Stay informed with the latest health and safety updates, compliance guidance, and industry news from SVC Safety Solutions. This month’s newsletter covers H&S audits, Martyn’s Law, asbestos regulations, employer liability insurance, and new workplace recycling rules. Download the full PDF to ensure your business stays compliant and up to date with UK health and safety legislation.

Stay informed with the latest health and safety updates, compliance guidance, and industry news from SVC Safety Solutions. This month’s newsletter covers H&S audits, Martyn’s Law, asbestos regulations, employer liability insurance, and new workplace recycling rules. Download the full PDF to ensure your business stays compliant and up to date with UK health and safety legislation.

Agriculture remains one of the most hazardous industries in the UK, accounting for 1 in 5 worker fatalities  despite employing only a small percentage of the national workforce. According to the HSE, the cost of workplace injury and ill health in the agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector is estimated at £190 million annually . Risks range from dangerous machinery and moving vehicles to exposure to extreme weather and hazardous substances. Why Health and Safety in Farming

If you employ anyone in the UK, you’re legally required to hold Employers’ Liability (EL) insurance — and display your certificate correctly. It’s a small but vital detail that can lead to serious penalties if overlooked. What You Must Do: ✅ Ensure your EL certificate is up to date ✅ Make it accessible to employees (digitally or in the workplace) ✅ Use an authorised insurer ✅ Be insured for at least £5 million The Legal Requirements Under the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory

Asbestos remains one of the most serious health risks in UK buildings today. Although banned in 1999, it’s still present in many properties across the country. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), around 5,000 people in the UK die each year from asbestos-related diseases caused by past exposure.

Emergencies in the workplace—such as fires, chemical spills, or incidents involving lone workers—can happen without warning. The critical question is: is your business prepared to respond effectively ? Why Emergency Planning Matters Under UK health and safety law, all employers are legally required to have procedures in place to deal with serious and imminent danger. Beyond compliance, a clear and practiced emergency plan is essential for protecting lives, minimising harm, an

Biological agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms are present in many work environments — and can pose serious risks to health if not properly managed. Whether you’re in healthcare, agriculture, waste management or a standard office setting, the duty to protect employees from exposure is a legal requirement under UK law. Common Sources of Biological Agents in the Workplace: Bodily fluids or human waste (e.g. healthcare, cleaning) Contaminated soil, a

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is a serious, irreversible condition affecting nearly 2 million UK workers. It is caused by prolonged exposure to hand-arm vibration (HAV), typically from vibrating tools, and can lead to severe long-term consequences, such as numbness, pain, and loss of grip strength. Once the damage is done, it cannot be undone. Understanding HAVS and taking preventive action is critical for both employees and employers alike. What is Hand-Arm Vibration Sy

This month’s newsletter from SVC Safety  dives into the latest health and safety compliance updates and practical guidance to help businesses stay legally aligned and operationally safe. H&S Compliance Audits : SVC offers a comprehensive on-site and off-site audit package to identify risks and ensure your health and safety procedures are up to scratch. Perfect for businesses unsure where to begin, this service includes a full site review, detailed action plan, and expert reco

Legionellosis is collective term for diseases caused by legionella bacteria. Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal pneumonia. The disease kills around 7-12 per cent of those infected. Everyone is susceptible to infection. On average 200-250 new cases reported every year in England & Wales. Researchers estimate there is actually between 4000-6000 cases annually. Nearly half of all cases are contracted abroad. The illness is treated with an antibiotic called erythromycin

Metalworking Fluids are neat oils or water-based fluids used during the machining and shaping of metals to provide lubrication and cooling. They are sometimes referred to as suds, coolants, slurry or soap. Exposure to metalworking fluids can cause: irritation of the skin or dermatitis; and lung diseases, such as occupational asthma, occupational hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bronchitis, irritation of the upper respiratory tract and other breathing difficulties. Metalworking f

The HSE released a safety bulletin (STSU1) back in 2019 stating the following:  “ There is new scientific evidence from the International Agency for Research on Cancer that exposure to mild steel welding fume can cause lung cancer and possibly kidney cancer in humans. The Workplace Health Expert Committee has endorsed the reclassification of mild steel welding fume as a human carcinogen. With immediate effect there is now a strengthening of HSE's enforcement expectation for a

Since 2019, the total annual cost of poor mental health has increased by 25%, costing UK employers up to £56 billion a year!.  Over half of working days are lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety.  Stress, depression and anxiety are the number one reasons for work-related illness in the UK and figures continue to rise. Independent reports suggests employers could see a return of £5.30 on average for every £1 invested in staff wellbeing! What is stress? The HSE

Applicable regulation: Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 Approved code of practice L24 What does the regulation say? Regulation 7 Temperature in indoor workplaces: During working hours, the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings shall be reasonable. A workplace shall be adequately thermally insulated where it is necessary, having regard to the type of work carried out and the physical activity of the persons carrying out the work; and  Excessive

Any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury must be maintained in a safe condition. 

Stay informed with the latest health, safety, QHSE and compliance news from SVC Safety Solutions. Our November 2024 newsletter covers essential updates including recent HSE inspection trends, changes in regulatory requirements, and practical guidance for employers. Download the full PDF to explore actionable advice on risk management and workplace compliance.

Stay informed with the latest updates in Health & Safety compliance, legal developments, and practical workplace guidance. In this issue, we cover crucial topics including workplace inspections, compliance checklists, and changes in legislation that could impact your business. Download the PDF to read the full August 2024 newsletter.

In the May 2024 edition of the SVC Safety Solutions newsletter, we share practical updates on ISO certification support and the latest HSE guidance for UK employers. Topics include managing migrant workers, tackling work-related stress, and ensuring proper welfare facilities. Stay informed and compliant—download your copy below.

Explore the latest updates and compliance insights in this issue of the SVC Safety Newsletter. Topics include ISO certification support, legal duties around asbestos management, mandatory air conditioning inspections (TM44), and guidance on controlling metalworking fluid exposure. Whether you're aiming for ISO accreditation or improving workplace safety, download the full newsletter PDF to stay compliant and informed with essential QHSE advice.