News and Knowledge

London property developer fined over £88,000 after facing serious scrutiny from Health and Safety Executive (HSE)

A London property developer, Nofax Enterprises Limited, based in Maldon, Essex, has been fined £88,000 after facing serious scrutiny from Britain’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE).   The four-storey building site, located on Dalston Lane, was intended to house nine flats and a youth club on the basement floor. The Health and Safety Executive investigated…

Asbestos dangers suffer a lack of awareness, research reveals

New research has revealed that almost half of UK tradespeople don’t regard asbestos as a modern-day issue, with over a quarter of those surveyed admitting to ignoring correct removal procedures upon encountering it.   Training provider, High Speed Training, conducted a survey in September 2024. It questioned 500 tradespeople about asbestos, and the results found…

Raynaud’s Awareness Month 2025

February is Raynaud’s Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of Raynaud’s disease, a condition that affects millions of people worldwide.   It’s also an opportunity to highlight the importance of understanding the condition’s impact and, for those affected by work-related factors, the possibility of making an industrial disease claim.     At Oakwood Solicitors…

MoD launches investigation into aircrew cancers following helicopter allegations

The government has launched an investigation into the number of military personnel diagnosed with cancer, following claims that some helicopters exposed aircrew to toxic fumes.   At least six cases have already been settled out of court by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), and numerous other service members and their families are believed to be…

New guidance for gas and air in hospitals

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new guidance to help safeguard UK midwives from excessive exposure to nitrous oxide in a hospital environment.   This new guidance is targeted towards those who are responsible for the safety of both staff and new mothers within maternity wards.     Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to…

World Tinnitus Week: When can I make a claim?

World Tinnitus Week is here to educate the public about symptoms and to increase awareness of the condition.   The annual campaign runs in February, to inform people of what to look out for, common causes and misconceptions, as it can be more than just ‘ringing in the ears’. Tinnitus is an invisible condition but…

Silicosis: Do’s and don’ts for installing stone worktops according to HSE

The Health and Safety regulator has issued new, simplified advice for workers and employers who deal with engineered stone.   The newly published document has been issued after increasing concerns around workers inhaling stone dust – causing long-term and incurable health issues such as silicosis.     The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) guidance is…

Company fined after repeated wood dust safety failures

Timbercraft Windows & Doors recently received a £4,000 fine after it was found that it had repeatedly failed to protect workers from wood dust exposure.   Timbercraft Windows & Doors Limited, based in Essex, has received three visits from the health and Safety Executive (HSE) over the course of a twelve year period.    …

Silicosis: Warning issued over ‘trendy’ quartz kitchens as two people die

Unions have issued a warning about worktops made from engineered stone after 18 cases of deadly lung diseases have emerged, and two people have died after working with the material.   The engineered surfaces, which are often used in modern kitchens and bathrooms have already been linked to more than a dozen UK cases of…

Council fined after worker who repairs potholes diagnosed with HAVS

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has been fined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a worker who repaired potholes was diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).   Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) is an occupational disease caused by repeated exposure to vibration tools. If an employer does not take the correct precautions to…