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 &
Construction dust breaches on the rise The Building Safety Group (BSG) has reported a 14 per cent increase in dust breaches on construction sites, based on 6,000 inspections between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025. This rise highlights a critical health risk for the construction workforce. A major issue is failure to provide suitable health surveillance for employees exposed to harmful silica and wood dust. This is a key focus for the HSE, which recently updated its guidance on respirable crystalline silica (RCS) surveillance. Other common violations include inadequate dust suppression and extraction, and operatives not face- fit testing their dust masks. HSE estimates that over 3,500 builders die annually from work- related cancers, with more than 500 of these deaths attributed to silica dust exposure. Tiny dust particles, invisible to the naked eye, can cause irreparable lung damage over time, leading to breathing difficulties and premature death. Andy Harper, the BSG’s Technical Support Manager, stresses that effective dust control relies on minimising dust generation, including extraction, suppression and ventilation procedures. Scan the QR code
Tackling work-related stress
Proactive measures can boost productivity, cut sickness absence and improve staff retention. It offers templates, tools and resources. The HSE pinpoints six key areas contributing to stress: demands, control, support, relationships, role and change. Employers are encouraged to use the ‘Working Minds’ campaign’s ‘5Rs’ approach: reach out, recognise, respond, reflect and make it routine to check in. Scan the QR code for the HSE’s online learning module.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a free online learning module to help employers manage work-related stress. The initiative extends HSE’s ‘Working Minds’ campaign, directly addressing the fact that roughly half of all work-related ill health stems from stress, depression and anxiety. This new module provides step- by-step guidance on conducting risk assessments, identifying root causes of stress, and implementing impactful solutions. It explains obligations for SMEs, moving beyond box-ticking to embed good practices into daily operations.
Golden thread guidance ce
member, the new guidance has been developed by a panel of experts and guidance has developed by f experts and
The Building Safety Alliance (BSA) has published guidance on the golden thread of information, a key requirement of the Building Safety Act 2022 to clarify what data is needed for your projects. The golden thread is a continuous record of a building’s safety management from inception, including architectural plans, fire safety maintenance, engineering reports, and details of those responsible at each stage. It helps to identify issues, rectify problems and assign responsibility if an incident occurs. Building upon earlier advice from the Construction Leadership Council (CLC), of which the FMB is a key
is aimed at those already familiar with the legislation. The BSA is seeking input from a broader range of stakeholders, king input from takeholders, including those new to the concept, to ensure the guidance is accessible and standardised for everyone. Anthony Taylor, BSA Chair, emphasised the collaborative effort behind this guidance the concept, accessible hose already e legislation.
to simplify the complex regulatory environment. Scan the QR code to download the guidance.
for guidance on dust prevention.
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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