HSE Weekly Digest: Health and Safety News and Guidance

This bulletin has been provided to us by the HSE.

Welcome to the HSE Weekly Digest eBulletin

This week's digest contains information on health inspections ongoing this October focusing on respiratory risks, as well as health and safety news and advice on coronavirus (COVID-19).

There are also links to advice on protecting vulnerable workers during the pandemic, plus details of recent enforcement activity and the latest job vacancies here at HSE.

For all the latest updates visit our website.

Construction health inspection initiative underway

HSE is carrying out its latest construction health initiative with health and safety inspectors targeting construction sites across Great Britain.

The initiative is now underway and runs until Friday 30 October.

The focus will be on protecting workers from respiratory risks and occupational lung disease; looking at the measures businesses have in place to protect their workers’ lungs from the likes of asbestos, silica and wood dust. This is part of HSE’s longer term health and work strategy to improve health within the construction industry.

COVID-security is a critical health risk and will also be covered by the initiative.

For more information on the initiative, read HSE's press release.

Protecting vulnerable workers during the coronavirus pandemic

You should make sure you consider the risk to workers who are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus and put controls in place to reduce that risk.

Our guidance explains what you should do as an employer to protect vulnerable workers during the pandemic.

It covers the following topics:

• supporting workers in higher-risk groups
• clinically extremely vulnerable workers
• supporting extremely vulnerable workers returning to work
• protections in local lockdown areas
• pregnant workers

There are also links to the latest information on shielding and protecting workers in England, Scotland and Wales.

COVID updates and guidance

HSE has published a range of coronavirus-related guidance and information, which you may find useful.

It includes:

• Gas safety
  Guidance for landlords, gas engineers and clinically vulnerable (shielded) tenants
• First aid
  First aid requirements in non-healthcare settings, as well as first aid cover and qualifications, during the pandemic

For all the latest information and advice visit our coronavirus pages.