News

British Safety Council has announced details of its Annual Conference 2026, which this year will examine risks that are often overlooked or underestimated but can have profound consequences for workers' health and wellbeing.

Building on British Safety Council's recently launched Hidden Hazards campaign, the event will focus on practical solutions, policy discussions and real-world examples designed to help organisations identify, manage and prevent long-term occupational health risks.

Called 'Hidden Hazards – From Awareness to Action', the conference will be a free virtual event and take place over two half days on 20 and 21 October. It will bring together health, safety and wellbeing professionals, industry leaders and subject matter experts to explore some of the most significant hidden hazards affecting today's workplaces.

Commenting ahead of the event, Paul Fakley, Marketing and Engagement Director at British Safety Council, who will be chairing the conference, said:

"British Safety Council believes that no one should be injured or made ill through their work. Many of the most serious workplace health risks are not immediately visible, yet they have the potential to cause life-changing harm. Through our Annual Conference this year we aim to bring these hidden hazards into sharper focus and equip organisations with the knowledge, tools and practical solutions needed to protect their people.

"By bringing together leading experts, employers and practitioners at our Annual Conference, we hope to inspire action that creates safer, healthier and more sustainable workplaces for everyone."

The programme includes panel discussions, presentations, case studies and expert sessions on critical workplace issues such as concern around exposure to respirable crystalline silica and the rise of silicosis linked to engineered stone, the realities of indoor and outdoor air quality, the long-term impacts of asbestos exposure, and the increasing importance of addressing workplace stressors, violence and aggression towards employees.

Day one will seek to explore the hidden hazards and raise awareness about them. Day two will focus on policy, leadership and organisational responses required to tackle them effectively. Delegates will hear from experts about the role of technology, leadership and data in driving meaningful change, and learn from organisations that have successfully implemented initiatives to protect worker health and wellbeing.

The conference will feature a keynote address by Prof. Neil Greenberg, President of the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), as well as expert contributions from Sarah Sleet, CEO of Asthma and Lung UK, Kevin Bampton, Chief Executive Officer of British Occupational Hygiene Society, Graham Petersen from the Trade Union Clean Air Network (TUCAN), Livi Elsmore, Senior Campaign Manager at the Healthy Air Coalition, Charles Pickles, Founder of Airtight on Asbestos Campaign, John Pares, Chair of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM), Emily Agyeman, National Federation of Builders and Aurélie Faugier from the Global Cooksafe Coalition, among others.

The event will also include lived experience of living with the consequences of exposure to some hidden hazards, as well as best practise examples of initiatives to tackle and prevent them.

To view the full agenda and register for a free place, visit: https://www.britsafe.org/awards-and-events/conferences/annual-conference-2026

In hazardous area safety, attention naturally focuses on production equipment, fixed machinery and systems processes. But what about the equipment being used to clean and maintain these environments?

Good housekeeping is crucial when managing combustible dust and other hazardous substances. Even with effective extraction at source, dust can escape and settle on machinery, pipework, floors, ledges, lighting and other difficult to reach areas. Solid and liquid spills can also occur during production, material handling and maintenance operations; how that material is removed is vitally important.

Brian Folland, Product Manager for UK manufactured Kerstar industrial vacuum cleaners, elaborates, “As the HSE has highlighted, sweeping or using compressed air can disrupt settled dust and redistribute it into the atmosphere, causing a hazard to health.

“Using an appropriately certified industrial vacuum cleaner in hazardous areas provides a controlled method of dust collection and choosing the right equipment is essential. An ATEX certified vacuum is not automatically suitable for every hazardous environment - equipment must be appropriate for the zone it will operate in and the material being collected.

“For combustible dust this includes Dust Zones 21 & 22, while Gas Zones 1 & 2 apply to atmospheres where potentially explosive gas or vapour are present. The potential ignition sources, frequency of use and characteristics of the dust that needs removing should all be considered when specifying cleaning equipment.

“Static electricity in the atmosphere is another important consideration. Conductive construction, suitable accessories and effective earthing can help provide a controlled path for electrical charges.

“For engineers and operators, the main questions they should be asking when selecting suitable cleaning equipment are simple: What am I collecting? Where am I collecting it? If it’s potentially explosive, what ATEX zone will the equipment be used in?

Kerstar, now part of Filtermist Limited, manufactures and supplies a wide range of industrial vacuum cleaners in the UK. Its product portfolio includes ATEX rated vacuums suitable for use in Dust Zones 21 & 22 available as electric or compressed air powered models.

If you need help selecting the best industrial vacuum cleaner for your specific requirement, take a look at www.kerstar.com or contact the Kerstar team by calling 01952 290500.

JCE has entered a new strategic partnership with TUFF Offshore Energy & Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd., marking an important step in the company’s international growth. The alliance brings together JCE's hazardous area products, systems and engineering expertise with TUFF's regional presence, expanding access across India and South Asia, a region with significant activity across oil and gas, energy, petrochemical and wider industrial markets.

Bringing JCE Expertise Closer to Customers

Customers across the region will gain greater access to JCE's portfolio of Ex certified components, electrical control systems, distribution boards, junction boxes, motor control systems and solar/wind installations, backed by TUFF's local market knowledge and engineering capabilities. TUFF will undertake defined mechanical system integration activities for JCE products within the region, while certified Ex assembly remains controlled by JCE.

The partnership also allows JCE to support TUFF with technical expertise, engineering projects, customised facilities, product training and regional enquiries.

A Strategic Partnership for India and South Asia

TUFF brings established experience in the energy and engineering sectors, giving JCE a strong platform to grow its presence across India and South Asia.

Together, the companies combine JCE's specialist knowledge of explosion protection and Ex certified electrical systems with TUFF's regional expertise and customer relationships, supporting customers from initial equipment selection through to delivery and integration.

Martin Craig, Managing Director of JCE, said:

“Forming a strategic alliance with TUFF is an exciting milestone for JCE. We see significant opportunities across the region and look forward to working together to develop long-term customer relationships and deliver high quality Ex equipment and engineered solutions.”

Ramesh Paulraj, Managing Director of TUFF Offshore Energy & Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd., said:

“We are delighted to be entering into this partnership with JCE. It brings together complementary engineering expertise and gives us an excellent opportunity to expand access to JCE's solutions across the region.”

www.jcegroup.com

The global explosion protection industry is entering a new stage of technological development. For decades, safety has relied mainly on proven passive protection methods, such as flameproof enclosures, known as Ex d, and increased safety, known as Ex e. These methods remain essential, but modern industrial environments are becoming more digital, automated, and complex.

Smart equipment, advanced control systems, and dynamic production processes create risks that may change during operation. In some applications, passive barriers alone are no longer sufficient to achieve the required level of protection. This is where IEC 60079-42 becomes strategically important.

The final draft of IEC 60079-42, formerly known as IEC TS 60079-42:2019, introduces a new type of protection: “f”, or Electrical Safety Devices. This represents an important shift in explosion protection philosophy, moving from purely structural protection toward active, function-based safety.

A New Approach to Explosion Protection

The “f” type of protection introduces a functional safety approach to ignition source control. Instead of relying only on physical barriers, it allows safety devices to monitor equipment, detect dangerous conditions, and bring the system into a safe state before an ignition source becomes effective.

In this concept, the equipment under control, referred to as ExEUC, and the safety device operate together as an integrated safety system. This provides a more intelligent and responsive method of explosion protection, especially for complex electrical and electronic equipment used in hazardous areas.

How the “f” Type of Protection Works

The main purpose of an “f” protection system is to identify a developing ignition risk at an early stage and prevent it from becoming hazardous.

This function may be performed by sensors, logic solvers, programmable controllers, or other electronic safety systems. For example, a temperature sensor may detect abnormal heating, while a controller may process the signal and initiate shutdown or another predefined safe action.

This makes the “f” type of protection especially relevant for modern industrial equipment, where risks are often dynamic, process-dependent, and closely connected to automation systems.

Technical Flexibility and Functional Safety

One of the strengths of IEC 60079-42 is its flexibility. The standard distinguishes between simple safety devices, such as temperature sensors, and more complex devices based on programmable electronics.

It also creates a methodological link with functional safety standards such as IEC 61508 and IEC 61511. A key element is Ignition Hazard Assessment, or IHA. During this assessment, residual ignition sources are identified and evaluated, and the required Risk Reduction Factor, or RRF, is determined for each remaining risk. This ensures that the safety function is based on a structured risk reduction process.

Scope of Application

IEC 60079-42 focuses on active ignition source management through electrical safety devices. It does not apply to gas detection systems, fire suppression or explosion mitigation systems, mechanical safety devices, ventilation systems, or inerting systems.

This clear scope positions the “f” type of protection as a dedicated method for controlling ignition risks, not as a universal replacement for other explosion protection techniques.

Conclusion

IEC 60079-42 does not replace existing IEC 60079 standards. Instead, it complements them by introducing a recognized framework for active electronic safety functions.

The new “f” type of protection gives Ex-equipment manufacturers and industrial safety engineers greater design flexibility. It helps achieve the required Equipment Protection Levels, or EPL, where traditional passive methods may be insufficient.

In practical terms, IEC 60079-42 brings explosion protection closer to modern industrial automation. It supports safer, smarter, and more adaptable equipment for hazardous areas and represents a logical step toward a new generation of intelligent and reliable explosion protection systems.

www.danem-test.com

The level of demand is high for Hart’s Typhoon roller shutter doors brand, where it is being used in exposed areas as diverse as on the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. In Hong Kong, the Typhoon is on Data Centre high rise buildings and the airport.

With a high - performance specification, Hart designed and tested, verified by third party, a roller shutter at much higher levels of wind resistance than the classic maximum BSEN12424:2000 class 5.

We tested an 8M wide door to 5000 pascals and therefor claim 4000 pascals plus 25% safety factor. For comparison class 5 requires 1250 pascals which includes 25% safety factor says Nick Hart, Hart’s M.D.

Using wind speed is only an indicator, says Mr Hart, and does not reliably indicate what will happen in the real world. The force transmitted at a given wind velocity is not a reliable measure of the resultant pressure upon a door and of how it will affect the door as the density of air varies, the topography, height above sea level and adjacent structures can all hugely vary the force applied to a given door.

Additional benefits can be using stainless steel in saline conditions and the door can have security rating up to SR3, at the moment.

Mr Hart adds: “Areas where the Typhoon is the perfect solution includes restriction access, assisting with insurance compliance and in general reducing crime risk. With over 75 years of experience in industrial roller shutter doors, we have used our extensive engineering knowledge to design the Typhoon storm shutter. In summary the Typhoon is strong and long-lasting.

Hart Door Systems high-performance Typhoon storm shutters, designed and manufactured in the UK, are a wind-resistant, robust, electrically-operated roller shutter. This industrial roller shutter is perfect for high security in areas exposed to extreme winds from tropical storms such as Hurricanes, Typhoons and Cyclones.

This high security storm shutter is designed to comply with the current British and EEC safety regulations. Optional specification levels can be varied to meet any special operational requirements.

www hart doors.com

The Tab-IND series complements the Pepperl+Fuchs enterprise mobility portfolio with rugged industrial tablet solutions for intralogistics, the manufacturing and automotive industries, and field applications.

Pepperl+Fuchs, specialist for enterprise mobility solutions for industrial hazardous and non-hazardous areas, is introducing its new Tab-IND series of tablets with 8 and 10-inch displays for industrial use, leveraging its expertise in hazardous areas requirements. The rugged devices are protected against dust and spray water according to IP65.

The Tab-IND series is designed for applications in industrial environments where mobile devices are subjected to harsh conditions and where a long service life and flexible customization options are required – such as in intralogistics, manufacturing, or the automotive industry. The Tab-IND’s extensive range of accessories and available interfaces allow the tablet to be customized for specific application needs.

The tablets ship with Windows 11 or Android 15 (10-inch model only), but are also available with a ThinClient. Bright displays with up to 700 cd/m², stylus and glove support, and an operating temperature range of -20 °C to +50 °C enable use in harsh industrial and outdoor environments. All variants feature a 13-megapixel main camera. The Windows models are additionally equipped with a 13-megapixel front camera, while the Android version features a 5-megapixel front camera.

Connectivity is ensured by the latest mobile and communication standards such as Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 BLE, 5G, or LTE. A front-facing NFC module supports, among other things, access and identity controls for restricted areas. In addition, Push-to-Talk over Cellular enables fast and easy voice communication for groups over cellular networks, while a freely programmable button and a fingerprint sensor ensure flexible use and secure authentication.

With a quad-core processor, up to 16 GB of RAM, and up to 256 GB of internal storage, the tablets are ideally equipped for modern augmented reality and extended reality applications. The removable battery with a capacity of 37.2 Wh provides up to 14 hours of runtime. Weighing just over 500 grams (8-inch) or just over 800 grams (10-inch), the tablets are also slim and lightweight.

SmartBacks expand the range of functions

To expand the Tab-IND series, Pepperl+Fuchs offers various SmartBacks. These are attached to the back of the tablets and expand the range of functions depending on the application. Additional batteries to extend runtime or special mounts can also be added as SmartBacks to the back of the device. Custom extensions based on SmartBack technology are also possible, such as for communication interfaces like Industrial Ethernet or IO-Link.

Among other things, a scanner frame is available for barcode scanning, for tracking shipments, or for picking materials or goods to support efficient intra- and transport logistics processes.

Additional accessory solutions are available, such as vehicle mounts, anti-theft devices, rugged frames for increased durability, charging stations with multiple charging bays, or a mount/single bay. The devices are charged via durable contacts on the underside, which are particularly long-lasting. An IO dock for use with external devices and displays is also available, making the tablet an alternative to a stationary office PC.

Kiosk terminals for industrial environments

As additional variants, Pepperl+Fuchs offers two kiosk terminals in 15-inch and 22-inch display sizes. They are suitable, for example, for access control, as information displays, or for digital workflow interactions. Both sizes are equipped with Android 15, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of internal storage, and a front-facing NFC module. The 22-inch terminal features a 13-megapixel front camera, while an optional 5-megapixel front camera is available for the 15-inch terminal.

European development and local expertise

The new devices complement the existing ultra-ruggedized portfolio of tablets from the Tab-Ex® series and smartphones from the Smart-Ex® series for hazardous areas. Development and design incorporated Pepperl+Fuchs’ expertise as a global market leader and trusted advisor for the most demanding solutions and applications in hazardous areas, leveraging global supply chains.

Pepperl+Fuchs places special emphasis on European development and design to address the specific challenges faced by industrial companies. This means that companies can not only choose between different display sizes but also expect long-term device availability (at least five years) and software updates.

True to the motto “Global but Local,” Pepperl+Fuchs, as a family-owned German company, offers its customers comprehensive service through its local branches in the respective local language. Especially for companies that use tablets in both hazardous areas and simply harsh environments, it is advantageous to be able to source all devices from a single provider.

A strong partner for every task

With Pepperl+Fuchs, customers benefit from a comprehensive portfolio and years of experience, not just in hazardous areas. Mobile devices, HMI solutions, and a wide range of process-oriented devices and sensors come together perfectly to form a broad offering for any automation and digitalization requirements. Mobile workers can integrate additional solution packages from a single source, such as Pepperl+Fuchs data collection, measurement, and monitoring devices, headsets, or Auto-ID.

https://www.pepperl-fuchs.com/

Hutchinson Transport has secured an additional UK distribution contract with Univar Solutions after its performance on an existing agreement gave the chemical distributor confidence to place further work with the family-owned operator.

The new contract will see Hutchinson transport solvents from Univar’s Cadishead facility to customers across the UK.

It builds on an established relationship under which Hutchinson already provides nationwide distribution for a range of Univar speciality chemical products.

The additional award expands Hutchinson’s role with Univar into UK solvent distribution and provides further evidence of its ability to support chemical manufacturers and distributors that require responsive planning, consistent communication and firm operational control.

Mark Woodworth, Transport Director at Univar Solutions, said:

“Hutchinson has consistently delivered the level of service we need from a specialist transport partner.

“The team is responsive, keeps us informed and takes ownership when requirements change or challenges arise. That gives us confidence that issues will be dealt with quickly and with minimal disruption to our customers.

“Its performance under the existing contract was a key factor in our decision to award this additional work, and we look forward to continuing to develop the relationship.”

Rhys Hutchinson, Managing Director of Hutchinson Transport, said:

“There is no stronger endorsement than a customer seeing how you perform and then trusting you with more of its business.

“Our relationship with Univar has been built through the day-to-day service delivered by our drivers, planners and operational team. We keep customers informed, respond quickly and take responsibility for the transport work entrusted to us.

“Nathan and I remain closely involved in the business, which means customers can get decisions quickly and know that the commitments made to them are backed directly by the owners of the business.”

Hutchinson Transport | Bulk Transport & Commercial Vehicle Workshops

British Safety Council is today (Thursday) calling on the UK Government to go further in protecting workers from the risks associated with high-concentration silica containing materials and, within five years, introduce a ban on high-silica products from entering or leaving the UK. 

This call comes as new research British Safety Council has conducted with more than 2000 workers reveals that nearly two-thirds are concerned about the risks which cutting stone containing silica poses to health. 

Ahead of the launch of its new Hidden Hazards campaign, British Safety Council asked 2104 workers across a range of sectors how concerned they were about a number of risks. 62% were concerned or very concerned about the risks posed by silica dust. At the same time, 16% reported having little to no knowledge about silica-related harms. 

Exposure to respirable crystalline silica (RCS) dust, released when workers cut materials like stone, concrete, brick, and engineered stone, leads to severe, irreversible respiratory diseases, including silicosis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), as well as an increased risk of lung cancer. International evidence shows that, while exposure can be reduced through regulation, control and mitigation measures, these do not eliminate the risk. 

British Safety Council is, therefore, calling on the UK Government to follow in the footsteps of Australia and ban high-silica containing stone products, with a phased transition to an outright ban within five years to allow UK industry and consumers to adapt. 

During this time, the health and safety charity wants the Government to strengthen the current regulations by banning dry cutting, introducing mandatory competent-person sign-off for high-risk work, and tightening controls until high-silica engineered stone is no longer used within or exported from the UK.  

British Safety Council is also seeking to increase public awareness through its Hidden Hazards campaign, focusing on silica dust and other invisible risks that affect millions of workers, and push Government and others to prevent harm before it occurs. 

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said: “That beautiful quartz worktop in your kitchen may be costing more than you think. We want people to stop and think; is it worth killing the person who made it? Every cut, every drill, every grind releases dust so small you cannot see it. But once it reaches the lungs, the damage is permanent. These are not accidents, these are preventable deaths, so how many lives is a new kitchen worktop worth? 

“Each year in the UK, around 500 workers die because of exposure to respirable crystalline silica. Workplace exposures are also linked to around 4,000 COPD deaths annually[1], with construction workers among the groups at risk. That is why we want to see high-silica containing products banned from coming into or leaving the UK within five years, with ever tighter regulations over that period. Stopping silicosis should be simple, provided the political and public will to save lives is there.” 

British Safety Council says it does not believe that current HSE guidance goes far enough to keep the workers of today and tomorrow safe from a known risk. It would like to see the Government working with unions, consumers, retailers and industry to encourage behaviour change and phase out the use of products with high silica content, while establishing reliable alternatives and supply chains.

For more information on British Safety Council’s policy calls on silica dust as well as more on the new Hidden Hazards campaign, and how to support it, visit:  https://www.britsafe.org/impact-and-influence/hidden-hazards-campaign/silicosis

Newcastle-based Hart Doors reports strong demand for its high-performance industrial doors ranging from its of high-speed Speedor doors to its Typhoon range of high-performance shutters. “Demand is across the board and as a result we have had to increase working shifts. All our brands are attracting significant interest which has prompted us to take positive action,” says Hart’s managing director Nick Hart.

“We are a global business with a strong base of clients spread across the UK. By increasing shifts we have been able to continue to accommodate demand-driven growth. Further As Britain’s original manufacturer of the automatic high speed door “Speedor” , we have always led the way with developments in commercial door technology.

“We offer a comprehensive range of high speed roller shutter doors to suit a wide range of commercial applications, whether light internal use or heavy industrial use.

The Speedor high speed door is robustly engineered for frequent use in high-traffic situations. Our tried and tested vertical high speed doors can be used internally or externally to optimise traffic flow, improve working conditions and save energy.

Mr Hart adds: “Despite the recent holiday period demand for Speedor high speed doors, Typhoon and high level security doors was high. Such is the level of demand we have now started a two working shift pattern to keep up with client orders.

“Current examples of work include the production of six roller shutters to act as machine guards for a client to protect openings of between 3 and 7 meters in width. In addition, we are at the final stages of handing over a High security roller “SR4 security door” being installed in a bank in Kuwait.”

Only recently Hart introduced a demonstration vehicle to accommodate the growing need for installations across the UK. “All in all we are seeing growth on all fronts and have a great team at our Newcastle headquarters,” says Mr Hart.

“We continue to emphasize that we are a specialist engineering company that specialises in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of door systems relevant to the challenges of everyday business. We resolve many issues within the built environmental and safety and security issues arising in many global sectors.

“Hart’s products are in daily use across over 30 countries world-wide in sectors such as aviation, energy from waste, infrastructure, food and beverage production as well as a host of manufacturing processes.

Of Hart’s many brands, it’s the internationally recognised Speedor range of high-speed doors that has become so successful in establishing Hart’s outstanding reputation. After all, a typical Speedor has on average a life expectancy with existing doors at 30 years plus and 1000,000 operational cycles in normal conditions. This attests to the quality of Hart’s engineering.

www. hartdoors.com

Pressure Measurement for a Changing Energy Landscape

Hydrogen is changing the way we think about energy. Pressure measurement is changing with it.

As hydrogen technologies continue to develop, engineers are working across an increasingly diverse range of applications, from production and storage to refuelling, transportation and high-pressure testing.

Each application brings its own pressure measurement challenges.

That is where ESI Technology comes in.

Built for the demands of hydrogen

Hydrogen presents particular challenges for pressure measurement. Material compatibility, long-term stability and reliable performance all need to be considered when selecting the right sensor.

ESI’s hydrogen-compatible pressure range has been developed with these demands in mind.

Our transmitters use specialist titanium alloy sensing elements and Silicon-on-Sapphire technology, combining hydrogen compatibility with excellent long-term stability, accuracy and resistance to demanding operating conditions. The range has undergone hydrogen compatibility testing in accordance with ISO 11114-2:2017 and offers pressure measurement from vacuum through to 5,000 bar, depending on the model.

One range. A world of hydrogen applications.

There is no single pressure measurement solution for the hydrogen industry.

That is why the ESI range includes solutions for different pressure levels, environments and measurement requirements.

GS4200H

A versatile general-purpose transmitter for applications including hydrogen production, storage and marine propulsion, with optional ATEX/IECEx and DNV GL approval.

HI2000H

A high-precision solution offering accuracy of up to ±0.1% of span, ideal for demanding hydrogen, laboratory and test applications.

HI6200H

A compact hydrogen-compatible transmitter designed where space is limited without compromising pressure measurement performance.

HP1000H

A high-pressure solution capable of measuring pressures up to 5,000 bar, with options including ATEX/IECEx and DNV GL approval.

GD4200HUSB

A digital hydrogen pressure transmitter that brings measurement, recording and analysis together, with the ability to monitor up to 16 pressure inputs using ESI-USB© software.

Ready for what comes next

Hydrogen technology will continue to evolve, and pressure measurement needs to evolve alongside it.

At ESI, we combine decades of pressure measurement experience with specialist sensor technology to develop solutions for today's hydrogen applications and the challenges still to come.

And when an off-the-shelf transmitter isn't quite right for the job, our engineering team can work with you to develop a custom pressure measurement solution around your application.

EXPLORE ESI'S HYDROGEN RANGE

Contact the sales team for a quote This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +44(0)1978 262255

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