Why plant and product safety are still high-risk areas
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a strong warning this week after several fatal incidents involving plant machinery. In one case, a slinger was killed after an excavator operator unintentionally moved the machine during a routine communication error — and failed to activate the safety isolation device. This was a preventable tragedy.
At All Star Safety Ltd, we regularly support businesses to review their plant operation protocols, from CPCS/NPORS training and NVQs to hands-on site audits. It’s essential to ensure that both operators and those working around machinery understand:
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How and when isolation devices must be used
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The importance of clear, agreed signals between slinger/signaller and operator
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That all risks are considered in method statements and RAMS
If your team operates plant or lifting equipment, now is the time to double-check whether your controls are truly protecting your workforce — not just box-ticking.
Are the products you’re using putting your site at risk?
The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has just released a new guide to help construction businesses identify and control risks associated with products critical to safety.
This follows serious concerns about product substitutions, incomplete documentation, or poor system integration — especially in façade systems, fire doors, fixings and fasteners, and any products forming part of a life-critical safety system.
At All Star Safety Ltd, we can support you to:
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Review your procurement and product assurance procedures
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Identify high-risk product areas (especially on refurb, retrofit or design & build projects)
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Integrate product safety checks into your site inspection regime
This is especially important if you’re working under Building Safety Act obligations or managing high-rise or high-risk residential buildings.
Green skills and safety: preparing your team for the future
The CIOB has also backed a new green skills initiative encouraging UK construction firms to support younger workers and upskill their teams in low carbon, sustainable and safety-integrated construction.
From your perspective, this isn’t just about ticking a sustainability box. As materials, methods and systems change, so do the safety considerations:
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New technologies and materials may have unfamiliar hazards
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Retrofit and decarbonisation projects can introduce new fire, load, or structural risks
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Failing to understand the full system performance of “green” products could create long-term liabilities
We offer tailored NVQs, CPD, and training that can bridge these gaps, helping you stay compliant, competitive and future-ready.
✅ What you should do now
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Review your current plant and machinery safety procedures. Are your teams using isolation devices correctly and consistently?
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Conduct a product safety risk check — particularly on components forming part of fire or structural systems.
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Ask whether your team is equipped with the knowledge to deliver sustainable construction safely — we can help.
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Contact us if you’d like to discuss NVQ routes, in-house training, or site consultancy to reduce risk and improve compliance.
📞 Let’s work together to protect your team and futureproof your site
All Star Safety Ltd is here to support you with:
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Plant operations NVQs (e.g. Telehandler, Excavator, Dumper, Slinger/Signaller)
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NPORS and CPCS upgrades
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Product safety reviews and site risk assessments
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Sustainable construction safety training and CPD
Call us on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402 to find out how we can help your business stay compliant, competent, and confident.