HSE’s noise exposure calculator has been updated to enhance its effectiveness in helping employers assess hearing protection in noisy environments.
The new version features mobile compatibility and more precise calculations for hearing protection.
Key updates include:
- mobile compatibility: now optimised for smartphones, allowing easy access via Microsoft Excel
- enhanced protection calculation: includes the HML (High, Medium, Low) method for improved accuracy
Recent HSE inspections revealed that many employers failed to ensure that workers wearing hearing protection could still hear safety alarms.
The updated calculator helps identify over and under-protection, ensuring safety alarms remain audible where necessary.
Visit our website to access the updated noise exposure calculator.
Workers have the same chance of an accident in the first 6 months at a workplace as during the rest of their working lives.
Anyone new to the workplace will be facing unfamiliar risks from the job they will be doing and from their surroundings.
We have guidance to protect those new to a job, which includes an in-depth guide to these 6 steps to protect new workers:
- capability
- induction
- control measures
- information
- supervision
- check understanding
Our website also has guidance to help users and suppliers of gig economy, agency and temporary workers.
The importance of protecting those new to a job was highlighted in a recent HSE prosecution in which 2 companies were fined after an apprentice fell from height installing CCTV.
HSE issued a safety alert in 2022 about a serious technical fault that could lead to platforms falling from height.
The safety alert outlined the problem and the immediate action required of dutyholders / users of MCWPs.
Subsequent work has led to a full revision on the BSI website of BS 7981:2025 - Mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) – Selection, configuration, installation, maintenance, thorough examination and safe use – Code of practice.
HSE and our publishing partner TSO have launched the Accident and Near-miss Tool.
The Accident and Near-miss Tool is designed to help organisations streamline incident reporting and aid compliance with RIDDOR requirements.
The tool automates the collection of accident and near-miss records, allowing teams to filter by location, type or theme.
It also guides dutyholders through HSE’s investigation framework providing expert advice on investigating incidents and preventing recurrence.
Find out more about the Accident and Near-miss Tool:
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) will pause the processing of new building control applications submitted via the GOV.UK online portal from 19 December to 5 January 2026.
This operational pause on building control applications aligns with general industry trends during this period and is necessary due to the reduced availability of applicants supplying additional information and of BSR’s regulatory partners.
For Building Assessment Certificates, no new directions to apply using the GOV.UK online portal will be sent to the Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) of occupied high-rise buildings during this period.
Work on all applications already in the system before 19 December will continue to be progressed during this period.
Access useful building safety resources when making applications.
Asbestos
Roof work
Work-related violence
Unplanned lifting operations
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