18 February, the date chosen to play host to National Battery Day, is a particularly important one for the history of the battery. The day marks the birth of the father of battery science, Alessandro Volta, credited as the creator of the Voltaic Pile, an early form of what we know today as the electric battery.
By Phil Pinnington, British Safety Council on 19 February 2024
As global economies look to achieve their net zero targets, there is an increased focus on the development of non-fossil fuel alternative energy sources, such as battery power. The demand for batteries over the next 20 years is predicted to increase twentyfold. This presents numerous opportunities for those in the battery production supply chain who will need to gear up to meet this increased demand. However, despite the glow of opportunity, it is important that the safety risks posed by batteries are effectively managed.
By Liam Jagger, Pinsent Masons on 07 February 2024
By Laura White, senior associate, Pinsent Masons LLP. on 01 August 2023
Sodexo Justice Services was recently awarded the British Safety Council’s five star audit for five of its prisons. Belinda Liversedge is granted access behind the bars at HMP Addiewell, an all-male high security prison in Scotland, to find out how they did it.
By on 23 July 2019
One of the common experiences of older safety practitioners is the frustrating sense of déjà vu when reading accident investigation reports.
By Lawrence Waterman OBE on 01 December 2019
A new ‘gateway’ approval process aims to ensure the safety of certain high-rise residential buildings in Britain.
By Colin Blatchford-Brown, HSE on 21 February 2023
The golden thread topic has no doubt featured many times before. With it being summer 2023, the registration of higher-risk buildings is in full swing, and the policy on the golden thread of information is being finalised with secondary legislation enshrining it expected in various waves soon.
By Sofie Hooper, Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management on 16 August 2023
The government has confirmed that it will allocate £200 million to fix private tower blocks that are wrapped in combustible aluminium composite material cladding, the same kind that sent the Grenfell Tower block up in flames back in June 2017, claiming the lives of 72 people.
By Stephen Horin on 04 July 2019
In response to the Grenfell Tower fire of 2017, the Fire Safety Act 2021 was passed by UK Parliament, amending the Regulatory Reform Order (Fire Safety Order) 2005 to improve fire safety in English and Welsh residential buildings.
By Jonathan O’Neill MBE, Fire Protection Association (FPA) on 04 July 2022
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) began its work as statutory consultee for planning applications that include a high-rise residential building in England, in August 2021.
By Mark Wilson, HSE on 04 July 2022
