Feature Articles

Most people instinctively fling open a window to improve indoor air quality. That will reduce toxin levels for a while say experts, but close them tightly again to avoid pollution from roads, railways and industrial sites. Keeping the indoor atmosphere safe is now complex. Jon Herbert reports.

The Environment Agency’s chief executive has recently (April 2022) called for a ban on exports of waste plastic from the UK. This follows in the wake of scandals where packaging from UK brands has been found illegally dumped by the roadside in Turkey, sometimes after being burned. Caroline Hand investigates.

At a time when energy is at a premium both price-wise and supply-wise, well-run district heating networks that use spare heat from a surprisingly wide range of sources which otherwise will probably be wasted can provide important solutions. Jon Herbert reports.

High levels of air pollution in the UK, which are a major cause of illness and early death and cost the NHS and society an estimated £20 billion each year, are being addressed by designating areas of city centres as Clean Air Zones (CAZs) or Low Emission Zones (LEZs). These aim to restrict the movement of older and higher polluting vehicles to improve air quality but, in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and other global and financial instabilities, many councils are struggling to make the case for their implementation. Here we look at the different CAZs and where some are being delayed.

Gordon Tranter summarises what employers and employees should know about the potential hazards of working outdoors during hot weather and how to manage them.

Complaints about hot, stuffy offices are a common feature of UK summers. As the frequency of summer heatwaves increases, employers need to consider the effect of the heat on employees and take the steps necessary to protect their health and welfare. Gordon Tranter looks at the issues of a maximum office temperature, the risks of working in hot conditions indoors and the actions that should be taken to prevent heat stress.

What are green skills, and why do we need them? Laura King looks at the case for change, and how to start developing these skills in the workforce.

Low-carbon hydrogen will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and meeting net zero targets by the end of this decade, the Government claims. But producing hydrogen as a source of heat and power at scale comes with its own unique challenges, as John Barwise explains.

In this article on the transport of dangerous goods by road, Caroline Raine discusses exemptions that may be used to reduce the requirements when transporting dangerous goods. Caroline will highlight the small load exemptions, limited quantities and special provisions.

Caroline Raine discusses the future of diisocyanates and the need for training before the use of diisocyanates in the workplace.