Articles by Elaine Knutt

Even robust data-gathering systems can be subject to sampling bias or other margins of error – while interpretation can add a second layer of distortion. So how secure are the available OSH statistics, and the decisions resting on them?

Covid disruption, wide scale furloughing of workers and a 10% reduction in weekly hours worked has been accompanied by a 28% year-on-year increase in the number of work-related fatal accidents, according to Great Britain’s annual fatality statistics.

Carl Stokes told the public inquiry into the disaster that he cut and pasted text into fire risk assessments and gave himself unearned post-nominal qualifications.

The Tenant Management Organisation that ran Grenfell Tower struggled to get a grip on the management of fire safety and health and safety, leading to three critical audits and two notices served by London Fire Brigade, it emerged this week at the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.

Brexit is now a legally enforced reality shaping the UK’s trading relationship with the EU and the rest of the world. But to what extent could it also affect the future development of legislation on health and safety?

The risks of airborne coronavirus transmission could be a barrier to a return to work for a third of workers, according to a poll.

Peter Baker, head of the new Building Safety Regulator, talks to IOSH magazine about his role in delivering a new regime for high-risk buildings, and how he plans to increase the competence of all professionals working on buildings and ensure effective oversight of the entire building safety environment.

A select committee hearing last week on the HSE’s COVID-19 response explored the regulator’s controversial decision to hire debt collectors as COVID-19 ‘spot checkers’, with the HSE arguing that the £7 million deal enabled it to ‘triage’ routine cases from serious ones, while the TUC and trade union Prospect declared it had damaged the HSE’s reputation.

Unions and HSE leaders clashed over the enforcement of COVID guidance at work last week – IOSH magazine was there to report on it.

Global study says OSH practitioners should reset the balance between physical and mental health needs post-pandemic.