Features

    EBike Battery iStockMixMedia

    E-scooters and lithium batteries: the new fire risk for the workplace?

    18 February, the date chosen to play host to National Battery Day, is a particularly important one for the history of the battery. The day marks the birth of the father of battery science, Alessandro Volta, credited as the creator of the Voltaic Pile, an early form of what we know today as the electric battery.

    By Phil Pinnington, British Safety Council on 19 February 2024

    Man Falls Off Stepladder iStock/Halfpoint

    No Falls Week, 13–17 May: a powerful campaign to promote safe working at height

    Businesses that require employees to work at height are urged to take part in a new week-long campaign aimed at educating everyone at work about the terrible consequences of falls from height and how to prevent them.

    By Hannah Williams, No Falls Foundation on 15 February 2024

    Istock 815734544 Credit Double P 500 Min

    Tougher road accident penalties: truckers fear the consequences

    Government plans to introduce tougher penalties for drivers who fail to remain at the scene of a serious road accident and promptly report it have sparked widespread protests from India’s truckers, who fear the laws will put their lives in danger due to violence from roadside mobs.

    By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 08 February 2024

    Modern Slavery Hands Tied iStock/NadyaPhoto

    A call to arms to tackle a modern day human tragedy

    Millions of people globally are trapped in forms of modern slavery such as bonded labour, but businesses can play a vital role in confining the practice to the history books, once and for all.

    By Dr Julie Riggs on 01 February 2024

    Don Aers PASMA

    Getting down to basics: 5 fundamentals of tower safety

    Although big improvements have been made in ensuring the safe use of mobile access towers over the years, accidents still happen, so it’s essential users always follow some key precautions to prevent potentially serious falls and other dangers.

    By Don Aers, PASMA on 01 February 2024

    Istock 175527039 Credit Vardhan 500 Min

    Child labour in India: a persistent problem

    Although the Indian government has signed up to the UN’s goal of eliminating child labour in all its forms by 2025, an influential Parliamentary committee has warned drastic action is needed to meet the commitment.

    By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 08 February 2024

    Dylan Skelhorn Safety Up 1

    Falls from height: it’s time we stopped them

    I suffered a devastating but entirely preventable fall from height accident, and I believe it’s within the power of all employers and workers to do much more to prevent them.

    By Dylan Skelhorn, Safety Up on 01 February 2024

    Cold light of day 1

    In the cold light of day

    Sunlight is good for our health and wellbeing even during winter. It’s important that we harness its benefits.

    By Belinda Liversedge on 01 February 2024

    Culture of Collaboration 1

    How building a culture of collaboration and transparency is making powered access safer

    Global reporting of accidents and near misses when using powered access equipment for temporary work at height is helping to inform campaigns, guidance and training from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), aimed at making the equipment safer to use than ever.

    By Brian Parker, IPAF on 01 February 2024

    iStock-1175321852-credit-Harry Cooper Photography 500 wide-min

    Himalayan tunnel collapse: safety in the spotlight

    The successful rescue of 17 miners trapped in a collapsed road tunnel in Uttarakhand was understandably greeted with widespread relief, but questions are now being asked about whether the wider project to build over 800 kilometres of roads through a hilly region of India threatens to increase the risk of floods and landslides in the region.

    By Orchie Bandyopadhyay on 08 December 2023