Latest news with #RoSPA
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mirror
'Severe' risks and 'danger' warning as 35C heatwave brings hottest day of year
England could hit a record temperature for June today as Europe swelters in a 42C 'heat dome' - Met Office forecasters say UK temperatures could reach 35C Brits are bracing for the hottest day of the year today as the mercury is tipped to top 35C in places. But those lucky enough to face the warmest weather are being warned to be careful in with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) issuing an amber alert which is in place until 6pm on Tuesday. And the head of extreme events and health protection at UKHSA has urged people to check on those who are more vulnerable and take 'sensible precautions while enjoying the sun'. Holidaymakers in Europe are also being warned to keep cool as the continent swelters in a 42C 'heat dome' with ambulances on standby near tourist hotspots in Spain, Portugal, and France and heat stroke pathways set up in some hospitals in Italy. Back home parts of south-east England could then hit 35C by Tuesday, forecaster Matthew Lenhert said, which would be hotter than Barbados. And Wimbledon is set for its hottest opening day on record, and could even see the highest temperature ever recorded during the tournament. However Londoners are being warned - London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Thomas Goodall said: 'London is already facing its second heatwave of the year and we know that people will be looking forward to getting outside to enjoy the wonderful weather. 'But the high temperatures and low rainfall in recent months means the current risk of wildfires is severe. During this latest heatwave, it is important everyone acts responsibly to prevent fires from occurring. As the weather has been so dry, it only takes a few sparks to lead to a fire spreading rapidly.' An official heatwave is recorded when areas reach a certain temperature for three consecutive days, with thresholds varying from 25C to 28C in different parts of the UK. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) recently warned of the pitfalls of hot weather and is urging the public to take heat and water safety seriously - both at home and abroad. NHS figures reveal that 30 people in the UK died from excessive natural heat between 2013 and 2022, with 2022 marking a record year for heat-related deaths. Between 2013/14 and 2022/3, there were around 2,100 hospital admissions in the UK due to exposure to excessive natural heat. During 2022's heatwave, where temperatures rose past 40C, there were 320 hospitalisations - the highest number in that decade from 2013/4 to 2022/3. Looking at similar data, RoSPA's Safer Lives, Stronger Nation report also highlights a growing risk from extreme heat. Hospital admissions due to over-exposure to natural heat have more than tripled in the past two decades, rising from an average of 72 per year in the early 2000s to 232 annually in recent years. Steve Cole, Policy Director at RoSPA, said: 'Heat is no longer just a holiday perk—it's a growing public health risk. 'We're seeing more frequent and intense heatwaves, both in the UK and globally, and the data shows a clear rise in heat-related illness and fatalities. 'Warm weather can also be deceptive when it comes to going for a dip. While the air may feel hot, water temperatures often remain dangerously cold, which can lead to cold water shock, even in summer.' In mainland Europe, where thousands of Brits are enjoying their summer holidays, an intense heatwave has taken hold with some countries reaching temperatures of above 40C. Authorities there are urging people to seek shelter and protect the most vulnerable as punishing temperatures from Spain to Portugal, Italy and France climbed higher in the summer's first major heatwave. Ambulances were on standby near tourist hotspots and regions issued fire warnings as experts warned that such heatwaves, intensified by climate change, would become more frequent. Peaks of 43C were expected in areas of southern Spain and Portugal, while nearly all of France is sweltering in heat expected to last for several days. In Italy, 21 cities were on high alert for extreme heat, including Milan, Naples, Venice, Florence and Rome. Hospitals like the Ospedale dei Colli in Naples have set up dedicated heat stroke pathways to speed access to vital treatments like cold water immersion. In Venice, authorities offered free guided tours for people over 75's in air-conditioned museums and public buildings. Bologna has set up seven 'climate shelters' with air conditioning and drinking water, Florence has called on doctors to flag up the lonely and vulnerable, Ancona is delivering dehumidifiers to the needy, and Rome has offered free access to city swimming pools for those over 70. In Spain the national weather agency, Aemet, has issued a special warning with sweltering highs of 42C set to hit southern parts of the country in the coming days. And in Portugal, several areas in the southern half of the country, including the capital Lisbon, are under a red warning for heat until this evening due to 'persistently extremely high maximum temperature values', according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA). Two-thirds of Portugal was on high alert Sunday for extreme heat and forest fires, as was the Italian island of Sicily, where firefighters tackled 15 blazes on Saturday. In Britain the amber alert for warm weather stretches across London, the East Midlands, South East, South West and East of England. But elsewhere a yellow heat alert, less serious than amber, has also been issued for Yorkshire and Humber as well as the West Midlands. It denotes 'significant impacts' for the health and social care services. In northern and western areas people may see cloudier skies with showers or thunderstorms, particularly in northern England, the Scottish Borders, and north-east Wales. The hottest ever July 1 on record was in 2015, when the temperature hit 36.7C. The country's current record high for June rests at 35.6C, set in Southampton's Mayflower Park in 1957 and met again at Camden Square in North London in 1976. The TUC is warning that workers who are outside for lengthy periods in high temperatures are at serious risk of sunstroke, heat stress and even skin cancer. Working in hot weather can also lead to dehydration, tiredness, muscle cramps, fainting, and – in the most extreme cases – loss of consciousness. TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: 'Nobody should have to work in unsafe circumstances, but working outside in the intense heat and sunlight of a heatwave is a serious hazard. 'Employers should allow flexible working hours to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and provide regular breaks, plenty of water, sunscreen, and suitable clothing. 'If you're concerned about your working conditions, joining a union is the best way to make sure that your safety is respected by your employer.'
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Alba records 37 million safe working hours without LTI
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world's largest aluminium smelter on one site, has attained another achievement in its Occupational Safety by reaching 37 million safe working hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI) on 27 June 2025. This significant addition to Alba's distinguished safety track record reflects its commitment to fostering a safe, healthy and resilient work environment for its employees and contractors' workers. This achievement reaffirms Alba's strategic vision and core values, particularly prioritising its workers' safety into every layer of its operations. Alba believes that its people are its most valuable assets, and investing in their safety is an investment in the Company's future success. Alba is redefining the standards for excellence in occupational safety through its numerous achievements, the last of which was winning six major awards from the National Safety Council (NSC) – USA for 2025, as well as the Royal Society for the Prevention Accidents (RoSPA)'s 'President's Award' for the third consecutive year. -Ends- About Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) [Ticker: ALBH] A Global Aluminium Leader: At plus-1.62 million metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) (2024), Alba is a world-leading aluminium smelter with a proud 50-year legacy in operational excellence, safety, environmental responsibility, and community development. Trusted Partner: A cornerstone of the Bahrain's economy, Alba produces high-quality aluminium, including standard and value-added products, which are exported to over 280 customers globally. With sales' offices in Europe (Zurich), Asia (Singapore), and a subsidiary in the U.S., Alba is a reliable partner on the world stage. Alba is dually listed on Bahrain Bourse and London Stock Exchange and its shareholders are Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company B.S.C. © (69.38%), Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) (20.62%) and General Public (10%). Alba prioritises the highest quality standards, reflected in its certifications: ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment), ISO 27001 (information security), ISO 45001 (occupational health and safety), and ISO 18788 (security operations management). Additionally, Alba demonstrates its commitment to responsible manufacturing through certifications like IATF 16949 (automotive quality), ISO 22301 (business continuity management), ASI Performance and Chain of Custody Standards, and a top 15% Silver sustainability rating from EcoVadis. Pioneering Sustainability: As the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East, Alba is central to Bahrain's thriving downstream aluminium sector, contributing significantly to the Kingdom's GDP. Committed to social responsibility, Alba employs a workforce that is 87% Bahrainis (2024) and invests heavily in employee training and development. Alba also plays a crucial role in the Aluminium Downstream Park, therefore increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the GDP of Bahrain. Alba has been recognised for its initiatives to produce Aluminium responsibly through awards such as Top ESG performer in Bahrain by ESG Invest, Safeguard Label from Bureau Veritas and Best Corporate Governance Award by Ethical Boardroom. Recognised for its environmental practices, social contributions, and corporate governance, Alba launched a comprehensive ESG Roadmap in 2022 focusing on 6 priority areas: (1) Decarbonisation, (2) Green Energy & Aluminium, (3) Circular Economy & Secondary Aluminium, (4) Employee Welfare, (5) Collaboration & Partnership and (6) Transparency, Communications & Due Diligence. Since its inception, Alba has invested into numerous environment, sustainable and socio-economic development projects that have had a positive impact on the society. Alba's first-of-its-kind US$37.5 million zero-waste Spent Pot Lining Treatment Plant, Power Station 5 Block 4 Project, and the upcoming +6 MW Solar Farm Project are tangible initiatives aligned with Bahrain's Net Zero Carbon Targets by 2060 led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain. Specifically, Alba's PS5 Block 4 is a new 680.9-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle power plant that expands the existing PS5 facility. Block 4 has increased the nameplate capacity of PS5 Complex from 1,800 MW to 2,481 MW and is reducing the Company's overall GHG emissions intensity ratio by 0.5 tonnes of CO2 per 1 tonne of aluminium produced. In a significant step towards its ESG goals, particularly its commitment to a circular economy and secondary aluminium, Alba introduced EternAlTM, its new line of low-carbon aluminium products. Launched in June 2025, EternAl offers two product series with multiple variations to meet diverse customer needs: one featuring recycled content, and the other integrating verified in-house carbon offsets. Safety First, Always: Guided by the motto "Safety First, Safety Always," Alba prioritises the well-being of its employees and contractors. The Company achieved a record-breaking 37 million safe working hours without a lost-time injury in June 2025. The Company has been recognised internationally for its excellent Safety and Health track record with awards such as the RoSPA's Lifetime President and President Awards (10+ Gold Medal Awards), the British Safety Council's International Safety Award with Merit along with 4-Star Audit Rating, as well as numerous awards from the National Safety Council (NSC). Alba Stakeholder Engagement Plan Alba prioritises open communication with all its stakeholders, including the community, environmental and social groups. Through its Stakeholder Engagement Plan, the Company proactively addresses environmental and social impacts of its operations, outlining clear mitigation controls. Alba also maintains an external Grievance Mechanism accessible through the Code of Conduct, allowing stakeholders and the public to voice concerns and raise issues. Alba's External Grievance Mechanism Alba prioritises ethical conduct and environmental responsibility. Stakeholders, employees, contractors, and the community can confidentially report any potential breaches of Alba's Code of Conduct or raise concerns about environmental and social impacts through the Alba Integrity Line. This independent, multilingual hotline operates 24/7 and is accessible via a toll-free phone number, the company intranet, or the website at For further details, please contact: Eline Hilal Director, Investor Relations, Insurance & Corporate Secretary Investor Relations Department E-mail: Website: Follow us on:
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Valneva Scotland earns prestigious global health and safety award
Scotland's largest vaccine producer, Valneva Scotland Ltd, based in Livingston, has been awarded a Gold Award for health and safety by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) - one of the most prestigious international recognitions of workplace safety excellence. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland's largest vaccine producer, Valneva Scotland Ltd, based in Livingston, has been awarded a Gold Award for health and safety by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) - one of the most prestigious international recognitions of workplace safety excellence. This significant achievement marks the second consecutive year that Valneva Scotland has been recognised by RoSPA for its outstanding commitment to health and safety, having received the Silver Award in 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad RoSPA's Health and Safety Awards attract nearly 2,000 entries each year from over 50 countries, making it the world's longest running and most widely respected health and safety awards programme. Gold Award winners are recognised for achieving exceptionally high standards, with robust health and safety management systems, strong safety culture, and very low levels of incidents and risk. Paulina Meducka, Senior Occupational Health and Safety Advisor, and Kathleen Haddow, OHSE Manager at Valneva Scotland This accolade reflects Valneva Scotland's unwavering dedication to excellence, setting a benchmark in the life sciences sector and beyond. Greig Rooney, Managing Director at Valneva Scotland Ltd said: 'Being recognised as a leader in health and safety for the second year running highlights the consistent, priority focus we place on creating a safe working environment across our entire operation. Protecting the wellbeing of our team is not only vital in reducing risk and harm, but also essential in ensuring we can continue to produce vaccines that protect people from preventable diseases. 'This recognition is a testament to the commitment of our team of highly skilled professionals who are truly at the heart of everything we do. I want to thank our Health and Safety team, and indeed everyone at Valneva Scotland, for their outstanding dedication and diligence in maintaining the highest standards every single day.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Valneva colleagues Kathleen Haddow and Paulina Meducka accepted the prestigious 2025 RoSPA Gold Award during a ceremony held in London in June 2025. Kathleen Haddow, OHSE Manager, said:'It's incredibly rewarding to see Valneva Scotland recognised as a gold-standard leader in health and safety by this globally recognised organisation. The application process is extremely rigorous, so to not only maintain the high standards we achieved last year but build on them to secure gold is a real testament to the dedication and commitment the whole site demonstrates every single day in keeping each other safe. We are incredibly proud of this accomplishment and grateful to all those who have contributed to making safety a core value in our day-to-day operations.'
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Valneva Scotland earns prestigious global health and safety award
Valneva Scotland earns prestigious global health and safety award Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland's largest vaccine producer, Valneva Scotland Ltd, based in Livingston, has been awarded a Gold Award for health and safety by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) - one of the most prestigious international recognitions of workplace safety excellence. This significant achievement marks the second consecutive year that Valneva Scotland has been recognised by RoSPA for its outstanding commitment to health and safety, having received the Silver Award in 2024. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad RoSPA's Health and Safety Awards attract nearly 2,000 entries each year from over 50 countries, making it the world's longest running and most widely respected health and safety awards programme. Gold Award winners are recognised for achieving exceptionally high standards, with robust health and safety management systems, strong safety culture, and very low levels of incidents and risk. Paulina Meducka, Senior Occupational Health and Safety Advisor, and Kathleen Haddow, OHSE Manager at Valneva Scotland This accolade reflects Valneva Scotland's unwavering dedication to excellence, setting a benchmark in the life sciences sector and beyond. Greig Rooney, Managing Director at Valneva Scotland Ltd said:'Being recognised as a leader in health and safety for the second year running highlights the consistent, priority focus we place on creating a safe working environment across our entire operation. Protecting the wellbeing of our team is not only vital in reducing risk and harm, but also essential in ensuring we can continue to produce vaccines that protect people from preventable diseases. 'This recognition is a testament to the commitment of our team of highly skilled professionals who are truly at the heart of everything we do. I want to thank our Health and Safety team, and indeed everyone at Valneva Scotland, for their outstanding dedication and diligence in maintaining the highest standards every single day.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Valneva colleagues Kathleen Haddow and Paulina Meducka accepted the prestigious 2025 RoSPA Gold Award during a ceremony held in London in June 2025. Kathleen Haddow, OHSE Manager, said:'It's incredibly rewarding to see Valneva Scotland recognised as a gold-standard leader in health and safety by this globally recognised organisation. The application process is extremely rigorous, so to not only maintain the high standards we achieved last year but build on them to secure gold is a real testament to the dedication and commitment the whole site demonstrates every single day in keeping each other safe.
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Climate
- The Herald Scotland
Young men most likely to drown despite drop in water-related deaths
While the overall number of water-related fatalities fell to 78 in 2024, the lowest level since 2018, recent statistics from 2024 suggest that young men are disproportionately affected. The Drowning and Incident Review (DIR) dashboard also provides more specific and in-depth live data, which is updated monthly. According to the published WAID figures, of the 33 accidental deaths, over half (55 per cent) occurred in coastal waters - a shift from the historical trend of inland waterway incidents. Recreational activities were involved in 46% of these fatalities, and April emerged as the deadliest month. READ MORE: Encouragingly, overall drownings and accidental drownings are at their lowest levels in Scotland, the accidental fatality rate dropped to 0.60 per 100,000 people, continuing a downward trend. Carlene McAvoy, Founder of Water Safety Scotland and RoSPA's Senior Policy Manager, said: 'This year's figures show real progress; water-related fatalities in Scotland are at their lowest levels. However, this is not a time for complacency, as every water-related fatality is a tragedy. Last year's data show that young men were the most affected, with coastal waters currently the most common location for deaths, so we must continue to focus our efforts to address these concerns with targeted safety messages and interventions. "Fortunately, the introduction of the Drowning and Incident Review (DIR) in May 2023 has helped to improve the quality and clarity of fatality data, reducing the number of 'not recorded' outcomes and has provided deeper insights into incident causes, which we will continue to use to help identify risk factors now and in the future.' Community Safety Minister Siobhain Brown said: 'My thoughts and sympathies are with the families and friends who have lost a loved one in a drowning accident. "I encourage everyone to protect themselves and others when in and around the water and to be aware that water temperature can vary drastically, as can currents and tides. It's well worth learning the Water Safety Code and using the resources of Water Safety Scotland so people can stay safe and prevent accidents in our waters.'
