The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published four guidance documents on higher-risk buildings (HRBs). The first document explains how to apply for building control approval from the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) for constructing or carrying out building work on HRBs. The second document aims to assist applicants in preparing the required information for building control approval applications. The third document outlines the steps to follow before making changes to an HRB project that has already been approved by the BSR. The fourth document provides guidance on applying for a full or partial completion certificate once building work on an HRB has been completed. In addition, the HSE has updated its guidance on managing building control applications, providing more information about the service used to apply for and manage applications.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on how to obtain a completion or partial completion certificate after contractors have completed work to a higher-risk building. The guidance asserts that to register a high-rise residential building, residents must provide a completion certificate, building control approval application reference and their email address. Higher-risk buildings with at least 2 residential units must be registered with the Building Safety Regulator before occupancy.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on how to apply for change control for construction projects involving higher-risk buildings. The guidance asserts that after the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) approves the building control approval application, owners can make changes and inform the BSR about notifiable changes. When creating a change control application for major changes, it's crucial to stop building works related to that change and wait for the BSR's approval. Notifiable changes must be informed to the BSR before work can start. Multiple changes are to be included in the same application if they are related but separate submissions must be made for staged changes.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published two guidance documents on investigations carried out by the Building Safety Regulator (BSR). The guidance focuses on registered building inspectors (RBI)—professional misconduct and criminal offences, and building control bodies—contraventions and criminal offences.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published three sets of guidance on mandatory occurrence reporting in higher-risk buildings. The first set of guidance, 'Submit a mandatory occurrence notice and report' sets out details regarding submitting a mandatory occurrence notice and report and provides the service to be used for this purpose. The second set of guidance, 'Submitting mandatory occurrence notices and reports', provides information for principal designers, principal contractors and accountable persons on reporting incidents or risks of structural failure, or the spread of fire to the Building Safety Regulator. The third set of guidance, 'Operating a mandatory occurrence reporting system' details how principal designers, principal contractors and principal accountable persons are required to have and maintain a system for reporting building safety incidents and risks.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on reporting incidents or risks of structural failure and the spread of fire in higher-risk buildings. This guidance is applicable to principal designers and principal contractors responsible for a higher-risk building in construction or undergoing building work. HSE noted that if the higher-risk building in construction is subject to the transitional arrangements, you may not need to submit mandatory occurrence reports for it. However, if the building reverts back to the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) as the building control authority, a mandatory occurrence reporting scheme needs to be set up.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on how the public can stay safe when using footpaths, bridleways and public access land in the countryside where there are cattle present. The HSE encourages farmers and members of the public to take steps to mitigate the risk of any danger involving cattle, including keeping cow and cattle in a field without public access, giving livestock plenty of space when walking and keeping dogs under effective control to ensure they stay away from livestock.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a guidance on using nitrous oxide (gas and air) safely in maternity units. The guidance is aimed at those in maternity units who are responsible for preventing harm from high levels of exposure to nitrous oxide. The guidance covers levels of exposure, control measures, monitoring exposure and management systems.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published a list of biocidal active substance suppliers scheduled for removal from GB Article 95. The UK's withdrawal from the EU made the EU Article 95 list inapplicable in Great Britain (GB). Under the GB Biocidal Products Regulation, GB maintains its own list of suppliers, the GB Article 95 List. Suppliers listed on the EU Article 95 were automatically added to the GB Article 95 List but needed to provide required information to the HSE in order to remain on the list. Suppliers who failed to submit the required information will be removed from the GB Article 95 list on 3 March 2025.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published new hourly rates for its enforcement activities, effective from 1 April 2025. These rates cover nine regulatory areas, with the highest rate of £322 per hour applied to offshore activities and inspections under the Network and Information Systems (NIS) Regulations. Other notable rates include £212 per hour for Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) activities, £246 per hour for wind and marine energy (renewables) enforcement, and £183 per hour for Fee for Intervention (FFI) activities. Additional rates include £173 per hour for gas transportation and pipeline systems, £145 per hour for explosives, and £204 per hour for onshore oil, gas, and geothermal well and borehole operations. The publication also provides links to detailed guidance for each activity.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its response to a consultation on reforming chemicals legislation, addressing biocides, classification, labelling and hazardous chemical imports and exports. Following 289 responses, the HSE will recognise EU biocide approvals exclusively, replace fixed renewal dates with risk-based reviews and update GB classification, labelling and packaging rules to align with recent EU changes, thereby protecting the UK internal market. The HSE has also committed to maintaining current health and environmental protection standards, using the EU as a benchmark.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published its review of Great Britain’s (GB) asbestos control limit and confirms that the limit remains at 0.1 fibres per millilitre measured over a four-hour time-weighted average. The review considers international scientific, technical and workplace evidence and is undertaken in response to the EU’s decision to lower its occupational exposure limit for asbestos and recommendations made in the 2022 Work and Pensions Committee report on HSE’s approach to asbestos management.