Skip to main content
Facilitate Magazine: Informing Workplace and Facilities Management Professionals - return to the homepage Facilitate magazine logo
  • Search
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit Facilitate Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @Facilitate_Mag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management Logo of the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
    • Comment
    • People
    • Reports
    • Research
  • Features
    • Analysis
    • Features
    • Round Tables
    • Webinars
  • Outsourcing
    • Contract Finder
    • Contracts
    • FM Business Models
    • Interviews
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Opinion
    • Procurement
    • Trends
  • Know-How
    • Explainers
    • Legal Updates
    • White Papers
  • Jobs
  • Topics
    • Workplace Services
      • Hospitality
      • Catering
      • Cleaning
      • Front of House
      • Grounds Maintenance
      • Helpdesk
      • Mailroom
      • Manned Guarding / Security
      • Pest Control
      • Washroom Services
      • Disaster Recovery
      • Specialist Services
    • Professional Performance
      • Behavioural Change
      • Continual Professional Development
      • Education
      • Management
      • Recruitment
      • Training
    • Workplace Performance
      • Benchmarking
      • Health & Wellbeing
      • Operational Readiness
      • Procurement
      • Security
      • Workplace User Experience
      • Workplace Culture
    • Compliance
      • Health & Safety
      • Risk & Business Continuity
      • Standards
      • Statutory Compliance
    • Building Services
      • Architecture & Construction
      • Asset Management
      • Building Controls
      • Building Fabric
      • Drinking Water
      • Fire Protection
      • HVAC
      • Landscaping
      • Mechanical & Electrical
      • Building Security
      • Water, Drainage & Plumbing
    • Technology
      • Building Information Modelling
      • CAFM
      • Data & Networks
      • Document Management
      • Information Management
      • Internet of Things (IoT)
      • Software & Systems
    • Energy management
      • Energy Management Systems
      • Electricity
      • Gas
      • Solar
      • Wind
    • Sustainability
      • Environmental Quality
      • Social Value
      • Waste Management
      • Recycling
    • Workspace Design
      • Agile Working
      • Fit-Out & Refurbishment
      • Inclusive Access
      • Lighting
      • Office Interiors
      • Signage
      • Space Planning
      • Storage
      • Vehicle Management / Parking
      • Washroom
    • Sectors
      • Corporate Office
      • Education
      • Healthcare
      • Manufacturing
      • International
      • Retail
      • Sports & Leisure
      • Regions
  • Buyers' Guide
Quick links:
  • Home
  • News
Reports
Health & Safety
Environmental Quality

British Safety Council calls for more air pollution monitoring and better data

Open-access content Thursday 9th December 2021 — updated 9.34am, Friday 10th December 2021
Authors
Herpreet Kaur Grewal
web_london-orange-sky_credit_iStock-1016183910.png

iStock

The British Safety Council is urging the UK Government to approach air pollution hazards with the same degree of urgency as it does climate change and to improve monitoring of air pollution levels across the UK.

In a letter to Goerge Eustice, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs this week, Mike Robinson, chief executive of British Safety Council, said: “The British Safety Council has been campaigning since 2019 to raise awareness of the impact that air pollution can have on the health of outdoor workers. More recently, the risk to everyone’s health from poor air quality was highlighted by the World Health Organisation (WHO)’s decision to significantly reduce the limits in its air quality guidelines (AQGs) for smaller particulates and nitrogen dioxide. We support this decision and have been consistent in continuing to call for the UK Government to match WHO’s limits.

“The UK has an opportunity to lead the world on this issue, particularly now that we have left the European Union, and should approach improving the air we breathe with the same energy and zeal as it does in tackling climate change.”

On the question of monitoring and data, Robinson said: “While we know that the government recently announced a new round of air quality grants for local authorities, which is welcome, much of this money is intended for them to raise awareness on the issue.

“The British Safety Council is calling for improvements in the monitoring of air pollution levels throughout the UK. Indeed, we want every town and city to have the same standard of information and data as the London Air Quality Network (LAQN) which is now even being supplemented by other additional sensors as part of the ‘Breathe London’ initiative.”

On the fact that risks of outdoor air pollution are not currently overseen by the government’s health and safety regulator, Robinson added: “We also would like to see the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recognise exposure to ambient air pollution as an occupational health issue. Only by accepting the health implications of noxious outdoor air can the necessary actions be taken to protect workers who are exposed to its harmful effects on a regular basis.

“The HSE must recognise outdoor workers as a vulnerable group and undertake the research needed to assess the scale of the problem, but we know it will not do so unless directed to by ministers.”

Robinson’s exhortation came ahead of a private member’s bill being tabled in the House of Commons this week by Christine Jardine MP, which also calls on the government to match the WHO’s clean air targets.

He added: “The government will be consulting next year to determine new limits for the UK, as part of targets being set under the new environment act. We are urging it to be as bold and ambitious as possible with these, given we know there are no safe limits to human health from breathing fine particles (PM2.5).

“We would encourage MPs to support this private member’s bill and urge the government to show global leadership and match the WHO’s new lower air pollution limits.”

Image credit | iStock

Today‘s top news stories

web_St-Thomas-hospital_credit_William-Barton_shutterstock_1065675728.png

Pareto FM bags slot on £5.8bn NHS framework 

Facilities services firm Pareto Facilities Management has gained a place on the NHS Total Facilities Management 2022 Framework. 
Thursday 7th July 2022
Open-access content
web_©Mears-Group_62c299d6f8bf3039b4cbe96b_Career.png

Mears Group secures housing repairs deal with Tower Hamlets Homes

Mears Group has been awarded a five-year building repairs contract by East London housing association Tower Hamlets Homes. 
Thursday 7th July 2022
Open-access content
web_©Sodexo_Abingdon-School.png

Sodexo renews catering contract with Abingdon School

Independents by Sodexo has secured a seven-year contract extension with Abingdon School, an independent day and boarding school located near Oxford.
Wednesday 6th July 2022
Open-access content
web_Hybrid-working_credit_Celia-Ong_shutterstock_2044892786.jpg

Employers ‘failing to promote benefits of office working’

Workplace and facilities management thought leaders have warned that employers aren’t doing enough to attract their people back to the office in research released last week by IWFM in partnership with Ricoh.
Reports
Surveys
Wednesday 6th July 2022
Open-access content
web_Kwasi-Kwarteng_©Parliament-UK_CC-BY-3.0_Portrait.png

Energy bill introduced to Parliament 

The energy security bill announced as a part of the Queen's Speech was introduced into Parliament this week by Kwasi Kwarteng, Business and Energy Secretary.
Wednesday 6th July 2022
Open-access content
web_Cabinet-office-plaque_CREDIT_pxl.store_shutterstock_709350121.png

Mace and Wates FM sign up to CCS framework

Wates is expanding its presence in the public sector with its places on lots 2A and 2B. The firm said that social value would form a significant part of contract delivered through the framework, reflecting the provider’s “commitment to ensuring diversity and inclusion, creating opportunities for training and employment and embedding social enterprises within its supply chain”.  The appointment sees Wates Group build on its position as a CCS frameworks supplier, including CCS’s Construction Works and Associated Works and the Government Hubs Fit-Out Framework. Wates FM’s presence on public sect
Wednesday 6th July 2022
Open-access content
Filed in:
News
Also filed in:
Reports
Health & Safety
Environmental Quality

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Today's top reads

 

Latest Jobs

Project Leader (Maternity Cover One Year Contract)

Cambridge
Circa £50,000 Pro Rata + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56378

Maintenance Supervisor

Surrey
Up to £43,000 + Excellent Package & Opportunities
Reference
56376

Regional Facilities Manager

South West England
Circa £40,000 + Benefits & Opportunities
Reference
56375
See all jobs »

 

 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to print

Sign up to receive our bi-monthly magazine

Subscribe
Facilitate magazine cover, June 2020
​
FOLLOW US
@Facilitate_Mag
Facilitate Magazine
Facilitate Magazine
CONTACT US
Contact us
Tel: 020 7880 6200
​

IWFM

About IWFM
Become a member
Qualifications
Events

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to Facilitate Magazine
Write for Facilitate Magazine

General

IWFM Jobs
Help

© 2022 • www.facilitatemagazine.com and Facilitate Magazine are published by Redactive Media Group. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ