Safety notice: risk of exposure to biological agents

Workers at laboratories are being put at risk of infection because of missing information on specimen request forms

If specimen request forms do not provide sufficient clinical information, then laboratory staff cannot identify the appropriate safety measures they need to apply to control exposure and possible infection.

HSE investigations have confirmed several occasions when workers have been exposed to pathogens capable of causing severe disease.

Duty holders should ensure that:

• specimen request forms contain all relevant clinical information
• laboratory staff act on clinical information provided
• record-keeping and IT systems are fit for purpose

Read the safety notice on the risk of exposure to biological agents for full details

Health and safety statistics 2024

HSE recently published the annual statistics on work-related health and safety in Great Britain

The annual figures (2023 to 2024) include:

• 1.7 million working people suffering from a work-related illness, of which:
  • 776,000 workers suffering work-related stress, depression or anxiety
  • 543,000 workers suffering from a work-related musculoskeletal disorder
• 2,257 mesothelioma deaths due to past asbestos exposures (2022)
• 138 workers killed in work-related accidents
• 604,000 working people sustained an injury at work according to the Labour Force Survey
• 61,663 injuries to employees reported under RIDDOR
• 33.7 million working days lost due to work-related illness and workplace injury
• £21.6 billion estimated cost of injuries and ill health from current working conditions (2022 to 2023)

The statistics release provides detailed commentary on these figures and is supported by:

• the statistics webpages, which include a range of information such as different types of work-related ill-health and different industry sectors
• a comprehensive set of tables, designed to make the data accessible to users
• our annual infographic-style summary booklet
• a press release featuring comments from Sarah Albon, HSE’s Chief Executive

Vehicle and transport safety at work

Keep logistics industry workers safe during the busy festive period

Vehicles at work continue to be one of the major causes of fatal and major injuries. Figures for 2023 to 2024 show that 25 workers were killed when struck by a moving vehicle.

A £1.28 million fine was recently issued to a food manufacturing company for a fatal incident involving a moving vehicle. The worker was struck and killed by a lorry as it reversed into a loading bay.

You can help prevent accidents by assessing and managing vehicle and driver safety.

Our vehicle and transport safety website has a range of guidance, advice and other resources to help reduce the risks and keep workers safe including:

• vehicle safety
• site safety
• lift trucks

Managing drug and alcohol misuse in your workplace

Ensure you know how to manage drug and alcohol misuse at work

As an employer, you have a legal duty to protect workers 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:

• advice on how to develop a drugs and alcohol policy
• what you can do to support your workers

HSE launch new MSD body mapping tool

The body mapping tool will help workers report and discuss any musculoskeletal aches or pains that may be caused or made worse by work activities.

Register to access the tool, along with a guide and posters on how to run a successful body mapping workshop.