Weekly Digest Newsletter: 6 July 2023

Having trouble viewing this email? View the content as a web page.

Health and Safety Executive logo

Weekly Digest ebulletin

Making sure electrical equipment is safe in outdoor hospitality areas

Female electrical engineer

HSE is working with the hospitality industry and local authority enforcement officers to increase awareness of electrical safety standards.

Venues should:

  • arrange for a competent person to carry out electrical installation work
  • only use lights and heaters specifically designed for outdoor use
  • regularly checking equipment for damage or indication of dampness or water getting in

The mother of a 7-year-old boy who died after being electrocuted in a pub beer garden is also urging the sector to make sure their outdoor electrical equipment is safe. Read this press release for more information.

 

Our electrical safety at work website also has advice and resources on how to help reduce the risk of electrical injury.


School fined after child severely burned at carol concert

The primary school has been fined £35,000 after the child received 45 per cent burns to their body.

During the carol concert, 60 children from the school were waiting in costume, in a narrow corridor, holding 10-inch lit taper candles. As they were waiting, a 7-year-old boy wearing a home-made sheep costume (made out of cotton wool balls) caught fire.

 

HSE's investigation found the school had failed to take appropriate measures to account for the risks inherent with giving lit candles to children while they are wearing potentially flammable costumes.

 

Read this press release for more details on the incident.

 

Other recent prosecution cases include:


Targeted manufacturing inspections focus on lung health

HSE inspectors are visiting manufacturing businesses where processes use materials that contain silica, a natural substance found in most stone, rocks, sand and clay.

From 3 July 2023, inspectors will be checking that dutyholders know the risks associated with silica dust and have effective controls in place to keep workers safe and protect their respiratory health.

 

We have advice for employers and workers to protect respiratory health. You can:


Improving general ventilation in the workplace

Employers must make sure there is adequate ventilation in enclosed areas of their workplace.

Our video sets out the key advice for providing adequate fresh air at work.

 

Our web pages also give advice on improving ventilation in the workplace. They cover:

  • why ventilation is so important
  • how to improve ventilation
  • how to keep temperatures comfortable in ventilated workplaces

We also have some specific examples of improving ventilation


Latest jobs with HSE

HSE hydrogen scientists, whose knowledge has been captured in a new training course aimed at those working towards net zero

Come and work for HSE and help to protect lives and livelihoods. 

We currently have a range of vacancies. For details of selected posts, follow the links below:

You can get all the latest news and updates from HSE across a range of industries and topics.

Subscribe to our ebulletins

GovUK footer logo