With a record 2.8 million people in the UK out of work due to long-term sickness, a spotlight is shining on the health of the nation and how to improve it. What more could, or should, employers be doing to keep workers healthy and prevent them from leaving the workforce?
By Kerry Reals on 11 March 2025
Workplace campaigns and activities aimed at supporting employees to quit smoking and vaping not only boost the health and wellbeing of individuals, they also bring business benefits in the form of reduced absenteeism and healthier, more productive staff.
By Paul Baker, Allen Carr's Easyway on 03 March 2025
The energy sector’s transition to net zero carbon emissions means a rapidly expanding workforce and the creation of new safety hazards and risks. However, energy company SSE is seeking to reinforce and strengthen its safety culture during the move to clean power by putting thousands of employees and contract partners through an immersive training programme designed to convince workers that safety is everyone’s responsibility.
By Mark Patterson, SSE on 28 February 2025
Dräger’s annual Safety and Health at Work Report provides a useful insight and snapshot into the views of employees and managers on safety in UK workplaces. This year’s report suggests employers need to increase and refine their efforts in areas such as employee mental wellbeing, more structured safety training and greater use of digital and connected safety technology.
By David Head, Draeger Safety UK on 19 March 2025
Employers may need to carry out measurements of hand-arm vibration from hand-held tools and machinery to identify if workers are at risk of debilitating and permanent damage to their fingers, hands and arms, but it’s essential the measurement equipment is used in the correct way.
By Tim Turney, Casella on 18 March 2025
The UK Hearing Conservation Association is a multi-disciplinary association that strives to prevent damage to the nation’s hearing health and other noise-related health conditions through a combination of practical, evidenced and cost-effective campaigns, awareness-raising activities and best-practice advice. It is therefore a great forum for those wishing to keep abreast of the latest developments around hearing health – both in the workplace and in recreational settings.
By Leah Philpott, member, UKHCA At Work Group on 14 March 2025
With over one billion young people globally thought to be at risk of hearing damage due to unsafe recreational listening practices, the World Health Organization is urging stakeholders like manufacturers of personal audio devices, video game hardware companies and entertainment venues to do more to protect people’s hearing and educate them about the health risks of excessive sound exposure.
By Peter Mulas and Dr Shelly Chadha, World Health Organization (WHO) on 13 March 2025
With a record 2.8 million people in the UK out of work due to long-term sickness, a spotlight is shining on the health of the nation and how to improve it. What more could, or should, employers be doing to keep workers healthy and prevent them from leaving the workforce?
By Kerry Reals on 11 March 2025
Machinery can deteriorate, malfunction or become unsafe when water or dust enters or if operators wrongly insert tools into the enclosure. It’s therefore vital to purchase plant that has been independently assessed to ensure it is robust enough to cope with the environment and the ways in which it will be used.
By Darren Hugheston-Roberts, TÜV SÜD on 10 March 2025
The Health and Safety Executive is currently conducting an inspection programme looking at the adequacy of employers’ noise control measures, while changes to how compensation claims for noise-induced hearing loss are assessed are predicted to result in higher payouts for affected workers. As a result, it is crucial employers review their noise risk reduction approach to ensure it reflects current best practice.
By Peter Wilson, INVC on 07 March 2025
The free-to-attend Health & Safety Event returns to the NEC in Birmingham on 8–10 April 2025, providing a superb opportunity for occupational health and safety (OSH) practitioners to access the latest products and solutions and expand their knowledge and expertise.
By Safety Management on 05 March 2025
Conventional noise control techniques for plant and machinery incorporate considerable embodied carbon due to the volume and types of materials used – and often result in higher energy demand due to problems like an increased need for cooling fans. However, adopting modern analysis and engineering processes means the costs and carbon footprints of typical noise control projects can be cut by up to 90 per cent.
By Peter Wilson, INVC on 05 March 2025
Workplace campaigns and activities aimed at supporting employees to quit smoking and vaping not only boost the health and wellbeing of individuals, they also bring business benefits in the form of reduced absenteeism and healthier, more productive staff.
By Paul Baker, Allen Carr's Easyway on 03 March 2025
