HSE reports around 1,000 electrical accidents at work each year, roughly 25 of them fatal. As an employer you have legal duties under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 to control these risks. Use the checklist below to review your arrangements.
The latest statistics on work-related health and safety in Great Britain have been published, including the following key annual figures (2024/25):
There are some recent developments to make you aware of in terms of government consultation on zero-hours contracts and rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children, and trade union access rights.
HSE’s construction industry statistics show that falls from height were the cause of over half (53%) of the construction worker fatalities in 2024 to 2025. The No Falls Foundation is running its annual No Falls Week, promoting safe working at height. For more information and resources visit https://nofallsfoundation.org/ or https://nofallsweek.org/about-no-falls-week/ The best way to prevent falls from height is to follow the hierarchy when planning works from height.
Fee for Intervention (FFI) applies when an HSE inspector believes there has been a serious (material) breach of health and safety law. It allows the HSE to recover the cost of the time spent identifying what’s gone wrong and supporting the business to put it right. The HSE FFI rate has recently increased from £174.00 to £188.00 per hour. If an HSE Inspector Turns Up – What to Do
UKHSA has issued an updated warning regarding an ongoing outbreak of Burkholderia Stabilis infections linked to the use of non sterile alcohol free cleansing wipes in first aid kits. There have been 59 confirmed cases identified in the UK, including serious infections and one death attributed to this outbreak. Burkholderia Stabilis is a bacterium that can cause infection, particularly in vulnerable individuals. It does not spread person to person, but infection can occur through contaminated products used on the skin or medical devices.
From April 2026 there are changes to the following Day-one Paternity and Parental Leave, Trade Unions, Sexual Harassment, Holiday Pay Recording, Family Leave Pay, Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), National Minimum and Living Wage, Fair Work Agency & Bereaved Partners’ Paternity Leave.
The government has announced several updates and changes to employment law over the next year, including confirmation that employee unfair dismissal protection will be reduced from 2 years to 6 months from the beginning of next year. From April 2026 there are significant changes to Family Leave Pay, Statutory Sick Pay, National Minimum and Living Wage, Fair Work Agency & Bereaved Partners’ Paternity Leave. From January 2027 there are significant changes to Unfair Dismissal Protection & Fire and Rehire.
Manual Handling Definition of Manual handling – ‘The transportation or supporting of a load (including lifting, putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving) by hand or by bodily force’ (The term ‘load’ includes objects, people & animals). Positive aspects of having a manual job ‘Sitting for long periods is thought to slow the metabolism, which […]
No Falls Week 12th to 16th May HSE’s construction industry statistics show that falls from height were the cause of over half (52%) of the construction worker fatalities in 2023 to 2024. The No Falls Foundation is launching its annual No Falls Week, a campaign dedicated to promoting safe working at height. For more information […]