Powers brought into force more than two years ago to help NHS staff deal with anti-social behaviour on hospital premises are proving very effective where used, according to employee feedback and national figures.

A new approach to refresh national enforcement priorities for local-authority regulatory services, and help them focus on the key regulatory risks faced in England, is detailed in a new report by the Local Better Regulation Office (LBRO).

New guidance is available to help employers and the recruitment sector prepare for the introduction of the Agency Workers Regulations later this year.

Just 7 per cent of UK employers have assessed how they will be affected by the Agency Workers Regulations (AWR), suggests research by recruitment and HR services company, Randstad.

Hertsmere Borough Council has partnered with the HSE and other neighbouring local authorities to launch a flexible warranting scheme.

A new report published by the University of Massachusetts Lowell has identified seven high-priority strategies to reduce workplace accidents and ill health in the USA.

An investigation by the HSE has concluded that no one can be held responsible for a gas explosion in Shrewsbury town centre, which injured 12 people last year.

A pressure group is urging Lord Young to take notice of its new DVD, which highlights how employers’ negligence in health and safety led to workers being killed, before he delivers the findings of his review.

Six leading petrol retailers with more than 600 UK filling stations between them have joined a red tape cutting scheme launched by the London and Fire Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA).

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has warned all businesses that they must register their use of chemicals before 1 December, or they will be banned from importing or manufacturing them.

Health and safety professionals can now access a breakdown of relevant legislation thanks to a new guide from Barbour.

A new edition of the code of practice relating to RIDDOR has been produced to reflect changes in other items of legislation since the guide was last published in 1999. The guide sets out a summary of the main requirements as well as the full text of the Regulations and Schedules together with detailed guidance notes.

The installation of precast concrete flooring components, like so many other construction site activities, is acknowledged to be a potentially high-risk, involving the use of heavy plant, cranes and personnel working at height. For this reason, the Precast Flooring Federation has, for years, produced a regularly updated and revised Code of practice for the safe erection of precast concrete flooring and associated components.