man using power tool at work

‘Section 6’: how a safety law helped change product design

The Health and Safety at Work Act revolutionised workplace safety in the UK (it’s kinda what our campaign is about). However, the law also had unheralded impacts outside of the workplace. Perhaps the most evident, far-reaching and long-lasting was Section 6, and the impact it had on the way products and equipment were designed and… Read More

robot worker in a warehouse

What does the future of health and safety look like?

The 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act is an opportunity to look back, and see how far safety has advanced in 50 years. It’s difficult to imagine a time in living memory when there were no health and safety protections for workers in many industries, and where there was little liability… Read More

european parliament building and flags

Frustration as EU asbestos reforms pushed back again

More than two decades after asbestos was widely banned, new laws about the substance are few and far between. Proposals by the European Union then were both unexpected and highly welcome for many observers, both in the EU and further afield. Unfortunately for everyone with a stake in regulating the substance, the latest news isn’t… Read More

A theme park rollercoaster

5 theme park disasters that highlight the need for safety

Thrillseekers looking for the ultimate rollercoaster won’t have to settle for a mere 205-foot drop. Hyperia, the newest and tallest rollercoaster in the UK, has been reopened after an interrupted launch. The ride had been closed after just one day of operation following “standard technical pre-opening procedure checks”. There’s no indication that the ride was… Read More

Baltimore Bridge Collapse is a Lesson in Risk Management

You no doubt remember the recent news about the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bridge in Baltimore – prominently featured in The Wire – collapsed after being hit by an out-of-control container ship. The bridge was cleared of traffic after the captain of the ship issued a mayday, but six construction workers… Read More

What Boeing’s troubles say about corporate safety culture

“If it ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going”. It’s a phrase that has followed the American aircraft manufacturer through decades of dominance, both at home and abroad. Not without reason, either: while competitors such as McDonnell Douglas struggled to overcome high-profile accidents – most notably with its DC-10 aircraft – Boeing was long considered the gold… Read More

Is facefit testing a legal requirement

Is enough being done to manage asbestos risks?

We’ve harped on enough about the ongoing risks of asbestos. Thousands of tonnes of asbestos were imported into the UK, and most of it hasn’t left. Instead, it litters old properties and brownfield sites, slowly degrading and waiting to be dealt with. It’s a mess that someone will have to clean up eventually, but nobody… Read More

Vault Boy, the mascot from Fallout

The 7 Worst Health & Safety Hazards in Fallout

WARNING: minor spoilers for Season 1 of Fallout below! War never changes, and neither does the need for these health and safety hit pieces. Five minutes in the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout should make it clear that health and safety is, at best, a loose consideration. Yet amidst all the bullet wounds and tetanus, there… Read More

Mental Health Focus: APRIL is Stress Awareness Month

MENTAL HEALTH FOCUS: Why is this an important month? Our mental health is so important, providing First Aid for Mental Health is a vital part of any business these days. Almost 50% of work-related ill health is due to stress, anxiety or depression.  As an employer there is a legal duty of care to ensure… Read More

statue of liberty as a representation of america

Why the United States has finally banned asbestos

Almost two years after we wrote about a seemingly imminent ban, it’s finally happened: the United States has ended the last uses of asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a complete ban on the import or use of chrysotile asbestos, with a rapid end to its applications in vehicles, and a phased removal… Read More