Health and Safety

Firefighters: “failures at every level of government” led to Bristol tower block crisis

22 Nov, 2023 By Alice Dann

The Fire Brigades Union has today condemned “failures at every level of government” leading to the evacuation of hundreds of residents of Barton House tower block in Bristol last week. The council is now carrying out investigations due to last Monday’s report that “in the event of a fire, explosion...

Fire and Rescue Service Matters - oppose deregulation of furniture safety laws

21 Nov, 2023

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) is sounding the alarm over ministers’ proposals to deregulate the furniture regulations, revoking longstanding mandatory tests to be replaced by so far unseen voluntary guidance.

Fire and Rescue Service Matters

FBU Submission - Consultation on Domestic Upholstered Furniture

16 Nov, 2023

Circular ref

2023HOC0530BS

Dear Brother / Sister FBU Submission - Consultation on Domestic Upholstered Furniture In August of this year, the Department for Business and Trade launched a consultation with the aim of revoking the...

FBU officials and UCLan team with cancer monitoring set up

“Proud to lead the way”: Firefighter cancer monitoring project launched in Newcastle returns

13 Nov, 2023 By Alice Dann

100 firefighters to be tested for cancer and other health issues in Tyne and Wear as part of a national firefighter health monitoring research project, commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). Firefighters are not currently...

Boldmere St Michaels FC DECON testing for West Mids ffs

Charity football helps fund DECON tests after bosses decline aid

More than 100 West Midlands firefighters took part in the latest DECON research in October, with health testing carried out by the University of Central Lancashire. Results will be used to detect cancers and other diseases at an early stage, and to identify evidence linking occupational cancers with...

Union warns of “catastrophe” as hundreds of firefighters gather to launch Firefighters' Manifesto

31 Oct, 2023 By Alice Dann

Today, Wednesday 1 November, hundreds of firefighters and control staff will assemble in Westminster to launch a new ‘Firefighters’ Manifesto’. As the country recovers from flooding, and braces for the realities of climate change, the union warned that politicians must “listen to the voice of the...

Scientist with gloves on placing blood samples into rack

Firefighters fund cancer testing following “appalling neglect” from government and bosses

03 Oct, 2023 By Alice Dann

West Midlands firefighters to be tested for cancer and other health issues as part of a UK-wide firefighter health monitoring research project, commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Firefighters are currently not provided with...

A stylised image of a firefighter adjusting their breathing apparatus, covered in contaminants

Scottish firefighters participate in “ground-breaking” health trials

11 Sep, 2023 By Ben Duncan-Duggal

Hundreds of firefighters to be tested for cancer and other health issues in Scotland as part of a UK-wide firefighter health monitoring research project, commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) Firefighters are currently not...

“Dangerous” Breathing Apparatus policy in doubt as Health and Safety Executive investigates

16 Aug, 2023 By Ben Duncan-Duggal

New Breathing Apparatus policy puts lives in danger, says FBU Health and Safety Executive agrees to investigate after union pressure FBU calls on firefighters not to comply with proposed practice The Fire Brigades Union has today welcomed moves by the Health and Safety Executive to investigate a new...

Meet the rep - Scott MacRory, H&S Scotland

1. What made you want to become a rep? I was ‘encouraged’ to become a rep by an existing area/brigade official on my station who I had been questioning over things I didn’t feel were right within the service. He saw an opportunity for me to channel that frustration into something which would give me...

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