Although Assam’s state government recently announced a pay rise for workers in state-run tea plantations, trade unions say the industry’s workforce still faces poor working and living conditions, despite years of protests and demands for improvements.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 14 July 2025
Almost a year after the rape and murder of a young female doctor at a Kolkata hospital horrified the nation, commentators say progress has been painfully slow in improving the safety and security of many hospitals and doctors’ living accommodation.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 14 July 2025
With outdoor workers at significant risk of skin damage, ageing and cancer due to exposure to the sun’s UV rays, it’s essential that employers in sectors like construction and agriculture create a working environment where sun safety precautions become the norm, rather than the exception.
By SC Johnson Professional on 11 July 2025
The British Woodworking Federation’s annual Fire Door Safety Week this September will encourage duty holders such as those in charge of residential buildings to consider the dangers from lithium-ion batteries and ensure fire doors remain fit for purpose in reducing the risk should a battery-related fire break out.
By Helen Hewitt, British Woodworking Federation on 11 July 2025
From 4 July, the use of fire extinguishers and suppression systems containing the ‘forever chemical’ perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) will be prohibited, meaning duty holders need to move fast to ensure compliance with the law.
By Laurie Pollard, Firechief® Global on 09 July 2025
With UK fire services now tackling at least three Li-ion battery fires a day, it’s clear that stronger regulation and enforcement is urgently required to prevent the sale, use and modification of poor-quality and potentially dangerous batteries used in e-bikes and scooters.
By Adrian Simmonds, QBE Europe on 01 July 2025
The practice of female sugarcane workers in Maharashtra state undergoing unnecessary hysterectomies, in part driven by a financial need to avoid sick days due to menstrual problems and pregnancy, still persists, allege campaigners, despite a state government-commissioned report in 2019 urging greater action to eradicate it.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 11 August 2025
Despite government efforts to construct hundreds of millions of toilets across India in recent years, female workers in informal sectors like street vending, construction and agriculture still struggle to find safe and clean sanitary facilities, restricting their earning power and placing their health at risk.
By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 11 August 2025
The key ISO management standards setting out best practice frameworks for effectively managing occupational health and safety, environmental and quality risks and opportunities are undergoing major revision, so it’s essential businesses start planning now to meet the new requirements in order to maintain their certifications under the relevant standards.
By Dr Keith Whitehead, British Safety Council on 08 August 2025
Helena Bourdillon has survived and triumphed over chronic depression and now freedives to world-beating depths. A star speaker at SHW Live this year in London, her success she says is built on a philosophy of trust, which she nurtures through her five tools. We take a deep dive to explore how this approach can be applied to reducing stress at work.
By Belinda Liversedge on 31 July 2025
Those responsible for business premises should provide assistive equipment to ensure the safe and efficient evacuation of people with mobility impairments. However, it is crucial that this equipment is regularly maintained and that staff are thoroughly trained in its use – otherwise, confusion and potentially fatal delays can arise in an emergency.
By Evac+Chair on 07 August 2025
A company’s management may be sceptical about the value of an external occupational health and safety audit, but done well, they are a great way to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement in safety policies, systems and performance.
By Phil Pinnington, British Safety Council on 06 August 2025
Good physical fitness and mobility can help to reduce the risk of workers suffering slips, trips and falls, so it makes sense to encourage staff to improve their coordination, balance and strength, through simple exercises and activities.
By Chloe Miller, freelance writer on 06 August 2025
