergency services has found that frontline healthcare workers are exhausted and at high risk of experiencing mental health disorders and burnout. The detailed report from mental health digital platform 87percent.co.uk, entitled The State of Mental Wellbeing on the Frontline, reveals that almost 1 in 2 (49%)...
It’s Youth Mental Health Day
Today (7th September) marks Youth Mental Health Day 2021, with the theme for this year focussing on how young people can #StrideForward with their mental health and wellbeing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Established by leading youth mental health charity Stem4, the awareness day aims to encourage understanding and discussion of mental...
Social care reforms to be announced
The Prime Minister is set to announce long-awaited reforms to the social care system in England today (Tuesday 7th September 2021). Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to present his plans to reform social care in England to MPs and will also announce extra funds to help the NHS deal with the Covid-19 pandemic....
Construction firm fined after worker suffers life changing injuries
A construction company has been fined £34,000 after a worker suffered life-changing injuries in an avoidable incident that “could have easily resulted in a fatality.” Hovington Limited, based in Rochdale, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court after being prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in relation to the incident, which occurred on 4th...
What we need to know about Covid-19 transmission as the UK unlocks
Now that the majority of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions have been removed in England, and with other UK nations also easing controls, the PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study offers some key points to keep in mind. The PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study on transmission and environment is a UK-wide research programme designed to improve our...
IOSH urges caution as people return to workplaces
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) has urged caution over the gradual return of staff to workplaces. Speaking after the government confirmed that England would move to the final stage of its gradual easing of Covid-19 lockdown measures, IOSH’s Head of Advice and Practice, Duncan Spencer, warned: “Covid-19 still poses a significant...