by admin | Dec 15, 2025 | Safety Update
Recent Updates and Achievements at All Star Safety Ltd
The past few months have been a particularly busy and positive period for All Star Safety Ltd, with steady progress across training delivery, NVQs, consultancy work and digital development. As the business continues to grow, our focus remains on delivering practical, compliant and high-quality support to organisations operating in construction and related industries.
One of the most significant developments has been the continued expansion of our NVQ provision across multiple levels. We are currently supporting learners from operative level through to senior management, with strong engagement across construction management, lifting operations, health and safety and plant-related pathways. Progress tracking, assessment planning and learner support have been strengthened further through our use of Quals Direct, ensuring evidence remains current, robust and aligned with assessment strategy requirements. More information on our NVQ services can be found on our NVQs page:
https://www.allstarsafety.co.uk/nvqs/
Alongside NVQs, our training delivery has continued to develop, both in terms of course range and how training is accessed. We are now delivering a broader mix of classroom-based, virtual classroom and e-learning courses, allowing organisations to choose the most effective format for their teams. Recent updates to our e-learning platform have improved learner experience, assessment access and reporting, supporting employers who need flexible training solutions without compromising quality. Details of our available courses can be viewed here:
https://www.allstarsafety.co.uk/training/
Our consultancy and project support work has also remained consistently strong. Recent activity has included health and safety management system audits, lifting operation reviews, and ongoing advisory support for higher-risk construction activities. While client confidentiality is always maintained, this work has involved close alignment with current legislation and recognised guidance, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, LOLER 1998 and PUWER 1998. Where appropriate, we continue to reference authoritative guidance from bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/
We have also continued to invest time in quality assurance and professional development. Internal standardisation, assessor support and IQA activity remain a priority to ensure consistency and reliability across all qualifications. This is supported by ongoing engagement with awarding organisations and professional bodies, helping us remain aligned with best practice and sector expectations. Our wider work reflects guidance and frameworks from organisations such as IOSH and CITB, which continue to shape industry standards:
https://www.iosh.com/
https://www.citb.co.uk/
As we approach the end of the year, we would also like to make clients, learners and partners aware of our Christmas closure arrangements. Our office will close at the end of business on Friday 19 December, and we will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026. During this period, emails and enquiries will be monitored on a limited basis, and we will respond fully once the office reopens.
Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has worked with us over the past year. Whether you have completed training, progressed through an NVQ, or engaged us for consultancy support, your trust and collaboration are genuinely appreciated. We wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful New Year, and we look forward to supporting you again in 2026.
If you would like to discuss training, NVQs or health and safety support for the new year, please get in touch with the team. You can contact us via our website at:
Contact
Alternatively, you can call us on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561402, or email info@allstarsafety.co.uk.
by admin | Dec 10, 2025 | CITB Grants, Safety Update
CITB Funding Changes for 2026: What Levy-Paying Employers Need to Know
CITB announced significant changes to its grant and funding system on 8 December 2025, with new rules coming into force from 8 January 2026. The announcement arrived suddenly, and CITB has acknowledged that the timing is far from ideal so close to Christmas. However, these changes are being introduced to ensure that Levy income can continue to support the growing number of employers seeking grant-funded training.
For many levy-paying businesses, this update will feel disruptive, especially if you are in the middle of planning training for early 2026. At All Star Safety Ltd, we want to provide clarity on what these changes mean and help you continue to get the most from your levy contributions over the coming months.
We have reviewed the CITB announcement and the dedicated funding changes page, and the key points employers need to be aware of are summarised below.
What happens to bookings already made?
The date of booking is now essential.
✔ Bookings made before 8 December 2025
If you made and can evidence a confirmed training booking before 8 December, and the training takes place between 8 January and 31 March 2026, these will still be honoured under the previous grant rates.
CITB introduced this protection to avoid penalising employers who had legitimately planned ahead for early 2026.
✔ Bookings made on or after 8 December 2025
Anything booked from this date onwards, regardless of delivery date, will follow the new funding rules explained below.
This transitional period runs until 31 March 2026.
Key changes employers need to understand
Short course funding is changing dramatically
From 8 January 2026, short course training will no longer be supported through the Grants Scheme, except for:
All other short course support will move to the Employer Network (EN). This means:
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Funds are drawn from your region’s fixed annual Employer Network budget.
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Support is matched at 50% of eligible course cost.
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Health & Safety, construction, and associated training will be supported at 30% of CITB’s average market rate.
It is expected that EN budgets will be under pressure quickly, so early planning for 2026 is highly advisable.
Qualification grant changes
Although CITB is tightening short course funding, there are some important positives:
The £600 achievement grant for NVQs continues.
For employers investing in upskilling supervisors, plant operators, lifting teams, or managers, this is still a strong return on investment.
At All Star Safety Ltd, our full suite of NVQs — including Plant Operations, Lifting Operations, Occupational Work Supervision, Health and Safety, and Construction Site Management — remains fully eligible.
✘ Attendance grants for long qualifications are being removed
These will no longer be paid.
✘ Level 7 qualifications (non-apprenticeship) will no longer be grant supported
This does not affect Scottish Advanced Craft or Level 7 Apprenticeships.
First Aid training will no longer receive CITB grant support
First Aid courses are specifically listed as no longer fundable under the revised model.
However, we continue to offer high-quality, great-value training at our Ipswich centre or at your site:
Despite the loss of grant funding, these remain essential qualifications for maintaining safe sites and meeting legal requirements.
If you wish to run First Aid through the Employer Network, you must contact your local CITB adviser and specify that you want All Star Safety Ltd to deliver the training.
Why CITB is making these changes
Since 2021, CITB has seen a 36% increase in the number of employers receiving grant funding — without any increase in Levy income. Demand is now on track to exceed the available budget.
To prevent overspend and ensure fairness across the industry, CITB is focusing funding on areas that deliver the greatest long-term impact. The changes also give CITB tighter control over budgets through regional Employer Networks.
While the timing is challenging, the reasoning is understandable, and we expect 2026 to be a year of adjustment across the sector.
What employers should do next
1. Plan 2026 training early
Employer Network budgets will be finite. If you want support for short courses, contact your CITB adviser sooner rather than later.
2. Keep evidence of pre-8 December bookings
This is vital if you want those bookings honoured under the old grant rates.
3. Continue to use NVQs strategically
With the £600 achievement grant remaining in place, NVQs will form an important part of training investment in 2026.
4. Speak to us if you’re unsure how your training plans are affected
We work closely with CITB advisers and can help you secure the right route for funding support.
Attend a CITB webinar for further guidance
CITB is hosting four live Zoom sessions next week so employers and providers can ask questions directly to the Executive Team:
Webinar registration link:
https://webinars.citbevents.co.uk/home
Available sessions:
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All Employers Webinar — 16 December, 6.30pm–7.30pm
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Large Employers Webinar — 17 December, 8.30am–9.30am
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All Employers Webinar — 17 December, 10am–11am
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Training Providers Webinar — 17 December, 12.30pm–1.30pm
We strongly encourage levy-registered employers to join one of these sessions.
How All Star Safety Ltd will support you
Despite the sudden nature of the announcement, we are already adapting our 2026 planning to make sure our employers continue to get the best possible value from their CITB levy.
We will:
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Help you plan your training calendar strategically for 2026.
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Advise you which qualifications remain fundable.
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Support bookings made through your local CITB adviser.
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Ensure you maximise every grant you’re entitled to.
If you’re unsure how the changes affect your team, we’re here to help.
by admin | Nov 18, 2025 | Health and Safety, Safety Update
This week’s developments in the construction sector reflect a clear convergence of two powerful trends: enforcement by regulators focused on health and safety, and ongoing capacity constraints that threaten delivery. For All Star Safety Limited, this presents a compelling opportunity to align our training, NVQ and consultancy offers to help clients respond proactively and competitively.
What’s happening in the industry
Firstly, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched a health‑inspection initiative targeting construction sites, highlighting that health risks (such as dust, noise, musculoskeletal disorders and ill‑health) are now a key regulatory focus rather than just immediate accident hazards.
Meanwhile, the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has published a report spotlighting serious capacity constraints across the construction industry — citing recruitment, training and retention shortfalls as major blockers in meeting delivery targets.
Why this matters for your business
For All Star Safety and our clients, the significance is two‑fold:
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On one hand, the enforcement focus from HSE emphasises that health risks and workforce competence cannot be treated as secondary. If operatives, supervisors and managers lack the right training, accreditation or awareness of health hazards (rather than just accident risks), sites may become vulnerable to enforcement, interruption and reputational damage.
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On the other hand, the capacity challenge identified by CIOB means that clients are under greater pressure to deliver on schedule, safely and efficiently. When there are labour shortages, skill gaps and training backlogs, offering robust competence‑tracking, NVQ pathways and consultancy support becomes a differentiator.
In short: we have a stronger narrative to position our services. We can say to clients: “We don’t just help you meet the minimum for inspections and audits — we help you build a competent workforce, mitigate health risks and deliver reliably in a constrained environment.”
Recommended actions for the next 30 days
Here are some steps that will help translate the insight into practical engagement with clients:
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Review and refresh our training materials to ensure that health risks (respirable dust, vibration, noise, ergonomics) are fully integrated alongside accident‑prevention topics. This ensures that when HSE inspectors turn up, clients are prepared.
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Update our NVQ assessment framework to emphasise health/ill‑health awareness and not just tasks and procedural safety. Ensuring that assessments capture competence in recognising and controlling non‑immediate hazards strengthens our value.
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Develop a consultancy audit offering phrased around “Competence & Capacity Readiness”: assessing whether clients have the right training pipeline, sufficient staff competence and documentation in place to manage both delivery pressure and regulatory enforcement.
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Reach out to our client base (via newsletter, LinkedIn post or direct mail) with a short briefing: “Capacity pressures + regulator focus = what this means for your workforce competence and training strategy in 2026”. This helps open conversations about training, NVQ and consultancy services.
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Update our marketing collateral and website to reflect the twin message: “We support you not just in meeting safety requirements, but in building workforce capacity and competence so you can deliver safely and on time.”
How All Star Safety Limited can help
At All Star Safety we are ready to support you in these changing times with:
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Bespoke training sessions (either at our Ipswich classroom in the Suffolk Enterprise Centre, Felaw Maltings, 44 Felaw St, Ipswich IP2 8SJ — or via remote delivery) which fully embed health‑risk awareness (dust, noise, ergonomics, musculoskeletal hazards) as well as traditional safety topics.
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NVQ assessments for operatives, supervisors and site‑managers using our national network of subcontracted assessors/trainers and our Quals Direct e‑portfolio, designed to track competence and document readiness for inspection.
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Consultancy audits and readiness reviews focused on workforce competence, training pipeline strength, health‑risk controls, documentation and regulatory readiness — giving you an evidence‑based plan to respond to enforcement and delivery pressures.
To discuss how we can support your next training delivery, NVQ assessment or safety & health consultancy requirement, please call us on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402.
by admin | Nov 17, 2025 | Safety Update
📰 Industry news worth watching
HSE issues Call for Evidence on LOLER & PSSR
On 1 October 2025, the HSE launched a formal Call for Evidence to review both the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) and the Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR). The aim is to modernise and simplify regulatory processes while preserving safety standards, taking into account technological advances and evolving industry practices.
This signals that changes may be coming for how lifting equipment is regulated, documented, and inspected. Companies using cranes, hoists, pressure vessels or similar plant should monitor developments closely and consider submitting feedback during the consultation period (1 October to 11 November).
AI is entering scaffold inspections
A recent research preprint explores applying AI and point‑cloud analysis to scaffold inspection tasks. The system uses reference models and compares them against fresh scanned data to flag deviations or structural irregularities — potentially reducing human error and shortening inspection times.
While it’s early-stage, this kind of tech hints at a future where digital audits, drones and automated checks augment (though not replace) hands‑on inspection regimes.
Training costs to rise as funding shifts
Construction employers are being warned of imminent increases in training expenditure. From 1 January 2026, government support for Level 7 (master’s level) courses for learners aged 22 and over is being withdrawn. This could force employers to cover full costs — in some reports up to £14,000 per employee for senior leadership programmes.
For firms reliant on apprenticeships, upskilling or leadership pathways, the message is clear: act now before costs shift.
Construction still the deadliest sector, though fatalities fall
New HSE reporting confirms that 35 construction workers died in work-related incidents in the year to March 2025, a sharp fall from previous years. Nevertheless, construction remains the most dangerous sector, accounting for 28% of all workplace deaths.
Falls from height continue to be the leading cause of fatalities — emphasising that height safety cannot be treated as routine.
🧩 What this means for All Star Safety & our clients
These developments collectively point to strategic priorities we must emphasise in our training, NVQ and consultancy work:
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LOLER/PSSR readiness audits and consultations: We should prepare to assist clients in assessing their current compliance, and guide them through any evolving regulatory requirements or documentation demands.
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Integrating digital inspection in our offering: While AI‑based scaffold checks are not yet off the shelf, we can begin trialling hybrid workflows—combining drone scans, point clouds and manual inspection—and use that capability as a differentiator.
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Lock in training pathways now: Given the funding shift for Level 7 courses, companies should consider enrolling or securing funding before January 2026. We can package leadership programmes, NVQ upskilling or safety management training now to mitigate future cost shocks.
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Use fatality data as a motivator: The continuing prevalence of fatal falls offers a strong opening in risk assessments, campaign communications and training modules.
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Reinforce height safety and competency: Given the fatality patterns, our training (for example in work-at-height, temporary works, scaffold safety) remains a high priority in every contract.
✅ Actions you can implement today
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Review your clients’ lifting equipment, hoists, pressure systems and associated logs — flag any uncertainties or compliance gaps ahead of regulatory review.
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Experiment with integrating aerial scans, point clouds or 3D capture on one or two scaffold projects to test hybrid inspection models.
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Audit your current leadership / postgraduate training pipeline and push clients to commit before funding changes.
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Refresh your work-at-height training, using the latest HSE casualty data to sharpen relevance.
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Use your safety consultancy meetings to emphasise the dual trends — more regulation incoming (LOLER/PSSR) and emergent technology risks/opportunities (AI inspection).
If you’d like help preparing a LOLER/PSSR readiness audit, building digital scaffold inspection trials, or restructuring training/NVQ programmes before cost changes land, call All Star Safety Ltd on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402.
by admin | Nov 17, 2025 | Health and Safety, NVQs, Safety Update
The safety‑landscape update
The IOSH survey found that almost 50% of construction workers admitted to taking shortcuts during work at height. Around one in five said they hadn’t received any training for working at height safely, and one in seven believed their employer expected them to ignore safety issues in order to finish tasks quickly.
At the same time, the HSE has launched a consultation proposing three key enhancements to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: improving independence in the four‑stage clearance process, raising survey standards, and clarifying what constitutes Notifiable Non‑Licensed Work (NNLW).
Why this matters for your business
For firms operating in construction and allied industries, these developments are critical:
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Working at height remains a major risk. The data shows that shortcuts are still happening. That suggests the need for not only technical controls (edge protection, scaffolding, harnesses) but also strong training, supervision and culture.
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Asbestos is far from ‘just the past’. The consultation reinforces that duty‑holders must properly manage asbestos risks during refurbishment, demolition, and maintenance. The proposals may lead to tighter requirements, meaning your systems must already be robust.
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Training & competence are key. With the height‑risk and asbestos‑risk both under greater scrutiny, organisations must ensure that their workforce is competently trained, assessed, and their competence verified.
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Consultancy and audit value rise. When you can show evidence of robust training, competence, system‑audit and review, you stand in a much stronger position to show compliance, defend decisions and improve outcomes.
How All Star Safety‑Ltd can support you
At All Star Safety Ltd we are well placed to help you address both these challenges and opportunities:
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Training: We deliver focused modules on safe working at height — including fall‑prevention, edge protection and behavioural safety — and structured training on asbestos awareness, survey‑understanding and clearance processes.
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NVQ Services: Our assessors support your workforce to demonstrate competence across height‑works, supervision, asbestos‑management tasks and allied safety activities. This means real, verifiable evidence of capability, not just attendance.
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Safety Consultancy: We can audit your working‑at‑height systems (including planning, edge control, rescue arrangements), review your asbestos‑management arrangements (survey quality, clearance independence, NNLW clarity) and provide actionable improvement plans for your business.
If you’d like to discuss how we can support your training, NVQ assessment or safety consultancy arrangements around working at height and asbestos‑risk management, please call 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402.
by admin | Nov 15, 2025 | Health and Safety, Safety Update
Turning Up the Heat: Why Overlooked Thermal Risk Is Becoming a Safety Crisis
As global temperatures rise, the impact of heat stress on outdoor workforces — particularly in construction, agriculture and infrastructure work — can no longer be ignored. A recent IOSH article emphasises that many UK workplaces are unprepared for extreme heat, and that heat must now be treated as a legitimate hazard requiring risk assessment and control.
In construction specifically, heat‑related illness is part of a growing pattern. An IOSH magazine warning highlighted that “construction workers are more likely to die from heat‑related illnesses than workers in other industries.”
What should you do in your business today?
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Include heat as a hazard in your existing risk assessments, especially for summer months or when working in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas.
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Introduce control measures such as rotating shifts to cooler periods, providing shaded rest zones, encouraging hydration, and modifying PPE where possible (e.g. using breathable fabrics).
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Train your teams so they can recognise early signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke or dehydration, and respond appropriately.
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Monitor those at higher risk: new workers, people with medical conditions, or those wearing heavy PPE.
At All Star Safety, our competency in health surveillance, training, and risk assessment means we can help you incorporate thermal stress controls seamlessly into your safety management system.
Fire Safety Failure & Structural Collapse: Two Recent HSE Prosecutions
Recent HSE press announcements have revealed two stark examples of failures in fire safety planning and structural risk control:
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Glovers Court redevelopment, Preston — A building firm was fined £165,000 for neglecting fire detection systems, alarm procedures, phasing of work to maintain fire compartmentation, and other critical safeguards during ongoing construction work.
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Collapse of a retaining wall in Bath area — A contractor was prosecuted after a 1.8 m wall collapsed, killing a worker during building extension work. The court found that a proper risk assessment and securing of the structure would have prevented the event.
These cases reinforce enduring principles: fire safety must not be postponed until “later phases,” and temporary works or structural modifications require diligent control.
From a consultancy perspective, these are ideal case studies to revisit your fire safety plans, phase reviews, temporary works protocols and contractor oversight arrangements.
Should HSE Take on Occupational Health Regulation?
A movement is now afoot within the safety profession to create a new Occupational Health Authority under the HSE. A recent IOSH‑led report argues this can tighten accountability for occupational health outcomes and better integrate physical and mental health into workplace regulation.
If the government moves in this direction, employers may soon face more detailed health‑regulation obligations beyond current statutory duties (e.g. under COSHH, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, or Health Surveillance). Being ahead of the curve would be wise.
Why This Matters to You (and Your Clients)
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Safety is not static. As climate risk intensifies, your controls must adapt.
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Prosecutions continue to show that courts treat failure to manage basic risks—fire, structural collapse, heat—with seriousness.
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The regulatory landscape may soon expand to place health (not just safety) under more formal oversight.
How All Star Safety Ltd Can Help
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Training, NVQ & competency services: We can deliver refresher courses on thermal risk, fire safety, temporary works, and health topics.
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Health & safety consultancy & audits: We offer gap analysis, fire safety checks, structural risk reviews and occupational health strategy planning.
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Policy & procedural design: If you wish to future‑proof against potential new occupational health regulation, we can help map policy frameworks ahead of legislative change.
If you’d like support embedding thermal safety, strengthening your fire and structural risk controls, or preparing for an enhanced occupational health regime, contact All Star Safety Ltd on 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402.