by admin | Oct 6, 2025 | Uncategorized
📰 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).
http://press.hse.gov.uk/2025/10/01/call-for-evidence-to-review-lifting-and-pressure-systems-regulations/
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 From 1 January 2026, government support for Level 7 (master’s level) courses for learners aged 22 and over is being withdrawn.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 | Sep 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
🔍 UK Construction & Health & Safety: What’s New
1. Construction firm fined after retaining wall collapse in Bath
H. Mealing & Sons Ltd has been fined £56,775 (plus over £44,000 in costs) after a 1.8m retaining wall collapsed onto an employee at Swainswick School. HSE found that poor planning, coordination and a failure to supervise temporary works led to the fatal incident.
2. Fire safety failure during apartment conversion leads to £165,000 fine
Glovers Court Ltd continued working on a 35-unit apartment development despite prohibition notices for major fire safety failings. HSE and Lancashire Fire and Rescue found there was no fire alarm system, inadequate means of escape, and compromised compartmentation.
3. IOSH warns of climate risk in new white paper on heat exposure
The heat is on white paper, released by IOSH, urges employers to factor rising temperatures and extreme weather into their workplace risk assessments. Construction workers are among the highest risk groups, particularly when exposed to long hours, poor ventilation and heat-absorbing PPE.
4. Fall-related injuries and fatalities remain high
HSE data shows that falls from height continue to be the leading cause of fatal injuries in construction, while manual handling and slips/trips cause tens of thousands of non-fatal incidents every year. Despite overall improvements, construction still ranks as the UK’s most dangerous sector.
✅ What Construction Employers Need to Know
These reports reinforce key responsibilities under UK law and the CDM Regulations:
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Temporary works must be competently designed and supervised. Even short-term supports require engineering judgement and planned risk mitigation.
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Fire precautions must remain active throughout the project. Prohibition notices can shut down work and lead to prosecution if ignored. Consider phased works and escape route planning.
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Climate risk is becoming a compliance issue. Heat exposure affects worker health and productivity. Updates to COSHH, risk assessments, and method statements may soon require explicit environmental hazard sections.
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Falls from height and manual handling remain high-risk activities. Without regular training, inspection, and procedural enforcement, the likelihood of serious harm remains elevated.
💼 How All Star Safety Ltd Can Help
All Star Safety Ltd supports UK construction companies in managing these challenges through:
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Health & Safety Consultancy: Fire risk assessments, temporary works audits, climate-aware safety reviews, and supervision support.
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Training Services: Working at height, manual handling, fire safety awareness, heat stress & environmental risk, temporary works safety, and more.
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NVQ Assessment: Level 2–7 qualifications in site safety, supervision, and management to demonstrate workforce competence and unlock CSCS cards.
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Policy Development: Comprehensive safe systems of work, site traffic plans, fire and emergency procedures, and H&S documentation audits.
📞 Contact All Star Safety Ltd today for expert advice and support.
Phone: 0330 133 0402 or 01473 561 402
by admin | Jun 25, 2025 | Uncategorized
Ensuring Compliance and Safety Excellence
Navigate HSE's 2025–26 Inspection Priorities with Confidence
Prepare your business for the upcoming regulatory focus areas with All Star Safety’s expert guidance and training solutions.
Key Inspection and Enforcement Priorities
HSE's 2025–26 Focus Areas Unveiled
The Health and Safety Executive’s Local Authority Circular LAC 67/2 highlights critical areas for inspection and enforcement. Key priorities include managing occupational lung diseases like asbestos and welding fumes, controlling Legionella in water systems, addressing work-related stress, and mitigating violence towards lone and customer-facing staff.
These focus areas are essential for businesses to understand, as they reflect the evolving landscape of health and safety enforcement. By aligning with these priorities, companies can enhance their safety protocols and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Implications for Construction Employers
Construction employers should anticipate increased scrutiny in several key areas. Expect rigorous checks on dust and fume control, particularly in renovation and demolition projects. Water system management will be under the microscope, especially in site welfare facilities. Stress management practices will be evaluated, with a focus on supervision and employee wellbeing programs. Additionally, attention will be paid to lone-worker safety, site security, and managing interpersonal conflicts.
By proactively addressing these areas, construction businesses can not only avoid penalties but also foster a safer and more productive work environment. Implementing comprehensive safety measures will demonstrate a commitment to health and safety excellence, aligning with HSE’s enforcement priorities.
Comprehensive Safety Solutions
We provide thorough COSHH audits, Legionella management reviews, and stress risk assessments to ensure your workplace is compliant and safe.
Engage your team with practical briefings on lung health, hygiene, and conflict management, tailored to your specific needs.
Enhance your team’s skills with our NVQ programmes, covering Site Supervision, Occupational Health & Safety, and more.
Launching in June 2025, our NPORS courses cover safe plant operation, Vehicle Marshal, and Crane Supervisor roles.
From July 2025, we offer comprehensive first aid courses addressing both physical and mental health emergencies.
Customize your training with our bespoke packages, designed to meet the unique needs of your organisation.
Unit 3.03, The Suffolk Enterprise Centre, Felaw Maltings, 44 Felaw St, Ipswich IP2 8SJ
by admin | Mar 24, 2025 | Uncategorized
Why Are Internal Audits Essential for NVQ Centres?
Internal audits allow centres to evaluate and improve their processes in line with regulatory expectations and best practice. They typically focus on:
•Assessment decisions – Verifying that they are valid, consistent, and supported by appropriate evidence.
•Assessor and IQA competence – Confirming assessors and internal quality assurers are suitably qualified and current in their practice.
•Learner experience and progress – Ensuring learners receive timely support, feedback, and fair assessment.
•Portfolio completeness – Checking that portfolios meet qualification and awarding body requirements (e.g., correct forms, ID, declarations, contact logs).
These audits also help identify areas for improvement and ensure that the centre remains compliant with awarding body requirements and aligned with Ofqual-regulated frameworks.
How This Supports Employers and Learners
✔ Assures Qualification Validity – Employers can be confident that the NVQs awarded reflect genuine competence.
✔ Enhances Workforce Competency – Learners benefit from consistent assessment and support, helping them complete qualifications more efficiently.
✔ Demonstrates Organisational Integrity – A centre with robust internal auditing reinforces the credibility of its qualifications.
For employers investing in NVQs to meet CSCS, CPCS, or NPORS card requirements, internal audits support the assurance that qualifications are delivered to a high standard—minimising delays and reinforcing site compliance.
How All Star Safety Maintains Quality
At All Star Safety, we carry out regular internal audits in line with our Centre Handbook and ProQual guidelines. Our quality assurance measures include:
✔ Sampling of assessment portfolios to check the validity of assessment decisions
✔ IQA feedback to assessors following a structured model (validity, feedback, further action)
✔ Monthly learner progress checks using the Quals Direct system
✔ Audits of documentation and assessor practice to ensure every learner is supported to succeed
Contact us to see how we can assist you in staying safe and compliant.
📞 0330 133 0402
📩 info@allstarsafety.co.uk
🌐 Contact us here
by admin | Mar 7, 2025 | Uncategorized
Unlock the Benefits of Fully Funded Environmental and Management Qualifications
If you are a CITB Levy-paying business, you have a unique opportunity to access 100% funding for specific environmental and management courses through the CITB Employer Network’s current initiative. This is a fantastic chance to upskill your workforce and prepare your business for the challenges of the future, particularly in areas such as net-zero strategies and leadership in construction. But time is short—the funding window closes at the end of March, so quick action is critical.
What Is Fully Funded?
CITB’s Employer Network Future Skills Initiative allows qualifying employers to receive full funding for training that addresses business-critical needs. This includes a range of NVQs we offer, focusing on leadership, environmental management, and digital skills. These qualifications are not only valuable for professional development but also align with industry-wide goals of improving sustainability, efficiency, and leadership quality.
Which Courses Are Available?
We’re proud to provide NVQs tailored to environmental and management skill areas. Among the qualifications eligible for this funding are:
•Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision: Build supervisory skills to effectively manage teams and oversee site operations.
•Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Senior Site Inspection: Improve your ability to perform high-level site inspections and maintain quality standards.
•Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Site Management: Equip your team with the knowledge and skills to manage construction projects effectively.
•Level 6 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations Management: Develop advanced project and resource management capabilities for complex contracting operations.
•Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Construction Senior Management: Enhance strategic oversight and decision-making skills, preparing for top-tier leadership roles.
•Level 7 NVQ Diploma in Health and Safety Practice: Advance your leadership in health and safety, ensuring compliance and fostering a culture of safety throughout your organization.
By offering these training options, we aim to help businesses not only meet regulatory requirements but also gain a competitive edge in an increasingly environmentally conscious market.
How to Access the Funding
If you’re a CITB Levy-paying business, the process to access this funding is straightforward:
Identify Your Training Needs: Assess which areas of environmental, leadership, or digital skills are most relevant to your team’s current challenges.
Contact Us for Guidance: We’re here to help. Our experienced team can walk you through the options, assist with the application process, and ensure you’re getting the most out of this funding opportunity.
Act Quickly: This funding opportunity expires at the end of March, so it’s crucial to enroll your learners now. The earlier you start, the sooner you can secure funding and begin reaping the benefits of an upskilled team.
Don’t Miss Out
With full funding available, there’s no better time to invest in your workforce. Not only will these qualifications help you meet immediate business needs, but they’ll also position your company as a forward-thinking leader in the construction industry.
For more information, visit the CITB Employer Network page or contact us at 0330 133 0402 or info@allstarsafety.co.uk. Our team is ready to support you in making the most of this limited-time opportunity.
