Ask the HSE (1st February 2010)

Each issue the HSE shares one of the most popular questions it has been asked on the HSE infoline the previous month

From Q & A

First Aid at Work training (1st October 2009)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is making changes to the first aid at work (FAW) training regime to make it more flexible for businesses.

From News

Setting the record straight on enforcement (1st October 2009)

Following the launch of HSE’s new strategy in June this year, there has been a lot of interest in the importance we placed on making enforcement and securing justice a priority.

From HSE

HSE has just passed its 35th birthday (1st September 2009)

Although we have not been celebrating it, HSE has just passed its 35th birthday. The legislation that established HSE and the modern regime for protecting workers, the Health and Safety at Work Act, was introduced in 1974.

From HSE

Legionnaires warning after company fined (17th August 2009)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is warning companies responsible for carrying out legionella surveys on water systems of the need to ensure that their work is thorough and accurate...

From Newsletter Stories

Accreditation for health and safety professionals necessary (15th August 2009)

Health and safety advisers need accreditation to ensure they meet appropriate standards of professional competence, the Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) told guests at an International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM) reception.

From News

The challenge for us all is to make the case that good health and safety is good business (15th August 2009)

HSE’s prime aim is always to prevent death, injury and ill health in Britain’s workplaces.

From HSE: View from the top

HSE launches five year strategy (25th June 2009)

The HSE has launched a new health and safety strategy for Great Britain Be Part of the Solution with an emphasis on the role everyone can play in improving health and safety.

From News

“Now the real work must start...” (25th June 2009)

When we launched our draft strategy for consultation in December, we told our partners that we needed their help and support to make its goals a reality. That's why we subtitled it Be Part of the Solution.

From HSE: View from the top

New HSE Strategy: Be part of the safety solution (25th June 2009)

In the three decades since the Health and Safety

From HSE

Website to prevent work-related stress (1st May 2009)

A new website designed to help businesses prevent work-related stress has been launched by the HSE.

From News

New Act comes into force (1st February 2009)

The Health and Safety Offences Act came into force this January signalling tougher penalties for those who breach health and safety regulations. The new Act raises the potential punishments available to the courts in relation to health and safety offences, quadrupling the maximum fine in the magistrates courts from £5k to £20k.

From News

DVD paves the way for healthier work (1st February 2009)

A multimedia campaign including a free DVD has been launched by HSE in collaboration with the construction industry to educate construction workers on how to protect themselves from inhaling RCS.

From News

Myth of the month (12th December 2008)

This month's Myth of the month from the HSE is that 'Children are banned from throwing snowballs'...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE calls for greater stakeholder involvement as it launches new strategy (3rd December 2008)

The HSE has called on industry stakeholders to play their part as it launches "Be part of the Solution" the consultation on its new strategy for the health and safety of Great Britain...

From Newsletter Stories

Chemical overreaction (1st December 2008)

The REACH (Registration, Evaluation,

From Managing safety

HSE LAUNCHES CONSULTATION ON NEW HEALTH AND SAFETY STRATEGY (1st December 2008)

Executive (HSE) has launched a consultation on its new strategy: The Health and Safety of Great Britain Be Part of the Solution.

From Safety first

Myth of the month: Children need to be wrapped in cotton wall to keep them safe (4th November 2008)

November's Myth of the Month from the HSE addresses the myth that children should be wrapped up in cotton wool to keep them safe...

From Newsletter Stories

Myth of the month: Health and Safety laws ban bonfires (2nd October 2008)

The HSE's myth of the month for October addresses the myth that health and safety law bans bonfires...

From Newsletter Stories

Less paperwork required? What do you think? (1st October 2008)

The HSE wants your views on proposals to remove several legislative form filling requirements that apply to most businesses operating from a factory, office or shop in Great Britain...

From Newsletter Stories

Use a ladder safely: Step by step guide published (1st October 2008)

As part of its Ladder Exchange initiative, the HSE has provided a step by step guide to using a ladder safely...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE kicks off asbestos campaign (1st October 2008)

The HSE has launched a national campaign to target tradesmen at risk from asbestos exposure...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE to launch new health and safety strategy (15th September 2008)

HSE Chair Judith Hackitt has announced that the HSE is to launch a new strategy this December...

From Newsletter Stories

Warning on handling hazardous substances (12th September 2008)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has told companies, particularly those in the major hazard sector, that they must ensure their workforce follows approved company safety procedures...

From Newsletter Stories

Myth of the month (8th September 2008)

This month's Myth of the Month from the HSE is: 'The HSE bans this, that and the other...

From Newsletter Stories

Ladder exchange starts 1st September 2008 (18th August 2008)

Ladder Exchange 2008 aims to highlight the risks associated with using a dodgy ladder and provide employers with the opportunity to exchange their substandard ladder for a new one at a discounted price...

From Newsletter Stories

Myth of the month (18th August 2008)

This month's myth of the month from the HSE addresses the myth that Even Mr Punch needs a written risk assessment...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE issues stark warning on asbestos (14th August 2008)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a stark warning about managing the risks from asbestos, following its prosecution of two companies in Essex...

From Newsletter Stories

Advice site launched (1st August 2008)

Music and entertainment industry representatives have launched a website providing guidance on noise at work legislation.

From Ppe

Advice site launched (1st August 2008)

Music and entertainment industry representatives have launched a website providing guidance on noise at work legislation.

From Ppe

Workplace transport checklist updated (21st July 2008)

The HSE has updated its workplace transport checklist – a guide to what employers should consider when trying to reduce the risk from vehicles in the workplace...

From Newsletter Stories

Risk management Action Pack now available to download (21st July 2008)

Risk assessment is the focus of the European campaign for Safety and Health at Work for 2008-09, you can now get involved by downloading your campaign pack...

From Newsletter Stories

Myth of the month (21st July 2008)

This month's Myth of the Month from the HSE addresses the myth that poles have been banned in fire stations because of safety laws...

From Newsletter Stories

Fall in fatal workplace injuries no reason for complacency, says HSE (1st July 2008)

Provisional figures of work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) this week have reveald that 228 workers lost their lives as a result of accidents/incidents at work in 2007/08 compared to 247 workers in 2006/07...

From Newsletter Stories

Focus on risk assessment (27th June 2008)

The European Campaign for Safety and Health at Work for 2008-09 will focus on risk assessment...

From Newsletter Stories

Local exhaust ventilation website launched (11th June 2008)

A new website has been launched to complement HSE guidance on how to apply and use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to remove airborne contaminants from the workplace before people breathe them in...

From Newsletter Stories

Industry update (1st June 2008)

One in three of the 1,000 plus construction sites visited by the HSE as part of a targeted inspection initiative earlier this year were found to be putting workers lives at risk, explains the Health and Safety Executive's Chief Inspector of Construction, Stephen Williams...

From Construction site safety

Local exhaust ventilation website launched (1st June 2008)

A new website has been launched to complement HSE guidance on how to apply and use local exhaust ventilation (LEV) to remove airborne contaminants from the workplace before people breathe them in.

From Breathing safely

Time to get ready for REACH (1st June 2008)

New EU rules for controlling chemicals will increase confidence in their safe use – but manufacturers, importers and users of chemicals need to get involved now, says DEFRA.

From Safety first

Shattered lives: website updated (1st June 2008)

Visitors to the Health & Safety Executive's website will find that the home page of its Shattered Lives campaign has been restyled.

From Slips trips falls

Updated guidance on what to expect when a Health and Safety Awareness officer calls (12th May 2008)

The HSE has updated its guidance on what to expect when a health and safety awareness officer calls...

From Newsletter Stories

Health and safety leadership must come from the top, reminds HSE (6th May 2008)

The Chair of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Judith Hackitt has reminded board members and senior business directors to put effective health and safety performance high on their agendas...

From Newsletter Stories

Major hazards sectors more alike than they think (1st May 2008)

Over 200 leaders from the major hazards sectors met last week to share best practice and learning on process safety...

From Newsletter Stories

Construction industry could do more, says HSE (22nd April 2008)

Early unvalidated figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggest that around 69 construction workers were killed in 2007/08.

From Safety first

Myth of the month (10th April 2008)

Health and safety laws have banned hanging baskets...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE and HSC merge (1st April 2008)

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have merged to form a single national regulatory body responsible for promoting the cause of better health and safety at work...

From Newsletter Stories

Shattered Lives: Start your own campaign (1st April 2008)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) launched its 'Shattered Lives' campaign, in February 2008 with a two month advertising campaign to try and create a step-change in the attitudes of both business managers and their

From Slips trips falls

HSC and HSE become one (1st April 2008)

The Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) officially merged on 1st April to form a single national regulatory body responsible for promoting the cause of better health and safe

From Safety first

Performance of the refurbishment sector of the construction industry unacceptable says HSE (17th March 2008)

"Over one in three construction sites visited put the lives of workers at risk and operated so far below the acceptable standard that our inspectors served 395 enforcement notices and stopped work on 30% of the sites", Geoffrey Podger, HSE's Chief Executive has said...

From Newsletter Stories

Get involved in HSE Slips, Trips & Falls Campaign (3rd March 2008)

As it launches its 'Shattered Lives' campaign which aims to highlight the devastating consequences of simple slips, trips and falls the HSE has released several downloadable resources for businesses...

From Newsletter Stories

Risk assessment example for small businesses (3rd March 2008)

The HSE has released an example risk assessment for a call centre designed at showing the kind of approach a small business might take to risks assessment...

From Newsletter Stories

Myth of the month (3rd March 2008)

Myth: Toy 'weapons' in a play had to be locked-up and registered with the police...

From Newsletter Stories

Occupational health management tool for construction industry launched (5th February 2008)

In a bid to help the construction industry tackle occupational health issues, the HSE has launched its Construction Occupational Health Management Essentials (COHME) for construction companies...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE Myth of the month (5th February 2008)

Myth: If a pupil is hurt, the teacher is likely to be sued...

From Newsletter Stories

Health tool for construction sites (1st February 2008)

In a bid to help the construction industry tackle occupational health issues, HSE has launched its Construction Occupational Health Management Essentials (COHME) for construction companies.

From Safety first

HSC welcomes Risk and Regulation Advisory Council (21st January 2008)

From Newsletter Stories

Ladder exchange - the results (17th January 2008)

Last year, the hse aimed to take 4000 substandard ladders out of the workplace by working with its partners in a Ladder Exchange scheme...

From Newsletter Stories

Myth of the month (8th January 2008)

The HSE's first myth of the month for 2008 is that safety experts’ New Year resolution is to make the life of business people as miserable as possible...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE issues warning after employee injured by overturned dumper truck (8th January 2008)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned of the need to ensure that the operators of equipment are suitably trained and risks fully assessed before they start work following a prosecution in Stockport...

From Newsletter Stories

Myth of the month (10th December 2007)

This month the HSE addresses the myth that every possible risk needs a safety sign...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE announces vibration workshops (3rd December 2007)

Following the success of the EEF/HSE Noise and Vibration Roadshows, HSE with EEF are holding three vibration surgery events...

From Newsletter Stories

Building a safer industry (1st December 2007)

Following the lowest recorded figure for construction deaths in 2005/06 (60), fatalities jumped dramatically to 77 in 2006/07. Georgina Bisby asks Stephen Williams, the HSE's chief inspector of construction, what went wrong and what's to be done about it

From Construction site safety

Size does not matter (1st December 2007)

Speaking at the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) think tank event in early December, Judith Hackitt, chair of the Health and Safety Commission, reminded employers that when it comes to the protection of their e

From Managing safety

Myth of the month (7th November 2007)

The latest myth busting cartoon from the Health and Safety Exceutive (HSE) addresses the myth that workers are banned from putting

From Newsletter Stories

Calls for more eyes and ears on the ground, as IoD launches director's guidance (5th November 2007)

The IOD and HSE have joined forces to launch new guidance for directors on leading health and safety at work...

From Newsletter Stories

HSE falls from vehicles campaign underway (4th October 2007)

With the aim of raising awareness of the risk of falling that workers are exposed to when accessing and/or working at height on vehicles, the HSE's Falls from vehicles campaign is running from October through to December...

From Newsletter Stories

Strong and committed boardroom leadership the key to improving health and safety (3rd October 2007)

The key to improving health and safety in our workplaces is strong leadership from the board, new HSC Chair Judith Hackitt, CBE, has said on her first day in office....

From Newsletter Stories

Slips and trips event, Scotland (1st October 2007)

A free, one-day event for Scottish local authorities is being organised by the HSE to advise on how to manage slips and trips.

From Slips trips falls

'Back up safely' HSE warns HGV drivers (3rd September 2007)

Following a recent prosecution, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has brought the safe operation of heavy goods vehicles into sharp focus...

From Newsletter Stories

241 lives lost is unacceptable, says HSE (7th August 2007)

Responding to the latest work related fatal injuries statistics which show fatalities have risen for 2006/07, Sir Bill Callaghan of the HSE has issued a fresh challenge to industry to do more to place safety at the top of its agenda...

From Newsletter Stories

Myth of the month (7th August 2007)

The latest myth busting cartoon from the Health and Safety Exceutive (HSE) addresses the myth that egg boxes are banned in craft lessons as they might cause salmonella...

From Newsletter Stories

HSC says don’t overcomplicate health and safety (7th August 2007)

The HSE has announced it is aiming to reduce the cost of risk assessment to most businesses by a third as part of the Government's Better Regulation Agenda...

From Newsletter Stories

  Euroweek 2007 focuses on manual handling (1st August 2007)

This year's Euro Week is set to 'lighten the load' as it focuses on musculoskeletal disorders and manual handling which remain the most common cause of occupational ill health, with a total of 190 000 new cases reported to th

From Handling storing

  Euroweek 2007 focuses on manual handling (1st August 2007)

This year's Euro Week is set to 'lighten the load' as it focuses on musculoskeletal disorders and manual handling which remain the most common cause of occupational ill health, with a total of 190 000 new cases reported to th

From Handling storing

Taking steps to improve ladder safety (1st August 2007)

Falls from height are the main cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury.

Statistics, from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), show that every week over 60 workers fall off access equipment and s

From Construction site safety

Asbestos regs strengthened (1st June 2007)

The HSE has issued a reminder to the asbestos licensed industry that the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 have been further strengthened by the requirement that anyone who certifies premises to be safe to be re-o

From Construction site safety

Controlling major risks (1st June 2007)

Bill Callaghan, Chair of the Health and Safety Commission has called on leaders in the chemical and major hazard industries to reinforce partnership working practices with the HSE and the Competent Authority

From Safety first

Nationwide inspections (1st June 2007)

Last year, of the 59 worker deaths in construction, 24 were caused by a fall from height. A further 4000 major injuries, such as broken bones or fractured skulls were reported by the construction industry and half of

From Slips trips falls

Nationwide inspections (1st June 2007)

Last year, of the 59 worker deaths in construction, 24 were caused by a fall from height. A further 4000 major injuries, such as broken bones or fractured skulls were reported by the construction industry and half of

From Training

CO warning (1st April 2007)

The HSE is reminding those on construction sites of the dangers of using equipment powered by internal combustion engines in confined or poorly ventilated spaces. This follows an accident in December when three men suffered f

From Breathing safely

Cdm regs now in force (1st April 2007)

The new Construction (Design and Management) Regulations were launched this month at an industry stakeholder event attended by Minister for Health and Safety, Lord McKenzie, and a cross-section from the construction industry.

From Construction site safety

Myth of the month (1st April 2007)

The myth: HSE has banned stepladders. The reality – HSE has not banned stepladders, nor has it banned ladders.

For straightforward, short duration work, HSE says that stepladders and ladders can be a good option, so long as

From Slips trips falls

New power press guidance (1st October 2003)

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance aimed at tackling the poor maintenance of power presses, that is responsible for 40% of accidents involving mechanical presses. It is essential that power presses are properly inspected

From News