Master Builder Magazine: October-November 2025

BUSINESS SUPPORT HEALTH & SAFETY

The latest news and updates on health and safety in construction to keep you and your workforce safe on site HEALTH SAFETY &

Silicosis warning: severe health threat Engineered stone has been linked to a rise in silicosis, an irreversible and potentially fatal lung disease. The high concentration of silica (up to 97 per cent) in this material, compared to natural stone, means that when it’s cut or processed, it releases hazardous respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust. Health experts are comparing the growing crisis to asbestosis, but with one key difference: the onset of severe illness is happening much faster. The UK has seen its first cases of this ‘accelerated silicosis’, with workers as young as 34 developing the disease after just a few years of exposure. The majority of affected individuals are young, often self- employed or migrant workers, who may not be fully aware of the risks or have inadequate safety measures in place. Australia has already banned engineered stone and in the UK, experts are calling for better education and enforcement of safety protocols such as using water suppression, proper ventilation and extraction, and providing suitable respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Scan the QR code for the All Party Parliamentary Group

Workplace deaths are on the decline

all sectors was falls from a height, which accounted for over a quarter of all worker deaths. With 45 per cent of the construction deaths being self-employed operatives, it’s crucial for all contractors and their teams to prioritise health and safety practices. Scan the QR code to add Safety Plus to your

Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show a significant reduction in construction workplace fatalities. From April 2024 to March 2025, there were 35 deaths in the sector, a drop of almost one third from the previous year’s figure of 51. This is the lowest number recorded since 2021/22 and a joint-record low. Nevertheless, construction still accounts for the highest number of workplace deaths across all industries, representing 28 per cent of the total 124 fatalities. This is as a stark reminder of the ongoing importance of health and safety protection measures. The most common cause of fatal injuries across

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BSR to be overhauled for efficiency

The BSR has faced scrutiny, particularly from a House of Lords inquiry, after it was revealed via a Freedom of Information request that most applications were being delayed far beyond the 12-week legal requirement. The government hopes these reforms will streamline the system, reduce bureaucracy, and restore confidence in the regulatory body. Scan the QR code for FMB support and

The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is being moved out of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to become a standalone body under the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). This ‘shake-up’ is a response to widespread frustration over delays in approving higher-risk building projects. The government’s reforms include a Fast Track Process to speed up new- build applications and an extra 100 staff members to clear the backlog. A leadership team, headed by former London Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe, has been appointed.