The latest news and updates from HSE

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Health and Safety Executive

Weekly Digest ebulletin

Issued: 17 October 2024

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Protect those working alone

Lone workers can be at greater risk of harm as they may not have anyone to help or support them if things go wrong.

Employers should provide training, supervision, monitoring and support for those working alone.

HSE's leaflet 'Protecting lone workers: How to manage the risks of working alone' is free to download. It is for anyone who employs lone workers, or engages them as contractors, including self-employed people or those who work alone. 

The leaflet is supported by our lone working guidance pages which includes advice aimed at lone workers themselves.

We also have a lone workers video setting out the key advice.


Company fined £750,000 following crane collapse

The fine was imposed after an incident at Falmouth Docks, which put more than 250 workers at risk.

The driver managed to move the crane away from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ship and over the dockside before it collapsed, with the jib landing on a cage of acetylene cylinders.

Emergency services declared a major incident following the collapse.

HSE's investigation found that the company had failed to properly maintain the crane. Although the crane had been examined by a third party, its recommendations regarding defects were not acted on.

Read more in our press release: company fined following crane collapse

You can visit our news centre for more on recent enforcement cases, which include:

 


Protecting pregnant workers and new mothers

You must carry out an individual risk assessment for pregnant workers and new mothers.

This individual risk assessment for pregnant workers and new mothers covers a worker’s specific needs, when they inform you in writing that they:

  • are pregnant
  • have given birth in the last 6 months, or
  • are breastfeeding


Our website guidance provides advice for employers on how to protect pregnant workers and new mothers. This includes talking to workers, and protecting them from common risks like working at height and lifting heavy loads.

There is dedicated health and safety advice for pregnant workers and new mothers.

We also have a video with practical advice on how to keep pregnant workers and new mothers safe. 


HSE as a market surveillance authority for workplace products

HSE monitors and enforces legal requirements on the safety of most products used in the workplace, including any risks to health.

HSE has a duty to notify the Secretary of State about unsafe or non-compliant products and of the measures taken and communicated by an economic operator.   

Products notified to the HSE Product Safety and Market Surveillance Unit that present a serious or high risk to the health and safety of the user, and products that have been recalled, are published on GOV.UK.    

Recent examples of products notified are:

Free webinar: Building a robust safety culture

Wednesday 23 October 2024, 10.30am

The hour-long webinar will focus on how to successfully and sustainably improve safety culture.

Find out more and register for the building a robust safety culture webinar

Health and Safety Executive - 2.2 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 7HS