Back in May 2026, HSE told the engineered stone industry that dry cutting was over. Since then, inspectors have followed through: at least seven fabricators across England have now been served prohibition notices, stopping work on the spot after visits found inadequate controls against silica dust. This article looks at what's actually happened during the enforcement campaign so far, and what fabricators and builders need to have in place before an inspector arrives.

The HSE has published its provisional workplace fatality figures for 2025/26. The headline is reassuring: Great Britain remains one of the safest places in the world to work. But look past the headline and there's a trend worth every employer's attention.

The HSE has issued its first ever Prohibition Notice against an occupational health provider, after inspectors found health surveillance was being carried out by staff who were unqualified, untrained and unsupervised. If you commission occupational health for your workforce, it's worth a read.

In January 2026, the Government published its first comprehensive Road Safety Strategy in over a decade, with a bold target to cut road deaths and serious injuries by 65%. With around one in three UK road fatalities involving someone driving for work, it's a wake-up call for every employer including those with so-called grey fleet drivers across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and beyond.

With the HSE urging employers to act now, heat is firmly on the agenda this summer. We look at your legal duties, what practical steps make the biggest difference, and share a handy factsheet your team can keep to hand when the temperature rises.

With 511,000 UK workers suffering work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in 2024/25, and home and hybrid working bringing kitchen tables firmly within scope, the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 deserve a fresh look. Here's what UK employers including those across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire need to know about DSE assessments, workstation setup, and the real legal and financial risks of getting it wrong.

The Health and Safety Executive has announced a major package of measures to protect workers from engineered stone dust, with new guidance declaring dry cutting unacceptable and confirming water suppression as a legal requirement. This landmark guidance responds to silicosis deaths among young workers, with enforcement measures including over 1,000 inspections already underway.

A retrospective look at how UK health and safety has transformed from the industrial revolution to today's landmark legislation covering the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the shift to risk-based thinking, and the modern focus on mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health at work is no longer a 'nice-to-have' it's a legal and moral imperative. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 requires employers to protect workers' physical and mental wellbeing. Recent HSE guidance on psychosocial hazards provides a framework for identifying and controlling stress-related risks.

Recent HSE guidance clarifies and strengthens workplace exposure limits for carcinogenic substances under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations. Key changes include revised Workplace Exposure Limits (WEL) for hazardous substances, heightened focus on asbestos in older buildings, and new mandatory monitoring requirements for silica dust in manufacturing.

The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) are getting a makeover. The consultation (open until 30 June 2026) covers both legislative changes and practical improvements to how we report workplace incidents in the UK.

Every year on 22nd April, Earth Day reminds us of the importance of protecting our planet.

Global Asbestos Awareness Week (April 1–7) is a vital opportunity to highlight the ongoing risks of asbestos exposure, promote asbestos awareness, and reinforce best practices in asbestos management across workplaces.

Safety

Fibres