| Monday 19 July saw England move to Step 4 of the UK government's COVID-19 roadmap. This has meant the removal of many restrictions. Despite these changes, you must still control risk and review and update your risk assessment. Our updated webpage on keeping workplaces safe outlines some of the changes you need to know about: - controls to use after some restrictions are removed
- other measures to help reduce workplace transmission
- different approaches and timescales for removal of restrictions in Scotland and Wales
Some workplace controls remain unchanged: You must continue to consult your workforce on health and safety matters. Talking to workers and their representatives helps you to reduce risk. There is UK government guidance on working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance from Step 4. You should make sure the measures identified by your risk assessment take account of the public health regulations and guidance for the nation you are working in. Please refer to the relevant guidance for: There is also guidance available for: HSE's updated guidance will help you identify poor ventilation in work areas and take practical steps to improve it. This can help reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace. Our updated guidance includes a new video setting out the key advice, and there is information on: - identifying poorly ventilated areas and using CO2 monitors
- improving natural ventilation
- how to improve mechanical ventilation
- air cleaning and filtration units
- ventilation in work vehicles
We also have some examples of how businesses have improved ventilation to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the workplace.  Monday 5 July saw the Building Safety Bill formally introduced in the House of Commons. The introduction of the Bill is an important milestone for the proposed reforms to building safety law. It also paves the way for the official formation of the independent Building Safety Regulator (BSR), a role HSE has been tasked with to deliver. See our recent press release to find out more information about the Building Safety Bill and learn more about the BSR here. For all the latest news signup to our building safety email bulletin. |  HSE has released its annual workplace fatality figures for 2020/21. The provisional data released shows that a total of 142 workers were killed at work in Great Britain in 2020/21. This includes 39 fatal injuries to workers in the construction industry. In statistical terms the number of fatalities has remained broadly level in recent years – the average annual number of workers killed at work over the five years 2016/17-2020/21 is 136. The five-year average for the same period in construction is 36. Note: The figures released relate to workplace incidents and do not include deaths arising from occupational exposure to disease, including COVID-19. Details of the figures released are available on our website, including a full downloadable report on 'Workplace fatal injuries in Great Britain, 2021' with industry specific information. View our press release for more details on the figures, including comments from HSE's Chief Executive, Sarah Albon. | Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPER) consultation HSE has launched a formal 4-week consultation exercise on amendments to the PPER 1992. The aim of the consultation is to understand the impact on stakeholders and businesses of extending the scope of the employers' duties under the PPE Regulations to workers and not just employees. Running until 15 August, the consultation survey can be accessed here. In order to provide a safe learning environment some of our most popular courses and events are now available live online. Find out more and see the full schedule here. Upcoming courses and events include:
Excavations/Utilities
Gas safety Work at height Develop a career at HSE and help to protect lives. As the national occupational health and safety regulator, HSE offers a range of rewarding career opportunities. View a list of our latest vacancies. | 
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