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 &
Gaps in workplace hearing protection A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection campaign has exposed widespread shortcomings in how noisy workplaces manage and monitor hearing protection. One in four workplaces had noise levels requiring mandatory protection, but 75 per cent of employees lacked knowledge on storing equipment, checking for damage, or reporting faults, while 63 per cent had not been advised on the importance of continuous use in high-noise areas. Training failures were stark: ● 80% of employees had never been shown how to wear hearing protection – avoiding interference from hats and hoods, keeping hair clear of earmuffs, and ensuring compatibility with helmets or eye protection. ● 95% of employers had not checked whether workers could still hear vital warning signals like fire alarms or reversing vehicles while wearing protection. To improve standards, HSE is promoting the CUFF system – Condition, Use, Fit to the ear, and Fit for purpose. Scan the QR code for more information.
‘Bad Vibrations’ to tackle HAVS
of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, and references standards such as BS EN ISO 8041-1:2017. It advises on safer tool selection, and maintenance, and cautions against overreliance on anti-vibration gloves. With 215 HAVS cases reported
The British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) launched its ‘Bad Vibrations’ campaign to raise awareness of Hand- Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) – a disabling condition caused by prolonged use of vibrating tools. Construction is one of the sectors most affected by HAVS, with tools such as breakers, hammer drills, grinders and impact wrenches posing risks. HAVS is irreversible, but BSIF says early intervention, correct tool use and monitoring can prevent long-term damage. The guide, developed by BSIF’s Measurement and Instrumentation Special Interest Group, explains how vibration is measured, what employers must do to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control
to the Health and Safety Executive in 2023, BSIF says contractors must act now. Scan the QR code for more information.
IOSH: Time to tackle the health crisis
and social issue, affecting competitiveness and growth. Key recommendations include investing in preventative health measures, improving workplace wellbeing programmes, strengthening occupational health services, and embracing innovation such as data tracking of sickness,
The report by Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Fixing Sick Britain , highlights the scale of the UK’s workforce health challenge, warning that sickness and inactivity are costing employers and the economy dearly. The publication notes that record levels of long-term illness and rising workplace absences are reducing productivity, shrinking the labour force, and inflating business costs. It stresses that poor workforce health is a medical, economic
early intervention, and improved workplace design to reduce risks. Scan the QR code for the full report.
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