Features

    Man in Eave Ear Protectors 1

    How smart hearing protection is driving reductions in noise exposure at work

    Smart hearing protection technology can provide feedback to workers on harmful noise levels and identify noise sources overlooked by conventional workplace risk assessments, as shown by recent research on the HS2 railway construction project.

    By Dr David Greenberg, Eave on 11 March 2024

    Istock 1220075448 Credit Sumit Saraswat 500 Min

    India’s Budget for 2024-25: small steps towards social security benefits for workers

    The central government recently announced that community health support workers are to be granted basic healthcare cover, but commentators say the entire social security system for people in all forms of low-paid and precarious employment needs a major overhaul to ensure adequate healthcare and social security protections for all.

    By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 07 March 2024

    Istock 94098855 Credit Frhuynh 500 Min

    Firecracker factories: an explosive mix

    The latest in a long series of fatal explosions at India’s firework factories has prompted calls from trade unions and politicians for much more vigorous enforcement of fire safety rules by local fire authorities.

    By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 07 March 2024

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    Time to stop: kicking smoking and vaping into touch

    No Smoking Day on 13 March is a great opportunity for employers to launch workplace campaigns and programmes helping employees to quit tobacco and vaping.

    By John Dicey, Allen Carr's Easyway on 03 March 2024

    Cyclists Dismount LSBUD

    Utility asset strikes: how sharing incident data can boost safe digging

    Although major strides have been made in recent years to reduce dangerous utility asset strikes during digging and overhead works, greater sharing of information about the circumstances of utility strikes by the asset owners would enable further safety lessons to be learned to protect workers from injury.

    By Laura Knight, LSBUD on 19 February 2024

    Drager Connectivity

    Five key predictions for the safety sector in 2024

    This year, many businesses look set to place even greater emphasis on sustainability performance and the wider use of new technology to ensure safety at work, but concerns remain about the potential safety risks as the energy sector makes the transition to cleaner and greener energy sources.

    By David Head, Dräger Safety on 20 February 2024

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    Burnout Britain: how can we reduce stress and put out the fire?

    Multiple surveys published at the beginning of the year signalled high levels of stress and burnout among UK workers. We investigate what’s causing this, and what can be done about it.

    By Kerry Reals on 29 February 2024

    Check Your Hearing RNID

    Why it’s vital to take care of your hearing

    Unmanaged hearing loss can have a significant impact on our health and wellbeing, so employers should educate employees about how best to protect their hearing and encourage everyone to check it regularly.

    By Teri Devine, RNID on 29 February 2024

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    E-scooters and lithium batteries: the new fire risk for the workplace?

    18 February, the date chosen to play host to National Battery Day, is a particularly important one for the history of the battery. The day marks the birth of the father of battery science, Alessandro Volta, credited as the creator of the Voltaic Pile, an early form of what we know today as the electric battery.

    By Phil Pinnington, British Safety Council on 19 February 2024

    Man Falls Off Stepladder iStock/Halfpoint

    No Falls Week, 13–17 May: a powerful campaign to promote safe working at height

    Businesses that require employees to work at height are urged to take part in a new week-long campaign aimed at educating everyone at work about the terrible consequences of falls from height and how to prevent them.

    By Hannah Williams, No Falls Foundation on 15 February 2024