his achievement marks SPIE as the first company in Europe to attain this award. (Image source: SPIE)

SPIE, Europe’s leading independent provider of multi-technical services in energy and communications, has earned the Step 4 Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) certification for its Substations business unit within the High Voltage operational division in Germany.

This achievement marks SPIE as the first company in Europe to attain the second-highest certification level in the field of switchgear engineering, recognising its exceptional workplace safety culture.

The certification remains valid for three years, with performance monitored through regular audits. Notably, the Transmission Lines business unit within the same division was awarded the Step 4 SCL certificate in 2023.

Encouraging mindful safety behaviour 

“The certification independently confirms SPIE’s commitment to fostering a proactive safety culture. Ensuring all our employees return home safe and sound each day is part of our shared responsibility,” said Hannes Simon, head of substations in the high voltage operational division of SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria. “Being the first company to reach Step 4 on the Safety Culture Ladder in switchgear engineering is a source of great pride for us, not to mention clear proof that we are on the right track.”

“That both the Transmission Lines and now the Substations business units have achieved the second-highest SCL certification step is a testament to the importance of workplace safety in our operational division. We will continue to pursue this path with determination,” said Burkhard Sager, head of the high voltage operational division at SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria.

“The progress made by the High Voltage operational division sets an example for others. It demonstrates that workplace health and safety efforts succeed when employees at all levels actively contribute to establishing a sustainable safety culture in their daily work through mindful and safety-conscious behaviour,” said Markus Holzke, managing director of SPIE Germany Switzerland Austria.

SPIE places workplace safety at the core of its operations, conducting regular safety briefings, training sessions, and workshops while adhering to globally recognised occupational safety standards. The company strives to foster a strong safety culture, ensuring that employees remain vigilant while continuously minimising risks and potential hazards in daily operations.

The Safety Culture Ladder (SCL) is an internationally recognised framework that promotes workplace safety through a behaviour-based approach. Consisting of five levels, it assesses safety awareness across all organisational tiers through audits based on employee interviews and on-site observations. The evaluation also includes collaboration with partner companies, ensuring a comprehensive assessment of safety culture beyond SPIE’s immediate workforce.

SPIE is a leading independent European provider of multi-technical services in energy and communications, with a workforce of 50,000 employees across six major European countries. Driven by a commitment to sustainability, SPIE’s mission is to combat climate change by advancing energy transition and enabling a digital transformation that fosters long-term progress for communities and citizens alike.

Great Britain's health and safety regulator is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025.

The Health and Safety Executive was the result of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work etc Act., which came into effect in the UK from January 1^st, 1975.

1974, before the HSE was established, 651 Brits were killed in workplace incidents. Figures from 2023/24 show that the figure has fallen to 138.

The Health and Safety Executive's chief executive, Sarah Albon, said the executive "has led the way in establishing Great Britain as a safe place to work," noting that "there is still much for HSE to take on... as we look ahead to the next 50 years."

Sir Stephen Timms, the Minister for Social Security and Disability, added, "Over the last half-century this organisation has been at the heart of efforts to protect people and places across Britain: I would like to thank them for this vital work.

"As we support more people to get into work through our Get Britain Working White paper, and as we move to strengthen protection for workers, their mission will be as important as ever – now and long into the future."

The 2025 action plan reflects EAfA’s unwavering commitment to empowering apprenticeships as a foundation for Europe’s workforce strategy. (Image source: European Commission))

The European Alliance for Apprenticeships (EAfA) recently released its 2025 action plan aimed at fostering quality apprenticeships in the EU and beyond

The 2025 action plan reflects EAfA’s unwavering commitment to empowering apprenticeships as a foundation for Europe’s workforce strategy. With a key emphasis on innovation and cooperation, members of the EAfA continue to share presentations, infographics and factsheets, in an attempt to promote apprenticeships and the work of EAfA. Meanwhile, targeted outreach campaigns will focus on expanding the membership in underrepresented key economic sectors experiencing shortages, such as agriculture, construction, and hospitality.  

Networking will take centre stage in 2025, with high-profile events designed to connect stakeholders and inspire action. The annual high-level conference in Brussels will delve into apprenticeships' role in achieving the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal, addressing themes like labour mobility, skill recognition, and cross-border collaboration.

Complementing this, the EAfA Get-Together and the European Apprentices Network (EAN) meetings will facilitate dialogue among members and amplify apprentices’ voices, with the 10th annual seminar scheduled to be held later this year. 

To support its members, new tools and learning materials will be introduced in 2025 highlighing on apprenticeships for adults and factsheets equipping trainers with appropriate skills and competencies, developing basic skills, and expanding higher-level apprenticeships. A couple of webinars will also tackle such as improving working conditions and addressing gender stereotypes in apprenticeships. 

Chris Floyd, chair of RoSPA’s National Road Safety Committee (NRSC)

Chris Floyd, Evri’s transport and safety lead, has been named chair of RoSPA’s National Road Safety Committee (NRSC), bringing two decades of professional and personal dedication to road safety.

With a career that began as an HGV driver and evolved into leadership roles in transport management and safety advocacy, Floyd’s journey has been shaped by his understanding of the personal and economic impacts of road incidents.

Data-driven approach

As Chair, Floyd aims to strike a balance between leveraging data and recognising the human stories behind road safety statistics. He emphasises that each incident represents a life, a family, and a community affected, underscoring the need to combine analytical insights with compassion.

Floyd’s contributions to the road safety community include chairing the Institute of Couriers’ Road Safety & Wellbeing group and delivering the Bridget Driscoll Memorial Lecture at the University of West London.

His involvement with organisations such as RoSPA, ScORSA, and National Highways highlights his commitment to advancing safety standards across the sector.

Reflecting on his vision for the NRSC, Floyd aspires to build on the committee’s legacy by advocating for practical, sustainable solutions that influence decision-makers locally, nationally, and internationally. He hopes to continue fostering collaboration and driving actionable change to make roads safer for everyone.

The new Action Plan focuses on impact mitigation as well as preventing, detecting and deterring cyber threats. (Image source: European Commission)

To address the numerous cybersecurity challenges faced by EU countries in the past few years, the European Commission has presented an Action Plan to strengthen the cybersecurity of hospitals and healthcare providers

The rise in data-related threat risks can affect a number of systems that would be likely to have a significant affect on patient care. By building on existing legislation and extending its scope to include general practices, the new Action Plan focuses on impact mitigation as well as preventing, detecting and deterring cyber threats. 

Moreover, it also aims to offer bespoke guidance to hospitals and healthcare providers by setting up a pan-European Cybersecurity Support Centre which is scheduled to be set up over the next couple of years.