A new episode of the HSE podcast focuses on HSE’s Dust Kills construction campaign.
In this episode, Duncan Smith (Acting Head of HSE’s Field Operations Division Health Unit) and Abigail Bainbridge (Home Builders Federation H&S Committee member and Group HS&E Director at Persimmon Homes) discuss our recent Dust Kills campaign.
The conversation covers the risks of breathing in construction dust and what those working in construction need to know to ensure their respiratory health is protected at work.
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Starting in early September 2023, HSE will be undertaking construction site inspections, focusing on moving and handling construction materials.
The inspections will be checking employers and workers know the risks, plan their work and are using sensible control measures to protect workers from injuries and aches, as well as pain and discomfort in joints, muscles and bones known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).
These injuries can have a serious impact on workers’ ability to perform tasks; their quality of life; and in some cases, their ability to stay in work and earn a living.
This latest health inspection initiative is supported by the 'Work Right Construction: Your Health Your Future' campaign to improve the long-term health of those working in construction.
Find out more about the campaign by visiting:
Download our:
In the last year, 135 workers were killed in work-related incidents across all industries in Great Britain.
HSE's annual data release covers the period from April 2022 to March 2023.
The total of 135 worker deaths in 2022/23 is higher than the previous year (123) but is in line with pre-pandemic levels.
The industry-wide figure includes 45 fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry, an increase of 16 from the previous year total (29). The 5-year average for fatal injuries in construction is 37.
HSE has also published the annual figures for Mesothelioma (.pdf) - a cancer caused by past exposure to asbestos - 2,268 people died from the disease in 2021.
Do you know how to manage drug and alcohol misuse at work?
As an employer, you have a legal duty to protect employees’ health, safety and welfare. Understanding the signs of drug and alcohol misuse (or abuse) will help you manage health and safety risk in your workplace.
Our website has step-by-step guidance to help you manage drug and alcohol misuse at work. This includes:
The Safety Risk Library
The Safety Risk Library is a structured database that integrates knowledge drawn from multiple sources to address the problem of information disaggregation in the construction industry.
Read more about the research behind the Safety Risk Library
From HSE:
There are a range of upcoming virtual and in-person training courses and events organised by, or which involve HSE including:
Find out more about HSE's training and events
From industry:
Unsafe Gas Work
Links for further guidance and information: Gas safety
Working at Height
Links for further guidance and information: Assessing all work at height
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