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 &
HSE celebrates 50 years of safety The national regulator for workplace health and safety, the HSE, marked its 50 th anniversary this year. Launched in 1975, the HSE plays a pivotal role in reducing workplace fatalities. From 651 recorded deaths in 1974 to just 138 in 2023/24, the UK is one of the safest countries to work in. Despite this progress, HSE Chief Executive Sarah Albon said the regulator’s mission remains crucial. While celebrating past successes, Albon acknowledged that any work-related death is a tragedy and that too many workers still suffer from work-related ill health. The HSE’s 10-year strategy, Protecting People and Places , addresses current and future challenges, expanding its remit beyond worker protection to include public safety assurance, which has been exemplified by its role as the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) and its expanded responsibilities in chemical regulation post-Brexit. Looking ahead, the HSE’s core principle remains: those creating risk must take responsibility for controlling it, and those who fail will be held accountable. Scan the QR code
VMC poses fire risks
and building owners – were not suitably aware of fire risks, which can lead to poor fire safety practices and increased risk. To address VMC fire risks, BEIS recommends risk mitigation measures, including: ● developing and implementing fire safety standards for VMC; ● increasing awareness of fire risks among stakeholders; and ● improving fire protection measures in VMC buildings. Scan the QR code for the full study.
A recent study by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) found that fire risks pose a significant challenge to those engaged in volumetric modular construction (VMC). VMC refers to offsite construction that involves building modules in a factory and then transporting them to a site where they are assembled. The study identified several factors that contribute to fire risks in VMC, including the use of combustible materials, the lack of fire protection measures, and the complexity of the construction process. The BEIS study found that VMC stakeholders – developers, contractors,
Warning to stone worktop installers
● monitoring workers’ exposure to stone dust and reducing exposure if necessary; ● training workers
Stone dust is a serious health hazard that can cause lung cancer, silicosis, and other respiratory problems, which is why the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance for installers of stone worktops. The guidance is aimed at helping them protect themselves and their workers from exposure to stone. Sensible precautions include using wet cutting methods, implementing local exhaust ventilation, and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Other recommendations include: ● educating workers of the risks of stone dust exposure and how to protect themselves;
to use and maintain personal protective equipment; and ● providing workers with regular health checks to monitor for signs of lung disease. Scan the QR code for the full guidance.
for the HSE’s strategy from 2022 to 2032.
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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