Safety Matters - June 2026

Fire safety scrutinised again

The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire identified multiple serious failings across government, organisations involved in the building’s design and refurbishment, and elements of the wider system of fire safety oversight

In May, the Metropolitan Police announced that they were seeking prosecution of as many as 57 individuals and 20 companies.

Rarely in modern times has the cost in human life from a health and safety failure been so stark. But these latest announcements highlight the legal risk to companies of behaving far below the standards expected of them.

One of the knock-on effects of Grenfell was the creation of the Building Safey Regulator. This has overwatch of high-rise residential buildings, higher risk buildings and some mixed commercial/residential buildings. It’s new and you may be struggling to work out if you fall under its remit. Ask us and we can guide you.

But the Health and Safety Executive remains relevant to most businesses, either if you are an employer or responsible for a building as an owner, landlord or occupier. The Fire Safety Order 2005 is the main legislation in England and Wales, and there are equivalents in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, a ‘responsible person’ is automatically defined (for example, the employer, owner or person in control of the premises). This person must understand and ensure compliance with fire safety duties.

The fire risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person, someone with sufficient training, knowledge and experience to properly identify fire risks and recommend suitable controls. If you need help, please ask. It is too important to get wrong.

No Falls Week

An aspect of health and safety that has remained stubbornly high of late is the number of injuries and deaths from falls from height.

In the most recent statistics (for 2024-25), 35 people lost their lives this way. The average in the four years previously was 38, so we are broadly talking about three people dying every month – it’s near 30% of all annual deaths of employees in UK workplaces. Add to that 8% of injuries coming from the same cause and it reinforces the need for better messaging and better action on this issue.

Last month, on 13th to 17th May an inaugural “No Falls Week” was held. We’d love to see every week as no falls week, and the key to that starts with better risk assessments where working at height occurs, and improved training. If you would like help with either of these, please contact us.

New rules set in stone

“Switch to engineered stone with a low silica content; use on-tool water suppression, control mist; provide appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE); and carry out regular health surveillance. These are the legal requirements.”

This is a quote directly from an HSE press release on 11th May, published after a two-year study into the effects of inhaling the silica dust produced by dry-cutting engineered stone.

Silicosis, an untreatable and fatal disease once contracted by coal miners, had become rare since the 1950s in the UK. But a surge in cases, especially in younger workers, has drawn attention from the HSE and internationally.

Quartz kitchen and bathroom worktops were the focus, and the cutting of them in an unsafe manner. They have a similar aesthetic to granite or marble but are far cheaper.

California identified 31 recent deaths from silicosis, Australia has banned engineered stone and the UK has recorded four silicosis deaths and 50 cases. It is observed that unlike past instances, which as with asbestos-related diseases can take decades to progress, this form of silicosis can develop rapidly, thus affecting workers in the prime of their lives.

As well as the top level advice we quoted from the press release above, the HSE has produced a first ever COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) guidance sheet on the topic. They also announced they will be conducting 1,000 inspections over the next year.

While all this is highly specific to the dangers of dry-cutting engineered stone, dusts in a much broader set of workplaces – from bakeries to carpentry – are a well-defined area of risk.

Dusts can pose risk from ingestion, eye contact, skin contact and inhalation. The dusts themselves are often invisible to the naked eye, making them all the more dangerous.

Understanding workplace exposure levels, whether COSHH is relevant, carrying out the risk assessments and then executing prevention (first goal) or control measures (if prevention is not possible) is what’s required.

The number of legacy lung disease (like mesothelioma) deaths each year remind us how serious a matter this is to control. In the latest HSE statistics it was estimated to be 11,000, deaths from past exposures annually – more than 2,200 of which were mesothelioma, linked to asbestos.

Whether you are a firm that works with engineered stone and want to ensure you comply with the new rules, or work with dust more generally in your business, we can provide you with the support you need.

Electrical fault

Electricity can pose a risk in any businesses, from the danger of an electrical appliance failing to serious environmental risks.

Portable appliance testing (PAT testing) is a basic step most businesses will have to take. It is a myth that this has to be done every year though. There is discretion built into the legislation (The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989), allowing you to inspect varying appliances based on what they are, how and where they are used. A kettle may require far less monitoring than a power tool which is used out on site every day.

A recent HSE prosecution drew attention to environmental electrical risks. A tree surgeon was exposed to 11,000 volts when a lighting tower he was pushing came into contact with an overhead power line. It led to life-threatening injuries and a five-week stay in hospital.

The HSE investigation found that the control measures were inadequate, specifying a lack of barriers, safe systems of work and proper instruction and training for working near overhead lines. A fine of £60,000 and a further £6,237 in expenses were imposed.

Underground cables pose similar risks, as well as cables concealed within walls. The main hazards include: shock and burns from contact with live parts or arcing (electricity jumping from one circuit to another); fire caused by faulty equipment or installations; explosions; and static electricity igniting flammable dusts or vapours.

If you need help with electrical risk assessments get in touch or check out our article below about training solutions.

Our eLearning of the month: fire warden and electrical safety

Every two months we single out a couple of our eLearning courses relevant to the articles we have shared. This month, as you might guess, fire warden training and electrical safety training are a natural fit.

We offer a basic Fire Marshal/Warden Training that in just 40 minutes equips you with knowledge to work towards competence in these roles (when paired with relevant experience). We also offer extended courses which cater to specific industries including care, construction and education.

Our Electrical Safety Training provides an excellent introduction to electrical safety and the laws surrounding it, including the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. It is designed to raise awareness of the risks and safe ways of working. It should be complemented with face-to-face training for a fuller learning experience.

Our eLearning courses are paid for by credits: one per person per course; and you can access them for as little as £20 per credit. You can find out more information and check out our full range of eLearning courses here. Or if you would prefer, just call us. The number is 0345 872 3639.