Safety notice issued: risk of collision with offshore installations from attendant vessels

Workers on attendant vessels and offshore installations are being put at risk due to a failure of navigational watch processes and systems.

Incidents are occurring because:

personnel who are responsible for watchkeeping and the safe navigation of a vessel are being distracted with non-navigational tasks
situational awareness is not being maintained at all times
there is insufficient communication between all members of a bridge team

Action required

Vessel operators and duty holders responsible for marine activities connected with offshore oil and gas installations and windfarms should review operating procedures and take actions relevant to your operation.

For full details view the safety notice

Join HSE’s ‘Turbo Talks’ seminar during British Science Week

Wednesday 12 March, 12:00pm to 12:45pm

Join us for a free seminar to celebrate British Science Week (BSW), which runs from 7 to 16 March.

Our series of 5 minute ‘Turbo Talks’ feature HSE scientists talking about the ways science and evidence are being used to help everyone lead safer and healthier lives.

Topics include:

maintaining Great Britain’s record as one of the safest countries to work in: training NHS staff in the effective use of PPE for infectious diseases such as Ebola
enabling industry to innovate safely in the move to net zero with MultHyFuel: inclusion of hydrogen onto multi-fuel stations
the science and evidence supporting the Building Safety Regulator: understanding building safety hazards unique to ‘mixed-use’ higher-risk buildings
reducing work-related ill health: the science and analysis providing evidence in relation to asbestos exposure

Storing and handling airbags and seat belt pretensioners safely

HSE has produced guidance to help all those working in motor vehicle repair to safely store and handle airbags and seat belt pretensioners.

If these devices are not handled correctly there is the possibility of physical injury and poisoning.

The guidance provides simple precautions you can take to reduce the risks and includes information on:

licensing
safe storage
safe handling
requirements for supply

Visit HSE’s website to read the guidance: Storing and handling airbags and seat belt pretensioners safely.

Health and safety responsibilities for grid-scale battery energy storage systems

This ebulletin is for those with responsibilities during the life-cycle of battery energy storage systems (BESS), including designers, installers and operators. It will point you to information that will help you understand your duties.

The relevant legislation includes:

Health and Safety at Work Act
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations
Electricity at Work Regulations

HSE has produced a new webpage which includes information on:

health and safety regulations to manage health and safety risks of BESS
signposting to other government departments for information on planning permission, environmental protection and notifying your fire and rescue service

Visit the webpage for further information: Grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS)

Remediation action plan: BSR update

HSE is setting up a new Remediation Enforcement Unit within BSR to quickly assess the cladding risk for those buildings registered with us.

This is part of the remediation action plan as announced by the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner MP.

The Remediation Enforcement Unit will hold to account owners of registered higher-risk buildings (HRBs) clad with combustible aluminium composite material (ACM) and high-pressure laminate (HPL), enforcing where necessary, to ensure the remediation of unsafe cladding on HRBs.

We expect the unit to be up and running by Summer 2025.