The latest science and research news from HSE
 

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Health and Safety Executive

Science ebulletin

Issued: 27 March 2025

For more information visit our science, engineering and evidence website.

HSE launches 2025 Annual Science Review

The review illustrates how HSE uses innovative science and evidence to protect people and places, helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives.

Case studies this year include:

  • Experiments on the failure of the vacuum on a vacuum insulated liquid hydrogen tank, to provide assurance that the infrastructure used for liquid hydrogen is safe

  • Identification of the highest risk tasks and trades within construction, allowing for targeted interventions to reduce the overall impact of work-related musculoskeletal disorders

  • Expert engineering materials guides for the Building Safety Regulator

  • Investigation of a fatality as a consequence of premature collapse of a building during demolition

Visit HSE's website to download the 2025 Annual Science Review.

This year the review is also accompanied by several video case studies. Watch the first video 'When welding goes wrong' on YouTube. 

Keep an eye out for more video case studies from our scientists, researchers and engineers that will be released on our YouTube playlist throughout the year. 

Commenting on this year’s Annual Science Review, Professor Andrew Curran, HSE’s Director of Science and Chief Scientific Adviser says:

'I’m proud of the important, innovative work that the scientists, engineers and analysts carry out, providing the evidence base to help deliver our strategy.'


Use of desktop 3D printers in the workplace 

HSE has explored the use, emissions, exposure controls and health risks related to the use of desktop 3D printers in UK workplaces. 

Desktop 3D printers are often of an unenclosed design which may give rise to injuries, or to inhalation exposure to emissions of small particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  

Limited evidence suggests that exposure to desktop 3D printing emissions could be associated with short term respiratory health symptoms.

Measurements in 2 workplaces where multiple desktop 3D printers were in use showed that:

  • airborne particle number concentrations in the room did not rise above background levels
  • concentrations of measured VOCs were all low

These findings may be due to effective ventilation and other control measures, which over half of workplaces surveyed stated that they had in place. 

Publications and research

It is HSE policy to make the results of research available, wherever possible.

View a full list of our latest HSE science and research publications.

Follow us on X

For the latest news on HSE science follow our Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Andrew Curran, on X (formerly Twitter).

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