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HSE launches 'Asbestos and You’ campaign

This week HSE has launched a new campaign to remind people working in construction trades to manage the risks associated with asbestos. 

Despite it being banned in the building industry since 1999, figures show that 5,000 people a year still die from asbestos-related diseases. It didn’t disappear when it was banned in the UK and we know that asbestos remains in millions of homes and buildings.  

 

Those carrying out repairs or refurbishment work are at a higher risk of disturbing asbestos, especially when working in houses. Builders, carpenters, electricians, joiners, plasterers, plumbers and roofers are just some of the trades being urged to take the risks of asbestos seriously.

 

The campaign particularly wants to reach those who started their careers from the year 2000, after the use of asbestos was banned, so they know the risk still remains.

 

Visit the Asbestos and You website for more information about the campaign and how you can support it. You can also:

• Download our new ‘quick guide for trades’
• View our Asbestos essentials guidance 
• Read HSE's asbestos campaign press release 
• Sign up for asbestos campaign updates by subscribing to our ebulletin

Building safety 'Be ready' campaign is launched

HSE recently launched the first phase of our building safety campaign and its new website. The campaign aims to help and encourage everyone affected by changes to building safety law to: be ready – understand what is coming and how to prepare step up – take ownership and manage risks act now – comply with new law The campaign’s first focus is on being ready for high-rise building registration, the first operational function of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) to come into force under the Building Safety Act 2022. The registration process is a crucial stage in setting up the new building safety regime and registering buildings in scope will be a legal requirement.   Registration will open in April, so we’re encouraging people who own or manage high-rise residential buildings to be ready and prepare now: Visit the building safety campaign website  Find out more in our building safety press release Sign up for information on high-rise building registration

City council fined after school caretaker dies in a fall

Brighton and Hove City Council were fined after the fatal incident where the caretaker fell 2.5 metres from a ladder while cleaning the roof of a bike shed.

HSE's investigation found that the local authority had failed to ensure the cleaning of the school’s bike shed was properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried out using a safe work method.

 

Read this press release for more details on the incident.

 

Our website has guidance on working at height.

 

Other recent prosecution cases include:

• Company fined after worker loses parts of fingers

Latest job opportunities at HSE

Come and work for HSE and help to protect lives and livelihoods.  We currently have a wide range of vacancies. These include: Head of Facilities Management Closes 20 March Explosives Permissioning Officer Closes 20 March; 2 roles available Paralegal Officer Closes 24 March

HSE – market surveillance authority for workplace products

HSE is one of the UK's market surveillance authorities, which 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 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: 

• Fluke 8x V Series Digital Multimeters (DMM)
  
  
• Aqualung UK Calypso Regulator
  
  
• Crytec GS1500 Vulture 15hp woodchipper