Free webinar: Achieving safety culture excellence in the manufacturing industry

27 May, London

Aimed at the manufacturing sector, in this webinar you'll discover the Achieving Safety Culture Excellence Now and Tomorrow (ASCENT) programme.

ASCENT is a practical, evidence-based approach designed to help organisations build and sustain a strong safety culture, now and into the future.

During the session attendees will gain an overview of the ASCENT framework, including the use of the Safety Climate Tool (SCT) to assess safety culture, alongside insights from benchmarking data and real-world applications within the manufacturing sector.

Register for the 'Achieving safety culture excellence' webinar.

HSE publishes new guidance on engineered stone and launches nationwide inspections

The new guidance and inspection programme aims to protect workers from silicosis, a serious and irreversible lung disease caused by breathing in engineered stone dust.

Research shows dry cutting can expose workers to 5-10 times more respirable crystalline silica (RCS) than wet methods. 

The COSHH guidance for engineered stone sets out latest guidance for employers:

• consider switching to low silica materials
• use on-tool water suppression and control mist - no dry cutting
• provide appropriate respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• carry out regular health surveillance
  
  

HSE inspectors will carry out over 1,000 visits to fabricators across Great Britain. Enforcement action will be taken against those who fail to meet legal requirements.

To find out more, you can:

• read the new guidance on working with engineered stone
• visit the engineered stone pages on the Work Right website
• find out more about the guidance and inspections in our news release: HSE says no dry cutting of engineered stone ahead of inspection crackdown
  
  

Manufacturer fined £60,000 after worker injures hand unblocking a machine

An investigation found no safe system of work for unblocking the machine, with blockages occurring multiple times each day.

The worker was clearing a roller blockage at a tissue factory when his right hand became trapped in the roller. Despite freeing his hand, the worker sustained serious crush injuries.

HSE's investigation found machine blockages were frequent, but no safe system of work was in place for unblocking the tissue.

Read more in our press release: Manufacturer fined after worker injured hand unblocking machine

HSE has guidance on our website: Safe use of work equipment

Visit our news centre for more on recent enforcement cases.

Machinery safety training from HSE

Machinery safety is essential to minimise harm and prevent accidents.

Employers should consider how their workers use machinery, manage any risks effectively and have adequate maintenance arrangements in place to ensure it remains safe to use.

HSE runs a series of courses to help you understand and control the risks associated with working with machinery.

These courses are being held at HSE's Science and Research centre in Buxton:

No Falls Week 2026: 18 to 22 May

Falls from height continue to be the most common cause of fatal accidents to workers in Great Britain.

The No Falls Foundation charity is running its annual No Falls Week, a campaign dedicated to promoting safe working at height.

Visit the No Falls Week website where you can:

• sign up to get involved and get access to the No Falls Week resources hub where you can download materials to support the campaign
• find out more about the campaign in the No Falls Week press release