Updated health surveillance guidance: respirable crystalline silica (RCS)

HSE recently refreshed our guidance publication ‘Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica’.

The publication:

provides advice for employers on the health surveillance appropriate for those whose work may result in exposure to RCS
sets out what you should expect from a health surveillance provider

Visit HSE’s website to read the updated publication: Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (G404).

Importance of health surveillance

Health surveillance is a risk-based scheme of repeated health checks and is required under the COSHH Regulations for those exposed to hazardous substances.

It is used to detect ill-health effects early and show whether review and revision of the risk assessment and control measures are necessary. This is because control measures may not always be reliable, despite checking and maintenance.

You can find more information in our health surveillance webpages.

You can read the updated publication on our website: Health surveillance for those exposed to respirable crystalline silica (G404)

Dust control: enforcement prosecutions

HSE has recently taken enforcement action against 2 companies that failed to protect workers from harmful dust exposure.

The prosecutions highlight HSE’s commitment to enforcing workplace dust control regulations. View the details on HSE’s website:

stone worktop manufacturer fined £60,000 after HSE inspectors found their workshop floor covered in hazardous silica dust
wood supplier fined £40,000 for failing to protect workers from wood dust exposure

Employers must provide proper ventilation systems, appropriate respiratory protection, and carry out regular health surveillance to protect their workers.

New online learning module: risk assessment for stress

New online learning content has been launched as part of HSE’s Working Minds campaign.

The new module aims to build on existing knowledge with practical advice on:

what to include in risk assessment
identifying and addressing the root cause of issues
shifting focus from individual to organisational solutions

To access the latest step-by-step advice, practical tools and downloadable templates, register for our online learning.

Domestic work guidance

HSE has produced a new webpage on domestic work, which includes information on:

when you are a domestic servant and excluded from health and safety law
when you are considered a domestic worker and covered by health and safety law
where you can get other support including employment law and social protection measures

Visit the new guidance page: Domestic work.

Understanding how AI is used in HSE regulated sectors

HSE research has increased understanding of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in industry by documenting real world AI use cases.

This has enabled the identification of 4 key areas where AI is being used in sectors that it regulates, where it could impact on health and safety.

Maintenance systems: through advanced inspection, failure monitoring, and decision support
Health and safety management: for risk assessment, incident analysis and training material
Control of equipment and process plant: to control autonomous vehicles, robotic systems, machinery, industrial processes and process data analytics
Occupational monitoring: used for safety, workplace and worker monitoring

The research also explored respondents’ views on risks, assurance techniques and control measures for AI.

Read the research in full: Understand how AI is used in HSE regulated sectors.