More than two decades after asbestos was widely banned, new laws about the substance are few and far between. Proposals by the European Union then were both unexpected and highly welcome for many observers, both in the EU and further afield. Unfortunately for everyone with a stake in regulating the substance, the latest news isn’t… Read More
Thrillseekers looking for the ultimate rollercoaster won’t have to settle for a mere 205-foot drop. Hyperia, the newest and tallest rollercoaster in the UK, has been reopened after an interrupted launch. The ride had been closed after just one day of operation following “standard technical pre-opening procedure checks”. There’s no indication that the ride was… Read More
You no doubt remember the recent news about the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. The bridge in Baltimore – prominently featured in The Wire – collapsed after being hit by an out-of-control container ship. The bridge was cleared of traffic after the captain of the ship issued a mayday, but six construction workers… Read More
“If it ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going”. It’s a phrase that has followed the American aircraft manufacturer through decades of dominance, both at home and abroad. Not without reason, either: while competitors such as McDonnell Douglas struggled to overcome high-profile accidents – most notably with its DC-10 aircraft – Boeing was long considered the gold… Read More
We’ve harped on enough about the ongoing risks of asbestos. Thousands of tonnes of asbestos were imported into the UK, and most of it hasn’t left. Instead, it litters old properties and brownfield sites, slowly degrading and waiting to be dealt with. It’s a mess that someone will have to clean up eventually, but nobody… Read More
WARNING: minor spoilers for Season 1 of Fallout below! War never changes, and neither does the need for these health and safety hit pieces. Five minutes in the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout should make it clear that health and safety is, at best, a loose consideration. Yet amidst all the bullet wounds and tetanus, there… Read More
MENTAL HEALTH FOCUS: Why is this an important month? Our mental health is so important, providing First Aid for Mental Health is a vital part of any business these days. Almost 50% of work-related ill health is due to stress, anxiety or depression. As an employer there is a legal duty of care to ensure… Read More
Almost two years after we wrote about a seemingly imminent ban, it’s finally happened: the United States has ended the last uses of asbestos. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a complete ban on the import or use of chrysotile asbestos, with a rapid end to its applications in vehicles, and a phased removal… Read More
As it’s my last day, I’ve been thinking back on all my experiences at SAMS. And as in any job I’m sure, there’s been ups, downs and moments I wouldn’t change for the world. I received a call from SAMS towards the end of lockdown saying I had got the job, which gave me the… Read More
The news that a major construction scheme intends to enforce properly-fitted PPE for women on its sites has been warmly received within the industry. It’s a topic we’ve written about before, and a change that’s not before time. The issue is a substantial one, and a hidden scourge that both commonly contravenes safety regulations, and… Read More