Compliance Solutions News

A winter shutdown can bring welding, cutting and intensive cleaning into parts of a site where those activities seldom take

An assessment completed several years ago may have been suitable at the time, but conditions on site can change. New

A fire risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and whenever changes to the premises, the people using them or the

This year’s monitoring reports describe employees’ exposure to dust, fumes, noise and vibration under the conditions assessed. The next decision

Autumn maintenance can change fire and explosion risks at sites that handle dangerous substances. Opening equipment, carrying out hot work

Before finalising 2027 plans, check that your DSEAR risk assessment reflects the dangerous substances on site and how people work

Installing new production equipment, relocating chemical storage or changing a factory layout can affect fire and explosion risks. During planning,

A busy maintenance period can change hand-arm vibration exposure even when teams return to familiar jobs. Maintenance teams may repair

Hearing protection can reduce the noise that reaches an employee’s ear, but employers should not rely on it as the

Local extract ventilation, more commonly referred to as Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV), captures airborne contaminants close to the point where

Facilities managers need a clear view of how water systems operate, where conditions may support Legionella growth and how well

Businesses that store, use or produce flammable liquids, gases, vapours or combustible dusts need a clear understanding of fire and

Hot weather can change workplace exposure conditions quickly. Higher temperatures, humidity and air movement can affect how dust, fumes, vapours

Legionella bacteria can grow in man-made water systems when temperature, stagnation and system condition allow growth. If people inhale contaminated

Summer construction programmes often place more pressure on site teams. Longer daylight and tighter sequencing can increase external work near

Summer maintenance season can compress high-risk work into a short period. Equipment is isolated, production lines are opened, contractors move

Spring can expose weak points in a building’s water system. As outside temperatures rise, cold water can warm up more

Hazardous substances at work do not only come from products stored in drums, bottles or containers. HSE’s guidance says harmful

Workplace health risks often develop gradually. Dust, fumes, vapours, noise, vibration, heat and poor air quality can affect people long

Poor workplace air can affect health, comfort, concentration and compliance before a serious issue appears. Dust, fumes, vapours, poor ventilation

Summer maintenance season can compress high-risk work into a short period. Equipment is isolated, production lines are opened, contractors move

Spring often brings a sharper pace on construction sites. Groundworks move on, fit-out packages begin, more trades overlap, and temporary

An HSE inspection is not just a check on paperwork. It is a review of how well a business understands

Spring often changes the pace of work. Sites stay active for longer, teams start earlier, and many businesses take on

Environmental, social and governance performance now affects far more than annual reporting. Clients, insurers, investors, landlords and procurement teams increasingly

Cost pressure in 2026 has forced many businesses to examine every part of the operation more closely. Teams are reviewing

Spring is a useful point in the year to review how your workplace performs. Heating demand starts to change, windows

Dangerous substances remain essential to many operational processes across manufacturing, logistics, energy, food production and facilities management. Flammable liquids, vapours

Fatigue rarely appears on incident reports, yet it sits behind many workplace accidents and performance failures. Tired workers often continue

Workplace air is easy to overlook. If an area looks clean and nothing smells unusual, it is often assumed that

Workplace risk does not remain static. Tasks shift, staffing changes, equipment degrades, and operational pressures increase. When assessments are not

Chemical exposure remains one of the most persistent health risks in UK workplaces. Substances that appear routine within daily operations

Sleep disruption is increasingly raised by employers where fatigue and reduced concentration begin to affect work quality and safety. Environmental

Workplaces that handle flammable substances face risks that can escalate quickly if not controlled. Additional fire and explosion hazards arise

Weak safety arrangements usually show their impact through disruption to people and work activity. Harm to workers and damage to

Fatigue remains one of the most underestimated threats to workplace safety. Long hours and demanding schedules can reduce alertness in

Hazardous substances appear in far more workplaces than many people expect. Cleaning products and inks, for instance, can harm health

Hazardous substances used in production or maintenance work can create significant risks. Product ranges change and contractors arrive on site.

Employers who handle flammable liquids and gases, or combustible dusts, already know that fire and explosion risks can never be

In April 2025, the HSE published the details of a serious health and safety breach that led to a £140,000 fine

In high-hazard industries, where exposure to harmful substances and complex processes is part of the daily routine, basic health and

Recent data from Ivybridge Today reveals that Devon County Council has paid an astonishing £302,384 in successful workplace accident claims over the past three

At Safety First Group, we don’t just help businesses tick compliance boxes—we protect people. As a leading provider of occupational

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently intensified its focus on the dangers of respirable crystalline silica (RCS) exposure

In today’s ever-evolving regulatory landscape, ensuring workplace health and safety isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about creating a culture of

When it comes to keeping your workforce safe and your business compliant, occupational hygiene is one of the most vital, yet often

In an age where workplace safety is at the forefront of regulatory and moral responsibility, the Dangerous Substances and Explosive

As we step into 2025, Safety First Group continues to thrive as a leader in occupational health, safety, and environmental

Legionella bacteria may not dominate headlines, but the risk it poses to businesses – and human health – is significant.

Why Occupational Exposure Monitoring Matters in Hazardous Environments In today’s industrial landscape, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of employees is

At Safety First Group, customer satisfaction and the quality of our services are at the heart of everything we do.

Winter poses unique challenges for businesses, requiring proactive health and safety measures to ensure operational continuity. From icy pathways to

Sanctuary Housing, a major UK housing provider, recently faced a £900,000 fine after failing to manage legionella outbreak risks at

Is your business prepared for DSEAR compliance? The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) are not just another

The discovery of Legionella bacteria at Police Scotland’s training college has brought attention to the health risks posed by contaminated

Port Vale F.C., a prominent football club with a rich history based in Burslem, Stoke on Trent, prioritises maintaining a

Having a comprehensive safety strategy in place for your business ensures that you are working in line with current regulations

In recent years, the construction industry has seen a rise in cases of silicosis, a severe and irreversible lung disease

In the healthcare industry, especially within the residential care sector, the safety of vulnerable individuals is of utmost importance. Care

Long term vibration exposure is most commonly an issue for people working in construction and manufacturing, with the implications for

Let’s talk about Exposure Monitoring. It’s fair to say that nearly all employers accept that they have a responsibility and

Legionella has hit the news again, this time with Chantry Library in Ipswich closing for 28 days (and counting), following

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: As a combined team from Safety First Group & Tailored Carpets; Steve, Rich, Pete, Ash & Will all

To acknowledge World Day for Safety and Health in the Workplace (28th April 2024) we’ll be releasing advice and tips

CLICK BELOW TO READ OUR FULL ARTICLE & WORDS FROM THE FOUNDER AND MD BELOW

Employers must make sure employees get immediate help if taken ill or injured at work. The law applies to every

Police continue investigation after Gilbey reportedly died in a workplace accident in Southend-on-Sea A man arrested in connection with the

Since October, HSE has been inspecting manufacturing businesses that use metalworking fluids in their machining processes, with more than half

Come and see us on stand 4/C30 This show is ideal for anyone responsible for running a safe and efficient

Some industries are more vulnerable to the potentially devastating effects caused by Legionnaires’ disease and legionella contaminated water than many

Still in the month of February, we’re focussed on caring and loving your workplace to create the best working environment

It’s Time to Talk Day! Time to Talk Day is on 1 February 2024. It's the nation's biggest mental health

Let us help take this stress away and protect your employees and/or customers. There are many different aspects of legionella

Exposure to metalworking fluids can cause harm to lungs and skin. Health surveillance aims to detect any symptoms of ill

Pupils will finally be able to start to use the new school building at a Nuneaton school this week (November

Making sure your business is a safe place for people to work, shop, or visit is essential. Whether you’re a public-facing

We are delighted to appoint Tim Lees to lead our growing team in providing comprehensive solutions in the field of

Constant innovation within the plastics industry means that plastics are used across almost every sector, with a multitude of uses

Businesses are being warned to make sure their staff are safe when working with metalworking fluids or coolants. It’s a

If you, or someone you know, are looking for a career with Safety First, please take a look at one

If you, or someone you know, are looking for a career with Safety First, please take a look at one

A waste management firm has been fined a total of £3 million following the deaths of two workers in separate

The concept of occupational health is an area that there has been growing understanding in recent times. Where employers have

Civil service unions have condemned “unsafe and unsanitary environments” for workers at government offices. Data obtained by the Liberal Democrats

A Lancashire clothing firm has been fined £40,000 after a man was seriously injured when he was hit by a

Minimise damage from dust, vapour and fumes with LEV inspection, testing and good ventilation Many jobs across different industries involve

Every year, there are accidents involving transport in the workplace, some of which result in people being killed. People are

There’s no denying we’re all enjoying this beautiful sunshine! But when it comes to working in this heat or even

Landlords and agents are well aware that gas checks and electrical checks are legal requirements, but legionella is perhaps an

A worker was caught in a machine, breaking his arm in two places. Footage of the incident has been released

If you work in an industry that is prone to regular exposure to a variety of harmful substances such as

In the UK, over half a million workers suffer from mental-health related conditions, this equates to more than one in

Hearing loss caused by work is preventable but once hearing has gone it won’t come back. Since 2005, employers have

Every day, 6,300 people die as a result of occupational accidents or work-related diseases more than 2.3 million deaths per

This article takes a look at the importance of Occupational Exposure and Air Quality Monitoring in changing environments. Spring has

At the end of March this year, a Southampton care home was told it requires improvement after health inspectors found

The Health & Safety Event is the UK’s largest gathering of anyone responsible for running a safe and efficient workplace

There have long been discussions around whether protecting worker health can help protect the reputation of a business. The fact

Legionella has made its way into the headlines again after being found in a hospital in the East of England.

Workplace air monitoring has hit the headlines due to a hospital that has temporarily banned the use of popular maternity

There are many dangers in the workplace that cannot be seen. And noise at work is one of those. Alongside

A construction worker suffered a broken back after falling from scaffolding due to poor working at height conditions. The construction

MPs have called for more to be done in monitoring silica dust exposure at work. Labelled a ‘matter of urgency’,

A contracting firm and its director have been fined by the HSE for failing to provide adequate care facilities on

A construction firm in Cheshire has been fined £20,000 by the HSE for poor health and safety management. The firm,

A driver has been killed in a workplace accident in Salford, Manchester. This is just one of many workplace accidents

A recent study into occupational cancer has reported that firefighters are three times more likely to die from cancer than

The scaffolding association has asked the government to not scrap or relax existing working at height regulations. As a result

A building company in the North West has been fined by the HSE for a ‘catalogue of health and safety

The HSE has confirmed that diacetyl can cause occupational lung disease when exposure limits have been exceeded. Diacety, found naturally

Following improper DSEAR compliance, a manufacturer in Scotland has been fined £80,000. This is after a worker died following an

There has been a rise in housing associations making contact about black mould. If you don’t read the news, you

By 2023 occupational hygiene has been practised for around 300 years. Occupational hygiene is the practice of managing health risks

An investigation into an industrial accident has been passed over by the police to the HSE. The Health and Safety

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) are kicking off 2023 with a focus on air quality monitoring for woodworkers. This

As we face unprecedented times going into 2023, what can be done to reduce errors in the construction industry? Even

Many workers in the UK are exposed to hazardous substances at work. But, do we understand enough about the long

The UK’s workplace regulator, the HSE, is reminding employers about the dangers of cold weather working.  As most of the

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) has recently highlighted the link between good workplace health and sustainable development goals for

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) calls for more to be done amid rising numbers of deaths relating to inhalation

Are we treating workplace noise as a priority? The issue of noisy workplaces isn’t a new one. Especially for construction

From October 2023, the HSE is set to introduce new compliance rules that mean building contractors will need to evidence

The HSE has recently released their annual 2021-2022 statistics for work related accidents. This is an important report for many

The UK waste and recycling sector is under the spotlight with the HSE for poor overall health and safety management.

This week is COPD awareness week so it is important to raise awareness of the symptoms of occupational lung disease.

A scrap firm has recently been fined for breaching health and safety at work regulations. The employee lost parts of

UK wood manufacturers face the significant burden of serious respiratory disease amongst their workforce. However, the dangers of wood dust

A catering equipment cleaning company has been fined after one of their workers sadly died after falling into hot water.

Exposure to workplace vibration, noise and dust has been examined in In a recent assessment by the HSE. In steel

A care home in Leicester still remains on ‘special measures’ as Legionella remains a risk following a recent inspection. The

Did you know that air quality monitoring and COSHH compliance can help food and woodworking manufacturers reduce workplace ill health?

Occupational lung disease is currently a hot topic in the manufacturing industry. Importantly, the increased risks have been highlighted in

The HS2 railway project and Camden Borough Council agreed to pay residents compensation of almost £10,000 due to environmental noise

A construction firm has recently been fined by the HSE for poor vibration monitoring. The company’s two partners, Andrew Hatto

The BOHS has recently launched their 2022 breathe freely campaign. This campaign aims to raise awareness of occupational lung disease,

The HSE has recently re-visited their guidance on workplace exposure limits to help brick, tile, stone and foundry workers decrease

Hand arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) has long been a well known issue for those who work with vibrating tools and

The HSE have recently highlighted how workplace noise could be contributing to stress levels in employees working in the hospitality industry.

A new case of welders anthrax has been highlighted by the CDC in a recent report jointly issued with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

One of the UK’s leading glass manufacturers has been fined £80,000 this week when one of its workforce sustained a

Following the discovery of legionella bacteria on campus, a top University has increased water monitoring to safeguard students living in halls.

A hospital in the West Midlands has reopened after a temporary closure due to legionella bacteria that was found in

Today, Tuesday 3rd May is World Asthma Day. Raising the profile of workplace responsibilities around lung disease prevention is important

A care home based in Gloucester has been given just 6 months to improve health and safety or face closure.

The working at height regulations 2005 help to prevent injury and death caused by a fall from height. Construction sites

Construction sites can, at times, be one of the most hazardous places to work. Less than ideal weather conditions can

A UK energy firm responsible for North sea oil and gas mining has been fined £220,000 when a worker fell

PPE has changed a lot since the beginning of the pandemic. Workers are now demanding they are provided with the right equipment, which is now backed up by the new HSE regulations. 

A recent study has shown that LEV systems for dentists used alongside suction machines, reduce airborne particles by 95%.

The pandemic has affected the way we work, in some cases irreversibly. And industries with water systems are feeling it

The British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) have called for businesses to be ‘extra vigilant’ about legionella.  The after effects of

No one wants to feel unsafe in their workplace, whether this is through the use of machinery, tools, equipment or

In 2019, the Health and Safety Executives (HSE) made changes to the way that mild steel welding fumes are assessed

This month, Safety First Group received ISO 9001:2015 for the fourth year running. This accreditation is given in respect of

It’s that time of year again where we are gearing up towards our Christmas shut down. Our Christmas opening hours

The UK’s biggest power station company has denied risking their employees’ health by exposing them to wood dust.  A trial

A manufacturer of medical devices for the Healthcare industry has been fined for poor hand-arm vibration monitoring. The report found

I think we can all agree that the Covid-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of good hygiene. Good hygiene

What you need to know The HSE has recently shared that some letting agents and consultants are misinterpreting landlords responsibilities

The message comes as more research into workplace well being is commissioned across the UK. Helping employees with workplace mental

Public Health England and NICE have released guidance on mental health training for managers to help them initiate conversations with workers about their mental health. 

In the wake of the Coronavirus Furlough scheme being drawn to an end, a leading charity asks the UK and

A Shropshire based company was recently fined £500,000 as a number of its workers were found to have hand-arm vibration

When Covid crashed into our lives in 2020, we quickly saw a decrease in the number of Hand arm &

In a recent survey conducted by the Safety and Health Engineering Partnership (SHEP), 84% of respondents stated that the Coronavirus

Ideal start date – As Soon As Possible, busy work load Salary – Starting salary £20,000 – £25,000 depending on

With the average fine for SMEs being over £60,000, they are facing rising costs associated with non-compliance. Yet despite the potential

A top university professor has warned that only planning for a ‘physical’ return to the office could have a detrimental

Business Development Executive Full-time, Permanent Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00 Basic Salary with OTE £32K+ (uncapped commission) Safety First

As we move into the next phase of easing lockdown restrictions, government ministers and Doctors warn that indoor public spaces

This week, and for the 3rd year running we have achieved SafeContractor certification, an industry recognised accreditation which is decades

In a post-pandemic workplace, Occupational health and safety is now considered a top priority due to employees being stretched to

If you work in an environment where workplace noise and vibration is all around you and you’re not properly protected,

As pioneering treatment begins in Australia, artificial stone silicosis has been labelled as the worst lung disease seen since the

Lets talk: Legionella risk assessment In the first part of our ‘Lets talk Legionella’ series, we discussed how Safety First

As medical professionals are focusing their attention on how effective commonly used face masks are against the new, more contagious

As our facilities remain open, in order to ensure the ongoing safety of our employees and customers throughout the COVID-19

If your organisation has one or more of the following in your workplace, you may be at risk of exposure

With the ever increasing infection and death rates of COVID- 19, now, more than ever is the time to ensure

Many businesses do not understand the importance of assessing Electromagnetic Fields in their workplace. An electromagnetic field is generated whenever

Following a successful audit, Safety First Group are pleased to announce that we have now achieved Legionella Control Association registration

DSEAR, or the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmosphere Regulations (2002) require all employers to control the risks of fire, explosions and substances

Mental Health has often been pushed aside as an issue, with very little talked about it and very little action

A Health and Safety Executive directive has published new guidance on how to limit the potential damage of exposure to

A recent enforcement change has been made by the Health & Safety Executive, in regards to mild steel welding fume.

ISO 45001:2018 is the world’s first Occupational Health and Safety International standard.  It is intended to provide a framework for

At the end of last year, Tendring District Council was fined after a member of public contracted Legionnaires’ Disease following

Explosions and fires from combustible materials are a very real hazard, giving rise to serious injury – sometimes even fatality

Many workplaces are unaware of the potential risks posed by Legionella. It is a bacteria that can grow rapidly given

Is your business compliant with the recent EU directive regarding exposure limits to certain chemicals within the workplace? Over exposure

Protected workforce and increased productivity, the added benefits of Occupational Hygiene.

Victims’ relatives search for owner of company that operated blast-stricken building. The bodies of three mill workers have been recovered from

Rules on displaying hot tubs in shops and public places should be reviewed, according to a report into a fatal