United Kingdom: Health & Safety

Almost a year after Awaab's Law came into force, social housing landlords are grappling with the practical challenges of implementing strict statutory timescales for addressing serious hazards like damp and mould.

This weekly construction sector roundup covers major developments including revised fire safety standards for residential buildings, significant financial provisions for building defects, major infrastructure appointments, and new environmental regulations affecting developers. The update spans regulatory changes, project announcements, and industry financial impacts that are shaping the UK construction landscape.

A leading industrial disease lawyer has issued an urgent warning after discovering dangerous asbestos-containing building materials being advertised on social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace. With mesothelioma claiming over 2,000 lives annually in the UK, the illegal trade of these toxic materials poses a serious health risk to unsuspecting DIY enthusiasts seeking bargain renovation supplies.

This week is Occupational Health Awareness Week. Here are our top tips for employers looking to get the most out of occupational health - and to avoid common pitfalls.

The Financial Conduct Authority's new non-financial misconduct rules have come into force, fundamentally changing how regulated firms must handle workplace issues like bullying, harassment and violence. These changes directly impact Conduct Rule compliance, fitness assessments, and regulatory references, while placing heightened expectations on senior leaders to proactively prevent and address misconduct. Firms must now urgently review their policies, investigation procedures, and management training to mee

If you have had an accident at work, you have rights that protect you before, during and after any claim. These include the right to sick pay, the right to time off for treatment and recovery, the right to fair treatment from your employer, and the right to claim compensation on a no win, no fee basis if the accident was caused by someone else's negligence.

The High Court has reinforced critical principles regarding witness credibility and cross-examination in a construction accident case where a worker was seriously injured by a dumper truck. The judgment examines how courts should evaluate witness testimony against documentary evidence, particularly when witnesses present a united front but their accounts raise questions about fabricated evidence and unconscious bias.

Health and safety near-miss incidents often receive less attention than serious injuries or fatalities, yet they represent critical warning signs of potential systemic failures. Organizations that fail to investigate near-misses thoroughly may be exposing themselves to significant regulatory risk and missing opportunities to prevent future catastrophic events.

The regulatory focus of the Health and Safety Executive has shifted. Regulatory scrutiny of traditional safety risks is taking a back seat, with occupational health taking centre stage.