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BCC calls for minimum cleanliness standards

Industry body wants to see national rules for minimum standards in UK workplaces.

What exactly does ‘wellbeing’ mean?

Lack of an agreed definition is holding employers back from supporting workers better.

A false sense of safety?

Public trust in fire safety precautions may not always be well placed.

ISS partners with Totalmobile

Safety solution rolled out for the FM group’s lone and isolated frontline staff.

HSE spot checks: most businesses could fail

Lack of data proving that fixed and moveable assets are managed and maintained to required standards is too common.

New IAQ chair at BESA

Adam Taylor has been elected as chair of the Indoor Air Quality group of the Building Engineering Services Association.

H&S workloads never more demanding

New legislation and an increased focus on best practice are leading to more pressure on property and facilities managers.

Compliance: the key concern in building maintenance

Survey finds 70% of maintenance professionals saying that staying compliant is the most significant problem in their business.

New guidance to ‘revolutionise’ IAQ

BESA has launched a new specification for ventilation hygiene.

International safety award for Anabas

The corporate office FM specialist has secured the British Safety Council award for the second year in a row.

Building control deadline extended

New mandatory competence assessment deadline extended by 13 weeks.

FM crucial to better health

Custodians of indoor air quality will have a greater influence on human health and wellbeing than the medical professions.

Amulet partners for rail safety training

Amulet is the first security firm to partner with Rail Safe Friendly, a network dedicated to improving rail safety in schools.

Lone worker protection alerts surge

Growing risks and hostile environments are driving up the number of alerts.

Water: sensing technology takes a leap forward

Cambridge-based start-up Infersens has launched its first commercially available risk management and water waste solution.

New safety course for security and facilities staff

London Fire Brigade has created an online fire safety training package to equip service providers with greater knowledge.

BESA: every building is high risk

Against a background of changing regulations, that’s the way to think says the hard services trade group.

Stormy Britain: tips for buildings and grounds safety

Following 10 named storms in the UK in the 2023-24 season already and no doubt more to come, some timely advice.

HSE: new forward-looking asbestos campaign

Keep people safe from future dangers of asbestos, the regulator warns.

The mental health challenge in FM

Survey shows overwork is a major issue for the sector.

Compliance Group grows with ARA buy

The specialised water treatment services provider has become the latest business to join the group.

Novus marks wellbeing milestones

Novus Property Solutions is celebrating a trio of milestones in its campaign to support and improve wellbeing and health.

Security: mental health event announced

The event, the second this year, will address the stigma around mental health in the industry.

Building Safety Alliance looking for input

The cross-sector group is focusing on the building occupation phase and inviting input on golden thread tools.

Welcome for indoor air quality standard

The Building Engineering Services Association has praised the creation of the first British Standard for health and wellbeing in buildings.

OCS team pioneers MudCam

New system addresses legislative and safety concerns for construction sites and mitigates the multi-million-pound risks of site shutdowns.

Integral partners to deliver defibrillators

The hard services specialist is currently installing defibrillator units at 154 train stations.

Contractors charged following serious fire

Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is prosecuting six companies for failing to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

PAC slams slow progress on Parliament refurb

The Public Accounts Committee laments that, after decades of broad consensus on the need for repairs and restoration, progress has been painfully slow.

VIVO links up with mental health charity

Marking the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, VIVO Defence Services has become a company supporter of Lighthouse.

International Workplace highly commended

The training and consultancy firm was recognised in the Safer Logistics category at the SHE Awards for its work with DPD.

SPIE UK in fire and security win

The hard services specialist has been appointed to provide fire and security maintenance services to Edinburgh Leisure.

EMCOR UK scoops RoSPA industry awards

The service provider has been named winner of the Facilities Management Industry Sector Award and Water Industry Sector Award.

Three selected for safetytech sandbox

Balfour Beatty, BAM Nuttall and Heathrow Airport will take part in the world’s first regulatory sandbox for industrial safetytech.

Maintenance challenges see costs rise

New research has revealed the extent to which maintenance issues can impact the smooth running of a facility.

Funds committed for delivery of building safety

Funding has been announced for recruitment and training of building control inspectors and fire inspectors working with the Building Safety Regulator.

International Workplace shortlisted for award

The learning specialist, along with its client DPD, has been shortlisted for the prestigious SHE Awards.

Growth opportunity for safety tech specialists

UK technology companies with game-changing safety tech products are being invited to get involved with a new Health & Safety Executive-backed initiative.

H&S sector calls on government to avoid deregulation

Seven top health and safety bodies have issued a ‘call to arms’ for the government to scrap the arbitrary deadlines of the EU Retained Law Bill.

Back pain trend rises with homeworking

Musculoskeletal disorders are the most common occupational illnesses, with back pain topping the list.

IWFM: update fire safety knowledge

With changes to fire safety starting to come into force from 23 January, the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management is urging the profession to get up to date.

Hybrid workers worry about indoor air quality 

New research reveals more than half of UK hybrid workers are concerned poor air quality and ventilation will impact their health.

Asbestos: a problem for energy renovation plans

Extensive asbestos remediation work is still needed on more than 100,000 UK buildings, according to a new report.

SPIE gains Legionella accreditation

SPIE UK has secured ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation from the United Kingdom Accreditation Service for the management of Legionella risks.

Awareness day to champion ventilation

An international awareness campaign to promote the critical role of better building ventilation has been launched.

EHS software market grows

The environment, health and safety software market will continue to grow this year, in parallel with and potentially overlapping ESG activities.

Classroom air quality a 'national scandal'

The Building Engineering Services Association has described the state of indoor air quality in UK classrooms as “scandalous”.

BESA warns on critical fire damper safety issue

The Building Engineering Services Association has issued an urgent warning about a potential fire safety weakness in a large number of building ventilation systems.

Sodexo extends infection prevention partnership

The partnership delivers a successful Environment, Cleaning and Decontamination programme for professionals.

InferSens welcomes Governor of Queensland

The leading-edge AI and machine learning sensor technology business was recently visited by Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM.

Eurest and 14forty in charity donation

Compass Group’s workplace caterer and facilities management provider have donated £21,000 to Mental Health UK.

BESA backs ventilation change

The Building Engineering Services Association has thrown its weight behind a report calling for the imposition of higher ventilation standards.

Clean Air Day focus on building ventilation

June 16th is National Clean Air Day and the key role played by mechanical ventilation systems in making buildings safer and healthier will be a central theme.

RoSPA award for Sodexo’s April Harvey

April Harvey has been recognised for her role as health, safety and risk lead in the mobilisation of the first Covid quarantine facility and Covid-19 test centres.

Unions push for indoor air quality pledge

Trade unions and scientists want employers to sign a pledge to protect the health and wellbeing of their employees by improving workplace conditions.

Elior UK supporting allergy clinical trial

The contract caterer is backing The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation’s first clinical trial to help achieve its mission ‘to make allergies history’.

IOSH warns on asbestos

Any plans for the removal of asbestos from public and commercial buildings must include detailed information on how people will be protected and how it will be disposed of.

BESA launches ‘safe havens’ blueprint

New guidance from the Building Engineering Services Association will help owners and managers protect occupants from airborne health risks. 

ISS celebrating awards success

The facilities services company has won a string of RoSPA awards and in catering there’s ‘rising star’ recognition.

Lift alert: report reveals impact of digital switch

As the UK telecoms network continues to evolve, the end of analogue telephone services is in sight. The future is fibre optic.

Airmec renews water safety deal

Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust has awarded its water hygiene services contract to Airmec Essential Services.

BCC warns on staff burn-out

The British Cleaning Council reports worries that cleaning staff in healthcare, hospitality and other sectors are facing burn-out due to increased workloads.

Atalian Servest signs mental health commitment

Created by the charity Mind, the Mental Health at Work Commitment defines six fundamental standards for a business.

British Safety Council advises extra care

Employers should consider what extra precautions they should take in the run-up to Christmas, the council says.

HSE launches mental health campaign

Work-related stress and poor mental health risk becoming a health and safety crisis for Great Britain’s workplaces, the regulator has warned.

Sign blindness: the next post-Covid challenge

With more people making their way back to the workplace, academics and H&S experts are warning about ‘sign blindness’, a side-effect of over-exposure to new rules, warnings and safety notices.

Air quality: vacuuming makes a real difference

Against a background of growing concern about indoor air quality, one provider of sophisticated cleaning equipment launched research into whether vacuuming could be a ‘hidden’ weapon in the quality arsenal.

New air cleaning guidance from CIBSE

Two new pieces of guidance on reducing Covid-19 transmission through ventilation and air cleaning technologies have been issued by the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers.

BESA offers air quality guide

The removal of most Covid restrictions has increased calls for practical guidance and the setting of specific indoor air quality targets to support the health and wellbeing of building occupants.

Trade bodies call for caution

Two engineering services bodies have stepped up their health & safety advice with the arrival of ‘freedom day’.

BSC launches new Five Star Audit for 2021

The British Safety Council’s Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit has been revised and updated.

Call for urgent action on ventilation

Good ventilation in public buildings and on transport systems is essential to reducing the risk of Covid-19 and other infections, according to a new report from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Ventilation revolution needs funding

Public funding is urgently needed to ensure buildings benefit from improved awareness around mechanical ventilation systems and airborne disease risk.

BESA calls for new ventilation standards

The Building Engineering Services Association is supporting a campaign to have current building ventilation regulations completely rewritten.

9 in 10 fans want greater focus on safety

A survey of sports fans’ attitudes about returning to stadium-based events has uncovered both enthusiasm and concerns.

Corps to provide female staff with free security protection

Corps Security is giving all its female employees free personal security protection to keep them safe following a rise in concern around women’s safety.

Sodexo and IUF commit to H&S priorities

The group has joined a global trade union federation for workers throughout the food chain in signing a declaration of intent on health and safety.

Fire safety: government threatens unlimited fines

Building owners could face unlimited fines following new measures being brought in to strengthen fire safety.

Pinnacle to support Stoke-on-Trent testing

The facilities services company is to assist with a new Covid-19 testing initiative at a site it already manages.

Chief inspector of buildings named

The Health and Safety Executive has announced the appointment of Peter Baker to establish and lead the new Building Safety Regulator.

Majority do not feel safe in buildings

Over 70% of the UK workforce does not feel completely safe working in their employer’s buildings.

Businesses spending more on healthy buildings

An independent survey of more than 800 building decision-makers shows a clear shift to increased investment in healthy building trends and technologies.

HSE to lead Covid-19 research programme

The Health and Safety Executive study will focus on the transmission of the coronavirus in environments including workplaces, transport and other public settings.

BESA updates Covid H&S guidelines

The Building Engineering Services Association has published new guidance to help engineering and construction firms keep their staff safe in the light of new government restrictions.

Q3 buys disinfection business

Q3 Services has purchased the Channel Islands-based business Biofog Limited.

Compass names Totalmobile for safety initiative

The field service management software specialist has been selected to develop a mobile app to power Compass Group's digitised Safety Walks programme.

Covid-19: health and safety climb the agenda

The great pandemic work-from-home experiment has proved, broadly, a success. But a quarter of such workers express some concern about their mental wellbeing.

BSI publishes third update to Covid-19 guidance

The standards organisation has refreshed its 'single-source' safe working guidance, coupling it with a planned webinar on implementation.

Going up: BCO lift and escalator guidance

The British Council for Offices has published new guidance for the safe use of escalators and lifts, as the country begins to return to the workplace.

What future for face-to-face events?

Conferences, exhibitions and networking events have always been an important and popular feature of the FM scene. For many people, the Covid-19 pandemic has changed all that.

Return to work must be gradual, says CIPD

The Prime Minister's call for employers to begin bringing people back into the workplace in August has drawn another cautious response.

JLL to introduce cleaning certification

The property services group is collaborating with a leading inspection, testing and certification company to help building owners and occupiers confirm their spaces are clean and safe.

Mitie joins in Covid-19 testing pilot

The pilot, to evaluate the effectiveness of testing for people without symptoms of the virus who work in high-contact professions, is underway now.

Research into managing virus transmission funded

Design and engineering consultancy Arcadis has been awarded £50,000 to help in developing advice on the return to work.

Pest control: advice for FMs offered

National trade body the British Pest Control Association has issued a new guide to help facilities managers re-open premises as lockdown restrictions ease.

Amey launches C-19 innovation competition

The company's Bounceback Innovation Challenge aims to develop solutions that will help the industry better cope with challenges posed by the coronavirus.

Brabin scoops top safety award

Matthew Brabin, CEO at ISS UK & Ireland, has been named the Overall CEO Winner in the British Safety Council 2020 International Safety Awards.

Sodexo introduces hygiene verification

The group is partnering with Bureau Veritas, the testing, inspection and certification specialist, to introduce a hygiene verification label for its procedures and services.

Covid-19: free risk training app offered

The engineering services group Ramboll has launched an interactive training app to help businesses prepare for returning to the office.

Covid-19: mitigating water system risk

Two industry bodies have come together to offer guidance on the water safety issues involved in re-opening buildings after lockdown.

Engineering services bodies update C-19 guides

BESA and ECA have released a joint sector guide on work-related travel and updated their guides on working in close proximity and in areas of increased risk.

BSI publishes safe working guidelines

The UK's National Standards Body has published new safe working guidelines to help businesses manage the return to work and the reoccupation of their facilities.

Sodexo introduces new Medical Advisory Council

Sodexo is committing to a clinically-informed approach to the development of new protocols and standards, supported by the newly appointed council.

Sodexo supporting students' mental wellbeing

Sodexo has boosted its health and wellbeing commitment to students to include access to a purpose-designed, NHS-approved app.

Honeywell offers real-time 'healthy building' solution

With the prospect of a return to the workplace nearing a reality for many, support strategies of all shapes and sizes continue to emerge from product and service suppliers.

BESA warns on false claims

There is a lot of smoke and mirrors being used to drive demand for particular HVAC technologies in the Covid-19 crisis, according to the chair of an influential industry group.

Axis Group signs C-19 Business Pledge

The security, cleaning and front-of-house services provider is supporting the pledge's goal for businesses and universities to help employees, customers and the community during the pandemic.

Bellrock rolling out wellness app

The property and facilities management services company is deploying a new mobile app to track the health and wellbeing of its remote workforce during the Covid-19 crisis and beyond.

Businesses urged to take caution with water supply

As many of the UK's businesses consider reopening their doors, the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme is encouraging them to consider the risks posed by their water systems sooner rather than later, to avoid health risks.

Churchill launches Covid symptom tracker

The soft services group has added a new app to its digital platform, designed to monitor signs and curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Corps launches thermal imaging service

Corps Security has joined the return-to-work services market with the introduction of new tools to support organisations as they look towards 'business as usual'.

Mitie offers post-lockdown guidance

As the lifting of some lockdown restrictions is reviewed by government, Mitie has published a return-to-work guide for facilities managers.

NJC launches coronavirus support hub

The independent cleaning and support services company has developed an online hub to share information in support of a return to the workplace.

Engineering groups issue site safety guides

Leading engineering services sector bodies BESA and ECA have jointly developed two new guides to help contractors to manage coronavirus-related issues on-site.

Churchill launches swab testing service

The soft services provider has developed a Covid-19 swab testing service to help organisations safely manage buildings and protect occupants pre- and post-lockdown.

Does coronavirus spell the end of hotdesking?

Workplace design experts are predicting the pandemic could prove a major challenge to the future of hotdesking.

Cleaners need access to testing, BCC says

The British Cleaning Council is calling for all cleaners to be included in the expanded first wave of testing for coronavirus for essential workers.

C&W launches post-covid recovery service

Global real estate services firm Cushman & Wakefield has formed a Recovery Readiness Task Force to assist clients with post-covid-19 returns to the workplace.

Sodexo offers virtual support for students in lockdown

The Student Living by Sodexo team has launched its residential living programme as a virtual service for students at Sodexo-managed university accommodation sites across the UK.

Coronavirus: IWFM offers advice

The Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management has published a round-up of advice for FMs faced with issues raised by covid-19.

Facilities Event postponed

The annual NEC event will be held in September, as it becomes the latest item on the FM calendar to be derailed by concerns around the coronavirus.

The health & safety traps in outsourcing

A new study by Cranfield University investigates the workplace safety and health challenges that arise specifically from outsourcing.

Coronavirus: MIPIM postponed

The property world's major European event, due to open on 10 March, has been rescheduled to June.

Calls for new safety regulator to have more power

As the board charged with implementing the new Building Safety Regulator meets and government begins to frame its legislation, a leading construction body has called for enhanced powers for the Regulator.

Fire safety consultation opens

The International Fire Safety Standards Coalition is seeking the views of industry experts on the development of the first global standard on fire safety.

Compass backs mental wellness programme

Compass Group UK & Ireland has joined forces with Hospitality Action to support the industry charity's major new mental health awareness programme.

OCS launches hidden disabilities initiative

The facilities services provider has introduced its new hidden disabilities initiative at centre:mk in Milton Keynes.

BESA working on new healthy building standard

The plan is to develop a new British Standard designed to establish performance benchmarks for healthier buildings.

Home Office opens fire safety consultation

The call for evidence seeks views and evidence on the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for England in workplaces and the parts used in common in multi-occupied residential buildings.

ISS Ireland secures H&S accreditation

The facilities services group's Irish business has achieved ISO 45001:2018 accreditation, the international standard for occupational health & safety.

Sodexo prisons get five-star BSC rating

All five prisons operated by Sodexo have achieved the British Safety Council's integrated Five-Star Safety, Health and Environmental Audit.

Mental health guidance for employers offered

Mental Health First Aid England has launched best-practice guidance for employers on how to implement mental health first aid in the workplace.

Bin it, but be careful when you do

New research indicates that waste collection systems used throughout the UK could be causing significant long-term musculoskeletal issues for workers.

Parliament to focus on mental health in the workplace

Debate is expected today around the concept of mental health first aid in the workplace. This could be the start of significant change.

ISS takes top Irish safety award for third year

ISS Ireland has been awarded a Distinction for the third year running at the National Irish Safety Organisation Safety Awards, presented last month.

100% Hackitt campaign launched

An industry initiative to encourage the government to deliver all of the recommendations contained in Dame Judith Hackitt's report has been launched with the backing of two key industry bodies.

Hackett worries about another Grenfell

The author of an independent review into fire safety and building regulations has warned it is impossible to rule out another "catastrophic event" like the Grenfell Tower tragedy if changes aren't made to the regulatory system.

Global response to need for fire safety standards

More than 30 organisations from around the world have joined a project to develop landmark industry standards to address fire safety in buildings.

Safety experts criticise lack of action following Grenfell

Marking the anniversary of the tragic fire, the safety community has sent an open letter to the Prime Minister stating that the need for action is now urgent.

Call for combustible cladding moratorium

The Construction Industry Council, the broad-based group for built environment professionals, is calling for an industry-imposed moratorium on the use of combustible materials in high-rise cladding systems.

BIFM plans fire safety accreditation

The British Institute of Facilities Management has announced plans to develop a new certified accreditation and a suite of training courses for facilities managers in charge of life safety in buildings.

Industry bodies largely positive on Hackitt Review

The Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety, initiated in response to the Grenfell tragedy, reached a culmination with the publishing of its final report last week.

Salisbury Group scoops innovation award

The FM services provider has been named winner of the Outstanding Innovation category at the 2018 Global Business Excellence Awards.

Meeting the H&S challenge in the Middle East

It is World Day for Safety and Health at Work this Saturday, which may be fairly incongruous given that most of us will be relaxing at home; but is an important date in the H&S calendar nonetheless. Alex Davies reports from Abu Dhabi.

IOSH welcomes launch of ISO 45001

The new global standard for health and safety has been labelled a "landmark" that will encourage "much-needed solutions" by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Campaign focuses on air pollution in construction

The construction industry group The Considerate Constructors Scheme has launched a campaign aimed at reducing poor air quality after a survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of respondents feel the industry is not doing enough on this issue.

New global health and safety standard due

ISO 45001, the new international standard for occupational safety and health, is set to be published in March.

Mitie lands highways safety deal

The group's security business has been awarded a two-year contract with Highways England to provide up to 50,000 road workers with a health & safety passport.

Roof safety: tell us how you handle it

Safety is a critical aspect of all facilities management policy and practice, of course, but nowhere more so than on a building's roof. Heights, edges, tripping hazards: it's a dangerous place up there. So what's the best solution?

IW shortlisted for Learning Technologies Award

The training and consultancy business International Workplace has been confirmed as a finalist at the Learning Technologies Awards 2017 for the latest version of its bestselling online health and safety course.

Grenfell inquiry must be fire safety "watershed": IOSH

The Grenfell Tower public inquiry must be "a watershed for fire safety", the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has declared.

LGA demands building regs review

The Local Government Association has called on central government to launch an "urgent and immediate" review of building regulations.

Open letter to PM draws widespread support

More than 700 organisations and individuals have signed an open letter to Prime Minister Theresa May challenging health and safety deregulation in the wake of the Grenfell Tower blaze.

IOSH reports steep rise in H&S fines

The largest UK fines for health and safety incidents have increased substantially in the past year, according to new research.

Wellbeing is the new health & safety

It's not much of a stretch to see the negative side of H&S, illness and accident statistics, as also the negative side of workplace wellbeing.

HSE unveils new health and work strategy

The Heath and Work campaign is launched at a time when stress and musculoskeletal disorders account for around 80% of all working time lost due to illness, according to the Health and Safety Executive.

It's official: commuting is bad for you

New research from the Royal Society for Public Health concludes that the average time spent commuting in the UK has increased in recent years to almost an hour a day: longer commutes are potentially shortening lives, it says.

Sodexo China employee tops NEBOSH competition

A Sodexo employee from China recently travelled to the UK to receive the Best Candidate award for achieving the highest score of some 35,000 students in the International General Certificate in Occupational Safety & Health.

Carillion pioneers Legionella monitoring project

Carillion has teamed up with SPICA Technologies to roll out a pilot Internet of Things project for remote Legionella monitoring across a series of building society branches in Central London.

Health & safety changes due in February

The most dramatic changes in health and safety enforcement since 1974, including new sentencing guidelines for offences, come into force next month. Compliance, BSRIA says, is more critical than ever.

BIFM offers winter weather guidance

The BIFM has published a Good Practice Guide to winter maintenance, in partnership with the specialists at GRITIT.

Building guidance confounds fire experts

The Fire Sector Federation and Construction Industry Council are calling for change to Building Regulations guidance, as complex and inconsistent language has left even the experts confused.

MEFMA and IW team up for H&S training

The Middle East Facility Management Association has announced a new partnership with learning and development specialist International Workplace that will see MEFMA expand its range of courses in the GCC region and beyond.

Mental health training for centre team

Incentive FM has partnered with a UK charity to train staff on mental health awareness and suicide intervention.

Putting H&S on the strategic agenda

Health & safety policy and practice is a standard part of the facilities management remit, as well as wider corporate operations, but it's all too easy to relegate it to the 'routine'.

PAT answers: why safety and cost-cutting don't mix

Portable appliance testing is a straightforward concept that would probably draw universal support if put to a vote. But it's also a concept marked by confusion about requirements and disagreement about appropriate practices.

Salt? Grit? What's the difference?

'Calling out the gritters' might be a well-known phrase in FM circles, but facilities professionals don't necessarily know their grit from their salt, according to winter risk management expert GRITIT.

Unpredictable winter weather to hit FM budgets

The UK is experiencing increasingly unpredictable winters, according to a recent joint study by climate experts from the Met Office and University of Sheffield.

December and talk turns to winter

Somehow it seems to have become December more quickly than expected, and that raises the question of just how prepared FMs are for the inevitable bad weather.

Winter: a risky business

The cost of people experiencing injuries on business premises in winter and of related employee ill health is vast in financial terms.

Aramark scoops Order of Distinction

Aramark's offshore team has been presented with the RoSPA Order of Distinction, after it received a fifteenth consecutive Gold Award for Occupational Health and Safety.

BIFM offers health & safety guide

The BIFM has published a new guidance document specifically aimed at facilities managers in light of their responsibility for health and safety in the workplace.

HSE opens CDM consultation

The Health & Safety Executive is seeking views on its proposal to replace the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 and withdraw the Approved Code of Practice.

Poor hygiene costing billions

New research has put the cost of poor hygiene in the workplace at nearly £14bn. UK plc could save that money simply by improving standards.

Refining the 'reasonably practicable' test

Amongst all the change over the past year or two in health and safety law has been a shift in the concept of 'strict liability', the principle that left employers with all but no defence against some claims.

RIDDOR regs revised

Changes to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) 1995 came into effect with the arrival of October.

Climb your way to good health

A new initiative has been launched, backed by the Department of Health via the Small Business Research Initiative, with the aim of tackling obesity and strengthening the hearts of office workers and commuters.

MITIE first with IOSH endorsement

The outsourcing company has become the first FM business to achieve accreditation for its own management training course from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

HSE invoices £1m in first six months

A freedom of information request made by business law firm DWF has revealed that invoices issued under the Health and Safety Executive's fees for intervention scheme have passed the £1m mark.

H&S goes top secret

MI5 is looking for a Health and Safety Advisor; but don’t bother asking any questions about the job.

ASFP launches fire risk app

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection has launched a new Android-based fire risk assessment app.

PHS warns on water claims

PHS Waterlogic, Europe's largest supplier of mains-fed water dispensing and purifying systems, has issued a warning about some of the purification claims being made in the water vending market.

HSE looking at COSHH and legionella

The Health and Safety Executive has launched three consultations on changes to the content of Approved Codes of Practice.

Testing times

Procedures for and timing of testing of electrical equipment in the workplace must generate as much discussion in FM as many of the industry's 'big issues'.

Wales threatens law on asbestos

The UK Asbestos Training Association has welcomed the move by a Welsh Assembly member to bring forward a bill that would see businesses and insurers take on £2 million in asbestos costs.

Cleaning jobs linked to asthma risk

Researchers at Imperial College London have linked adult onset asthma to the cleaning industry.

Workplace Law surveys the year

The experts at Workplace Law have assembled a series of interviews looking back over the past 12 months and forward to see how events may shape and influence the next 12.

H&S advice: spoiled for choice

Two leading organisations have both launched new access to health & safety advice, targeting smaller businesses.

WPL takes on DSE

Specialist advisor Workplace Law has set out to determine if the Display Screen Equipment Regulations, which date back to 1992, are still fit for purpose.

Keeping up with compliance requirements

The pace of change in regulations and obligations around the big topic of health & safety shows little sign of slackening.

HSE warns on legionella risk

The Health and Safety Executive has issued a second safety notice targeting the most common sources of significant outbreaks based on a review of data going back 10 years.

Health and safety inspections to be cut

Thousands of businesses are to be exempt from health and safety inspections under new rules to be introduced by ministers in April 2013.

BSIA offers guide on lone workers

The British Security Industry Association has published a 'quick' guide to purchasing lone worker protection products and services to aid employers in choosing the right product to protect their staff.

Olympic lessons for health and safety

Innovative communication techniques that helped to prevent worker deaths during the Olympic build could be harnessed to benefit other projects, a research study has found.

HSE moves ahead with changes

Following on from a prolonged period of review and assessment in the health & safety arena, the HSE has opened consultation on proposals to revise its Approved Codes of Practice.

Practical approach to best practice

New research has found that young architects develop the best understanding of health and safety through detailed application rather than abstract study. There are lessons here for all professions.

Legionnaires cases rise

A man in his 50s has died while being treated at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh as the number of cases of Legionnaires' disease in Scotland continues to grow.

HSE slams wasteful PAT regimes

Unnecessary electrical safety tests cost office-based businesses an estimated £30m a year, according to the Health & Safety Executive.

BSIA puts lone worker guidance online

The British Security Industry Association has added a new page to its website, offering lone workers and their employers a central point of information on health and safety, legal obligations and quality standards.

ISS safety films scoop international awards

A set of four staff safety films, produced by ISS UK, has won two prestigious international television and film awards in recognition of their quality and innovative approach.

Safety solution set for global platform

The award winning anti-entrapment safeguard developed by access specialist Nationwide Platforms is set to be showcased at Intermat 2012, giving a global audience sight of the pioneering system.

RIDDOR rules change

From 6 April employers no longer have to report injuries which keep workers off normal duties for seven or fewer days.

New date for HSE fee scheme

The Health and Safety Executive has confirmed that its controversial cost recovery scheme will go ahead but will now not start in April as originally planned.

Legionnaires failure brings fine

Lanarkshire Health Board has been fined £24,000 for a breach under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which led to a legionella outbreak at Hartwoodhill Hospital.

Flexible working portal launched

A Government-backed consortium has launched a website to help businesses adopt flexible working practices.

Managing supply chain H&S issues

Outsourcing may be a great thing but it does bring with it some risks, which multiply with the length and complexity of the supply chain.

Lofstedt report published

The Lofstedt report has been published today, making 19 recommendations for the reform of health and safety, which the government has accepted.

Getting to the real story on H&S competence

Training in health & safety is critical for everyone involved in FM. But how much, when and how are still controversial questions.

HSE infoline now closed

The Health & Safety Executive's telephone information service has shut up shop, as the agency moves to shift everything online.

H&S reform on the right track?

These are uncertain times for this key discipline as reviews seem to come and go, with at least some proposed change apparently driven by cost cutting and a dread of 'red tape'.

FSG and British Waterways team up on H&S

The Facilities Services Group and its client British Waterways have developed a joint online programme providing a consistent approach to the delivery of health and safety training.

RIDDOR reporting moves online

From today, statutory reporting to HSE of work-related injuries and incidents under RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) will move to a predominantly online system.

Compliance check-up

Workplace safety expert PHS Compliance has launched a new service that promises an instant safety needs analysis report to facilities managers at no charge.

Consultation opens on HSE cost recovery scheme

The HSE has today opened a three-month consultation on how cost recovery for intervention will work, having already agreed the underlying principle with Government.

73% of employees unaware of H&S procedures

Three-quarters of employees questioned in a recent survey claimed to be 'unaware' of the health and safety procedures within their workplace.

FMs want a common sense approach to H&S

Health & safety is in the spotlight again, as the Government turns its sights on the 'right' balance of legislation and regulation.

i-FM in Brief hits the stands

The fourth edition of i-FM in Brief, our regular newsletter designed to bring readers a round-up of recent news, features and market insights, is available on the site now.

Best practice guide to fire safety

The Fire Industry Association has published a new guide to fire safety in commercial premises.

Atkins leads on good H&S practice

Suddenly, health & safety seems to be on every agenda: from the government, which hopes to slim the regulatory environment down, to RICS, which has published new advice.

New RICS guidance tackles health & safety

RICS has launched what it calls 'the first guidance note of its kind', designed to ensure consistency in the approach to health and safety procedures across the construction sector.

IOSH makes the business case for H&S

British businesses are losing their competitive edge because of a failure to tackle the risks of injury and illness in the workplace, IOSH research indicates.

Businesses tied up in H&S 'yellow tape'

UK businesses concede that workplace health & safety is important, but the volume of regulation and its ambiguity means it is often misapplied, according to research by the British Chambers of Commerce, which has dubbed the situation 'yellow tape'.

Hotel owners sentenced for breach of fire safety regs

The owners of Newquay's Penhallow Hotel, scene of a disastrous fire in August 2007, have been fined £80,000 and ordered to pay costs of £62,000.

RoSPA calls for tougher approach to RIDDOR

In its response to consultation on the future of RIDDOR, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has urged a more radical approach to how incidents are recorded.

Terms of reference for H&S review published

The draft terms of reference which will govern the independent review of health and safety legislation announced last month have been published.

HSE offers two steps forward

The Health & Safety Executive has launched a pair of web-based initiatives designed to make it easier for organisations to implement good practice.

Workplace safety inspections to be cut by a third

Work and Pensions Minister Chris Grayling MP has announced a package of changes to Britain's health and safety system, including a huge cut in health and safety inspections.

Tougher penalties for unnecessary lift call-outs

Councils and businesses will face tougher penalties for unnecessary non-emergency lift call-outs, the London Fire Brigade has said.

Company fined after fatal roof fall

A Fife papermaking firm has been fined £260,000 after a worker fell almost 50 feet through a fragile roof to his death.

First corporate manslaughter conviction

Cotswold Geotechnical Holdings has become the first company to be convicted of the new offence of corporate manslaughter.

Mental health finds a place in the workplace

In January, MITIE signed up the community interest company MHFA to offer free mental health first aid training courses to its own staff as well as staff at its clients.

Asbestos still a priority, says HSE

The Health and Safety Executive has hit back at recent news stories declaring the end of its 'Hidden Killer' campaign which is focused on the dangers of asbestos in buildings.

Kier rejects ladder ban 'myth'

This is the sort of story that highlights what sensible health and safety practice is up against.

Stoke pays the price of ladder ban

This is the sort of story that gives health & safety a bad name. A ban on the use of ladders has left Stoke Council with extra costs of over £1m.

H&S tops list for new ODA Chief Exec

On his first day as Chief Executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority, Dennis Hone launched a new safety campaign for the Olympic Park site.

Taking the risk out of risk assessment

Health & safety policy and practice have been in the news regularly over the past six months as the coalition government considers whether the system needs streamlining.

Health & safety is good for business

Companies with a positive attitude to health and safety tend to have a healthier, more motivated workforce, two factors that contribute to growth on the bottom line.

H&S is not holding business back

Headline writers love the health and safety red-tape angle, but most businesses questioned by a major City law firm regard the 'administrative burden' as a non-issue.

Firms urged to grit premises and keep evidence

As disruption caused by snow and ice continues, employers are being advised to take steps to prevent slips and falls on their property and to keep evidence of the precautionary steps they have taken.

Protect workers health and safety in uncertain times, IOSH says

The Government needs to be clearer on how a drive to cut red tape combined with spending cuts will not put people at greater risk of injury or illness at work, the leading health and safety body has said.

Stress tops safety concerns

Stress, bullying and harassment, back strains, slips, trips and falls, and overwork top the list of workers' safety concerns, according to the TUC's latest biennial survey of safety reps.

Common sense to be health and safety theme

The title of Lord Young’s much anticipated report, 'Common Sense, Common Safety', says it all in terms of new government policy; though it may be easier said than done.

Young backs registration for H&S

Speaking at the recent IIRSM annual members luncheon, held in Westminster, Lord Young has labelled the prospect of clients being advised by an unqualified health and safety consultant a 'disgrace'.

MoD censured for asbestos exposure

The Ministry of Defence has received a formal Crown Censure from the Health and Safety Executive for the potential exposure of workers to asbestos fibres. FM partner Interserve has been fined for the same offense.

Cooling towers investigated in Legionnaires outbreak

Public Health Wales, in collaboration with the HSE and Environmental Health Officers from eight South Wales local authorities, is continuing to investigate an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease clustered around the Heads of the Valleys corridor.

Don't cut H&S, says TUC

A new report from the TUC argues that moves to cut business regulation by reducing health and safety requirements are misguided.

Asbestos remains key concern

The Health and Safety Executive's crusade to enforce the law on asbestos remains high on the agenda, with the month of August alone seeing fines imposed on three firms.

Accreditation scheme for safety consultants to be launched

A new UK scheme to accredit safety consultants is due to be announced in the coming weeks, it has been confirmed.

Workers not receiving health and safety inductions

A new survey has found that over a third of people questioned who suffer work accidents or injuries have not had health and safety inductions.

IOSH sees good practice as route to savings

Simply improving health and safety at work can shave billions of pounds off the nation's debt, according to the group's President-Elect.

IOSH welcomes health and safety debate

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron’s announcement of a review into the growing risk aversion and fear of being sued in this country.

Environment is part of health and safety managers role

New research suggests that more than half of health and safety managers are now responsible for managing environmental issues at work.

Call for formal accreditation of safety consultants

Professional body the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health is renewing its call for health and safety consultants to be subject to a formal programme of accreditation.

Survey reveals attitudes to health and safety

A new survey commissioned by IOSH has found that health and safety is not the top priority for many workers.

HSE launches 'do your bit' campaign

Employers are being encouraged to get their staff more involved in health and safety in a bid to reduce injury and ill health.

Stiffer sentencing still not enough, IOSH declares

While stiffer fines and punishments are now in effect for organisations found guilty of corporate manslaughter, the leading body for health and safety professionals believes new sentencing guidelines don’t go far enough.

Make sprinklers mandatory, says insurance group

The cost of fire damage now stands at a record level according to research published by the Association of British Insurers.

Asbestos awareness campaign launched

The HSE has launched a £1.2m, month-long campaign to warn Britain's 1.8m tradesmen about the dangers they face from asbestos.

Corporate manslaughter fines should be £500,000+

Companies and organisations that cause death through gross breaches of care could face fines of more than £500,000 and be forced to make a statement about offences on their website.

New risk assessment tool from HSE

The Health and Safety Executive has developed new electronic tools which it promises will help businesses with their compliance requirements and save them time and money, too.

Health and safety risks to cleaners highlighted

The importance of cutting down on work-related ailments among cleaners has been highlighted during European Week for Safety and Health at Work.

High heels get the risk assessment treatment

TUC Congress delegates have backed a motion requiring some employers to carry out risk assessments on staff footwear.

Beware the custard cream, Britain's most dangerous biscuit

A third of adults have seen their workday tea or coffee break end in disaster as a consequence of a biscuit-related incident. The most common complaint is scalding while dunking.

Strict obligations in forthcoming asbestos survey guidance

Revised HSE guidance for asbestos surveys is set to be introduced in the autumn.

Step-change: the future of high heels in the workplace

The TUC's four-day Congress in September will tackle a wide range of issues in these days of recession-hit economy. One could see a particular group of specialists putting their foot down.

HSE calls for high standards in legionella testing

The Health and Safety Executive is warning companies responsible for carrying out legionella surveys on water systems of the need to ensure that their work is thorough and accurate.

HSE warns on bogus law poster

The Health and Safety Executive is warning businesses not to be duped into buying unnecessary and overpriced copies of its health and safety law poster.

Firms still unaware of Corporate Manslaughter implications

Research released today by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health highlights that businesses' understanding of the possible implications of a prosecution under the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act is worryingly low.

HSE launches new strategy as businesses consider cuts

On the day that the Health and Safety Executive unveiled its new strategy, it also revealed that more than a quarter of business leaders say they will face pressure to cut spending on health and safety this year.

Businesses fear HSE prosecution

Positive health & safety practice has the explicit backing of most UK businesses, but there is considerable worry about the time and cost involved in regulatory compliance.

Safety culture: what it is and why it pays

Health and safety is a discipline plagued by irony: legislation and practice are well developed, and policies and procedures are queried in every tender, but implementation on the ground is often left to take care of itself.

Recession cutbacks start to hit health & safety

New research from the British Safety Council finds that one in 12 workers Ð about 8% - now feel under pressure from their boss to take risks with peopleÕs safety in order to save money.

IOSH offers practical flu advice

As headline-writers vie for the most dramatic impact, the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health - the worldÕs largest body for health and safety professionals Ð says there is no need to panic. But a little preparation would be a good idea.

HSE tells directors 'to lead by actions'

Judith Hackitt, Chair of the Health & Safety Executive, has called on company directors to get out of their offices and be seen making a real commitment to good health and safety practice.

HSE plan falls short, says IOSH

Europe's largest health and safety professional body has called on the Health and Safety Executive to beef up some of the strategic goals contained in its new strategy.

HSE to target refurbishment sites

Health & safety inspectors are planning to visit 1500 sites across Britain this month, beginning with London.

You cannot outsource responsibility, HSE warns

The Health & Safety Executive has warned companies that they cannot outsource their duty of care responsibilities to a consultant or service provider.

Insurance companies get tough on asbestos threat

Employers will be under more pressure than ever to prove that they are managing asbestos safely following a landmark court judgment, compliance experts Connaught report.

IOSH launches guide for LAs

A new guide highlighting the health and safety responsibilities of local councillors has been unveiled by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.

Companies warned to avoid safety 'own goal'

Compliance specialist Connaught has warned that skimping on health and safety to save money during the recession could backfire in a big way.

Third of companies ignore fire regs

Over one-third of UK companies are still ignoring the requirements of new fire regulations introduced two years ago.

New health and safety law in force today

The Health and Safety (Offences) Act 2008 is now effect, marking the end of the days when unscrupulous employers could get away virtually scot-free with injuring, maiming and making their staff ill.

IOSH warns on new H&S legislation

With new laws ten days away, the President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has warned of tough times for companies that 'play' at health and safety.

Benn unveils new flood alert centre

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced the development of a new warning centre to help protect people and businesses from flooding.

Budget cut safety

With staff resources under pressure and budgets growing tighter, where should you look to make cuts?

HSE asks for views on new strategy

The Health and Safety Executive believes it is time for a new H&S strategy and has launched a consultation exercise seeking input on the direction forward.

Has anyone explained the continuity plan?

Less than half of UK workers have been advised what to do in the event of their workplace becoming inaccessible, according to business continuity professionals.

Battling through the smoke of new fire regs

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order became law in England and Wales in October 2006 with its Scottish equivalent following soon after - and if you are still confused, you are certainly not alone.

Building a positive safety culture

Health and safety action is always on the agenda, not least because of increasing regulation - and FMs are best placed to ensure both compliance and high standards.

HSE: toothless and inviting more workplace disasters?

Health and safety enforcement in Britain is 'withering away' and Scotland has been hit particularly hard, researchers have suggested.

H&S week targets accident reduction

This is European Week for Safety and Health at Work. Campaigners are targeting risk assessment as the key to reducing workplace accidents and illnesses.

HSS sees dodgy ladder success

HSS Hire, the national tool and equipment hire company, has reported a big increase in ladder sales, as part of a joint ladder exchange campaign with the Health and Safety Executive.

Risk assessment requires risk assessment?

Exeter firefighters and paramedics were called to rescue a man after he fell from a ladder onto a flat roof while carrying out a risk assessment yesterday. Bad luck or what?

Would you blow the whistle on H&S violations?

If the answer is no, you're in good company. Less than a third of people would blow the whistle on their employer if they broke health and safety laws, a new study has found.

GSH pitches in on asbestos campaign

GSH Group has committed to an active role in backing the Health and Safety Executive's campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of asbestos and how to identify and manage it safely.

HSE offers free briefing for FM

The Health and Safety Executive is planning a free half-day seminar in September covering key workplace issues facing facilities managers.

HSE lays down the law on asbestos

Following on from the successful prosecution of two Essex companies for asbestos law violations, the Health and Safety Executive says it will not hesitate to seek penalties in any similar situation.

Move to accredit safety practitioners

The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health has welcomed a government announcement supporting accreditation of health and safety professionals.

Cider firm fined for Legionnaires' outbreak

Water treatment contractor Nalco and cider maker HP Bulmer have both been fined over a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, which caused two deaths.

Risk assessments awareness campaign launched

A two-year European campaign to raise awareness of the need for workplace risk assessments is due to start next week (24 June).


Features - Search found 45 features

Building Safety Act: implications for FMs

April 6th sees the end of the transitional period, with far-reaching implications for projects where Building Regulations apply.

Mental health in security: are we doing enough?

Poor mental health is one of the most pressing issues facing men in the UK today.

Health and safety reporting: power to the people

Health and safety in the workplace is a critical concern for all businesses, regardless of their revenue, location or size.

Five things FMs can do to prepare for winter

Ask most facilities managers which season brings the most challenges and the top answer will likely be winter.

Managing winter’s ‘triple threat’

Steve Rainbow explores how an effective building management system removes the age-old question of when to tinker with the thermostat.

What you need to know about ISO 45003

More and more organisations are, rightly, investing more time and resources into the mental wellbeing of their employees.

Managing fire safety compliance in turbulent times

Building owners who fail to comply with proposed new fire safety measures could be faced with unlimited fines.

Gas detection & monitoring: what FM professionals need to know

Gas monitoring and control is a key part of the role for FM professionals. But it can be a challenge to stay up to date with the latest thinking and technology.

Covid-19 and lift safety

Social distancing must have been one of the most used terms of 2020. Looking ahead to 2021 this same behaviour seems set to be a part of daily life for quite a while to come.

The humble risk assessment

Amongst the many impacts of Covid-19 is this: everyone is talking about risk assessment.

Managing safety and risk in workforce transition

With the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic far from over, facility owners and managers need to stay up to date with the latest information, and stay flexible in their return-to-work planning.

Returning to work post-shutdown

The Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown have caused a massive shift in the way we work. The experts from international law firm Faegre Drinker examine the challenges UK employers are likely to face in the coming months.

What happens after lockdown?

On Thursday 16 April, the UK government extended the lockdown by at least another three weeks. That’s not to say life will return to normal on early in May, of course. But, in the meantime, how should we think about this?

Businesses clean up to fight invisible enemy

With the number of coronavirus cases rising, businesses are more conscious than ever of the need to protect themselves against this invisible enemy.

The hidden threat to our workforce

FMs put wellness and the protection of the workforce right at the top of the agenda. So why, asks a new report, is no progress being made on the UK's highest reported workplace disease: hand arm vibration syndrome?

Protecting people from an invisible killer

Air pollution is a global environmental health issue with reports increasingly suggesting that poor air quality may be associated with mental health problems. Peter Dyment examines ways FMs can help mitigate the problem.

Why compliance maintenance should be a priority

In order to ensure a safe environment, it is important that all aspects of a building remain compliant and within the law. Property services firm MSL offers some advice on the basics.

Mental health first aiders in action

Bouygues Energies & Services UK has mental health first aiders across its business. Kamil Banse, senior HR manager, told Fiona Perrin about this key initiative to protect colleague wellbeing.

Health, productivity and indoor air quality

As a business, you’re no doubt striving towards giving your customers the best possible experience. As an employer, you’ll be committed to the health and wellbeing of your staff. But something could be impacting your efforts more than you realise.

Technology and safety in pharmaceutical FM

Compliance and safety are paramount to every pharmaceutical business, but the focus for the FM team is especially important. Mike Knapp explains.

Five ways to safeguard your mobile lone workers

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 employers have legal duties to assess all risks to health and safety, including the risk of lone working.

Why E-Permits to Work will replace paper

As on-site health & safety requirements seem to increase exponentially, the challenge for facilities managers in managing contractors grows consequentially.

Gritting: Coming out from the cold

Vicky Lopez explains why gritting services should be considered an important part of the strategic FM job.

The True Cost of a Serious Accident

Keeping employees safe in the workplace can be one of the most important functions of a facilities manager, Rob Burgon writes.

Beware False Economies: Appliance Safety Testing

Jim Wallace encourages a common-sense approach to ensuring the safety of electrical equipment, as cutting corners can carry considerable risks.

Let it Snow!

In contrast to the warmth and security evoked by the lyrical strains of the popular US Christmas song, the first sign of the cold, white stuff tends to send many UK organisations into a panicked frenzy and leaves them very vulnerable.

The End of Strict Liability?

We probably won't see an end to the concept of strict liability for many years to come, but things have changed. Robert Greenfield and Michael Morgan explain.

Risk-based Safety at Work

Amy Lyons looks at the emphasis on risk assessment in the new IET Code of Practice aimed at ensuring the safety of electrical equipment in the workplace.

Compliance Gets Recognition

Rob Greenfield argues that perceptions are finally changing for both clients and service providers.

Name of the Game

This autumn it's all about change as new legislation affecting the facilities management sector is open to consultation or coming into force.

A New Horizon for FMs

The waters surrounding health and safety legislation have been choppy of late. In their wake comes change for anyone responsible for reducing injuries and ill-health in the workplace.

Managing Contractors

Barry Holt discusses the risks and advantages that are associated with outsourcing from a health & safety point of view.

Clean Up and Keep Staff Healthy

A news release issued by the Department of Work and Pensions on 17 February reported that working-age ill health costs the UK economy a staggering 150m lost working days and £100bn every year.

Putting the Case for H&S?

Health and safety has, over the last two years, become heavily scrutinised from a governmental perspective.

Today’s Health & Safety Landscape

The reputation of health and safety has taken a bit of a battering lately.

Risk Assessment Risk

Health and safety has been in the spotlight again, with the Government looking at regulations and policies.

Winning Hearts and Minds

Neil Harrison looks at the persistent challenge of getting people to buy into a safety culture.

The False Economy of Health & Safety Cuts

Rob Greenfield writes: In a difficult economic climate it is inevitable that facilities managers will be asked to look at ways of cutting costs across all areas of their responsibility - and health and safety is no exception.

Competence and Risk Assessment in Fire Safety

Graham Ellicott writes: FMs are increasingly becoming involved in the fire safety equation, either in specifying the fire protection measures that are being installed in the nation's buildings or in the management of the fire systems and equipment.

Safety Challenges and the Industry Response

Jill Joyce writes: facilities managers are in a unique position to influence the toll of injury and ill health at work, as they play a key role in establishing safe and healthy working environments for their organisations.

Total Compliance - Myth or Reality?

Mark Carter asks: is a healthy and safe work environment the holy grail of the modern world - or is it in fact achievable?

Planning a Safe Exit

Paul Moor writes: A systematic approach to evacuation and shelter planning is needed to ensure that staff safety and corporate reputation are protected in the face of today's threats.

Business Continuity Plans - Step by Step

Steven Garrod writes: Be it an art or a science, writing a business continuity plan on a blank piece of paper is almost impossible to get right. Yet this is what many people set out to do when they begin to develop a plan for their business.

Asbestos: The Duty to Manage Explained

Philip Hanna writes: Documented asbestos management plans are a legal requirement for all non-domestic premises, whatever the business, as well as the common areas of domestic premises. This article explains the law and provides tips for compliance.

Do Not Disturb

The long-awaited 'duty to manage' element of the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002, places stringent obligations upon those who manage premises, explains Dave Birkin. These need not be a headache if the correct procedures are adopted.


Comments - Search found 9 comments

Sewing up safety with the digital golden thread

The next deadline in the roll-out of the UK’s new building safety regulations is coming up fast.

Returning to work: are we ready?

Over the next few weeks and months, buildings across the country will start to be reoccupied. A gradual process, this will nevertheless presents enormous challenges to many businesses.

Mental health first aiders: a benefit for us all

Wednesday December 19th will see a debate in the Commons, pushing for the implementation of a mental health first aider in every workplace to help bridge the gap between mental health and physical health care legislation in business.

Facing those winter woes

As the UK faces more frequent bouts of extreme weather, businesses are taking the impact this has on trading and operations far more seriously. Vicky Lopez explains how customer relations have evolved in the winter maintenance sector over the years.

Preparing for the worst

Afraid of the inevitable loss to business revenue and legal action that come with unpredictable snowfall? Vicky Lopez explains why it pays to plan your winter gritting strategy in advance.

Preparing for winter

At what stage do you realise you need to reach out to a specialist? Vicky Lopez has the answers.

UK Health & Safety Culture

Is that a positive one or a negative one, asks David Lummis, CEO at the British Safety Industry Federation.

What Price Mental Health?

MITIE's decision to offer its staff access to mental health training demonstrates a genuine commitment to their well-being and continued development.

Staying in Shape

Despite what you might read in the papers, health and safety is good for Britain and it's good for British business.