HSE annual plan explained: Health, dust & inspections breakdown

The HSE has released its annual business plan - and if you run a business in the UK, there are things in it you need to act on now. In this episode of MLR Safety Talks, we break down the HSE's business plan: what it means for your business, which sectors are in the spotlight, and what practical steps you can take before an inspector comes knocking. We cover the HSE's ten-year strategic goals, why this year's plan marks a clear shift from safety to health - including mental health, stress, noise, dust, and musculoskeletal disorders - and what that looks like in practice. We also dig into the big construction focus: 5,000 of the planned 14,000 inspections will be in construction, with a particularly firm new stance on silica dust and water suppression when cutting stone. We talk through how risk assessments are actually evaluated by inspectors - not just whether the paperwork looks right, but whether it's implemented, evidenced, and reflected in what's actually happening on site. Plus, we look at the HSE's more supportive approach this year, and why proactive businesses are far better placed if enforcement action does come their way. We round off with a look back at where health and safety focus was ten years ago, where it is now, and what the next ten years might look like - including the growing role of AI in safety management systems. Whether you're in construction, manufacturing, or running an office-based team, there's something in this episode that applies to you. 🔗 Learn more: https://www.citation.co.uk 📞 Speak to an expert: https://bit.ly/4dW1h7v 💼 Follow us on LinkedIn:   / citation-ltd   If you found this useful, subscribe for more practical health and safety guidance every week. 0:00 - Introduction & welcome 1:05 - Temperature at work - is there a legal maximum? 2:55 - Practical measures for managing heat on site 5:00 - HSE business plan overview - what is it? 7:15 - Key health focus areas: dust, noise, stress & MSDs 8:30 - Inspection plans: 14,000 inspections, 5,000 in construction 9:25 - Asbestos - why it's back in the spotlight 11:05 - How to manage noise risk in your workplace 11:55 - Dust exposure: 11,000 deaths a year and what you must do 13:30 - Workplace stress and the shift to enforcement 14:30 - Musculoskeletal disorders and remote working risks 16:18 - What makes a risk assessment actually work 18:55 - How to evidence compliance to an HSE inspector 20:10 - The HSE's supportive approach - and why it matters 22:00 - Bizarre risk assessments (toasters, air fresheners, cups...) 24:00 - Past, present and future of health and safety focus 25:27 - AI and the future of safety management 26:50 - Wrap-up #HSEBusinessPlan #HSEInspection #HealthAndSafetyUK #SilicaDustConstruction #WorkplaceHealth #NoiseAtWork #StressAtWork #MusculoskeletalDisorders #FeeForIntervention #RiskAssessment