This week marks the return of the annual European Week for Safety and Health at Work, which this year focuses on the issue of work-related stress. As we have discussed previously, stress and related illnesses are a major problem in workplaces, and are estimated to cost the UK economy a staggering £26 billion pounds each... Continue Reading →
Shaken and stirred: workplace disasters that stunned the world
As our recent worst industrial fires and worst nuclear disasters posts showed, when occupational disasters strike, they can be devastating. While fortunately accident statistics broadly show a decline in workplace deaths in the UK, many thousands of workers still die in accidents around the world every year, reminding us both how far we’ve come as... Continue Reading →
Display screen equipment – Is your workstation set up correctly?
As we discussed in our post on DSE regulations, display screen equipment (DSE) can give rise to a variety of ill health conditions when used habitually. The most prevalent damage to users is repetitive strain injury (RSI), which is a general term used to describe the pain felt in muscles, nerves and tendons caused by... Continue Reading →
Three timeless tips to turbo-charge your health and safety CV
In the UK today, over 40,000 people have careers in health and safety, while several hundred thousand people work in health and safety worldwide. In such a big field, there is inevitably a very active and competitive job market, with a number of health and safety recruitment agencies specifically recruiting people for health and safety jobs abroad... Continue Reading →
The real cost of substance misuse to employers
Substance abuse covers a range of mind altering substances from illegal drugs for example, cannabis and cocaine to legal drugs such as alcohol and prescription drugs. It is defined as continued misuse that affects a person’s physical and mental health, social situations and responsibilities (Mental Health Foundation). This article will focus on the responsibilities related... Continue Reading →
A brief history of signs
It’s funny, sometimes the smallest things can make the biggest difference. Safety signs and warning signs can make a big difference, simply by highlighting hazards and risks in the workplace, and allowing us to modify our behaviour accordingly. What you may not know however, is it’s a strategy that’s been effective for hundreds, if not... Continue Reading →
Language – A barrier to safety?
Every business knows that preparation and training is imperative when it comes to protecting your workers and complying with the law. However, what happens if your workforce has difficulty understanding your policies and procedures? In this special guest investigation, we explore the cultural barriers experienced by non-English speaking employees and the implications this could have... Continue Reading →
Safety on the site: when things go wrong
Warning: The following piece contains graphic descriptions of a workplace injury that some readers may find disturbing. Employing around 2.2 million people, the construction industry is one of the largest employment sectors in the UK. However, as our shocking construction statistics infographic shows, the industry is also responsible for a disproportionate number of accidents, injuries... Continue Reading →
Company Directors – The 4 new health and safety challenges you face
Changes in the law in recent years mean that a health and safety failure could now result in criminal convictions for both your organisation and you personally. What’s more a ‘hear no evil, see no evil’ defence simply won’t cut it. As a director, the onus is on you to manage health and safety proactively,... Continue Reading →
Backstage Pass: behind the scenes with a RoSPA Award winner
In this new series we ask those who’ve ‘made it’ in their health and safety careers to share their tips and reveal their secrets. This month it's Dawn Ward, Assistant Director of Health and Safety at South & City College Birmingham and all round health and safety superhero... You might get mad – just... Continue Reading →
You must be logged in to post a comment.