News

Make UK is warning manufacturers that they risk facing substantial fines and even potential shutdowns through a failure to address key workplace health issues.

The warning comes as the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is now focusing far more pro-actively on workplace health as part of routine inspections. This is in response to a new ten year strategy to reduce workplace ill-health which has escalated significantly in recent years.

According to the latest HSE data published last month, 1.9 million workers were suffering work-related ill-health in 2024/25, an increase of 200,000 from the same point last year. Almost all this increase was down to stress, depression & anxiety which increased from 776,000 to 964,000 cases.

The increase in workplace health related issues amounts to over 30 million working days lost, costing the UK approximately £14bn bn a year. Figures also show that in 2024 HSE completed 246 criminal prosecutions with a total fine value of £33 million, of which half was related to workplace health.

The new HSE strategy focuses on six key areas: manual handling; display screen equipment, COSHH, noise, mental health & stress. As a result, all HSE inspections are now focusing as much on health as on safety with inspectors routinely asking businesses what hazards they are addressing, what controls companies have in place and what processes are in place to ensure these controls are working.

According to Make UK, unlike safety where the risks are more obvious and immediate and therefore easier to address, understanding the impacts on health is typically less obvious, harder to assess and, most importantly, can show itself years’ later meaning that employers can be at risk of prosecution in the future.

Make UK is committed to improving health outcomes in UK workplaces & continues to support it’s members by offering expert advice, exemplar templates and even state of the art software solutions aimed at tackling this issue. Help for employers can be accessed via the link below.

healthy workplaces | Make UK

Commenting, Chris Newson, Director of Environment, Health & Safety at Make UK, said:

“This is a welcome move from HSE to place workplace health on the same footing as safety in terms of importance given the alarming increase in workplace health issues. Manufacturers need to be aware of this dramatic new focus on enforcement by HSE and ensure they are addressing health as part of their routine controls for safety in the workplace. This will come up more and more when inspections take place and companies need to ensure they have sufficient processes in place to maintain workplace health and controls to ensure these processes are working. Failure to do this will leave them at risk of potential prosecution and, in extreme circumstances, shutdowns until the issue is resolved.”

EEMUA has expanded its e-learning portfolio with the release of a new course on refrigerated liquefied gas (RLG) storage tanks.

The ‘Refrigerated Liquefied Gas Storage Tanks’ e-learning will benefit anyone involved in the design, operation or management of RLG storage facilities. There has been a dramatic expansion in RLG tank capacity worldwide over the past decade with the trend expected to continue over the next twenty years.

The 60-minute awareness-level course provides a concise introduction to the key engineering principles for the safe design, construction, operation, and maintenance of RLG storage tanks as set out in EEMUA Publication 147, Recommendations for refrigerated liquefied gas storage tanks.

The e-learning covers single, double and full containment storage tanks as well as membrane tanks for liquids down to -165°C, and essentially at atmospheric pressure. It applies to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), ethylene, ethane, liquefied natural gas (LNG) and similar hydrocarbons, together with ammonia. The course is aimed primarily at engineers, technicians and managers responsible for RLG tanks, including design engineers, maintenance and inspection personnel, operations and project managers, and process safety professionals.

Individuals can access the e-learning through the EEMUA website and on completion take the online test to achieve awareness-level certification.

A large offshore oil and gas company has been sentenced and fined £560,000 after failing to properly maintain pipework for seven years.

Pipework on Shell UK’s Brent Charlie platform in the North Sea deteriorated to such an extent that contained hydrocarbon fluids escaped, forming a potentially catastrophic explosive and flammable mixture that could have ignited.

In addition to the release, ventilation fans designed to prevent, control or mitigate the effects of escaped hydrocarbon gas did not function properly as they were also not suitably maintained. This led to a large release of mixed phase crude oil and gas from the corroded pipework.

Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday 25 November 2025 how, on 19 May 2017, there was an uncontrolled hydrocarbon release incident from a Return Oil Line (ROL) pipework inside concrete leg Column 4 of the Brent Charlie offshore installation. The release involved 200kg of gas and 1,550kg of crude oil – the largest uncontrolled hydrocarbon release on the UK Continental Shelf reported to HSE in 2017.

The release placed over 170 platform personnel at risk from a potentially catastrophic fire and explosion had the escaping hydrocarbon gas ignited inside the concrete leg.

An HSE investigation found that deficiencies in Shell’s safety management system led to the release. The ROL pipework in Column 4 was not properly maintained for several years. The pipework was installed for short-term use and was due to be removed in 2010 but remained in place for seven years, during which time it suffered corrosion damage. It failed on 19 May 2017 and a large volume of gas was uncontrollably released into the leg. Ventilation extract and supply fans designed to prevent and mitigate this major accident hazard were also inadequately maintained, which exacerbated the risk to the 176 people on the platform.

HSE were involved in the production of the Energy Institute’s Guidance for corrosion management in oil and gas production and processing, as well as several other topic-specific documents. Extensive guidance and resources for the oil and gas industry are available on HSE’s website here Offshore oil and gas – HSE.

Spool with the corrosion failure identified.

Shell UK Limited pleaded guilty to two charges under the Offshore Installations (Prevention of Fire and Explosion, and Emergency Response) Regulations 1995 (PFEER). Sheriff Ian Duguid, in his sentencing remarks, observed that Shell UK “ought to have recognised that the temporary carbon steel spool was not suitable for such a line and should have been replaced.” After considering mitigating factors, Shell was fined £560,000.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Offshore Health and Safety Inspector Dozie Azubike said: “At more than 1,750kg, Shell Brent Charlie’s hydrocarbon release was the largest reported to HSE in 2017. This release occurred in a confined space with limited access – it is simply fortunate that no one was in the leg at the time, or they could have been asphyxiated from the hydrocarbon-rich atmosphere, quite apart from any fire and explosion risk.

“Although the offshore industry has managed to reduce its overall number of hydrocarbon releases, in most years there are still several which, if ignited, would result in potentially catastrophic consequences.

“This case highlights the importance of oil and gas dutyholders reviewing their current management of change processes for temporary spools and their subsequent removal, strengthening inspection regimes to identify potential internal corrosion within pipework, and ensuring that inspection frequency of safety-critical equipment considers full analysis of the equipment’s maintenance history.”

One of the world’s first EV fire blankets to be independently tested, passed and certified to the new regulated standard.

Fire Cloak™ has officially achieved certification to DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11, the world’s first regulated testing framework created specifically for EV fire limitation blankets. This confirms Fire Cloak™ as one of the first products globally to complete the full programme of testing and be certified to the new standard.

Published in November 2024, DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 introduces a rigorous, evidence-led method for assessing the construction, performance and reliability of EV fire blankets. Developed by fire-safety professionals, emergency services, vehicle manufacturers and industry specialists, the specification brings clarity and control to a previously unregulated market.


A New Benchmark for EV Fire Safety

Certification to DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 provides fire services, first responders, insurers and safety professionals with trusted, independent assurance. The specification requires proven performance across a wide set of criteria, including:

• Loop strap design and ignitability, including FMVSS 302 testing
• Clear positioning markers for accurate deployment in low-visibility conditions
• Thermal resistance, assessed through EN ISO 13501-1 and a dedicated DIN furnace test replicating 700–1,000°C thermal runaway scenarios
• Mechanical strength, cut resistance and load testing
• Material integrity, including PFAS-free manufacture and resistance to oils, greases, extinguishing agents and battery acids
• Deployment performance, with a required maximum 30-second deployment by two people on both wet and dry vehicles
• Storage and durability, including IP65-rated container testing
• Full marking, traceability and usage instructions

The certification also demands comprehensive evidence: photographic documentation, video capture of every stage, and independent expert thermal-resistance opinions.


Long-Standing Commitment to Rigorous Testing

Fire Cloak™’s approach to fire containment is rooted in transparency, testing and engineering integrity. Long before DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 existed, Fire Cloak™ blankets had already undergone extensive independent fire-resistance testing relevant to lithium battery and vehicle-fire conditions, including:

• BS 476 Parts 6 & 7 – Class 0
• ASTM D6413 Vertical Flame Resistance – PASSED
• FMVSS 302 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard – PASSED
• NFPA 701 Flame Retardancy – PASSED
• BS 476 Part 22 Indicative Furnace Test – Resisted 1,000°C for 90 minutes
• EN ISO 13501-1:2018 – A2, s1, d0

Fire Cloak™ blankets are engineered to withstand temperatures of up to 1,600°C, matching the extreme thermal conditions seen in lithium battery thermal runaway events.


Industry Commentary

“We welcome the introduction of DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 because it raises the bar for everyone. EV environments demand equipment that’s proven, not promised, and this certification confirms the level of reliability and consistency we build into every Fire Cloak. It’s another step in our commitment to transparent testing and ensuring fire professionals can trust the tools they’re working with.”
— Mark Tamblyn, Fire Cloak™


Supporting Safer EV Environments

As EV adoption accelerates, effective fire-mitigation solutions are essential across car parks, workshops, recovery operations, charging hubs, transport fleets and industrial environments. DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 brings long-awaited regulation to the sector and gives organisations clear confidence in the tools they rely on.
Fire Cloak™ will continue working alongside regulators, industry bodies and fire-safety experts to advance research, improve standards and strengthen safety across all EV environments.


Product Availability

The Fire Cloak™ EV Fire Limitation Blanket is available in three standard sizes designed for lithium batteries, passenger vehicles and larger commercial vehicles. A made-to-measure service is also available for specialist applications.
Product information:

• Fire Cloak™ main website – firecloak.co.uk
• EV Fire Blankets – firecloak.co.uk/ev-fire-blankets

DIN SPEC 91489:2024-11 certification files for both blanket sizes are available to download directly from the website.

Commenting on the Budget statement today (Wednesday) by the Chancellor, Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said:

"Today’s Budget was framed by the Chancellor as supporting people with the cost of living. However, while some of its measures will be welcome relief to those most in need, there was little to support employers or their staff navigate the significant and rapid social, political, economic and technological changes they face.

“British Safety Council called for wellbeing to be put at the heart of this budget, given the boost to productivity, profitability and growth that it would deliver. Our call for a National Wellbeing Strategy, led by a new Minister for Wellbeing, was first made in 2024 as part of our Health, Safety and Wellbeing Manifesto. We renewed that call ahead of this budget in a letter to the Chancellor, recognising that central government is best placed to pull the right policy levers, at the right time, to embed wellbeing as part of our working and cultural lives.

“If the health of the workforce is reflective of the health of the nation and the economy, this week’s figures revealing record levels of stress, anxiety and depression at work show that more needs to be done. New Neighbourhood Health Centres, and a focus on young people’s health and work, are both welcome steps. But regulators overseeing and enforcing safety, health and wellbeing – in work and building safety – must be properly resourced, and we need a more joined-up approach across Government."

www.britsafe.org

When Axians GA Netztechnik GmbH set out to optimise its M30 tower design, it needed a system that reduced wind load and made maintenance faster and safer - without compromise.
That’s where MSA - The Safety Company came in.

MSA’s solution helped to eliminate the need for a fixed ladder while enabling flexible, secure access for antenna maintenance - even in challenging weather. The result? A system that’s lighter, adaptable, and delivers exceptional build quality from every angle.

“The advantage of the MSA Lifeline System is that it can be installed without additional wind loads, and the antennas can be maintained.”
Watch how MSA’s innovation is helping telecom engineers maintain efficiency and precision, even at height.

ExVeritas has expanded its internationally recognised accreditation portfolio with several significant achievements:
UKAS-accredited ISO 14001 Environmental Management System certification, full recognition as an IECEE CB Testing Laboratory (CBTL) and National Certification Body (NCB), and now, approval to operate within the IECEx Conformity Mark Licensing Scheme.

Already well established as a leading provider of ATEX, IECEx and UKCA certification, these new approvals further enhance ExVeritas’ position as a global compliance partner for manufacturers operating in hazardous environments and safety-critical industries.

Anoop Chandrahasan, Operations Manager at ExVeritas, said:
“Securing ISO 14001, IECEE CBTL/NCB status, and now the IECEx Conformity Mark capability reflects our commitment to rigorous technical governance and continuous improvement. These accreditations strengthen the support we offer manufacturers—helping them navigate complex international requirements with confidence and efficiency.”

UKAS-Accredited ISO 14001 Certification

The addition of ISO 14001 extends ExVeritas’ management systems certification portfolio, which already includes ISO 9001, ATEX QAN, UKCA QAN, IECEx QAR and IECEx FAR assessments.
ISO 14001 enables organisations to demonstrate effective environmental management, ensure legal compliance and embed sustainable practices across their operations.

As ExVeritas auditors are already skilled across ATEX, IECEx, and ISO pathways, customers can combine ISO 14001 with ISO 9001, QAN/QAR audits, or other assessments, reducing audit burden and improving system cohesion.

IECEE CBTL and NCB Recognition

Becoming an IECEE CB Testing Laboratory allows ExVeritas to test products to a wide range of IEC standards under the international CB Scheme. As a recognised National Certification Body (NCB), ExVeritas is authorised to both test and certify products in accordance with standards such as IEC 61010-1 and IEC 62368-1. This provides manufacturers with a streamlined route to market, with CB test reports and certificates accepted by certification bodies globally.

These expanded testing and certification capabilities complement ExVeritas’ established services, including ATEX and IECEx testing, CE/UKCA marking support, North American certification pathways, and accredited hazardous area training.

IECEx Conformity Mark Licensing Scheme

ExVeritas has also completed the IECEx assessment process to operate within the IECEx Conformity Mark Licensing Scheme, enabling the issuance of the IECEx Conformity Mark to manufacturers for use on their equipment, packaging, and promotional material.

ExVeritas is now one of only 13 organisations worldwide authorised to approve use of this globally recognised mark.

“The use of marks on equipment, packaging, and other material to demonstrate conformity is widespread. The IECEx conformity mark is a single global mark that is intended to negate the need for multiple, individual marks being used. The growing industry support and use of the IECEx System has fuelled the demand for an international mark in this field.”
— IECEx 04A, Guidance for Making Application for and Use of the IECEx Conformity Mark

Use of the IECEx mark not only demonstrates compliance with internationally accepted safety standards but also provides a visible assurance of quality and reliability—boosting both market visibility and end-user confidence.

Building on a Strong Technical Foundation

ExVeritas’ team comprises senior technical specialists with extensive experience in explosive atmospheres, electrical safety, and international certification. This depth of expertise helps manufacturers meet the evolving demands of global compliance, especially in high-risk sectors such as industrial, process, and energy.

As regulations and market expectations continue to evolve, these recent additions to ExVeritas’ capabilities—ISO 14001, IECEE CBTL/NCB recognition, and IECEx Conformity Mark licensing—offer manufacturers expanded options for integrated certification strategies and more efficient routes to global market access.

For further information, please visit:
www.exveritas.com

In April 2025, an explosion at a recycling plant in Kilwinning, Scotland, forced the evacuation of nearby homes. Investigators believe leaking batteries were the likely cause, raising serious concerns about thermal runaway and inadequate fire suppression in energy storage facilities (FIA UK).

Just weeks later, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) published formal guidance on evaluating explosion and toxic risks from battery energy storage systems, particularly those using lithium-ion chemistries. The goal: to help assess risks when batteries are deployed at scale near industrial or public areas (Energy Storage NL).

These incidents underscore a growing reality: batteries—so central to Europe’s energy transition—are now being used in environments where explosion risk is not hypothetical. From hydrogen facilities to Zone 2 analysers and skid-mounted UPS systems in chemical plants, batteries are everywhere. And with them comes the pressing need for manufacturers to align ATEX (Directive 2014/34/EU) and the new EU Battery Regulation (2023/1542).

Historically, these frameworks served different ends:

• ATEX/IEC 60079 focuses on equipment safety in explosive atmospheres
• The Battery Regulation governs batteries’ market access, safety, environmental impact, and lifecycle management

But today, they are deeply connected in practice. Most batteries used in hazardous areas are already assessed against technical standards such as IEC 62133-2 (portable lithium-ion), IEC 62619 (industrial lithium-ion), or IEC 62485-2 (stationary lead-acid). These standards offer data on venting, thermal rise, short-circuit response, and gassing—all critical inputs not only for ATEX compliance but also for Battery Regulation documentation.

IEC 60079 does not duplicate battery testing, but it does assess how batteries behave in explosive atmospheres. This includes operating limits, connection methods, and thermal behaviour under fault conditions. These same parameters can inform CE marking, safety reporting, and recyclability assessments under the Battery Regulation.

For example:

• Hydrogen evolution measured during Ex testing of a lead-acid system can inform environmental and ventilation safety under the Battery Regulation
• High thermal rise during short-circuit testing may trigger additional safety verification under both regulatory frameworks

With EU rules on battery labelling, recyclability, and carbon footprint now in force, and due diligence requirements now formally postponed, regulatory alignment is no longer optional; it’s essential.

For manufacturers and integrators, the message is clear: treating ATEX and Battery Regulation as separate silos risks costly delays, compliance gaps, or worse—safety failures. The energy transition demands batteries that are not just greener, but demonstrably safer.

Understanding the interplay now is a safeguard against future risk—and a smart step toward market readiness.

ExVeritas and NMi Certin are part of the NMi Group, offering complementary, accredited expertise. ExVeritas is an ATEX Notified Body and IECEx Certification Body, while NMi Certin is a European Notified Body, UK Approved

Body, and OIML Issuing Authority for battery testing and conformity assessment.
www.exveritas.com | www.nmi.nl

  The author of this article is Reza Bagherylooieh

The ATEX Directive (2014/34/EU) and the UK’s equivalent regulations remain central to ensuring equipment used in explosive atmospheres is safe and compliant. Over the past year, several important updates have been introduced that manufacturers, maintenance teams and hazardous-area operators should be aware of—especially as new standards come into force and the UK continues to refine its post-Brexit framework.

New ATEX Standard Introduced for 2025

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of EN 17348:2022, a new standard covering:

• Hand-held, portable and transportable vacuum cleaners

• Vacuum systems used for combustible or non-combustible dusts

• Equipment intended for flammable and non-flammable liquids in explosive atmospheres

This standard becomes fully effective from January 2025, and manufacturers must ensure their equipment aligns with the updated requirements. For end users, this means checking whether new or replacement vacuum systems carry compliance to EN 17348.

UK Designated Standards List Updated

Although the UK no longer follows EU law, it maintains its own list of “designated standards” for explosion-protected equipment under the Equipment and Protective Systems Intended for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2016.

The list was most recently updated on 18 November 2025, with revisions to harmonised EN and IEC standards. Manufacturers selling into the UK market should review these changes immediately to ensure Declarations of Conformity reflect the latest designated standards.

CE/ATEX vs UKEX: What Companies Need to Know

Post-Brexit, CE and ATEX marking continue to be accepted in the UK under transitional arrangements. However:

• New equipment placed on the UK market may increasingly require UKCA/UKEX marking and updated technical files.

• Organisations should confirm with suppliers whether equipment meets the correct conformity route for their region.

For EU exports, traditional ATEX certification remains mandatory.

Impact on Hazardous Industry Operations

These regulatory shifts have practical implications for maintenance, reliability and safety teams working in hazardous areas across industries such as oil & gas, chemical, pharmaceutical and food manufacturing (dust explosion environments). Key actions include:

• Verifying that all new or replacement Ex-rated equipment complies with the latest standard updates.

• Requesting updated Declarations of Conformity and certification from suppliers.

• Ensuring procurement teams understand whether CE/ATEX, UKEX or both are required.

Opportunities for Manufacturers

With new standards now in effect and regulatory clarity improving, there is strong demand for:

• New product launches with updated ATEX or UKEX certification

• Case studies showing real-world performance in hazardous zones

• Innovative Ex-rated technologies supporting predictive maintenance, safety improvements and digitalisation

HES welcomes relevant product releases and technical articles for publication.