WOBO recognises developments taking place within the UK and thanks HSE for the links provided, many of which will support professionals within the global setting.
Vehicle and transport safety at work
Vehicles at work continue to be one of the main causes of fatal and major injuries.
The latest figures for 2023 to 2024 show that show that 25 workers were killed when struck by a moving vehicle: work-related fatal injuries in Great Britain.
Our workplace transport website has a range of guidance, advice and other resources to help reduce the risks and keep workers safe.
You can also download relevant publications from the HSE website, which include:
- Workplace transport safety – an employer’s guide
- Workplace transport safety – an overview
- Rider-operated lift trucks
Make sure you know your COSHH essentials
A variety of harmful substances are found in our working environments – knowing how to control these safely can help protect you from harm.
If you work with hazardous substances:
- our Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) website can help you understand the actions you should take to protect your health
- download HSE’s publication which explains how to control exposure and comply with the regulations: Working with substances hazardous to health: a brief guide to COSHH
- our COSHH safe handling chemicals poster also provides crucial guidance on how to handle chemicals safely in your workplace, including a useful hazardous signs check
Thorough Examination and Testing (TExT) duties
Ensure you understand your duties when conducting TExT of microbiological safety cabinets (MBSCs) and other laboratory-based LEV systems
There is increasing evidence to suggest that some sectors using MBSCs and other laboratory-based LEV systems do not fully understand their TExT duties under Regulation 9(2) of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) (as amended).
While testing to the relevant standard (for example, BS EN 12469: 2000) is encouraged, this does not fulfil all the requirements of Regulation 9(2) of COSHH, which has additional information and testing requirements.
You can find information about what a suitable record should contain in paragraph 186 of the associated COSHH Approved Code of Practice.
HSE’s publication Controlling airborne contaminants at work: a guide to LEV contains further advice on how to conduct TExT of LEV systems.
To ensure workers are protected in the workplace, HSE will be tightening its enforcement expectations when visiting sites using LEV in laboratory activities in the next few months.
HSE advises you to review your organisation’s procedures, competencies and processes related to the TExT of LEV systems in laboratory settings and keep suitable records to avoid any enforcement actions.