(AGENPARL) – Thu 20 March 2025 The latest health and safety news and updates from HSE
This ebulletin provides the latest news and updates from HSE.
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Health and Safety Executive
Weekly Digest ebulletin
Issued: 20 March 2025
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First aid at work: know the basics
Our ‘Basics for your business’ webpages offer health and safety advice, whatever industry you work in.
The step-by-step guide on first aid in work [ https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/firstaid/index.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=guidance-push&utm_term=basics-1&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ] explains how you must have the right arrangements, including:
* a first aid kit
* training for workers
* first aid for homeworkers
* first aiders appointed
Other ‘Basics for your business’ topics include:
* managing risks and risk assessment at work [ https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/index.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=guidance-push&utm_term=basics-2&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ]
* ensuring you have the right workplace facilities [ https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/workplace-facilities/index.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=guidance-push&utm_term=basics-3&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ]
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Property developer fined for multiple construction site failures
HSE investigated the company following 4 visits to the site where a 4-storey building was being constructed.
Failures identified by HSE inspectors – including multiple working at height risks, poor fire precautions and exposure to large amounts of silica dust – were so serious that they resulted in the site being closed down on 2 separate occasions.
Following the investigation, the property developer has been ordered to pay over £88,000.
Read more about the incident in our press release: Property developer fined for multiple construction site failures [ https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/03/18/property-developer-fined-for-multiple-construction-site-failures/?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=press-channels-push&utm_term=property-fine-pr&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ].
You can visit our news centre for more on recent enforcement cases [ https://press.hse.gov.uk/?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=press-channels-push&utm_term=news-centre&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ], which include:
* Hydraulics company fined after worker’s legs trapped in machine [ https://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/03/13/hydraulics-company-fined-after-workers-legs-trapped-in-machine/?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=press-channels-push&utm_term=leg-trapped-pr&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ]
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Updated health surveillance guidance: respirable crystalline silica (RCS)
HSE has refreshed its guidance publication ‘Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica’. 
The publication has been refreshed to emphasise:
* where workers are regularly exposed to RCS dust and there is a reasonable likelihood that silicosis may develop
* worktop manufacturing and installation are stated as high-risk occupations and provision of health surveillance must be considered
* health surveillance [ https://www.hse.gov.uk/health-surveillance/overview.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=guidance-push&utm_term=g404-refresh-1&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ] is a risk-based scheme of repeated health checks and is required under the COSHH Regulations for those exposed to hazardous substances to detect ill-health effects early and show whether review and revision of risk assessment and control measures are necessary
* occupational health professionals should be consulted to identify when additional health surveillance is needed, for example where over-exposure to RCS dust has already occurred
You can read the updated publication: Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (G404) [ https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/gseries.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=guidance-push&utm_term=g404-refresh-2&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ].
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Safety notice: Risk of collision with offshore installations from attendant vessels
Workers on attendant vessels and offshore installations are being put at risk due to a failure of navigational watch processes and systems.
Incidents are occurring because:
* personnel who are responsible for watchkeeping and the safe navigation of a vessel are being distracted with non-navigational tasks
* situational awareness is not being maintained at all times
* there is insufficient communication between all members of a bridge team
Vessel operators and dutyholders responsible for marine activities connected with offshore oil and gas installations and windfarms should review operating procedures and take actions relevant to their operation.
For full details view the risk of collision safety notice [ https://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/risk-collision-offshore-installations-attendant-vessels.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=safety-notice&utm_term=attendant-vessel-safety-notice&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ].
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Webinar: Stress and mental health in Wales
Watch our webinar for Welsh businesses.
Earlier this year, we held a webinar for businesses in Wales on managing workplace stress and mental health, which is now available to watch on demand.
Stress experts from HSE and Healthy Working Wales joined together to discuss work-related stress, explain legal requirements, and share resources.  
Watch the webinar now to learn how to support your employees and meet your legal obligations:
* webinar: Stress and mental health at work – what Welsh businesses need to know [ https://workright.campaign.gov.uk/work-related-stress-mental-health-wales-webinar ]
* watch a version of the webinar with Welsh language subtitles on YouTube [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4UzRxaIc8k ]
Using contractors: a brief guide
HSE’s leaflet is aimed at employers in businesses that use contractors. It gives advice on what to do to comply with health and safety law.
You can download a free copy: Using contractors: a brief guide (INDG368) [ https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg368.htm?utm_source=govdelivery&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=guidance-push&utm_term=grey-cta-indg368&utm_content=digest-20-mar-25 ].
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