Although dealing with conflict can be something many people actively seek to avoid, new research shows that people rarely regret trying informal approaches.

Last month Acas published independent research exploring how workplace conflicts are managed informally. It found that when done well and used appropriately, informal resolution offers a lot of benefits:

• preserving relationships
• reducing stress
• it cost less than formal procedures

Even when resolution was not achieved, people developed better communication skills for the future. Managers may feel uncertain about their skills and worry about making things worse, but the earlier a problem is tackled the less impact it will have.

Don’t let lack of confidence get in the way

Workplaces that are proactive in tackling issues and preventing work-related stress are more likely to:

• reduce absenteeism
• improve performance and productivity
• boost staff morale and motivation
• retain staff
• minimise tension and conflict between colleagues

Like any other health and safety risk, employers also have a legal duty to prevent work-related stress by including it in risk assessment and acting on it.

Lots of information, guidance, and training is available to help you build the confidence and skills you need:

• Free online learning is a good place to start for an introduction. This bitesize learning can be done any time and is designed to take you through step-by-step with access to practical templates and useful resources.

• The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Managing Stress at Work can be done online over 2 days, or one day in-person. On successful completion, you will receive a qualification.

  The next dates are:

  • 14 and 15 October 2025 (online)
  • 2 December 2025 (in-person at HSE Science and Research Centre, Buxton)

• Work-related stress: developing manager capability is a live online course next being held on 4 and 5 March 2026 (2-part days)

HSE safety notice issued: motion compensated gangways auto-retraction – Power failure or control system error can cause the unplanned retraction of motion compensated gangways (MCGs) typically used in the offshore industry.

These incidents pose a serious risk to operators and users.

There continues to be incidents where failure or error of an MCG power or control system has resulted in the gangway retracting without warning to the operator or persons crossing the gangway.

Unplanned retraction, also known as auto-retraction, poses a significant, foreseeable risk to personnel on the gangway. Lack of warning that it is about to retract can lead to people:

• falling onto the gangway
• being struck by moving parts
• falling from height resulting in serious injury or death (in the most serious cases)

Operators, duty holders and vessel owners or operators should ensure that any gangway auto-retraction function provides suitable audible and visible warnings which allow users sufficient time to make themselves safe before the auto-retraction function activates.

For full information, view our safety notice: Motion compensated gangways auto-retraction.

Consultation on a testing proposal under Article 40(2) of UK REACH – Deadline: 20 September 2025

HSE has received a testing proposal to undertake testing in vertebrates to consider and evaluate.

Article 40(2) of the UK REACH Regulation requires HSE to invite third parties to submit scientifically valid information and studies that are relevant to proposed vertebrate tests. These submissions will be considered and evaluated alongside the proposals submitted by the registrants.

Any interested third parties are invited to provide such information and studies that address the substance and hazard endpoint below. Information can be submitted by any member of the public or interested party.

• Reaction mass of 2,2′[(1-methylethylidene)bis(4,1-phenyleneoxymethylene)] bisoxirane and Phenol-formaldehyde polymer, oxiranylmethyl ether and Phenol, 4,(1-methylethylidene)bis-, polymer with 2,2′ [(1-methylethylidene)bis(4,1-phenyleneoxymethylene)]bis[oxirane] and 2,2′, 6,6′-tetrabromo-4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol
  Genetic toxicity
  View the consultation: UK REACH Testing Proposal 010

Scientific and technical information relevant to the testing proposal should be submitted directly to HSE using the commenting webform and template by 20 September 2025.

HSE publishes Annex 15 restriction report and opens 6-month public consultation – The public consultation seeks evidence on proposed PFAS restrictions

HSE, in its role as the Agency for UK REACH with support from the Environment Agency, has published an Annex 15 restriction report assessing the risks to the environment and human health from the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams (FFF).

We are suggesting restrictions on the placing on the market and use of PFAS in FFF, with sector-specific transition periods.

To inform the opinion-forming stage of the restriction process, a 6-month public consultation has been launched.

All stakeholders are encouraged to consider the questions and submit relevant evidence on PFAS in FFF including information on the suggested restrictions and sector-specific transition periods.

View the public consultation and Q&A for PFAS in FFF.

Working in hot temperatures

Employers must ensure workers are protected during hot weather.

There’s no law for maximum working temperature, or when it’s too hot to work, because every workplace is different.

HSE’s website has a practical step guide on temperature in the workplace.

Construction firm fined after workers exposed to asbestos risks – A construction company has been fined £5,360 after workers were put at risk of exposure to asbestos during work at a former pub.