WOBO recognises the need for safety at all times and thanks Health and Safety Matters and HSE for the links provided.
Safety and Health Excellence Awards 2025 – ENTER NOW
You can now enter the Safety and Health Excellence Awards 2025. The Awards are the perfect way to gain recognition for yourself, a colleague, a team, a supplier, a product or campaign/project, It’s completely FREE to enter and you can do so at https://she-awards.com/
Deadline for entries is 31 January 2025. The winners will be revealed at a gala dinner hosted by Jason Manford at Vox, NEC Birmingham on 9 April 2025.
Father injured from fall through barn roof
A company has been fined £133,000 after a man was left serien he fell through a barn roof in Southampton
The 37-year-old from Bursledon had been helping his friend repair a fire-damaged storage barn at Dodwell Farm Limited on Pylands Lane on 9 February 2023. The father-of-one had been at the top of a sloped roof fixing new panels to timbers, but they weren’t strong enough to hold his weight. They gave way when he stood on them and he fell through to the hard surface about 10 metres below. The injuries he sustained were severe and resulted in an extended period in hospital.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that safety measures such as barriers, netting or access equipment were not in place.
Dodwell Farm Limited had failed to take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of workers, and others affected by the work, when replacing the barn roof.
Working at height remains one of the biggest causes of fatalities and major injuries. Common cases include falls from ladders and through fragile surfaces. HSE guidance is available.
Dodwell Farm Limited of Bursledon pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The company was fined £133,000 and was ordered to pay £8,816 costs plus £2,000 surcharge at a hearing at Southampton Magistrates Court on 3 Jan 2025
Health and safety at work statistics
RECENTLY, THE HSE released its annual summary of statistics which details reported instances of injuries and ill-health for workers throughout the UK. Reactec explores the key facts and findings
Release of a video on the FaceFit Respirator Demonstrator model (FFRED)
In partnership with the British Safety Industry Federation, HSE has published a refreshed version of a video on the FaceFit Respirator Demonstrator model (FFRED).
The video is for tight-fitting RPE. It provides information for workers and their employers about:
- why it is important for individuals to have face fit tests for tight-fitting masks, such as disposable filtering face pieces (FFPs) and reusable half-face mask types
- the importance of it having a good seal to the face
The video also shows workers what happens if the respirator does not fit properly, for example:
- if the straps or nose clip are not tightened or not in the correct position
- if it has ear loop straps
- if you are not clean shaven
- if it is damaged
- you are wearing other personal protective equipment (PPE) on your head which interferes with the mask
You can watch the video on the FaceFit Respirator Demonstrator model (FFRED).
Preventing work-related stress in 2025
HSE’s latest statistics for work-related ill-health and injury show that around half of reported ill-health is related to stress, depression or anxiety.
That’s an estimated 776,000 cases with each case taking an average of 21.1 days off work.
Start the year off right
No matter where you work, the law requires all employers to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health in the workplace. That means including stress in risk assessments and acting on it. You can also:
- download HSE’s Working Minds campaign calendar 2025
- put time in the diary to get started or review what’s in place
- download a risk assessment template and see examples
- complete our free online learning
Learn how to prevent stress in 5 steps
HSE’s free online learning will guide you step-by-step and provides all the tools, templates and information you need to get proactive on preventing stress and supporting good mental health at work.
- Reach out and have conversations – see the Talking Toolkit for help
- Recognise the signs and causes of stress – the Stress Indicator Tool could be useful
- Respond to any risks you’ve identified
- Reflect on actions you’ve agreed and taken
- and make it Routine – how can you make this part of your every day?
New HSE webinar: Managing and controlling work-related stress in the workplace.
According to the latest health and safety statistics 16.4 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety in Great Britain. Remember employers have a legal duty to protect workers from stress at work by doing a risk assessment and acting on it.
On Tuesday 28 January, HSE and TSO will present a free, knowledge-sharing webinar to help employers fulfil their duty.
Deadline approaching for the ‘Risk-reduction through design’ awards
It is the last chance to enter as nominations close on 31 January 2025
If your business has made simple changes to your workplace, tasks or activities that have resulted in reduced musculoskeletal risk to your employees, we want to hear about it. Your business could be our 2025 award winner.
These changes could include reducing lifting, pushing or pulling activities, reducing awkward postures while using equipment or removing the need for manual handling altogether.
Any UK employer can enter and there is an additional award category for small and medium size businesses (up to 250 employees).
Further details about the awards, including a link to the form to make a free nomination is available on our website.
How to risk manage MSDs – 11 March 2025, 11.45am, Birmingham NEC
As part of the upcoming Health and Wellbeing at Work event, HSE’s Principal Ergonomist, Matt Birtles, will be speaking on How to risk manage MSDs.
The session will:
- provide insight into what HSE has been looking at with regards to health inspections
- focus on how to risk manage MSDs with a look at some suggested approaches for Identification, Assessment, Avoidance and Management of risk
- provide an increased awareness of how to implement these approaches, as well as an overview of when to do so
The 2025 Health and Wellbeing at work event runs from 11 to 12 March 2025. HSE experts, including our Chair Sarah Newton, will also be speaking. Representatives from HSE will also be available on Stand 144 to answer questions and recommend guidance, resources, products and services from HSE to help you solve your health and safety challenges.
View the event website for full details and to purchase your ticket(s): Health and Wellbeing at Work